Fed up with Costco

[DaveNV]

When I go through the self checkout line at Costco, I have all the barcodes facing up. I am sure that is rather rare for most of the people going through the self checkout.

You're no doubt an exception. I'd love if you were the guy in front of me in line. I've seen people turning every item this way and that, trying to find a barcode that scans. It's much faster if the item is already laying barcode face up.

Not to mention, with Covid cleaning requirements, letting customers scan their own items would require sanitizing the scanning guns between customers. That would slow things down considerably.

Dave

 

[dioxide45]

You're no doubt an exception. I'd love if you were the guy in front of me in line. I've seen people turning every item this way and that, trying to find a barcode that scans. It's much faster if the item is already laying barcode face up.

Not to mention, with Covid cleaning requirements, letting customers scan their own items would require sanitizing the scanning guns between customers. That would slow things down considerably.

Dave

Barcodes is one reason that Aldi can scan items so fast. They actually print multiple barcodes on their packaging. I have seen this on some costco items as well. Then it is much easier for the clerk to scan items not worrying about which direction it needs to be.

 

[DaveNV]

Barcodes is one reason that Aldi can scan items so fast. They actually print multiple barcodes on their packaging. I have seen this on some costco items as well. Then it is much easier for the clerk to scan items not worrying about which direction it needs to be.

And experience counts. Costco staffers with a scanning gun have seen that item many times before, so they learn where the barcodes are located. Remember way back before barcodes, when Costco used "Callers" to rattle off the number of the product, and the cashier keyed it on the register? Barcodes were a much easier, and faster method. So in that regard, Costco has done some investment in technology.

Dave

 

[Bucky]

We have memberships with both Costco and BJs. Costco is the furthest drive and we just look at is an an outing. We know it’s going to be crowded and checkout is not going to be the fastest. But, their checkout personnel do a tremendous job considering what they have to work with. We only go every couple of months so the small wait is a non event to us. I usually just let my wife go because I don’t tend to deal well with crowds. She went the other day and came home with a pumpkin pe because I told her how I had read how good they were! $5.99 for a HUGE pie seemed like a good deal but quite honestly I had one piece and we threw it away. It’s considered good by a great deal of people but it pales grea5ly compared to the ones she makes. I basically enjoy the chickens and their meat department.

We shop far more often at BJs because they are much closer. They have the self scanner guns which makes it much quicker to get in and out. They also have a veteran reduced rate membership card which is a nice added benefit. Same warehouse theme as all the others, just different items.

 

[beejaybee]

Costco is very convenient for us. We gas our cars there and rarely have to wait for an empty pump, espcially since the hoses reach far enough that it doesn't matter which side the gas cap is on. Their prices for eyeglasses are so reasonable and there is a great frame selection. We book our cruises with Costco Travel via phone and reserve rental cars online. Love being able to run in and get a pizza slice to take home. Their fake Bailey's is pretty good. $6.99 prosecco too.

I agree with you, Bucky, about the pumpkin pie. But their apple pie is quite tasty as are the oatmeal raisin and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, not so much the choc chip.

 

[bogey21]

we have pretty much stopped doing gifts, but get things all year long. I like no occasion gifts/treats .

I have avoided traditional gift giving for as long as I can remember. I prefer being spontaneous when I see a want or need...

George

 

[joestein]

I usually shop at Costco near me once per week, especially now that they still have the 9-10 'senior' hours. It typically isn't busy at that time. We buy bananas, wine, milk (sold by gallon here), eggs, Kirkland whole bean coffee (really Starbucks at half the price), specials, laundry supplies, water, salmon, paper products, and some meats. Meat and salmon prices have almost doubled in past few months like most other places. Lamb chops are still a good buy at $8.99. I used to buy more produce, but our Costco has converted to mostly organic and I know it isn't worth the premium I worked in agriculture.) The pumpkin pies are now a great bargain for $5.99. The Krogers in our area are terrible, so we buy about 1/2 our total groceries at Costco.

When we go on vacation, we always stock up on wine and other key supplies at Costco on our first day. We have been disappointed that many no longer carry the large spinach salads. These were great for salads the first few days, and scrambled eggs later in the week, We have been disappointed that they have stopped carrying many of our favorite items (including pizza) and are trying to force people to buy higher margin things. They are building a new Costco about 15 miles from us and are likely to close the one that is much closer. That will greatly reduce our shopping at Costco if they do.

At least you have your priorities straight.....

 

[joestein]

Costco is very convenient for us. We gas our cars there and rarely have to wait for an empty pump, espcially since the hoses reach far enough that it doesn't matter which side the gas cap is on. Their prices for eyeglasses are so reasonable and there is a great frame selection. We book our cruises with Costco Travel via phone and reserve rental cars online. Love being able to run in and get a pizza slice to take home. Their fake Bailey's is pretty good. $6.99 prosecco too.

