Costco alternatives

[fxsales1959]

"Mornin Y'all.
getting ready for Saturday chores. provisions and stuff for tomorrows cook. Wife asked, "want to go to Costco?"
I'd rather have a prostate exam from Edward Scissorhands than go to Costco. I joined hoping for a good meat supply, which is rare in my store. In almost a year all I've ever bought is their bulk coffee pods and gas a couple times. Definitely not worth the $60 membership. Their store is laid out rather crappy and with no logical shopping means. I was thinking about tires for mamas jeep, but that's about it as their selection sucks.
on Nov first i have to decide if i want to re-up.
Just as close I have a sam's and BJ's but have never been to either.
What's Y'alls experiences with other type stores?
TIA
John

 

[DRKsmoking]

I'm with you about the Costco, price worth the bother. I joined because the price of the Propane is the best anywhere else around, and we use enough to make it worth it . But that is it. I need to buy a lot to make the membership a bonus.
Like you said , our meats are not that great in price, and the bulk items well , how many tooth brushes do I need at one time.

Alternative for around here , I just check the flyers each week .

David

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

I've had both a Costco, and a Sam's membership. It's no fault of either store, but trying to navigate through either one is freaking mayhem. My Costco and Sam's are in a very busy part of my town with crazy traffic, and I feel safer driving to those stores than trying to push a cart in them.

 

[mr_whipple]

I used costco initially for the savings on pet meds for my last dog and the savings were substantial. He's been gone for 2+ years now but I still renew as it's where I buy the whole pork bellies without having to go and truly buy bulk at the local restaurant depot. I had a Sam's membership many years ago and I truly don't remember if I liked their meat selection or not. I do know that finding things in either store other than the meats and things in freezers is difficult on the best day. They move stuff all over on purpose I must assume.
All that said, I do wonder if the $60 a year is worth it anymore. Pork belly is back to 2.99/lb but for the most part everything else in the meat case is pretty darn high with the exception of the lamb loin chops. Local butcher wants 24.99/lb which is a hard NO, and when / if they have them Kroger and Harris teeter aren't much better. My costco is in the military circle area of Norfolk, so if you know you know. I may give the Greenbrier Sams another look if I can score pork bellies and lamb loin chops there on the cheap (cheaper). I just don't buy in bulk for much as it's me and two dogs. If only I could sell dog hair in bulk!

 

[SmokinAl]

We had both for years, but since moving to Sebring we have to drive 1 1/2 hours to Costco & 1 hour to Sam’s, so we dropped the Costco & do mostly online shopping with Sam’s. I honestly like the meat at Sam’s better than Costco. Never been to BJ’s.
Al

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

I do Sam's mostly for the Rotisserie chicken. They are so good, big and cheap! I also get my pellets there. When my membership expires I change my email and wait to find a deal on a new membership and sign up again. Sometimes for free but usually $20. No Costco near me.

 

[normanaj]

We have a BJs membership and their credit card so gas ends up being about .50 cents cheaper than everywhere else and when we use the credit card we build up "points". We buy all our gas for both vehicles there so we're always getting discounts in store when using the BJs credit card.

 

[sawhorseray]

We had both Costco and Sam's memberships for a couple of years after moving here to AZ. I ended the Costco membership and signed on as a Sam's Club premier member, I really like the savings using their CC and being able to get in a couple of hours early and shop before the general public gets in, checkout is super fast. Both are less than a three mile drive from my house, both have gas stations, prices are about the same as each other. Parking is terrible at Costco, no regrets, we love Sam's, free delivery on just about anything. I had triple bypass surgery five months ago and will have full shoulder replacement in a month. That free delivery will be a huge factor with the permanent weight limitations coming, already had Sam's deliver a load of charcoal. RAY

 

[chopsaw]

What's Y'alls experiences with other type stores?

I buy all my meat at Gordons food service . It's a restaurant supply type store with no membership . Open to the public . The selection will vary by region most likely . I buy beef primals , pork butts and ribs . I like their bacon and all beef franks too .
I figured out that their delivery comes either Weds. night or early Thursday morning . So I make a stop when they open on Thursdays .
Basic GFS " harvest for me "

Looks like you might have one close by . I sent you a pm .

prostate exam from Edward Scissorhands

That just might cure some of the problems I've been having .

 

[Chasdev]

I shop Costco and like everything but their beef, just can't get used to the flavor.
I also like that they pay their workers a decent wage.

 

[fxsales1959]

I used costco initially for the savings on pet meds for my last dog and the savings were substantial. He's been gone for 2+ years now but I still renew as it's where I buy the whole pork bellies without having to go and truly buy bulk at the local restaurant depot. I had a Sam's membership many years ago and I truly don't remember if I liked their meat selection or not. I do know that finding things in either store other than the meats and things in freezers is difficult on the best day. They move stuff all over on purpose I must assume.
All that said, I do wonder if the $60 a year is worth it anymore. Pork belly is back to 2.99/lb but for the most part everything else in the meat case is pretty darn high with the exception of the lamb loin chops. Local butcher wants 24.99/lb which is a hard NO, and when / if they have them Kroger and Harris teeter aren't much better. My costco is in the military circle area of Norfolk, so if you know you know. I may give the Greenbrier Sams another look if I can score pork bellies and lamb loin chops there on the cheap (cheaper). I just don't buy in bulk for much as it's me and two dogs. If only I could sell dog hair in bulk!

agreed. I get whole bellies for $2.99/lb usually at the latin meat store. think staying on top of the sale papers from the usual grocery stores I'm just as good.

