Pay to shop preferences, BJ's or Costco

[fxsales1959]

Pay to shop preferences, BJ's or Costco.
I have never stepped foot in a big box store where you have to pay to shop. i've seen some meat post here referring to Costco. I have to buy some tars for my F150 coming up and I am looking at BJ's and Costco. aside from meat choices, what is the consensus of the two?
thanks
john

 

[Steve H]

I refuse to pay to go in a store to spend money. But the few times I've gone to a BJ's under a free 30 day trial. I wasn't really impressed with them. True, they have some items that are decently priced. But for me. It isn't worth it. I've heard many say Costco is pretty good. Though I've never been in one.

 

[mike243]

Had a Costco 1 year didn't use it much, have had a Sam's for a long time . if you don't buy in bulk you will be losing $ , cant find belly at either place here . never heard of the other store

 

[mr_whipple]

Costco tires... haven't looked at the prices in a while, but last time I did I was shocked. I bought my last two sets online from Walmart after a bit of research. Free ship to store and cheap as dirt mounting.

 

[JLeonard]

Sometimes you can catch a free trial membership deal. That would at least get you in the door and you can eyeball what they got before you shell out the membership dues.
Jim

 

[fxsales1959]

thanks all,
I'll just chill and wait for a promo.

 

[radioguy]

we shop Costco all the time. Once a month, we have their Citibank Visa card. We spend enough to get a rebate check that more than pays for the membership. We save big on household items, meat . i have bought a few sets of tires. the offer brand name tires Michelin for a good deal buy 3 get one free, they offer that periodically. free lifetime rotation. I dont bargain hunt tires....too important.

RG

 

[civilsmoker]

We get LOTs of stuff at Costco so much so we have their executive membership that we get a % back which more than pays for it.

heck we have even got the bulk of our furniture, computers, TVs, etc from Costco.

But we get our tires from a regional tire store for convenience.....

 

[SmokinAl]

Love Sam’s, I’m in the middle of FL. The nearest Sam’s is about a 1 hour drive each way, so that is about $20 worth of gas in my Mustang. So since I’m a Premium member I can order on line and get it delivered in a couple of days for free. So we have packages coming every week. Of course that doesn’t include meat or other perishables.
Al

 

[normanaj]

Here in RI BJs is the only option.

 

[wild west]

I've been a costco member for over 20 yrs. Here the eggs,dairy, produce,baking supplies, laundry supplies, as well as alot of other things are cheaper than regular prices at the grocery chains. I've bought tires , computers, TV, meds etc... like civilsmoker we have the executive membership and always get a rebate at the end of the year that more than covers the cost of the membership. Wish ours sold booze though. When we go visit my sister in edmonton we always stock up on wine and beer at their Costco cause it's a little more than half price of what we pay locally.

 

[Bearcarver]

Love Sam’s, I’m in the middle of FL. The nearest Sam’s is about a 1 hour drive each way, so that is about $20 worth of gas in my Mustang. So since I’m a Premium member I can order on line and get it delivered in a couple of days for free. So we have packages coming every week. Of course that doesn’t include meat or other perishables.
Al

LOL---An hour each way with your Mustang??
What's that about 180 miles away?

Bear

 

[retfr8flyr]

I have both BJ's and Costco memberships. I have had a Costco membership for over 30 years, from back when they were called Price Club. BJ's is much closer to me now, so I shop there more than at Costco but I still hit there every couple weeks. Like others have said I have the Costco CC and get rebates enough to pay for the membership and I also have the BJ's CC, for the same reason, actually the BJ's CC gives you 10¢ off per gallon at the gas station, so I always try and fill up there. Costco has a much larger selection and a little better quality but the meat at BJ's is just as good, if not better than Costco, just a little more expensive. If you like to buy in bulk I don't think you could go wrong with either club.

 

[Displaced Texan]

I've been a costco member for over 20 yrs. Here the eggs,dairy, produce,baking supplies, laundry supplies, as well as alot of other things are cheaper than regular prices at the grocery chains. I've bought tires , computers, TV, meds etc... like civilsmoker we have the executive membership and always get a rebate at the end of the year that more than covers the cost of the membership. Wish ours sold booze though. When we go visit my sister in edmonton we always stock up on wine and beer at their Costco cause it's a little more than half price of what we pay locally.

The Kirkland fake Baileys is awesome, especially for the price vs real Baileys.

