Warehouse Stores?

[BarbaraL]

What's your opinion of warehouse stores (Costco, PriceClub, BJ's, etc)? I have friends who swear by them, plus I've seen postings on this BB where people mention them. I belonged to BJ's years ago, but they weren't convenient; plus, I make most of my own food fresh and from scratch, and they sold a lot of (in my opinion) junk food (but were good for cleaning & paper products). I hear they have alot more fresh stuff now. Also, what are Trader Joe's and Sam's -- are they this type of store? FYI, was reading the thread about the Food Saver; the local Costco has the Ultra model for $159.99 and replacement rolls (box with 2 11" rolls plus 2 8" rolls for $26.99)-- are those good prices? Just wondering. . .

[lindrusso]

First, yes, Sam's Club is a discount warehouse (by the owners of Wal-mart).

I just joined Sam's Club and I guess I don't have an opinion yet. I was disappointed when I noticed that the bags of chicken breasts there were $2.50 a pound. My grocery stores often run sales for $1.99 or less per pound. I did like it for things like peanut butter, juice boxes, etc. I also got a LOVELY bag of LARGE dried shiitakes - not the little bitty pieces you usually get. I also got down pillows for $25 a piece. So, I guess it all depends on what you want out of it. They also had a small but nice selection of wines at a good price.

I have been looking all over at FoodSaver prices and they don't seem to change much at all from store to store. The one I bought at Sam's was the same price the other two places I saw it. The models run from $99 for the base model at Wal-mart up to over $200 for the professional model. I got the 550 model at Sam's for $130. It sounds like the price for the replacement bags is very good - they often run $19.99 for just 2 rolls.

[sneezles]

Barbara
I'm from Texas and we have Sam's Club, which is owned and operated by WalMart. They do carry some fresh porduce but sometimes the quantities are so large that you have to purchase that I lose some of it before I can use it all. I usually only buy it for parties or big dinners. I do buy my milk, oj, eggs and cheese from there.

[karen w]

We belong to Costco. I find it great for certain things, but it is a DANGEROUS place.
Typically my husband and the kids and I will go there on a rainy day to pick up a roll of film and end up spending alot of money on impulsive things. They do have very nice fish/seafood, meat, and poultry. I buy bananas(my 1 year olds favorite!), and last winter they had delicious cases of oranges and grapefruits. I also pick up alot of other grocery staples there(Juice boxes, peanut butter, cereals, canned tomatoes etc...) but as mentioned above, you do have to be careful. Since they do not take coupons, the regular grocery store can be just as competitive or cheaper on certain items(especially if you get double or triple coupons at the grocery). I guess for us, however, we have payed for our membership the last several years in diapers alone so for now it's worth it!!

[Grace]

We too have a Costco membership, and like Karen, I agree that it can be VERY dangerous!!

I like it because they have my contact lenses at half the price of the so-called "discount" contact lens places (i.e., Lens Express, etc.). Lens Express charges me $69.00 a box (6 lenses to a box), and Costco has them for $37.00. I buy about 4 boxes a year, so that alone pays for my "membership". Also, some of their computer software and books are a real bargain. I like buying cheese there - it comes in BIG chunks, but I have a FoodSaver vacuum sealer, otherwise I probably wouldn't buy it in such big chunks (how much of a bargain is it if you have to throw half of it away??). For example Parmagiano Reggiano in my regular grocery store is $15.99/pound. Costco sells it for $7.99/pound. Half price! I also like it for things like Craisins (2 pound bag for $5.99 - I just saw 12 ounce bags at my grocery store yesterday for $5.99). But like others have said, not everything is a bargain. You really have to know your prices before you go in. Oh, and things like Advil and other over the counter remedies are a GREAT bargain. I'll sum up by saying I agree with Linda - it all depends on what you want out of it!

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 10-17-2000).]

[Joyce]

Having lived around the country at various times, we belong, or have belonged to Costco, BJ, and Sam's. Since there are only two of us, I find shopping supermarket sales to be best for fresh food items, however I still belong to both BJ and Sam;s and find I save the fee by purchasing gift items, computer software, tvs, durable goods, etc. It is not so much that you would never be able to find the same item at the same price elsewhere, but for a working person, you can ALWAYS find an item within a few dollars of the lowest price, without waiting and searching for a sale. They also have great prices on name brand clothing.

[SueK]

We belong to Sam's and we really buy more household type items there than food items. I stock up on paper products, contact stuff, books, etc. If we are having a party, I do buy the various frozen appetizers that they have. We also buy meat and buns there for our tailgating parties. I find that when I go there for just a few things, though, I wind up walking out with 2 huge cartfuls of stuff!

[ML]

I shop at Sam's mainly for paper goods- paper towels, toilet paper, etc. We also buy soap, toothpaste, etc.

