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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Snoozin on September 2, 2006, at 18:22:37
I want to purchase a membership to one of those wholesale stores. Like Sam's Club, BJ's, or Costco.
Does anyone have experience with them? Can anyone recommend one over the other? Are there others I don't know about in the U.S.? (Virginia specifically).
Thanks!
Posted by Cass on September 2, 2006, at 20:40:09
In reply to Those Wholesale Stores....., posted by Snoozin on September 2, 2006, at 18:22:37
I know Sams Club will give you a free pass to look around and see if you like it. Maybe Costco and the others will do the same. I use Costco a lot myself. The quality is usually good. You can't beat the pharmacy prices anywhere, and you also can't beat their return policy.
Posted by sleepygirl on September 2, 2006, at 20:54:53
In reply to Those Wholesale Stores....., posted by Snoozin on September 2, 2006, at 18:22:37
I had a BJ's membership-they give you a card with a horrible picture of yourself on it!
It's nice if you need giant versions of things- If not, you'll be eating the same type of cookies for years (or some similar product)
but I liked it...might join again (I think the fee was about 30$/year-not sure bout that)
Posted by justy0urlaugh on September 2, 2006, at 21:03:41
In reply to Re: Those Wholesale Stores..... » Snoozin, posted by sleepygirl on September 2, 2006, at 20:54:53
i have no place to put 12 gallons of maynaise :)
Posted by Phillipa on September 2, 2006, at 21:59:18
In reply to Re: Those Wholesale Stores....., posted by justy0urlaugh on September 2, 2006, at 21:03:41
Oh I liked Sam's Club the best. If you make major purchases, tv, sterios, lawn furniture, books, and those type of items you will save the membership fee on just one. And of course the food. You can get great skinned chicken breasts there. They also give out lots of samples of food so you can try them. We have Cosco here and yes the pharmacy is great but I don't see the selection of Sams Club. BJ's I don't know Love Phillipa
Posted by Snoozin on September 2, 2006, at 22:04:32
In reply to Re: Those Wholesale Stores....., posted by Phillipa on September 2, 2006, at 21:59:18
Thanks, guys. The only reason I'm thinking of joining is because I'm pregnant, and figured that's a good way to save on diapers and wipes and baby shampoos and all that. Otherwise, no, I don't really buy in bulk.
Posted by llrrrpp on September 2, 2006, at 22:27:53
In reply to Re: Those Wholesale Stores....., posted by Snoozin on September 2, 2006, at 22:04:32
Hi Snoozin,
I'm totally addicted to Costco.
The selection is not quite as diverse as Sams,
but the stuff that they stock is absolutely top-quality. I also like it because they treat their employees VERY well. They have much better benefits and wages than the average big-box retailer.We buy some perishables there, such as milk in gallons, apples in dozens, and meat, which can always be frozen. If you have extra closet/cellar space, you can get great deals on toiletries, supplements, batteries, office supplies.
We have also bought tires from Costco twice. We have to special order them, because our car is so funky. (VRRRROOOOOM!) and they are about 40% cheaper than the dealer, with lifetime rotation, balance and repair. Sure, you can get this at the dealer too, but isn't it more fun to shop for an hour, rather than wait at the smelly car garage for an hour while they service your car? (And the deal is for Costco's around the country- so, if you're worried about your tire when you're on a road trip, no problem!)
Gas is cheaper.
And I have gotten an eye exam and glasses and contacts there. Cheap, and the refill contacts were easy to order over the phone.
Photo developing- but now we have digital, so those days are over...
OH! how could I forget- big stuff- computers, TVs, jewelery, designer handbags... my goodness. You will save SOOOO much money.
You can go in and look around for free, and the membership is reasonable. Just go easy your first few times there- it's way too easy to wind up with too much stuff. I'm still using the Dove soap bars we bought 3 years ago (I try to avoid showers, like a cat) and don't get me started on the bottle of bubble bath!!
Oh. I just keep thinking of stuff- they mail you a coupon book a few times a year with big discounts on things. The latest coupon book has ... lemme go get it... $2.50 off of a 4 pack of colgate toothpaste (so now it's probably about $1.25 a tube!) $2.00 off a 36 pack of pepsi, (so now it's only 6.00 for a 36 pack)...
