Is a Costo Membership worth it?

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

If you live in the south, it's worth the drive to the Okotoks store just to preserve you sanity. Open parking spots, clear aisles, and short lines means there's less desire to gun down everyone else in the store.

Dude...The first rule of Okotoks Costco is we don't talk about Okotoks Costco!

The last time I renewed my membership I asked how many of their customers are from Calgary, and the guy said almost 40%! Easily worth the drive.

[Robbob]

It is just me and my wife and I think it is worth it just for the meat. We picked up a food saver (on sale at costco) and when we buy meat, cheese, bacon, etc we portion and freeze. I think there are enough bargains here and there that it definitely makes it worth while.

[tvp2003]

Go for the quality, not the price. If you end up saving some money by buying in bulk (easy with certain items), all the better. Otherwise, it's easy to drop a bunch of cash on stuff you didn't really need or weren't going to buy.

Oh, and Costco poutine FTW

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by fotze

The one product I don't understand is the prepared wings, frozen and not. They are fataing terrible so don't be suckered into getting a bag of them. Just giant fatty steroidy wings. The chickens must look like (insert some blubbery fat celebrity).

The raw ones are fine from the meat department.

Why did they ever stop doing the fresh hot wings? and i miss my prodege underwear

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Go for the quality, not the price. If you end up saving some money by buying in bulk (easy with certain items), all the better. Otherwise, it's easy to drop a bunch of cash on stuff you didn't really need or weren't going to buy.

Oh, and Costco poutine FTW

What?? how can anyone like breaded fries?? nasty.

Also i found the perfect time to hit the NW costco. never more than a 3-4 minute wait in line. and no one at the gas bar. I will share for $20.

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

What?? how can anyone like breaded fries?? nasty.

Ummm, when they are lathered in awesome gravy and cheese curds?

I know they are awful for me, but I can't help myself.

[Bertuzzied]

Who are they to get away with breading their fries? FAIL!

and their pizza really sucks. But the $1.50 hotdog makes up for all their shortcomings.

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

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

Cut that big-ass steak in half! Don't forget to leave a thanks!

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Rita MacNeil? Am I doing it right?

I wish Costco would do it right and put a store in the city Rita currently resides in. Stupid 4.5 hour drive for me to get to Costco!

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by stang

I'm a ford guy... How does this savings work?

IIRC, we just had to show them our Costco card when they were doing up the paperwork - can't remember if they took a photocopy or just wrote the info down or what - anyway, basically we got the $1K knocked off the price. It was on select vehicles. Not sure if the promo is still running or not.

[Frequitude]

Just buy CostCo gift cards and avoid the membership fee all together.

[RW99]

Came to this thread looking for photos of oversized condiments...

Had to create my own:



Left satisfied.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by RW99

Came to this thread looking for photos of oversized condiments...

Had to create my own:



Left satisfied.

That would be insane. The worst part of having nutella is trying to lick out the inside of the container. With that one, I could just fit my whole head inside.

[csnarpy]

Shop at Heritage weekly and try to go to Okotoks once a month. At heritage we go anytime after 5 and the line ups are small and quick. Okotoks, the parking lot looks packed but then you get inside and it's like "where is everyone?"

FYI, Christmas shopping is always at Okotoks. Heritage is def a nightmare.

[stang]

Originally Posted by Minnie

IIRC, we just had to show them our Costco card when they were doing up the paperwork - can't remember if they took a photocopy or just wrote the info down or what - anyway, basically we got the $1K knocked off the price. It was on select vehicles. Not sure if the promo is still running or not.

Oh, yeah I got that when we bought our f150 last may. I thought there was a way to get a deal from Costco for owning said ford

[Wormius]

I once bought a box of Reese Peanut Butter Cups while I was in university. It's surprising how fast you can get very sick of them. And that's my cool Costco story.

They also have pretty good deals on shampoo, body wash, etc. Also the lowest prescription dispensing fee, but you don't need a membership to use their pharmacy apparently.

The giant jars of pre-sliced pickles are amazing.

[Jacks]

Buy a whole striploin and cut it yourself into 1.5" thick slices and then cut them in half. You get a whole pile of 8-10oz striploin steaks for about $4 each. Membership paid for right there.

[InSutterWeTrust]

I'm a Costco addict. Every year I say I'm going to reduce my spending there, but I fail. You can overspend easily, but also walk out with some awesome deals. Like some others said, you really need to know your prices. I really like the clothes at Costco, easily half my wardrobe is from there. They carry lots of name brand clothing and prices are decent. I work in a blue collar environment, but I have to wear business casual clothing, I just pick up the dress shirts at Costco. Their Kirkland dress shirts are pretty decent. For $17.99, they are wrinkle resistant and wash well.

[jeffh]

I cancelled my executive membership, which I had for barely over a year, and they gave me my entire $99 back, plus I still was able to spend my reward check during the same visit. This was about 5 years ago.

Their Frozen Breaded Buffalo Chicken Strips are delicious.