Since we recently moved, the meat selection at our local grocery store is not the best quality- so I have started buying all our meat there. I also like to buy the frozen, skinless, boneless chicken breasts. They are less expensive and a nicer quality. Also, I absolutely hate to touch raw chicken and unfortunately they are never clean enough for me ( I have to cut off every speck of fat or skin http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif )- so the frozen ones are great. It is easier to trim and my hands do get all gross!

[Karen from VA]

I belong to Costco and BJs, but will drop my Costco membership when it runs out (1) because it's not as conveniently located, (2) because it will not take MasterCard or Visa, and (3) it doesn't carry my favorite brand of chicken (Purdue). BUT, I wouldn't belong to any of them if I didn't have my FoodSaver (one of my most favorite kitchen gadgets), but then that's another thread. . . . . . . .
Karen

[Linda I LIght]

I belong to Sam and find it has good prices on somethings as everyone abv

[valeriek]

Is the board going crazy? Can anyone see what I posted about Trader Joe's?



[This message has been edited by valeriek (edited 10-17-2000).]

[valeriek]

I'm going to try this again.

Barbara, you had asked about Trader Joe's. It is not like Costco or Sam's Club, or any of the other warehouse type stores. It is more of a gourmet market at rock bottom prices. I have gotten excellent olive oil there, and they have great prices on imported cheeses and other things like that. They tend to be more organic. The stores are usually small, but the staff is friendly. It's not on my must stop list, but if I'm in the neighborhood, I'll pop in to see what is on special.

P.S. Warehouse stores and apartments don't mix!

[BethR]

My husband and I always joke about how many things just jump into the cart when we're at Costco -- so I agree it's dangerous! We go there every month or so for things like diapers, toilet paper, paper towels, gum, film... They're also good for books -- I picked up all four Harry Potter books for much less than bookstores and I found the CL Complete Cookbook for $22. They also carry a lot of neat food/gift baskets around the holidays. We even bought our computer there, so we've really gotten a lot out of our membership fee this year! Their produce always looks great, but there's too much per package for us to be able to use it up.

On Trader Joe's... I love Trader Joe's! I trek there occasionally to stock up, now that I live further than I used to from my closest store. I like their Chocolate Schoolhouse Cookies (my little boys love these number- and letter-shaped low-fat cookies) and Pirate's Booty (cheese-curl like, but lower fat, higher fiber and delicious), among many other items. Not the place to do your weekly shopping, but a great store! I agree with valerie's view -- gourmet market at rock-bottom prices. If you're lucky enough to live near one, check it out!

Beth

[laden]

I find that Costco & Sam's carries a better quality of meats, fish, chicken. I think it's a lot fresher than Kroger. When I buy fish there is absolutely no fishy smell.

The only problem is it's sold in large quantities so I usually prepare it for two nights of dinner and freeze the rest.

[karen w]

Karen from VA,

One of our major complaints about costco was that they did not take credit cards, too. Especially since my husband and I rarely pay for anything with checks anymore, so we often don't carry the checkbook around. However, we just applied for and received the Costco American express card. It replaces your membership card, there is no extra fee for it, and you can put all your purchases on it. This has made it more convenient for us.

[maccmedia]

I too have a BJ's membership which I have kept up over the years but agree that you can easily spend too much $$ there. I always buy the big bag of cheese sticks, diapers, granola bars, and chicken breasts. Otherwise they do have great prices on computer software, video games and books. I like it for the convenience of going into one store and getting produce, other groceries, and books etc.

As far as Trader Joe's goes it is one of my favorite stores. Spent $40. there today on my lunch hour. They even have weight watcher's points posted up by some of their products! They have great frozen veggies, lowfat snacks, and a big cheese collection. Lots of low fat choices in varieties you will never see at the grocery store - at good prices too. They are mainly a California based chain which has just in the last few years expanded to the East coast. They have a web site where you can read about bunches of their products and where they are located. I am always referring people to them. When I recently went to CA it was my first stop before going to my friends house. It was fun to see the different stuff available there. Lots of CA wines at good prices and a big fresh tortilla selection! Definetly see if one is in your area and give it a try!

[SoCal]

I also love Trader Joe's. It's alot like a health food store only better. As Valerie pointed out they are more on the organic / preservative free side. They have great frozen fish (I refuse to buy fresh fish in a grocery store...too fishy smelling). Their dairy products are less expensive than grocery stores and just about all their products are less expensive. Trader Joe's won best wine store in Orange County (CA) this year. My newest favorite from Trader Joe's is their frozen shelled edamame (soy beans). They are wonderful hot or cold as a snack! Anyway, this wasn't about warehouse stores but you did ask about Trader Joe's Barbara http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif and I just got carried away!! Do check out their website to see if they will be expanding to a city near you.

[BetsyF]

One more big "yes" vote for Trader Joe's. They expanded into Arizona from CA about 5-6 years ago and I don't know how I lived without them. Great gourmet, organic, health foods at amazing prices. More and more fresh produce, breads, and even flowers. Only problemm: too many people have discovered TJ's -- lines and crowds. Far superior to the warehouse stores from my standpoint, but no big family to feed here.