 

[normanaj]

actually the BJ's CC gives you 10¢ off per gallon at the gas station, so I always try and fill up there.

I do the same with my truck.

 

[Bearcarver]

I have both BJ's and Costco memberships. I have had a Costco membership for over 30 years, from back when they were called Price Club. BJ's is much closer to me now, so I shop there more than at Costco but I still hit there every couple weeks. Like others have said I have the Costco CC and get rebates enough to pay for the membership and I also have the BJ's CC, for the same reason, actually the BJ's CC gives you 10¢ off per gallon at the gas station, so I always try and fill up there. Costco has a much larger selection and a little better quality but the meat at BJ's is just as good, if not better than Costco, just a little more expensive. If you like to buy in bulk I don't think you could go wrong with either club.

For Years, before the Pandemic, we got 10 cents off for every $100 we spent at "Giant". Now we order & pick up our groceries, but we haven't purchased Gas in over a year.

Bear

 

[clifish]

BJ's really went down hill here, no sams clubs so can't comment on that. Costco is great, always has whole and sliced pork bellies. One of the locations started selling booze, between that and the gas it more than pays for the membership. Can't beat their Tito's knock off for $14/1.75 liter, going to try their Beefeater gin knock off later. I buy the vodka by the case.

 

[tallbm]

thanks all,
I'll just chill and wait for a promo.

Hi there and welcome!

Yeah waiting for a trial/promo is a good idea. Also if one isn't within a few miles of you then that honestly may be a deal breaker because closer on demand grocery stores and gasoline access often beats out planning a trip.

For me it comes down to how close they are and which offers best gasoline prices (no BJ's around here). The super low gas per gallon pays for the membership cost 2x over without ever stepping into the store, so that makes it a no brainer.

Things I get that matter from Costco:

• Interstate Batteries - great brand, great quality, better prices than cheap ass Walmart and Duralast batteries. Plus Costco doesn't ask any questions here and will accept a dead interstate battery purchased from them and swap it out if under warranty without any testing or waiting to see if you are telling the truth. Had my truck battery die with 2 months left and boom new battery.
• Meat you can't get elsewhere - I can't find plate beef ribs or pork belly anywhere else but Costco and if I do Costco has the best prices on it... but you buy a ton at a time lol. Also if you are craving chicken wings they have them all the time where other places are constantly out and Costco is consistent with the price. No $2 one day $5 next day. Costco may be the only place you can find briskets in your area so I know a lot of people get full packers there. In TX we have brisket all over at great prices every month.
• Paper goods and prices - paper towels, toilet paper, toilet wet wipes, paper plates, plastic cups, oh and bottled water and drinks (not paper items). You get in bulk and prices are better than the grocery store. Also if you aren't picky about brand the usually have a reduced price every week on an item in each of those categories.
  So if you drink any soda you may have reduced price on Coca-Cola products 1 week, Pepsi next week, etc. Same with Paper Towels and Toilet paper (I stick with Bounty and Charmin for the quality). Water is stupid cheap too but be ready and able to carry a 48 pack of bottled water and costco brand is like $3-4 for the whole giant pack lol.
• Alcohol - if your store sells beer and wine, the prices cannot be beat unless you find mark down alcohol at a grocery store. If they sell liquor as well, same thing, can't be beat.

Let's talk the major downside of one of these kinds of places.
You CANNOT walk in and buy 1-4 items WITHOUT spending $75. Plain and simple.
You buy toothpaste, toilet paper, and coffee... $75 or more. You get a TON of each but you pay for it. Besides water, soda, a rotisserie chicken, or an individual item of produce (bag of salad) you won't likely find anything under $9-12 in the store... and items $9-12 are kind of in the scarce category like 1 bag of almonds is like$13 but is 3 pounds so great price per pound.

Costco recap. Gasoline, gasoline, gasoline. It pays for the membership easily without walking into the place. Everything from there is up to you and what benefits you can find and what matters to you :)

 

[wbf610]

I had Sams and Costco. Costco seems to have a better selection and quality of meat. Costco didn’t have some of the things we use that Sams did. Our costco expired, and we aren’t renewing it. We have BJ’s near us, but I’ve never been in there. If meat is your driving force, Costco wins.

 

[daspyknows]

If there is a Costco business center nearby that is a great place for meat. Prices on meat less than regular Costco but selection is more geared to larger quantites and primal cuts. Good prices on spices if you plan on making own rubs and sauces too.