We joined Costco today!

[roxybabe39]

Another great Costo bonus! They extend the warranty on electronics by an extra year! They also now have a very reasonable extended warranty that you can purchase that adds on to the warranty in place. I bought a new TV there a few months ago for just under $1000. I got the two year Costco warranty and also paid the $60 for the three year extended warranty, which kicks in when my original warranty expires. So... I have a five year warranty for $60, and because of the size of the TV, they will come to my home to fix it if something goes wrong! I know there are many debates on extended warranty, and I don't generally buy it. But I also realize that typically a problem will arise right after the warranty ends so I decided for $20/year I was willing to pay for peace of mind should something happen.

That is one thing I forgot too was there warranty! When my parents renovated their house they went bought all brand new TVs (7 of them!) and we only went to Costco! When we got home the picture quality on one was not good (bought 4 all the same - 3 others were good) so we exchanged it with no problems! There warranty cannot be beat and they accept refunds back with no fuss!

[walkonby]

Wow! I learned something reading all the posts. Congrats avon, I am sure you will not fall into the " bulk cheesy puff " buying trap. Still it is way too late for us to consider Costco, maybe when all 3 kids were here and the boys were inhaling food faster than I could stock it and cook it, but now with all the GF, Dairy free, and the weight loss thing to attend to, so no processed foods to buy and I just cannot get my head around paying a store for me to shop there. They are not close to me anyway, so that is a factor too.

[sweetmomma]

I dont have a membership but willingly accept the invitation when someone else I know who has a memership goes. Prices fluctuate but I find clothing is different and unique. Not your "couponer's delight" as some of the prices are outrageous and you know you can spend much less. It's a place that's pleasant to the eye and a times your tummy.

Some items I feel are a super deal there quite often are:

Kirkland Outdoor Garbage Bags
Tabasco
Lea & Perrins
Club House Spices(the large sizes)
Clothing
Dill Pickles
Baby Wipes
Bags of Buns(WARNING: If you haven't tried these they are highly addictive! I seldom eat white bread but don't have much willpower once I see these!)

[tjthemanto]

Depending on your family size and the type of products you buy , Costco is worth it for some people, as you can recover your membership fees through savings

[CurEuS]

I'm a Costco member as well i buy all my meat there i buy the big parts and then cut my own steaks and roasts its cheaper that way for me. I love it

I've been watching this guys videos again, do you think his advice is good on how to cut Costco Meats?

[harbie]

I am part of the mass that have a love/hate realtionship with Costco I love to shop there but HATE paying to do it

Regardless I renew my membership every year but I share it. My mom loves Costco too so instead of her getting a seperate membership she just pays half of mine and we both shop there . When it comes to check out time I just ask for a subtotal between our purchases and she gives me the cash on the way out.

I would say you definately have to watch the prices since most SCers can get things MUCH cheaper but for me I use Costco for things like Lilydale chicken and ground turkey, veggies,meats and things like towels,bedding,etc.... Since their return policy is exceptional I find it easier to shop there for something knowing I can return it. Case in point was our food vac sealer. We purchased it at the Bellingham location and had it for just over 2 years before it stopped sealing. We went back and exchanged it for a brand new one no issues!

As much as I hate to say it I can't give up on Costco

[guccicouponer]

I absolutely love Costco! There are certain items that I always buy there:
Cheesestrings
Guacamole
Milk
Omega 3 eggs
Havarti cheese slices
Fruit & salads
I also like to pick up Household items when I see them on sale or coupon item at costco:
Swiffer refills
Toilet bowl cleaner
Palmolive dishwashing detergent
The prices for these items just can't be beat!!

[KK7]

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Costco...I know Iam going to get some boo's but one store where I can breath and relax and not dig for coupons lol. We usually are always buying seasonal, Nestea when it is apx 6.00 for 24, loooooooooooooooooove there already cooked Kirkland Bacon, Jamican Pattys, looooooooooooooove their meat about the only place around me that I can find Lean Ground Beef that dosn't have half cup of grease once cooked(and this is comparing to Fortinos where I use to buy all my meat), Nexxus Big Bottles for Shampoo such a good deal and a pump. Oh and also their Natrel Milk is also a great price!

[KK7]

See I reambered something else lol Kraft Parmeasean Cheese is an awesome deal and the Kirkland Garlic 4 apx for a HUGE container and taste great!

[050937k2]

They great deals on organic and Gluten free items - they are often limited, but when you can find them, way cheaper! Giant bag of organic corn frozen corn $8.99, organic blueberries 11.89, organic olive oil 9.99, larabars (sometimes less than $1 a bar when on sale), taste of nature bars (same as larabars), Gluten Free crackers and cookies, Organic pasta sauce - $8 for 3 and it's usually $4 or more in the grocery store. Also kids socks are $1 each when you buy the large packs.

[seylz_gurl]

Tx for the info on the yoga pants, i'll try'em out. I live in yoga pants when I'm not working.

I love Costco! Some of their prices can't be beat, the quality is excellent and their return policy can't be beat. I always get

spices
clothes (esp. yoga pants, they are cut from the exact same pattern as that other very expensive brand, now I just have to start actually doing yoga now that I have 5 pairs of pants)
the meat quality is amazing
vitamins
dill pickles (they have the jars of baby dills, super crunchy and price can't be beat)
farmer's double smoked sausage
perogies (Naleway brand and the highest quality ones are made for Costco according to the president of Naleway)
Kirkland iced tea powder (unless I have FPC's for another brand)
the list goes on and on....

My brother is a manager at one and always watch for prices that end in $.97, that means it has been marked down. That is also how I know about the yoga pants pattern...

Oh! And if you upgrade to the executive membership which runs for about $100/year, you get 2% back on all purchases, and if you don't spend enough to make up the difference with your 2%, they will refund you the difference. At least they used to....

[thelma may]

We like the fresh fruit - cannot beat the price of blueberries, strawberries and raspberries.
Feta cheese and fresh mazarella are great value.
Milk and eggs also.

[Abby1]

Yay Costco!

I agree with developing a new knowledge set of what's a good deal (I find the price per unit on their price signs to be quite handy).

Thought I'd mention some of my favourite deals there as well:
-Prescription fee (so awesome, what is it? like $3.89?)
-Fresh fruit and veg
-Hummus
-Babybel
-THINaddictives (cookies)
-Gatorade
-Billy Bee Honey
-Compost bags
-Q-tips
-Electric toothbrush replacement heads
-Plants (I know someone else mentioned this, but man, they are such a good deal there)
-Holiday items & gifts
-Jewelry

And these when on sale:
-Aveeno soap
-Aveeno moisturizer
-Softsoap refills
-Photo prints
-Printer ink

I haven't tried the yoga pants, but I have a few friends who also swear by them!

[IRefuseToPayFullPrice]

How much are the yoga pants? I'm assuming they are of much better quality than the $10 ones at Urban Planet?

[KK7]

There 19.99 I just bought a pair last time was so excited to buy reg pants instead of plus : ) They are awesome!!!