Sam's club and Costco worth it for retirees.

[tmm99]

We are a household of two. We get all our $120 back and some. Worth it.

 

[W2R]

It's an individual decision. For everyday things, there's no way I cover the membership costs, and the bulk size of perishables is usually too big for me. And it's about 20 minutes farther away than my regular grocery store.

The main draw is larger items. [...]

+1 And, I am not buying any larger items lately either. I have all that stuff.

Here in New Orleans Costco doesn't seem to carry anything that isn't available for as good or better price, at more convenient stores or online. Even if the price difference was reversed, I'm not poor and I can afford to shop in environments I prefer (and humungous warehouse stores 20 minutes away are not on my short list).

 

[Amethyst]

Just got another offer in a mailer envelope, for a $45 Sam's gift card when you open a new membership. Definitely worth joining for free, although I prefer the grocery quality at BJs and Costco (which is too far away even to consider).

Back when we had 3 kids still in school we had a Sam club membership. It was worth it I think. Especially when our 2 boys were in HS and playing sports we would go through lots of staples, milk, eggs, cereal, meats, fruit, vegetables, laundry soap, TP , toothpaste etc. Now last kid (daughter) graduated in back in 2018 so we are empty nesters now. Don't need to buy the bulk items anymore so we let our Sam club membership expire back in 2018. When I was driving 80 miles a day to work usually bough gasoline at Sams as it was on way to work and usually a good 10 cents to 15 cents cheaper than local gasoline stations. Now retired a tank of gas last us a good month or more.

My wife does most grocery of our grocery shopping at Aldi's now and the rest at Hyvee.

Any empty nesters retirees still use Sams or Costco? Any items that are worth the cost of membership . I think Sam's was about $50 for a year for us.

 

[PatSea32]

My wife and I are retired and big fans of Costco. We more than pay our membership fee in gasoline savings. The Kirkland brand is always high quality. We've bought tires, our current mattress, electronics tablets, eyeglasses, the list goes on. My wife buys food, then breaks it down and freezes it. For us the Costco is close by, and surrounded by most of the other shops we use such as CVS, Lowe's, Walmart and more.

 

[braumeister]

I more than break even on my Costco membership, although I only get over there about once a month at most, since it's at least a 30 minute drive. But the Kirkland brand is just about always very high quality and that's my main reason for going. Meat and fish quality is also wonderful.

I'm one of those who can get in and out of the store in 15-20 minutes, so not their typical customer, but very happy with my membership.

Just got one of those "free" $45 Sam's membership offers in the mail, so I may try them soon.

 

[harley]

I save the price of the Costco membership just on the chickens. And gas helps too. At our nearby Costco it's always at least $.20/gal cheaper, and sometimes as much as $.50 cheaper. It adds up.

We actually share the membership with DD, who has 2 kids, so it's definitely worth it. As far as ourselves, there are some items there that we buy regularly that you just can't get anywhere else for the same price and quality. We've got 2 geriatric dogs, so we go through pee pads by the pound. Costco's are big and cheap. What costs me $15.99 at Costco would cost me over $40 at PetSmart or other places including Amazon. Plus they sell a kick ass Spinach Artichoke Parmesan dip, and a number of other things we just can't find elsewhere for the same price and quality. So it's well worth it for us, and we'd have it even if we didn't share with DD's family.

 

[Amethyst]

For us, it's already paid for itself - lol.

Unfortunately they are threatening to cut off curbside delivery for all but the $100 "Plus" members. We are not about to pay $100.00.

I

Just got one of those "free" $45 Sam's membership offers in the mail, so I may try them soon.

 

[CaptTom]

No Costco or Sam's near us, I wish there was! But our BJs membership easily pays for itself in gas savings. We go into the store occasionally, and usually find a few things that are worth it.

I find the limited selection a negative. I know, that's how they keep the prices low. But maybe I don't want four cans of Campbell's Tomato Soup wrapped together in plastic. I can buy four cans of the flavors of my choice at the local supermarket for less, if I go with the store brand.

 

[Sunset]

Since I got my Sam's club membership for free (it's in coupon mailer envelopes) I find it worth it.
I like the roast chicken (Costco's are bigger by a bit), but Sam's are still bigger than grocery stores for $5

Price of boneless skinless chicken breast is much cheaper than Costco, it's $1.79 at Sam's. Walmart is $1.99, Costo was higher when I looked in the store.

Sam's has great pre-mix salad kits, that are sized for 2 people and only cost ~$2.30

 

[flintnational]

I would pay the annual fee just to be allowed to walk around Costco! Okay, I really like Costco.

 

[jollystomper]

I would pay the annual fee just to be allowed to walk around Costco! Okay, I really like Costco.

I admit to doing this on some COFSDASH ™ mornings when, after getting my stuff, there are only about 20-30 people in the store. I'll walk every aisle just to see if there is anything interesting.

 

[Mark1]

I would pay the annual fee just to be allowed to walk around Costco! Okay, I really like Costco.

Ya, we have both Costco and Sams membership (blow that dough). Unfortunately, Costco is about 115 miles away (verses 8 miles for Sams) so we don't go to Costco very often. We just went to Costco last week and bought about 5 cases of wine. We buy a lot of produce from Sams. We still prefer Kirkland to Sams brands, but Sams has closed the gap over the years. We actually prefer Sams for clothes anymore, but then how many $10-15 golf shirts do you really need.

