What does Costco Have That I Can't Find Other Places?

[Brook2]

Hi,

I'm on the fence of whether to join Costco. They won't let me "try it out" - I have to become a member.

My challenge is I don't own a car. I can ride my bike there, but probably couldn't haul much back.

I could take Uber, or ask for a ride as a back up plan.

Is it worth it? More than finding discounts, I'm more interested in - if they have things I can't find other places. I tend to buy healthy, unprocessed foods, so I'm not sure if Costco is like shopping Walmart or a standard grocery store chain (which I don't usually need to do).

I'm a small household (2 people) and not a big family that need huge quantities of things. But every once and awhile I hear about interesting food items they sell, that other stores don't. Do you have a favorite thing you can't get other places?

 

[braumeister]

They will be happy to refund your payment if you don't like it.

 

[Montecfo]

We have a 2 person HH and find it valuable. Pretty much anything you want at good prices. But we have a car.

 

[COcheesehead]

Cheap rental cars, travel deals, cheap booze and a really liberal return policy.

 

[REWahoo]

Do you have a favorite thing you can't get other places?

Yes - hearing aids. I can get them elsewhere but would have to pay considerably more for the aids, testing, service, three year warranty and free replacement guarantee.

And as braumeister says, if you find the membership isn't for you, they will give you a refund without a hassle.

 

[OldShooter]

Getting one of their 100-roll packages of TP home on a bicycle will be a challenge! In general, package sizes are bigger at Costco. By the time you pay for the Über trips, Costco may not be cost-effective for you. But with a free refund of the fee if you don't like it, you can find out for yourself.

DW and I use it for some items but it is a sort of special occasion trip for us, not used for regular grocery shopping. Part of that is because shopping is a hassle; hiking the huge store, hunting down inventory items not usually in the same place as last time, and often long checkout lines.

 

[JackJester]

The only thing worthwhile at Costco IMHO is the 48 back of TP. And, you don't need a car, it can be done with a bike.

 

[Walt34]

DW and I use it for some items but it is a sort of special occasion trip for us, not used for regular grocery shopping. Part of that is because shopping is a hassle; hiking the huge store, hunting down inventory items not usually in the same place as last time, and often long checkout lines.

I've often thought of a Costco membership too but those are disincentives for me, that and the 30-minute drive to the nearest store. Some of the deals on bulk items are attractive and we have a pickup truck with a cap over the bed to make it easy. But the long checkout lines and their insistence on inspecting your purchases after checkout are absolute deal-killers. (Assuming they still do that? It's been at least 15 years since I've been in a Costco.)

 

[Brook2]

The only thing worthwhile at Costco IMHO is the 48 back of TP. And, you don't need a car, it can be done with a bike. View attachment 45585

Cute pick. Imagine my possibilities. I'm assuming you don't have a costco membership just for toilet paper (?) If so, it must be a really good deal.

 

[Chuckanut]

Costco rental car rates are pretty good and they include a 2nd driver for free. And that 2nd driver does NOT have to be your spouse. If you travel with a friend or other relative, that is a huge savings.

.

 

[Jerry1]

Cheap rental cars, travel deals, cheap booze and a really liberal return policy.

Very good meat selection too. Without a car, it doesn’t matter, but good gas prices too.

I would say that you’d be hard pressed to beat Costco on a per unit basis, but it’s hard to justify for just two people. We like it because of the gas and some of the things we always use and don’t mind buying in large quantities. However, to answer your question, there’s nothing there that you can’t get elsewhere that would justify the cost of the membership. It’s about having the best price on what they do have. And, as mentioned, they’ll refund your membership if you’re not satisfied. We have the executive membership and the reward points always pay for the membership. We would do much better on the rewards if we used them for more travel services. We don’t only because we don’t travel much.

 

[Aerides]

I asked a similar question a few years ago:

https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f27/costco-what-makes-it-awesome-for-you-87222.html

(reader, I joined)

But without a care it would be rough.

 

[OldShooter]

... their insistence on inspecting your purchases after checkout are absolute deal-killers. (Assuming they still do that? It's been at least 15 years since I've been in a Costco.)

That's not a big negative for me but they do still do it. At our regular store there are usually two "inspectors" at the exit doors, but the "inspection" is so cursory that it is a non-event. They just take the receipt, eyeball the cart, and mark the receipt with a slash from a Sharpie. I suppose that the inspections might be less cursory if someone had a cart full of high-value merch, but I have not seen that.

 

[braumeister]

The out-the-door inspection used to really bug me, but not since I was informed that it's mainly done as a check on their cashiers, to make sure they don't "forget" to charge items for their friends.

Anyway, it's so cursory that since I never buy an entire cart full of stuff, the check never takes more than about five seconds.

 

[Aerides]

The out-the-door inspection used to really bug me, but not since I was informed that it's mainly done as a check on their cashiers, to make sure they don't "forget" to charge items for their friends.

Anyway, it's so cursory that since I never buy an entire cart full of stuff, the check never takes more than about five seconds.

