Secrets to shopping at Sam's, Costco's etc...

**SewCrafty** · 05-27-2008, 04:35 PM

Rachael Ray had a guy on today that gave great tips on how to shop at those warehouse type stores. Check it out!

The Secrets of Warehouse Shopping

**Darlene** · 05-27-2008, 04:41 PM

Hey Gabe, Clark Howard!

I saw the show, wish they all weren't talking so fast & over each other, made it hard to catch some of what they said.

**perSue** · 05-27-2008, 04:46 PM

oooh! i learned something new.
we gotta hit Sam's Club soon anyway... NOW i know!

Thanks!!!

**Frugal Nurse** · 05-27-2008, 05:40 PM

I have been banned from the warehouse store.
One: I buy stuff I don't need
Two: I complain about the prices

DH would rather go in.. get it and get out.
(uhmmm... he thinks he's saving money doing that)

**cheles2kids** · 05-28-2008, 07:49 PM

Oh yeh, Thanks so much SewCrafty for posting the link.

I never knew about the free drink refill policy.

I had however learned about the items ending in .97 at Costco, though. A couple of the checkers informed me of that.

I don't currently shop at warehouse stores either, simply because we're not close to one, but if I ever decided to rejoin sometime in the future there's lots of good information to think about.

Thanks again!

**Michelle** · 05-28-2008, 07:55 PM

I've been trying to decide if we'll get a membership to a warehouse store again. We used to belong to BJ's Wholesale and then Costco...I could have used these tips then, but I can use them now to make a decision

**Dot** · 05-29-2008, 09:23 PM

Some good tips, but the one about not using a cart wouldn't work for me. My arms are short and one huge package of toilet tissue and I wouldn't be able to carry anything else. The Sam's Club we go to is 35 miles away and when we go, we go to really stock up....we HAVE to have a cart....or two.

**Dancing Lotus** · 05-30-2008, 07:07 AM

Great tips but I agree that the one about not taking a cart is silly. One item and your done. Have you ever tried to carry and entire case of canned goods around a store.

**favesis37** · 05-30-2008, 07:18 AM

i don't belong to one, but what great tips. thanks

**emily_hope** · 05-30-2008, 08:48 AM

"Go on an empty stomach! Warehouse clubs always have yummy food samples and great prices for a quick lunch or snack. Be sure to get your drink before you shop to take advantage of free refills!"

LOL. My DDs and I don't necessarily go on an empty stomach, but we always joke about 'having lunch" at Sam's! Thanks for the link, I didn't know that about the items ending in a penny were markdowns.

**SherryBerry** · 06-03-2008, 10:29 PM

Also I recommend only buy what you know you will use up. I'm so guilty of buying more of something just because it's a "good deal" and then I don't end up needing it.

**karone** · 06-06-2008, 04:35 AM

lol, if they accepted food stamps then we would probbably get most of our food there. i used to have a membership to sam's but b/c of zack i dont have my card anymore.

**MysticEagle** · 06-06-2008, 09:05 AM

I have a Costco membership. Considering I live 60 miles from the store there is no way I couldn't use a buggy. Most of the time it takes 2 buggies but I normally only go every 3months or so. The bad thing is the huge bill at the end.

**itlw8** · 06-06-2008, 09:29 AM

Know your prices.... often they are not cheaper than in a regular store especially if you shop loss leaders.

some things may be a good deal for the quality but if you do not usually buy that expensive cut of meat or name brand product it still costs more than you would have spent

some of the convience foods end up costing more because with more in the house the kids eat them so they ate 24 instead of 4

cheaper per item but more spent in the long run because they do not last.

so make a price notebook and take a calculator.

and for us because Sams is 30 miles make it a combined trip... for us Home Depot.... we have Lowes but Home Depot carrries other things.