Costco anyone??

[Fangorn]

I have to agree with Natalie. I can't imagine not having a Costco. We've been members for well over 30 years.

The cons:

• It can be extraordinarily crowded at times. Going at opening, or at dinner time is generally a good thing. Saturday's at noon is a bit like 3 minutes after Wishes during the Christmas season.
• Costco does not carry everything you may want, and even if they do carry the product, it may not be the brand you like.
• Food items can indeed be "seasonal". For instance, in the Fall, our store carries some phenomenal soups (at seriously great prices); they always disappear in March.
• As mentioned, not everything is cheaper at Costco. Cereal is one of those things that can usually be found cheaper at the grocery store down the street.
• non food items constantly change. If you see something you might want, get it. it probably won't be there next week.

Pros:

• Meat, produce, diary are always fresh and have the best prices around.
• The bakery and deli are really, really good.
• In our area, the pharmacy is nearly always the cheapest.
• They've pretty much stopped selling food items in super duper ginormous containers. It's pretty much bundles with multiple jars/bottles/packages now. Although if you want flour or sugar, you may only find it in 25lb bags.
• Prices on electronics are excellent (but selection isn't very broad).
• The return policy is fantastic. Take it back, get your money, no questions asked.
• Not all Costco location sell gas, but here in Portland, Costco always has the best gas price in town.

Like a previous poster, we're executive members, which gives us a 2% rebate on everything (including gas). Because of that, we haven't actually paid for our membership in like 15 years.

It may take some time to figure out the store, and what makes sense for your family there. But overall, Costco is a pretty good deal.

Steve

[AZ Disney]

We are costco fans!!!! Absolutely love it.

Meat, wine and more wine, some produce, never bananas, frozen foods, yogurt, clothing, gas, home decorating, you name it and they have it. Clothing is great especially for men. At one time, if you liked an item you had better buy it right away because the follwoing week they may no longer have it or carry it. That was frustrating. That has changed a lot, but depending on the season it still happens. We purchase many "kirkland" products and in my opppinion the quality cannont be surpassed. There is even a show on the rigor that costco puts products through before putting the Kirland label on them. Gas is always the cheapest in the area and we even have a car wash. With that said, we do enjoy shopping at Sam's club on occasion. They have very different stuff, so we go with our friends about once per month to change it up.

[brownie]

We like going to Costco, but for specific things. You do need to do your homework to know if you're saving money. If you see something you want, get it. They may not have it the next time you're there.

You can't beat the hot dog & pop combo at the Costco "food court"; add a churro and you have an OK meal for $2.50.

[princessgirls]

I'm a big fan. I go weekly to supplement my grocery store stuff.

The bottled water and milk alone. The produce, meats, bakery, detergent....

I recycle, and maybe I'm in the minority.... but I can't stand all the reusable water bottles that I have to hand wash and run out of room to store. I can't do it anymore.

I feel like the old women in the shoe....SHE HAD SO MANY REUSABLE WATERBOTTLES SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
so she said NO MORE!!! And just brought a big bag of them to recycling.
Costco for me!!!!
Julie