What's NOT a good deal at CostCo

[Gumby]

It seems a bunch of us like costco and shop there, so I'm wondering, what stuff isn't a good deal?

I bought some balsamic vinegar there today and it has me wondering...

[EFmom]

The only way you are really going to know is by keeping track of the sale prices that show up with some frequency at your grocery stores, and doing unit price comparisons.

I don't have Costco here, but have BJ's. There are some things at BJs that are a great buy, like pet food, yeast, olive oil, nuts and certain toiletries, but many other things that are much, much cheaper on sale at my grocery store. I have lived where there are Costco's in the past, and the same was true.

[MamaHen2J&J]

Well for me cereal isnt a good buy compared to Commissary prices... you just have to look closely!!

[mamamilkers]

Yeah, I don't think cereal is cheaper if you can get it on sale at a regular store. The Tillammook cheese blocks aren't cheaper than when it's on sale at our regular store, either.

[KariM]

For me it's a matter of keeping track of prices at my local grocery stores and comparing unit prices at Costco.

I can't recall off the top of my head, but I know when we've calculated unit costs there have been times when we didn't buy the item at Costco and instead stocked up at our local grocery store.

I especially find that sale prices at the grocery store often top Costco prices!

[holidaymama]

I've compared the price of diapers. Mostly Huggies and Pampers brands since that is what I usually buy, and they are NOT cheaper at Costco or Sams (well at least the price they advertise online) in fact, they are like half a penny more or something small like that but still. And if you can't use coupons at Costco or Sams, it really isn't worth it at all.

[tracyhos]

Diet Coke. My DH drinks it, and it is cheaper on sale at the grocery store or Target.

[MaddieMay]

For me, their paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, etc.) are not a good deal. First, I can get better prices at my grocery store. Second, it would take me a year or two to use an 18 pack of paper towels and it's not worth it for me for it to take up that much room to store.

[dbsam]

I agree, their toilet paper is not less expensive. Their grapes are always priced high too.

I am still a Costco fan. I read this quote the other day. It describes our household:
"We are huge Costco fans -- we call that place church--we go at least once a week and give them ten percent of our income!"

[asianyoushi]

paper items- toilet paper, paper plates,
plastic silverware.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

I haven't bought disposable diapers in years, but I can remember when I did that WalMart beat Costco...the Walmart store brand vs. the Kirkland brand.

Jelly and Peanut Butter -- Costco only carries the name brands (smuckers, jif, organic something or other) and store brand jelly and peanut butter is cheaper.

Usually "Kirkland" stuff is comparable to store brand prices, but if Costco ~only~ carries the name brand, advertised products then the store brand products at a grocery store are often cheaper.

It depends on if you like store brands or not (we do...or rather my children don't know the difference).

[pitter_patter]

Their meat isn't a bargain, at all! They occasionally have coupons for the pork loins, or the BOGO on their bagged whole chickens, but otherwise their prices for meat are outrageous.

I just saw milk for a few cents cheaper at the regular grocery store. Cheese can be found cheaper on sale at the grocery store, but the sales here are rare so we usually buy it at Costco.

Most things we buy at Costco are huge bargains.

[dbsam]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

IJelly and Peanut Butter -- Costco only carries the name brands (smuckers, jif, organic something or other) and store brand jelly and peanut butter is cheaper.

My kids have only had the Kirkland organic peanut butter and like it. I think it is pretty good although I wish they had a crunchy version. It is less expensive than other organic brands I've seen at the grocery store or in the co-op.

[dbsam]

posted twice

[Jane]

The fresh meat. We buy on sale at the supermarket and the price per pound is less AND the portions are more useful. I don't need 14 oz. steaks. I need 4-6 oz steaks!
It's really good quality, though.

[Girl In The Fire]

Their meat isn't a bargain, at all! They occasionally have coupons for the pork loins, or the BOGO on their bagged whole chickens, but otherwise their prices for meat are outrageous.

That probably depends on your area. Here the meat at Costco is always cheaper than buying in the grocery store and it is fresher and better quality.

[miss_sonja]

Keeping track of prices is key. For me though, even though I can get toilet paper (for example) cheaper at Safeway when it goes on sale, by even setting foot in Safeway, I will spend WAY more money than that savings on the TP.

Remember when calculating prices that Costco often has higher quality items. Their meat is really good, they don't carry the marginal stuff, just the best. And, with their guarantee, if it's not the best, they'll take it back. I've returned grapes of all things, because they weren't good, and they took 'em back no problem.

And, don't forget the big box paradox: when you have a large quantity of something, you value it less. There have been studies on this. When you have the big jar of pesto, you use it more generously than you do the small, more expensive jar. So, the cost savings may not be there for certain items.

That said, love Costco. In fact, just went there today! Saved a bundle on cheese (6.99 for a 2 lb package of sliced Tillamook , which at the grocery is ~$5 for a 12 oz package).

[Guinevere]

I think Costco really shines when buying generic, bulk items like rice, flour, oil, etc. The other thing I think they do well are organics, b/c they allow our family to eat more organics than we would otherwise be able to afford at the local grocery store, i.e. frozen veggies, milk.

With that said, I have never found their prices on electronics like computers or cameras, etc. to be competitive, nor it is a good deal to buy heavily pre-packaged stuff from them, like individually-packaged crackers, nuts, dried fruits, etc. for lunches. But then, the pre-packaged higher costs also hold true for the regular grocery store, and while I try and stay away from heavily processed and packaged foods in general, we do need and use them occasionally, and when we need 'em, I do tend to buy them from Costco so I won't run out of them anytime soon, forcing me to go more frequently to the store (and inevitably, spend more $ b/c of it!)

Am I the only one who has trouble taking advantage of Costco's bulk produce? Although I have a largish family, we only own one refrigerator, and I simply can't store more than 1 or 2 bulk produce items from there, so I don't even try. I am much more likely to buy bulk dry or paper goods or frozen items b/c I have the space to store those. Perhaps if I went to Costco more frequently, I would buy more produce from them, to replenish what we use up, but right now we only go once every 2 months, again, partly b/c to help our budget (if I don't shop there every week, I can't spend too much $ there, right? Well, it's true in theory, anyway... :P)

Guin

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

Originally Posted by Guinevere

Am I the only one who has trouble taking advantage of Costco's bulk produce? Although I have a largish family, we only own one refrigerator, and I simply can't store more than 1 or 2 bulk produce items from there, so I don't even try. I am much more likely to buy bulk dry or paper goods or frozen items b/c I have the space to store those. Perhaps if I went to Costco more frequently, I would buy more produce from them, to replenish what we use up, but right now we only go once every 2 months, again, partly b/c to help our budget (if I don't shop there every week, I can't spend too much $ there, right? Well, it's true in theory, anyway... :P)

Guin

I have the same problem. I've started going with a friend or two and splitting up the huge box of peaches or whatever it is.

[dawn1221]

Originally Posted by APBTLuv

That probably depends on your area. Here the meat at Costco is always cheaper than buying in the grocery store and it is fresher and better quality.

Same here.