Commissary vs warehouse shopping

**Nishu** · 05-15-2009, 11:50 PM

Has anyone done a price comparison between the warehouse stores and the commissary? I'm considering a membership to costco and I'm wondering if it would be worth it.

**guest002** · 05-16-2009, 01:37 AM

I did 2 years ago. Overall the commissary was better if you factor in the $50 membership you have to pay Costco. I'm not that close to my commissary so I did the Costco thing. Dairy, pork, etc. was cheaper at Costco.

**Nishu** · 05-16-2009, 09:49 AM

Thanks. We live right on base so I think I'm going to pass on the costco membership.

**Mamaof2rugrats** · 10-12-2010, 09:55 AM

We have a 70 mile drive to base. My husband commutes so we really don't use the commissary too much. It's also about 2 hrs to a costco or sams. We just stick with aldis which is a half hr away.

**YankeeMom** · 10-12-2010, 11:42 AM

We are close to both a Sam's Club and the Commissary. The commissary beats almost everything sam's sells. We only buy
cat litter (because it comes in a 40lb container)
bubble wrap (not sold at commissary)
fish (because they don't sell the kind we like at the commissary)
occasionally dog food (because it's a bigger bag than sold at the commissary)

**McD** · 10-12-2010, 12:12 PM

We aren't close to a commissary, but there was a commissary case lot sale recently on Camp Dodge a few months back that was brought up from Offut AFB.

I was very happy with the prices on some things that they had, especially when they had coupons to be used with them. Some prices, even with coupons, weren't very good compared to what I normally pay. For instance, they had Luvs that were 15.99$ for 144 diapers, with a 1$ off coupon. I can get 144 Target brand diapers for 14.99$ and I regularly find 1$-1.50$ off coupons.

I had fun chatting with all the old veterans in line for the sale though.

**MelAFwife** · 10-14-2010, 06:23 AM

We had a BJ's membership, commissary prices are better

**wanderlusting** · 10-15-2010, 04:52 PM

I think the commissary has better prices. They can't make a profit so everything is at cost. However, you may find better deals in regular grocery stores since the commissary doesn't carry generics and doesn't double coupons.

**taxgal1040** · 10-22-2010, 09:45 PM

Dh retired in 2005 from the reserves. I make a trek a couple of times a year to the commissary-it is SO worth the 1 1/2 hour trip each way. My average bill when I go is $500+, but that will last us 4-6 months, depending how often my grown children show up. Meat prices are the best-I buy, break packages apart and freeze. The only item I have found cheaper at Sam's club are lamb chops. The commissary has great meat prices-if you aren't satisfied, you need to talk to the meat manager/ commissary manager!!

**baronmom** · 10-23-2010, 09:57 AM

Wish we could shop at the commissary. We live too far away from one. I do love to shop there though when we visit my son in NC.

**PennyPinchinPam** · 12-31-2010, 08:47 AM

I realize this is an older post but I haven't been around for some time so I wanted to add in my experience. I have kept a price book for years. We are about to retire from the USAF after 24 years. I have always shopped at the commissary for the best prices but will go to the regular grocery stores if there's a good deal that can be combined with coupons. I've had some bad experiences with the commissary meats so I'm very careful about vacuum sealing it immediately after I get home and putting it in the freezer. As much as I dislike going to the commissary it does offer the best prices and now that we are retiring I'm really going to have to be price savvy. I've been a member of every bulk store over the years and while they do have some items at a better price it doesn't justify the $50 - $75 a year. The membership fee blows any savings I could find. So to the OP (Nishu) I say stick to the comm and if you have a friend with a Costco membership maybe they could pick up some of the good deals for you. Just an idea.