Costco?

**patticakes** · 11-09-2007, 01:55 PM

I have been a Costco memeber since '91 and on this site for two days. So I may not be completely on the same page as many of you...yet.

There is only my DH & I and over the years multiple cats and dogs. The membership started out as a cheaper way to buy cat & dog food - at the time it was more affordable than the Navy Exchange and I knew product would be on the shelf after driving there.

I was a Sam's Club member prior to moving to an area where Sam's doesn't exist and learned that I liked the quality of Costco products over Sam's hands down.

Now, I have found the old joke "Good luck to get out of Costco for under $100" extremely true. If you see something in there it may not be there on your next trip in. So the "buy it now" mentality takes hold quickly after telling myself "I'll buy it next time" and it is not there.

Costco definately feeds, literally, on impulse buying. You can goto out our Costco on the weekend and have a full lunch off of the food demonstrations alone. Breads, frozen appetizers, chili, soups, assorted drinks, snacks -- even storage bags to take home to try.

They do have coupon specials, called "Passport to Savings" throughout the year. Items from food, office supplies, appliances, furniture, vitamins, cold medicine -- over a year everything is covered. A lot of the coupons allow for multiple purchases as well -- one this last time allowed for 10 items.

The Costco near me has optical, hearing aids, photography development & emailing in photos for print, tire center (no oil changes), pharmacy (our insurance told us Costco is one on three approved pharmacies they would cover us at), wine (WA doesn't allow hard liquor sales in grocery stores like other states), fresh bakery, eat-in deli w/chicken caesar salad, pizza, cinnamon sticks & some yogurt thing. And a gas station that is as low as AM/PM/Arco stations here. The outside the store amenities are Closet Organizers, Kitchen cabinets (a builder friend swears these are awesome), granite/quartz countertops, garage doors, cars, window coverings, insurance, credit card machines...they cover a lot and my memory.

My personal rule was cash only at Costco. I then broke that rule when gas skyrocketed last year and got an AMEX card. On average, we go through $500 a month on gas. Ouch yes, and the rebate attracted us there. That is one card that gets paid off every month.

We spend enough at Costco through out the year so that we get a check back at the end of the year that covers our renewal.

I do shop around to check prices. My biggest surprise this year was a new digital camera -- it was $150 less at Costco than Best Buy, Circuit City and was 2 megapixels more.

I feel like I am rambling & I am happy to answer any questions you have.

patti

**Lambie** · 11-10-2007, 06:43 AM

When we lived in Az. we had a Costco...loved it...small appliances, tires/car stuff, large appliances for our rentals at a super cheap compared to others price, otc meds, soooooooooooo many things that way more than paid for the membership!!!! We are now in Ks. and have a membership at Sam's....here again with our rentals, the appliances are a big savings...along with all the rest I wouldn't be without it personally. Katy

**cottageliving** · 11-10-2007, 09:38 AM

I love Costco. The membership cost is worth it. We have three cats -- just the savings on cat food paid for the annual membership. I told the cats that they were earning their keep and contributing to the good of the family. You will save LOTS on so many food and home items -- I'm still wearing a winter coat purchased from Costco in Fall 2001 and paid $35.00! Cannot count the number of Christmas presents I've purchased there for low prices (good quality).

Sadly, there is no Costco in WNY so when I moved back to my hometown I joined the one in Ontario, CA. That worked, but the drive is so long that it became too much of a bother. Now our dollar is so weak that it would not pay. Oh well.