I can hardly stop myself. Thank goodness it's after 8:00 pm, because I'd be getting in the car RIGHT this instant to go get my kitty some new litter, some gummi vitamins, and some dishwashing liquid...
This stuff gets me so excited. I'm such a dork.
-ll
Posted by Snoozin on September 2, 2006, at 23:39:36
In reply to COSTCO!!! COSTCO!!! COSTCO!!! COSTCO!!! COSTCO!!! » Snoozin, posted by llrrrpp on September 2, 2006, at 22:27:53
Hahah! How do you *really* feel? :-)
I was going to mention I'm not a big fan of Sam's for that reason -- the whole Wal-Mart/poor HR record -- but wanted to see what folks said about different stores first.
Do I can just walk in and look around first, without buying anything? This is primarily for baby stuff, but I wouldn't mind a new TV in the near future. ;-)
> Hi Snoozin,
> I'm totally addicted to Costco.
> The selection is not quite as diverse as Sams,
> but the stuff that they stock is absolutely top-quality. I also like it because they treat their employees VERY well. They have much better benefits and wages than the average big-box retailer.
>
> We buy some perishables there, such as milk in gallons, apples in dozens, and meat, which can always be frozen. If you have extra closet/cellar space, you can get great deals on toiletries, supplements, batteries, office supplies.
>
> We have also bought tires from Costco twice. We have to special order them, because our car is so funky. (VRRRROOOOOM!) and they are about 40% cheaper than the dealer, with lifetime rotation, balance and repair. Sure, you can get this at the dealer too, but isn't it more fun to shop for an hour, rather than wait at the smelly car garage for an hour while they service your car? (And the deal is for Costco's around the country- so, if you're worried about your tire when you're on a road trip, no problem!)
>
> Gas is cheaper.
>
> And I have gotten an eye exam and glasses and contacts there. Cheap, and the refill contacts were easy to order over the phone.
>
> Photo developing- but now we have digital, so those days are over...
>
> OH! how could I forget- big stuff- computers, TVs, jewelery, designer handbags... my goodness. You will save SOOOO much money.
>
> You can go in and look around for free, and the membership is reasonable. Just go easy your first few times there- it's way too easy to wind up with too much stuff. I'm still using the Dove soap bars we bought 3 years ago (I try to avoid showers, like a cat) and don't get me started on the bottle of bubble bath!!
>
> Oh. I just keep thinking of stuff- they mail you a coupon book a few times a year with big discounts on things. The latest coupon book has ... lemme go get it... $2.50 off of a 4 pack of colgate toothpaste (so now it's probably about $1.25 a tube!) $2.00 off a 36 pack of pepsi, (so now it's only 6.00 for a 36 pack)...
>
> I can hardly stop myself. Thank goodness it's after 8:00 pm, because I'd be getting in the car RIGHT this instant to go get my kitty some new litter, some gummi vitamins, and some dishwashing liquid...
>
> This stuff gets me so excited. I'm such a dork.
>
> -ll
Posted by MidnightBlue on September 3, 2006, at 0:31:35
In reply to Re: COSTCO!!! COSTCO!!! COSTCO!!! COSTCO!!! COSTCO » llrrrpp, posted by Snoozin on September 2, 2006, at 23:39:36
Yes, you just tell them at the door you want to check it out to see if you want to join. You can look all you want. You just can't buy without a membership.
Same with Sam's. My sister likes Costco. I like Sam's primarily because it is easier to get to!
We buy toothpaste, over the counter meds we use lots of, gas, bakery items (like for work or to take to a party), they do have great deals on diapers and wipes. Just go and write down the prices of stuff you would most likely buy and compare it to your favorite "regular" store.
MB
Posted by Racer on September 3, 2006, at 13:18:30
In reply to Re: COSTCO!!! COSTCO!!! COSTCO!!! COSTCO!!! COSTCO » llrrrpp, posted by Snoozin on September 2, 2006, at 23:39:36
> Hahah! How do you *really* feel? :-)
I'm also a very big fan of Costco...
