Is a Costo Membership worth it?

[Pizza]

I've always been doing my usual grocery shopping at Superstore and the odd time, I'd hear about my friend who made a recent trip to Costco

Are they really that much cheaper?

I've always wondered if getting that $50 membership outweighed the extra few cents i'd spend in Walmart or Superstore

They do have great steaks, and did consider that in wanting to get my own membership but one thing that really bugs me is that they dont accept Credit card transactions other than their own creditcard

Maybe a regular shopper out there can weigh in on some of the benefits?

[Minnie]

You do have to know your prices at other stores. I generally have a pretty good idea what I can pick things up for locally so I compare when I go in. We don't go as often now that the kids are mostly grown but it definitely was worth it for us when they were in their teens. I really like them for books - so much cheaper than places like Chapters.

We buy some meat there, spices, rice, garbage bags, sugar/flour, pain relievers (Advil, Tylenol), sometimes electronics, housewares at times, tools when the price is right, laundry soap - it really just depends.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Pizza

but one thing that really bugs me is that they dont accept Credit card transactions other than their own creditcard

They actually take any Amex. As well as debit.

Shop there more than once or twice a year and your membership will pay for itself. Not everything is cheaper (ie DVDs/games) but enough is to make it worth it.

[SHOGUN]

I don't shop there but my parents who own a business shop there every week. Quality at Costco is awesome, and warranty on things like electronics is even more awesome. There are items there you not find anywhere but Costco which is also another perk. Prescriptions are cheaper than anywhere else too. Buying bulk = saving long term, so if you eat a lot or have a decent sized family to feed... Costco is the way to go. Plus the Poutine and Hotdogs there are goooooooooood.

[NomNomNom]

If you wannna plan on spending $300 on groceries each trip only to walk out realizing you've spent $2,500 every trip then it's definitely worth it.

[BloodFetish]

It's worth it for meat and cheese alone!

Overall the quality of their food is top-notch. The only frustrating thing for me is some items come and go. The Belmont bison burgers were fabulous but I haven't seen them for many months now, and probably never will again.

[To Be Quite Honest]

I split my membership with a friend because I added her on mine because I have a business membership. That way you save a staggering $25.00!

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by BloodFetish

It's worth it for meat and cheese alone!

Overall the quality of their food is top-notch. The only frustrating thing for me is some items come and go. The Belmont bison burgers were fabulous but I haven't seen them for many months now, and probably never will again.

The way Costco buys their merchandise (that isn't Kirkland) basically means that you can see a product one day and then will never see it again. I forget the exact term, but basically they buy stuff in lots for super super cheap, like from companies going out of business and just want to liquidate, etc. That's why you always see crates and crates of a product and then will never see it again.

To answer the OP's question though, it's worth it just for the socks. Seriously, I buy like 4 packs a year.

Also, it is impossible to spend under $100 at a time, so be wary of that.

[Regulator75]

Depends on how many people you're trying too feed.

For 14 years it was just the two of us and we don't see the appeal of buying a 144 pack of toilet paper or a 5 litre tub of mustard.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

For 14 years it was just the two of us and we don't see the appeal of buying a 144 pack of toilet paper

I only shop for myself and I don't understand how anyone wouldn't see the appeal of a 144 pack of toilet paper.

[Ace]

If you like non-frozen Berries, you'll easily make up the membership fee buying those alone. You usually get triple the amount than you get at the regular grocery store (at or near the same price.)

This is worth it to me if I stop by Balzac Costco on a lunch hour, however I'd never do it on a Saturday in beacon hill. What a zoo.

[psicodude]

It's definitely worth it, especially if you start getting into bigger ticket items like TV's or furniture. Like Ace said above, the actual price you pay is close to the same, but you get way more value for your dollar. Fresh fruit and bread are the best examples I can think of.

Oh, and make sure you have a large enough freezer.

[GGG]

If the Costco you will be going to is the Heritage Costco it is not worth it. That place is a disaster. At Tuesday at 10am the parking is full it services the entire south of the City with the next closest one being in Okotoks. It is not worth it.

If they opened up a second one in Signil Hill, Shawnessee or 130ave then it might work but if you live in the South, enjoy your sanity, and don't want to drive to okotoks don't bother.

[Nyah]

Definitely worth it, I think. It's just two of us, but we shop there and get bulk things like toilet paper, paper towel, Kleenex, laundry detergent, soap, etc. Things that we're absolutely going to use at some point over the next couple of months. You save a lot of money on stuff like that by buying it in bulk. Other things like olive oil & quinoa (we go through a staggering amount of both) are way cheaper when you buy them in bulk from Costco than anywhere else, including Superstore.

[Reaper]

We have an executive membership where you get back 2% on everything you spend at Costco. It costs more than the standard membership (~$110 IIRC) but I find we rarely have to pay when it comes time for membership dues. For instance, last week we got a set of tires at Costco and will get $14 cash back because of it.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Reaper

We have an executive membership where you get back 2% on everything you spend at Costco. It costs more than the standard membership (~$110 IIRC) but I find we rarely have to pay when it comes time for membership dues. For instance, last week we got a set of tires at Costco and will get $14 cash back because of it.

Plus, don't they reimburse you the extra cost of that membership, if you don't save at least that amount for the duration?

[Halfcreek]

If you have the space for bulk and the patience to keep track of some genearl pricing - yes, it's worth it.
Watch prices though - for example - chicken breasts. Most meat is much cheaper at Costco - but for chicken breasts, you have to catch them on the right week. So - like someone before me said, if you know some prices generally in your head, then you'll be good.

[bizaro86]

If you ask me: No
If you ask my wife: Yes

[Northendzone]

the first time you buy a 15 pounder of cumin you realize that you are in an will be unable to get out.........

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by GGG

If the Costco you will be going to is the Heritage Costco it is not worth it. That place is a disaster. At Tuesday at 10am the parking is full it services the entire south of the City with the next closest one being in Okotoks. It is not worth it.

If they opened up a second one in Signil Hill, Shawnessee or 130ave then it might work but if you live in the South, enjoy your sanity, and don't want to drive to okotoks don't bother.

This word for word. Do all the restaurant and store owners in the city go at the same time or something? Unbelievable how busy the place was when I went on a weekday morning. I absolutely loathe crowds and am happy to pay regular price if it means avoiding them.

Best time to go grocery shopping is safeway on a saturday or sunday at 9pm!