Is a Costo Membership worth it?

[jtfrogger]

We just got our membership a year ago, and we have used it so much that we picked up the executive membership for the extra 2% rebate.

With a baby, the value is easily there. It probably only took about a month or two to pay for the membership on baby formula alone. The formula they have cheaper than buying a can anywhere else, even if it is on sale. I actually did a fair amount of research to find the best price. However, the Costco one it is double the size. You pay for the basic membership on the third canister.

There are a number of things that I buy there that I believe is substantial value over other places: baby wipes, cheese, Annie's mac & cheese, fresh berries, some of the clothing.

There are a few things that I believe is better prices, but in all honesty, I could be wrong on a couple of these: bread, frozen fish, frozen fruit, ziploc bags & containers, plastic wrap, parchment paper, maple syrup, natural peanut butter, flowers, etc.

The Kirkland brand is very good and cheap. I just recently discovered their cave aged cheddar and was quite impressed. The veggie burgers are probably the best I have had.

The meat is really good quality and value. You can get a pack of 5 pork tenderloins for about $20. I think I've paid more than $10 for one at other places.

Electronics are priced similarly to the better deals you can find elsewhere. However, Costco has an amazing warranty and return policy. You can return electronics within 90 days for a full refund without issue. They extend warranties automatically and offer further extension for a very reasonable price.

The liquor store is great too, but you don't need a Costco membership to shop there. I'd put Kirkland tequila up against any tequila that costs twice as much.

There are some things that aren't as great value, but that can be said of any store. The international selection of chocolates that I bought before Christmas was quite mediocre. I was disappointed by their pomegranates, especially since you have to buy six at a time. Which speaks to the other downside, some portion sizes are ridiculous. Overall, I find the portions are reasonable for our family knowing that some items will go into the freezer or shelf for usage over a few months. The stores and the parking lots can be a loony bin. It is definitely not a place for people that hate crowds.

[FlamesAddiction]

I like Costco. I hate shopping there because it's a madhouse, but fo rthe most part I find their staff provides decent customer service, competetive prices, and quality merchandise. Being a family of 2, it doesn't make sense to go there all the time as most of the savings are in buying bulk, but I have also found good deals on electronics and appliances.

In Quebec, you can also buy beer in bulk there. It was something like 55 cans for $60. They call it; "The Octagon".

[ma-skis.com]

not really sure, i found i was just finding more reasons to buy more stuff i didn't need. The stuff I needed was cheaper, but then I ended up buying things like a giant bag of trail mix that i never would have bought at superstore, or a new electric toothbrush etc...

Costco is all about the impulse purchase, just be aware of that... plus the line ups are stupid.

We've gotten away by going with the mother in law the 2 or 3 times a year she visits, the 144 pack toilet paper generally lasts until she visits again... except that one time with the stomach flu.

[darklord700]

I only buy Costco membership becasue I live less than 10 minutes from them. It's retail therapy to me to check out what deals they have every week.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

In Quebec, you can also buy beer in bulk there. It was something like 55 cans for $60. They call it; "The Octagon".

The Okotoks location has those as well. I'm sure most fo the ones with liquor stores would have them.

[Komskies]

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.

The best time to go to the Heritage Costco is after 4pm on weekdays I've found. The crowds have almost always died down by then and you actually see a bunch of the employees doing their shopping before going home.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by ken0042

The Okotoks location has those as well. I'm sure most fo the ones with liquor stores would have them.

Oh!

I know the ones in Ontario don't, and I don't think the ones in BC do either. I can't say that I was ever in an Alberta Costco.

They should sell that everywhere.

[Nyah]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

In Quebec, you can also buy beer in bulk there. It was something like 55 cans for $60. They call it; "The Octagon".

You mean, l'octogone? And what kind of beer? Kirkland?

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Nyah

You mean, l'octogone? And what kind of beer? Kirkland?

Pretty much the big name brands like Molson, Labatt, Coors, Bud, etc...

[Canada 02]

I find these warehouse retailers have better prices, but you need to be wise or disciplined in your purchase choices, especially food items

For example, you might normally buy an 8oz steak from a regular grocery store for say $8. At a warehouse store, you might get 10oz for the same price, but they only sell 12-16oz steaks, so you end up buying a bigger steak for $11, and you either don't eat it all, or you do and get fat - and you will if you are constantly eating 20-25% larger portions

Unfortunately, I'm not disciplined enough to properly control my portions. If I have food, I'll eat it; If I have a lot of food, I'll eat more. In the end, I'm actually spending more money

[Rudee]

I'm in Shawnessey and I just drive to the Okotooks Costco location, as there are rarely any lineups on weekdays. And unlike the Deerfoot Meadows location, you can get in and out relatively quickly.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Ace

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.