>
> I was going to mention I'm not a big fan of Sam's for that reason -- the whole Wal-Mart/poor HR record --I don't know if we have Sam's Club around here, but the Wal-Mart connection is enough for me: I wouldn't shop there. About twice a year, I buy something from Smart and Final -- and then have to hide in the closet to get over my self-loathing for it. (OK, not quite that bad, but...) I do without some things that Costco doesn't have, that I know I could get at S&F, just because of the whole Wal-Mart thing.
Costco, though...
We shop there once a week, every week. We get our eggs there -- 18 for 1.35 or so, instead of the same brand/size at the supermarket for 2.99 per dozen. Bacon -- four pounds of really good bacon, better even than the stuff at the butcher's. Salad mix -- better, fresher, cheaper than the market. Chicken, which we often freeze. Leg of lamb -- MUCH better than the butcher, and better size for two of us. Prawns, which we often freeze. Macadamias, pomegranate juice -- which they've stopped carrying lately, the nasties -- peanut butter -- great organic peanut butter -- Nutella, strawberries, books, vitamins -- Consumer Reports rated the Costco brand calcium "best buy" in a survey that included analysis of what's actually in it -- etc. I love Costco. I've called ClearSkies a dozen times from their book table, to say, "Should I get this book?" (She always has the answer!)
So, I've got an opinion... Would you like to know what it is?
Posted by gardenergirl on September 3, 2006, at 13:40:41
In reply to I'm a llrrrpp sort of dork, too » Snoozin, posted by Racer on September 3, 2006, at 13:18:30
It's much closer than Costco. I almost never go in the direction of where the Costco is---too much traffic. I'm not nuts about WalMart, but I save too much at Sams to not go there. And I doubt I'd shop at Costco as much given its location. Of course if one sprouts up closer to the city versus the mall-burbs, I might consider switching.
Fortunately, we've got a goodsized basement, and my husband put up a bunch of shelves and organized the whole thing this year. So we've got plenty of room for toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, kleenex, soda, detergent, etc. I would get meat and produce there more often, but I usually go when I'm out running other errands, too, and I can't always keep them cold long enough.
gg
Posted by Phillipa on September 3, 2006, at 18:49:56
In reply to We shop at Sam's, posted by gardenergirl on September 3, 2006, at 13:40:41
I hate Walmart can I say that? It's too big for me I like small stores. And I don't compare it to Sams. There is both Cosco and Sam's here . The only thing we go there for are sausage dogs, and Greg likes a piece of pizza for lunch sometimes. I've wandered around the store. But I don't find the enormous selection that the Sam's I used to go to before moving had. Chairs, mattressess, great shrimp, and cocktail sauce. But I do admit the pharmacy is cheaper but I still prefer Eckerd they always have the meds I need in stock. That's just me of course. Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on September 3, 2006, at 20:19:23
In reply to Re: We shop at Sam's, posted by Phillipa on September 3, 2006, at 18:49:56
> I hate Walmart can I say that? It's too big for me I like small stores. And I don't compare it to Sams.
It's not so much that anyone's comparing the two -- Wal-Mart owns Sam's...
And, speaking only for myself, I won't shop at Wal-Mart or Sam's, because of their corporate policies. I get angry just thinking about it. And I won't say more, because I can't say anything more and remain civil. ({snarl} at the evil corporate wrongdoers)
Posted by Phillipa on September 3, 2006, at 20:42:58
In reply to Re: We shop at Sam's » Phillipa, posted by Racer on September 3, 2006, at 20:19:23
Well if it makes you feel better we let our membership elapse. Don't need it. And Target has some nasty rules supposedly according to my husband no Salivation Army out side at Christmas. Now this is second hand info so could most definitely be wrong. Love Phillipa
Posted by Snoozin on September 4, 2006, at 19:10:14
In reply to I'm a llrrrpp sort of dork, too » Snoozin, posted by Racer on September 3, 2006, at 13:18:30
>> Salad mix -- better, fresher, cheaper than the market.
Excellent. This is one thing I buy a lot of at the regular grocery store, and even if the expiration date is a week away, never know if it's good or not.
>
> So, I've got an opinion... Would you like to know what it is?
:-) Thanks!
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