I agree with you, Bucky, about the pumpkin pie. But their apple pie is quite tasty as are the oatmeal raisin and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, not so much the choc chip.

There eyeglasses are fantastic. However, we have found their gas lines to be 10 cars deep at most times. Maybe at 8 - 9am you can squeak in with only 1 car ahead. I used to try to get my older MDX refilled at Costco because it only takes premium, but now that my daughter drives it, that doesn't happen.

 

[joestein]

I have avoided traditional gift giving for as long as I can remember. I prefer being spontaneous when I see a want or need...

George

At least between my wife and I. We can buy whatever we want to whenever we choose. Occasionally, I will buy her something that I know she wants, but doesn't want to spend on.

 

[presley]

I don't like crowds and lines, either. I live within 15 minutes of 2 Costcos and rarely go. I get stuff delivered often, though. The crowds and lines have been like that for as long as I can remember.

I don't think there's any Sam's clubs near me. Aren't they a pumped up WalMart?

 

[DaveNV]

I don't think there's any Sam's clubs near me. Aren't they a pumped up WalMart?

Pretty much. Sam's Club is WalMart's attempt to compete with Costco, as a way to add to the already outrageous fortunes of the Walton family.

Dave

 

[DRH90277]

Wow, such anger. But, we'll stick with Costco. We buy what we can at Costco and then go elsewhere, as necessary. Yesterday, I bought gas for $.20 less per gallon. If you check you'll find Costco dominates in sales of tires, gasoline, and many other great products inside the store. They must be doing something better than the other retailers they are "beating in the market place."

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We've had the executive membership for a long time. Now that our kids (big eaters) have moved out of the house, we don't use Costco as much. Should we downgrade to basic? What's does Executive get us anyway?

 

[Passepartout]

One needs to know when the 'off-peak' hours are at their warehouse. It avoids stress and hassle. We knew yesterday that it would be busy, but we also wanted that rotisserie chicken for dinner. There were a couple other items on the list too.

Since becoming empty nesters, we've cut back on Costco purchases. Some items are just too big for two people to use. So we dropped back to the 'regular' membership from the Executive. We can always upgrade it if contemplating a large purchase where the extra 1% rebate can make up the difference. Usually we come out ahead.

Kinda off subject, but once upon a time at Trader Joe's, I asked a clerk when I should come in to avoid the crowds. S/he told me, 9:30 am. It's late enough that the shelves are all stocked from the overnight truck deliveries, and before the throngs descend on the place. That's been the watchword there.

 

[Luanne]

I had a Costco (at the time it was Price Club) membership when I was single. It was worth it for me. Sometimes a friend and I would go and we'd split some of the items. Dh and I have had a membership for over 30 years (Price Club, then Costco). We used to live less than 10 minutes from a Costco and we'd go weekly. Now that we're an hour away it's more like monthly. Our younger dd lives close to us and many times we'll pick up stuff for her, or split a larger item and give her part. I've only been in a Sam's Club twice and not impressed. As I said earlier I won't shop Sam's.........or Walmart.

 

[DaveNV]

We've had the executive membership for a long time. Now that our kids (big eaters) have moved out of the house, we don't use Costco as much. Should we downgrade to basic? What's does Executive get us anyway?

It depends on how much you spend there. If you spend enough that the Executive rebate pays at least the difference between a Gold Star membership and an Executive membership, then the Executive is worth it. If you spend less than that $60 rebate difference, then an Executive membership may not be worth it.

For us, Executive is very much worthwhile. We spend enough directly to warrant the difference in the membership price. But we also get certain benefits as Executive members - home and auto insurance, rebates on travel options, and any other things we choose to buy that an Executive membership brings, that a Gold Star membership doesn't. So it's all about the rebate, and whether the spending is enough to pay us back.

By the numbers, if you spend $3000 a year or more, the Executive membership pays for itself. It sounds like a lot, but in real world numbers, that's only spending $250 a month. One monthly shopping trip can easily spend $250, just with grocery stuff. Add in specialty items, clothing, furniture, appliances, eye glasses, travel, hearing aids, tires, electronics items - it's easy to spend $3000 a year at Costco.

Dave

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

For me, Costco is about bulk buying. Small quantity and specialty product are bought elsewhere. I go around once every two months. I do it to use my secret weapon.

A freezer.

I buy 2 months worth of meat at a time. Frozen fruit for frozen fruit, fruit salad. Long stocking canned goods. 6 months worth of a canned good (on a rotation). (X on trip, Y the next trip, Z the 3rd trip and repeat.) Wine (a case or two every 2 months - one glass with most evening meals). Paper goods.

I split the house (and groceries) with my brother. We rarely eat out.