If that were true, self-checkouts would get waived by.

Yeah it's fast, but walking up to that line, deciding which of the two, carefully negotiating around the two or three people who decided to stand still in the way, changing lanes ahead of the person buying for a family of 18, oh and yeah that's after you navigated around the $1 hotdog area on the way out... it's not the best part of the experience.

 

[Walt34]

That's not a big negative for me but they do still do it. At our regular store there are usually two "inspectors" at the exit doors, but the "inspection" is so cursory that it is a non-event. They just take the receipt, eyeball the cart, and mark the receipt with a slash from a Sharpie. I suppose that the inspections might be less cursory if someone had a cart full of high-value merch, but I have not seen that.

Thanks for elaborating on that. If that's all there is to the "inspections" I could deal with it but it would still irritate a bit. But it wouldn't be a deal-killer.

Maybe I'll take the trip down there and see.

 

[braumeister]

If that were true, self-checkouts would get waived by.

There is someone at the self-checkout area who does the validation right there, and I just flash the receipt with the marker slash at the door checker and get waved through.

 

[RunningBum]

A few years ago when I just wanted to check it out, I went to the door and asked where the membership desk was, that I was looking to join. Then I walked past that desk and wandered the warehouse. You just won't be able to buy anything because they'll ask for your card at checkout.

Without a car, I probably wouldn't join unless you knew about a good travel deal or something big (cost-wise) like that they have. Most of their stuff is sold in bulk, making it harder to take a manageable size home on your bike, unless biking is really close and convenient for making lots of trips.

 

[Aerides]

There is someone at the self-checkout area who does the validation right there, and I just flash the receipt with the marker slash at the door checker and get waved through.

that sounds great! They don't have that in SE fla yet.

 

[fh2000]

That's not a big negative for me but they do still do it. At our regular store there are usually two "inspectors" at the exit doors, but the "inspection" is so cursory that it is a non-event. They just take the receipt, eyeball the cart, and mark the receipt with a slash from a Sharpie. I suppose that the inspections might be less cursory if someone had a cart full of high-value merch, but I have not seen that.

In 20 years of shopping at Costco, I was twice stopped due to one item that did not get charged by their cashier. They then asked me to go back to pay for that item. If they find that I overpaid something, will they still tell me? I don't know.

 

[isisdave]

You could get a friend who's a member to take you along. Or buy, somehow, a $10 Costco shopping card, which will get you in. Or, in most states, you don't need to be a member to shop at the pharmacy or in the liquor department (or both), but there isn't a minder to ensure you don't take the long route.

Or you could download a picture of a Costco card and paste it over your library card. This will get you in the door but not able to buy anything (except alcoholic pharmaceuticals, I guess).

Or you could buy the card and get costco.com items delivered. It's free if you buy over $75. In fact, you can just use the website to see if there are things that you could use.


Or you can buy the membership and try it out. They'll refund the whole amount, not just pro-rata,. if you ask.

Most of the food and household supplies are in larger quantities than at grocery stores, so whether that's worthwhile depends on the amount of storage you have, how much is environmentally controlled (fridge? freezer? garage that doesn't have temperature extremes?) and how fast you consume particular items. But the prices are good.

Somehow, I am able to store 36 rolls of TP, but 18 rolls of paper towels are just too big.

If you don't have a freezer but have room for one, you can buy one at Costco.

There is usually a collection of very serviceable clothing for a lot less than you'd pay at the mall or even at Ross.

 

[audreyh1]

I can’t imagine without a car.

They will refund the membership if you aren’t satisfied.

 

[MuirWannabe]

In 20 years of shopping at Costco, I was twice stopped due to one item that did not get charged by their cashier. They then asked me to go back to pay for that item. If they find that I overpaid something, will they still tell me? I don't know.

Answer: yes

I used to get mildly annoyed by the exit inspection. Then, just 2 weeks ago I went through the self checkout. Must’ve been distracted with my grandies and left a couple items on the checkout desk.
When I got to the inspection the guy told me I was missing a couple items. Was able to restart my brain, run back and collect my already purchased items.
I get less annoyed now.

 

[jollystomper]

If you do not have a car it may not be worth it. We like it because it cuts down on our shopping trips due to the common bulk items. But then, we have a SUV that we can fill up to our hearts desire. Doing the same on a bicycle, or even an Uber, you might find is too much of a hassle.

Another advantage is the discount gas - but then, with a bicycle, you cannot take advantage of that.

But, as others have said, get the membership if you want to try it out, they will refund it.

 

[Gumby]

That's not a big negative for me but they do still do it. At our regular store there are usually two "inspectors" at the exit doors, but the "inspection" is so cursory that it is a non-event. They just take the receipt, eyeball the cart, and mark the receipt with a slash from a Sharpie. I suppose that the inspections might be less cursory if someone had a cart full of high-value merch, but I have not seen that.

Do you agree to the exit check as a condition of membership? If not, I'd tell them to pound sand, which is what I always do at Walmart. Once that little computer at the register says "approved, remove card," the goods are mine.