LOL, we drive to the Beacon Hill one to avoid the Sunridge one, which is technically closest to us. We find they seem to have more cashiers on during super busy times than Sunridge (or Heritage) ever does. I've been at the Beacon Hill one when it's been crazy busy and I don't think we've waited in line for more than about 10 minutes, ever. Waited far longer than that in line at the Sunridge one.

We buy a fair amount of meat from them, as I mentioned before, and I repackage it all when we get home - like stew meat, I cut up into smaller pieces and double bag in ziplock freezer bags, put hamburger into 1-2 pound packages, and that sort of thing. We never buy the fresh chicken breasts but pick up the frozen ones.

My mother-in-law likes to go when they're down here and she picks up vanilla (the real vanilla) and dog food because it's cheaper than up in the hinterlands where she lives. She grabs books there too because they're often so much cheaper.

[bizaro86]

Costco's in Calgary ranked by crowded/crazy/lineup factor, worst to best:

Heritage
Sunridge
Beacon Hill/Okotoks
Balzac

IMO only, I've only been to the Okotoks one twice.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

In Quebec, you can also buy beer in bulk there. It was something like 55 cans for $60. They call it; "The Octagon".

I've seen Kokanee.

[GreenLantern]

Yes, yes it is. Especially since you Albertans have liquor at your Costco, their brand of booze is actually pretty damn good and really cheap.

I buy pretty much everything I can from Costco. Almost everything they have is on par with pricing in other major stores, just in a larger quantity.

The other reason to buy at Costco is they will take back anything. My sisters central vac broke after 5 years (around $500), they took it back no questions asked and covered the difference ($100) to give her the new upgraded model since hers was no longer carried.

Another friend returned an area rug (around $350) that was 3 years old because it had worn out quite fast compared to another friends, they took it again no questions asked new carpet. Their return policy is second to none..

[macker]

It is worth it and for many people the membership fee is a write off. We go at least once a month and it is great for bulk food and gifts. Also handy when you are in the States and some of the park passes etc can save you some money depending on where you are going. We go to the Heritage location and it is one of the few places that I don't mind shopping. For one or two running low on items you can plan around the crowds and go around 10am or close to 8pm and get in and out quick but otherwise plan on spending an hour. The gas savings alone cover the cost of the memberhsip.

[RedMileDJ]

I was given a Costco membership as a Christmas present.

So...I would say it's worth it.

But seriously, we're going to see if we save any money over the next year, based on purchases and amounts we spend, and then evaluate and see if it's worth renewing next January.

So far we're happy. Some things you save on. Others you don't.

[edn88]

We have a corporate membership (more expensive by double) which has cash back, which just goes towards paying for the membership. Most years we pay for a good chunk of the membership.

Most of the items we get at Costco we could get at Superstore, Walmart etc, but I like being able to peruse random items looking for good deals.

I find some of the men's apparal to be very cheap (socks, pants, sport shirts). If we have something we want to buy in bulk (TP for example), happy to get it there.

The best part of a Costco card is Costco USA, where they have booze en masse (how all Americans are not alcoholic with prices I don't know), so most road trips I go on has a Costco stop - again random stuff is purchased including electronics etc.

[puckluck2]

Yes, just as long as you know what to buy and what not to buy from there. You get good deals on certain products but there are a lot of items where superstore or Wal-Mart would be cheaper.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by macker

It is worth it and for many people the membership fee is a write off. We go at least once a month and it is great for bulk food and gifts. Also handy when you are in the States and some of the park passes etc can save you some money depending on where you are going. We go to the Heritage location and it is one of the few places that I don't mind shopping. For one or two running low on items you can plan around the crowds and go around 10am or close to 8pm and get in and out quick but otherwise plan on spending an hour. The gas savings alone cover the cost of the memberhsip.

This, I forgot about.. we bought all of our Christmas presents at Costco.. just started early and every time we went found one or two more, it was great.

The hassle that saved was worth the membership by itself.