 

[plex]

I tried it this year when they had a supposed $40 rebate when you bought a membership, never got the rebate. I fall within the group that doesn't get much value from Costco, single, barely ever get gas, and am in an area with very low priced groceries, so Costco is barely competitive with only their flyer items. I probably will not earn back the $60 spent on the membership.

I am also looking for a new bed/computer equipment soon, but Costco is much worse than some of the other options, like buying from Amazon. Honestly not that impressed since I have so many other good options, but I can see it working out in an area with less competitive groceries even for a working/retired at home single.

 

[bobbyr]

I tried it this year when they had a supposed $40 rebate when you bought a membership, never got the rebate. I fall within the group that doesn't get much value from Costco, single, barely ever get gas, and am in an area with very low priced groceries, so Costco is barely competitive with only their flyer items. I probably will not earn back the $60 spent on the membership.

I am also looking for a new bed/computer equipment soon, but Costco is much worse than some of the other options, like buying from Amazon. Honestly not that impressed since I have so many other good options, but I can see it working out in an area with less competitive groceries even for a working/retired at home single.

I found computers to be best purchased at Best Buy than Costco. I forget why, but my last computer purchase at costco was no good.

 

[harley]

Price of boneless skinless chicken breast is much cheaper than Costco, it's $1.79 at Sam's. Walmart is $1.99, Costo was higher when I looked in the store.

I don't have Sam's Club, and this effect may be local, but we usually buy chicken breasts at Costco, even though they are more expensive than the ones at Walmart. But when we've bought them at Walmart, they're huge, tough, and don't taste as good. And when I say huge, I mean like I-wouldn't-want-to-meet-that-'roided-up-chicken-in-a-dark-alley huge. We mostly eat thighs, but there was a noticeable quality drop with the Walmart breasts.

I'm sure that can go both ways, and as I said, the effect may be local. I always buy my hamburger for grilling at Walmart, because Costco only sells low-fat hamburger, which gets dry and tasteless on the grill. Walmart sells the good, fatty stuff, that can set your house on fire if you're not careful.

 

[Ready]

I admit to doing this on some COFSDASH ™ mornings when, after getting my stuff, there are only about 20-30 people in the store. I'll walk every aisle just to see if there is anything interesting.

OK, I had no idea what that was so I had to look it up.

COFDASH = Costco Old Folks Social Distancing And Shopping Hour

 

[NoiseBoy]

I'm single, and I joined Sam's last year after a couple of trial shopping runs to see if I could really buy anything there that I use on a regular basis. As it turned out, there's enough stuff that I eat or drink daily that I can buy at Sam's and therefore cover the cost of the membership. They also usually have the best gasoline prices, and I saved at least $20 on a replacement car battery from Sam's last year. It's still frustrating to find things I'd like to buy packaged in such a bulk quantity that they don't make sense for singles or even couples, but I understand that's just how it is. I recently noticed a small case of US Prime steaks at Sam's, so that's on my agenda for when the weather gets a little better. Thankfully I can buy a 2-pack of ribeyes.

 

[brett]

We have Costco. Executive members.

The rebate more than pays for the exec. membership fee. As do some of the executive member only savings from time to time.

We buy groceries, wine, gas, vitamins, personal items, some clothing, tires, eye glasses, prescriptions, and once even two furnaces.

Not to mention car rentals from time to time. Last year we spent about $7K according to our rebate sched. Plus we get a rebate on our Costco credit card.

You do need to be aware of prices. Costco is not always the best place to buy certain items.

 

[Born2BRetd]

Where else would we find Kirkland Vanilla Ice Cream?

If you don't need a new addiction, don't try it.

 

[Dawg52]

Sams is the only game in town here. I joined a couple of weeks ago for the first time ever. They had a free gift card that paid for the membership so I figured why not.

On my first trip I found a lot of meat products I liked. Better prices overall and gas prices are cheaper. Will I keep it? Doubtful but will see how it goes.

 

[Winemaker]

their beef tenderloin alone is worth the membership

+1

 

[calmloki]

No one mentioned hearing aids? Costco version is a quick way to save a couple grand/pair. Big Costco booster here - they are our gas station. We can buy a bag with 6 heads of really good looking romaine lettuce, give 1/2 of it away, and still have a better product for less than other stores. Their $5 chicken makes the sad shriveled Walmart or Safeway cooked to death carcasses look really bad. Buy booze there when in California for the winter and save bunches, even after paying the sales tax, by carting a 6 month supply north to Oregon in the spring. Cheerful employees - figure they have reason to be, and that makes me think well of Costco.

 

[Bamaman]

We have a Costco membership, and our Sam's membership just expired.

Honestly, I just go for the cheap hot dogs and drinks.

But we do buy some meat in bulk from time to time because it's just superior in quality. And Costco's $5 roast chicken looks like a small turkey.

I don't know we get our money's worth. We shop Aldi's first and fill in with Kroger's sale items most often. Aldi's chicken and pork loin is nothing like the Tyson's meats we get Down South. It's far superior.

 

[audreyh1]

Costco is our main wine source.

 

[bobbyr]

the costco i used to frequent in SE memphis, had the best bbq sandwich in the city at the snack bar....seriously the best.