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BJs, Sam's Club or Costco: Which One Is Best?

post #1 of 23
1/19/08 at 8:43am
Thread Starter 
Hi all. I 've had a BJ's membership for years. It ran out last year and I was going to renew but am wondering about it. We now have a Sams Club and Costco same driving distance away. Which is better? Any pros/cons of each? It seems to me that BJ's prices were not all that great last time I was there.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
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post #2 of 23
1/19/08 at 9:26am
They are much, much cleaner than the local BJ's. Costco also has "cool stuff" at better prices than anywhere else. By that, I mean they have really good frozen fruit at great prices, really interesting entrees, etc. that I throw in the freezer for those nights that I just don't feel like cooking. (Yes, I know it's cheaper to cook and freeze it myself, and I do that, too. But, we have a DS with medical stuff, so I do use frozen meals on occasion because I'm tired LOL!) They also have really, really good cakes for special occasions. We got DS's cake there for his blessing - it was a BIG 1/2 sheet cake or something for around $15.00. It was delicious, too! Our Costco also has gas about $.20 a gallon cheaper than anywhere else.

I don't know about Sam's club. I've never been there. The only thing BJ's has over Costco is that they have a better selection of baby items. But, I've just been watching sales at CVS and Target, and doing really well with baby items there.

Good luck in your decision making!
Michelle
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post #3 of 23
1/19/08 at 9:32am
We seem to have a thread about this every other week...LOL.

It really depends on what you buy, how often you want to go...I think the key, is to know what you pay elsewhere. So get a day pass to the club you're interested in, go in and check out the prices and see if it's something that would be worth it to you and your family.

Good luck!
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post #4 of 23
1/19/08 at 9:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oregano View Post

We seem to have a thread about this every other week...LOL.

It really depends on what you buy, how often you want to go...I think the key, is to know what you pay elsewhere. So get a day pass to the club you're interested in, go in and check out the prices and see if it's something that would be worth it to you and your family.

Good luck!

I agree, go in and do your price checking before you sign up...we found we spent way more many when we shopped a warehouse club so we quit over 5 years ago and have saved by just watching store sales.
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post #5 of 23
1/19/08 at 10:30am
I agree with Oregano. You can usually at least get into the clubs on a visitors pass so use that opportunity to check their prices/selection on things you normally buy.

For me personally, I prefer BJ's (we have access to all three because my husband is on his parents Sams and Costco accounts) for a number of reasons. It's closer (although a brand new Costco just opened about a mile or two farther out), I can use my credit cards there, and they take manufacturer's coupons. Oh, and they have the cheapest diapers around.

There are many things I like about Costco not the least of which is that their selection is slightly better and so are their prices, BUT I don't like not being able to pay with my credit card (we don't do American Express) or use manufacturer's coupons. So for now I'll stick with BJ's. We don't buy a whole lot of stuff there, but what we do buy makes the membership worth it in my opinion.
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post #6 of 23
1/20/08 at 8:58am
We live near a Costco and a Sam's, and the Costco is better in many many ways. And you can use a debit card there. And I personally won't support the WalMart empire, so that's another negative on Sam's for me (and we need not go there as that has been discussed to death in this forum as well). I just like the service better at Costco, layout, selection, etc.
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post #7 of 23
1/21/08 at 5:56am
I have been a member of costco and sams and bj's

The thing i liked about costco it is close, the sq pizza they made(no longer avaialbe) and their bday cakes, and they carried food with out persertives, not to mention their food court. What i dont like is the long lines, the awful parking lot trying to get in and out

Sams liked the hours and the food court. Again did not like the parking lot.

Bj's i love not crowded, self checkout. You can use their coupon with a manufactor coupon so for a better savings. great cakes, good hours.easy parking lot. Has a deli and gas.

Even thou gh the bjs is about 20 minutes away i would rather shop there.
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post #8 of 23
1/21/08 at 6:09am
If I had to Choose Between our local costco and BJ's , I Would Go with Costco.

Its Bigger , Better selection , And Organized Better. .


Sams is Too Far away to even Consider.

I think Most People I Know Are Highly Impressed with Costco over any place else.


Although , In My Old neighborhood their was a Lady that Said Costco is For the Wealthy People and Sams is For the poorer People.


No Clue...
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post #9 of 23
1/21/08 at 6:25am
I have a Costco membership and love it. You do have to be careful on some items, bec. they can be cheaper if you buy them somewhere else. However, for the most part, they have good prices and selection.
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post #10 of 23
1/21/08 at 6:39am
I have belonged to all 3 at one time or another, currently at BJ's. While Costco does have a wide selection of many items I find I save more money at BJ's with being able to use coupons and honestly fewer temptations.
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