 

[Fueling Around]

We're dropping our Sam's membership when it expires in December.
We don't buy processed foods and their meat selection has really gone down at our closest store.
In Florida it is an ordeal to drive to Costco or Sam's. We prefer Costco as they have a business center that is less crowded

They used to offer a free 1 day pass at club stores so you can ask about that at Sam's or BJ's

 

[noboundaries]

I dumped Sam's many, many years ago due to cleanliness issues at my nearest location. I have no idea if that's been resolved or not.

Costco's gas, electronics of all types, their return policy, pecorino romano cheese, and my wife were the only reason's I'm still a member...until they decided to build a new store 3 miles from my house. It will open late 2024 or early 2025. My grocery shopping/meal planning habits will shift when it opens.

Meat? It is excellent but overpriced. Costco meat is 2x-3x pricier than what I find at WinCo grocery chain, but not 2x-3x better. I'll still buy meat at WinCo. The last meat I bought at Costco was a package of beef short ribs that was mismarked at 39 cents / lb. They were excellent.

 

[babydocsmoke]

I shop Costco and like everything but their beef, just can't get used to the flavor.
I also like that they pay their workers a decent wage.

I dumped Sam's many, many years ago due to cleanliness issues at my nearest location. I have no idea if that's been resolved or not.

Costco's gas, electronics of all types, their return policy, pecorino romano cheese, and my wife were the only reason's I'm still a member...until they decided to build a new store 3 miles from my house. It will open late 2024 or early 2025. My grocery shopping/meal planning habits will shift when it opens.

Meat? It is excellent but overpriced. Costco meat is 2x-3x pricier than what I find at WinCo grocery chain, but not 2x-3x better. I'll still buy meat at WinCo. The last meat I bought at Costco was a package of beef short ribs that was mismarked at 39 cents / lb. They were excellent.

Where does Costco source their beef? Is it South American?

I have both Costco / Sams membership (one personal and one through my small business) but never shop Sams. Ever. Thinking I'm gonna give it a try...we have a WinCo too, but I'm a pretty big Costco fan. I really like their meats, and the selection and availability here is stellar. Of course, if WinCo is cheaper that's an easy sell! I'll have to pay closer attention.

Their return policy is unmatched as well. I typically don't return meats...obviously...but they would take it if I tried. For electronics, thats a big plus. I could take a crap on my wife's new Ipad and bring it back to them and they'd refund it fully without a question. I'm planning on making a $8K message chair purchase in the next year or two and will pick the Costco available model for that reason.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

I joined back when Viagra was $1 a pill. Went to $61 at COSTCO/$91 at CVS so when we're near the Q Casino we walk over to Mexico and the Pharmacies sell it for $1 a pill. Generic about 50 cents.

People like the meats I smoke but I really think it's 75% the COSTCO quality/25% me paying attention.
No other place out here to get premium meats. Kroger is skin and bone ribs. Walmart is,,, well you all know how Walmart is.

The quality herds here in the West-South West are bought up by Japan, butchered, packed and exported goes the tale.

 

[Schwarzwald Metzger]

Where does Costco source their beef? Is it South American?

I have both Costco / Sams membership (one personal and one through my small business) but never shop Sams. Ever. Thinking I'm gonna give it a try...we have a WinCo too, but I'm a pretty big Costco fan. I really like their meats, and the selection and availability here is stellar. Of course, if WinCo is cheaper that's an easy sell! I'll have to pay closer attention.

Their return policy is unmatched as well. I typically don't return meats...obviously...but they would take it if I tried. For electronics, thats a big plus. I could take a crap on my wife's new Ipad and bring it back to them and they'd refund it fully without a question. I'm planning on making a $8K message chair purchase in the next year or two and will pick the Costco available model for that reason.

I think the parent company is Brazilian owned. But they have processing plants in US.

 

[JIMSMOKES]

I use sams here as it's 5 mins from my house. We have a costco here but it's location is the worst spot in town for traffic. It takes longer getting in and out of the parking lot. Than it does to go in and shop.

 

[indaswamp]

If you join the KCBS for $45 bucks you get unlimited day passes to the Restaurant Depot. All you have to do is show your member card at the door. The meats are good quality, but they will not beat most sale prices at local stores. But overall the prices are consistently lower that regular prices.

 

[fxsales1959]

I buy all my meat at Gordons food service . It's a restaurant supply type store with no membership . Open to the public . The selection will vary by region most likely . I buy beef primals , pork butts and ribs . I like their bacon and all beef franks too .
I figured out that their delivery comes either Weds. night or early Thursday morning . So I make a stop when they open on Thursdays .
Basic GFS " harvest for me "
View attachment 677362
Looks like you might have one close by . I sent you a pm .


That just might cure some of the problems I've been having .

thank you for taking time.
john

 

[cptnding]

We use Costco and BJ's. If I was going to drop one it would definitely be Costco. BJ's selection tends to be much more basic and suits our needs better. Costco has some of the basics but seems to focus on the higher end and more specialty type items in my opinion. Costco's meat selection is much larger but again the difference is the high end and specialty cuts that I never buy. The one thing I would miss from Costco are the pork bellies. We live within reasonable driving distance of Atlanta but pork bellies are surprisingly hard to find here. H Mart (Asian) and some of the hispanic grocery stores have them but the price is $3-4/pound higher. Local butchers can order it but same high pricing. Food Depot has bellies for $1/pound less than Costco but they are skin on. Tried that once. Once.
I run 70-100 pounds of belly bacon every winter so that alone makes the membership cost worth it for me. And also the cheap propane but BJ's is pretty close on that now.
The one thing I despise about Costco are the huge crowds and parking is like going to a mall on the weekend before Christmas. BJ's is much better in that respect.
If you've never been to one I would recommend giving BJ's a look. They might suit your needs a little better or maybe not lol.