The line is long, but I only have to brave it to 7 times a year. Net a time saver vs weekly grocery trips.

 

[joestein]

We've had the executive membership for a long time. Now that our kids (big eaters) have moved out of the house, we don't use Costco as much. Should we downgrade to basic? What's does Executive get us anyway?

a 2% rebate on your purchases. If you spend enough money at Costco that the 2% rebate is greater than the difference between basic and executive membership, it makes sense.

 

[joestein]

I just got a new Sam's Club membership today. My old membership ended in September. I paid $30 through Groupon and I will get a $40 gift card in the mail, plus a free pie. Basically they are paying me $10 to have a membership for a year. I don't auto-renew and I will get a similar deal through my other email next year. I switch off every year.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Thanks @DaveNV and @joestein. We spend about $4500/year so it sounds like it still pays off. We also receive a credit for our Costco membership with our Citigold account so we might as well keep it at the executive level to get the higher credit.

Sams is too far away for us.

FWIW...We like the rotisserie chicken, pesto, nuts, dried mangos, Fage nonfat yogurt, and bag of frozen Foster Farms chicken breasts - a staple. I just tried the frozen salmon and found it quite good. We buy fresh beef at our local grocery because they frequently have great deals and beef loses taste in our freezer.

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks @DaveNV and @joestein. We spend about $4500/year so it sounds like it still pays off. We also receive a credit for our Costco membership with our Citigold account so we might as well keep it at the executive level to get the higher credit.

Sams is too far away for us.

FWIW...We like the rotisserie chicken, pesto, nuts, dried mangos, Fage nonfat yogurt, and bag of frozen Foster Farms chicken breasts - a staple. I just tried the frozen salmon and found it quite good. We buy fresh beef at our local grocery because they frequently have great deals and beef loses taste in our freezer.

It sounds as though you have a good basis for maintaining your Executive membership. You may already know this, but if you have the Citi Costco Visa card, you'll earn as much as 4% on your purchases anywhere (not just at Costco), separate from the amount you'd get as the Executive Member rebate. I'm approaching a $600 rebate from Citi this year, in addition to the several hundred dollars we'll see as our Executive rebate. It adds up quickly.

Dave

 

[am1]

We might keep both. There are a few items we really love at Costco that I don't think they sell at Sams - The Amylu sausages for one.

Get a Costco gift card. Apparently anyone can redeem them.

 

[geist1223]

An Executive Costco Membership costs twice as much as a regular Membership. With the Executive Membership you also want to get for free a CITI Costco Credit Card. The returns are:

2% back on all Costco purchases except gas. If you do not spend enough to make up the extra $60 then go to the Membership Desk and they will either make up the difference or give you a partial credit for the next Year's Membership.

With the Costco CITI Credit Card you get:
4% for gas purchases charged to the Credit Card wherever you buy the Gas.
3% back for restaurants and travel charged to the Credit Card.
An additional 2% back on all Costco purchases charged to the Credit Card. (So a total of 4%. 2% for Executive Membership and 2% for the Costco Credit Card.)
1% back on all other charges to the Credit Card.

So at the end of the Membership Year you get 2 checks - one from CITI and one from Costco. Do not use these checks to make a Costco purchase. Then you lose out on the 2% from using the Credit Card.

Take your CITI Check to the Membership Desk and they will either cash it or cut you a Check you can deposit into your Bank Account. They no longer will cash the Costco Check. So go into Costco and make a very small purchase such as 1 bunch of Bananas. Then present your Costco Check to the Checkout Cashier. They will give you the excess in cash.

We are now living exclusively on our Costco Credit Card except at WINCO, which does not accept any Credit Cards.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We have the Citi credit card. Other than 4% gas we have been using less and less because we get 3x dining and 2x everything else including Costco on other cards. We get the cash back next stmt instead of waiting for new year and having to go to warehouse for payout.

When we have a 5x Qtr for warehouse on Freedom or Discover we buy Costco gift cards online so we get 5x instead of 2x.

 

[UWSurfer]

We've been up and down with our Costco membership. We don't have any Sams Club or Walmarts for that matter here in the Westside of LA, but there a number of Costco's.

When we were raising our teens we bought a lot of groceries and gas. As they moved away I had to question the value of the Executive membership, but we used it enough that it more than paid for itself. The 4% gas rebate with the Citi Costco card is great EXCEPT when you drive EV's. <g>. When we looked at the breakdown for the cash back, gas is a very small percentage of what we earn overall. Interestingly though, my favorite Costco is in Hawthorne, which has roughly 24 EV chargers priced at 15 cents per kWh. That is what I pay to charge overnight at my house so this is a bargain compared to most commercial chargers in the wild.

Recently my brother moved in with us and he eats like a teenager. Suddenly I'm buying groceries there again and our membership is getting us great value once again.