Tell me about Costco

In a week or so a Costco will open in my area. I am looking for opinions about their store.
I already have a Sams membership; how will Costco be different?

Costco has quite a few different levels of membership; can anyone offer advice about advantages of different levels of membership?

I've seen many threads here that people use them for printing services, I'll probably use them for limited printing and general family/small business purchases.

Thanks,

Tom

Tom,
I love Costco. We had a Sams club and a Costco membership and did comparing for that time. For us personally, it was Costco. And for the printing, I can't go wrong with them. The one here is So Cal, does a great job and I always use them.

If you need more specifics than that, PM me and I can answer any questions you have.

thanks, Brandon.

What level of Costco membership do you recommend?

We have an "Executive" membership and have a Costco AMEX card (that we pay off in full every month). I also have three young, but growing and eating more everyday, boys. We get a significant amount of $$$ back from Costco and AMEX at the end of the year -- well above what we pay in membership fees.

We had a Sam's Club Membership several years ago in another place that didn't have a Costco. If I had to choose between the two places, I'd take Costco in a heartbeat.

I used to use their printing on a fairly regular basis, but now do most of my own printing at home. They were always very fast to turn the prints around, always did a great job with them, and were always willing to redo anything that I had any problems with (including those that were entirely my fault). If I had a large quantity job I needed turned around quickly, I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

Thanks David.
I keep hearing good things about Costco.

Tom

I don't like to be "sold" on the higher level membership, but I succumbed at Costco and am glad I did. With the Executive membership, which cost $100 a year, you get back a percentage on most purchases. Things like US Postage stamps are excluded.

That said, I spend so much money at Costco, each year I get back over $400 which I then use to have a free shopping day there. In essence, the membership pays for itself.

They also offer a fee-free American Express card that rewards you with 2 percent back, even on gasoline purchases, restaurants, etc. I don't have that, but I have friends who do and swear by it.

My only beef with Costco is if you see something you like, grab it then, as the next week it can be gone and never return. That was the case with the Aero Chair, among other items.

Also, while their prices in general are lower than almost anywhere else, if you're a careful shopper you can find the same item cheaper elsewhere. An example of that is salt used in residential water softeners. At Costco a 40 lbs bag is $5.39, while at Lowe's it is $4.99. Not a huge amount, but something to take into consideration.

We also have an exec membership for $100 per year. Pays for itself with the cheques we get.

Best thing about Costco is everything they have is high quality. They have excellent buyers for their products. Top notch goods !

What MDJAK said

I may have to look into upgrading the membership now. We have the basic $50 card, just to get us in the door.

The cash back card seems to be the way to go.

I have the American Ex from Costco and get cash back every August for the money I spent on it all year there and at other places. Business can get thousands back every year, so it's worth it. As far as their service, they are one of the most loved companies to work for. My son worked for a year on and off with them and will return to work there when he comes home from his mission. The perks are terrific and the employees are generally well paid and happy. The products are usually good, better, newer than what Sam's offers. I like that they have a quality photo lab here and I can send my files to them via the internet and either get the pictures back by mail or I can pick them up. I can also send pictures to anyone around the world and they'll send it to them, or the friends can pick them up at their Costco.

The executive membership well worth the $100 a year --

especially when we get the $200+ check that we use to pay for our next year of membership

Costco beats Sam's hands down -- and with such an easy return policy, the key is to buy something you MIGHT need, and then you can return it if you find a better price or whatever.....

Atfulldraw wrote in post #6129537
Costco beats Sam's hands down -- and with such an easy return policy, the key is to buy something you MIGHT need, and then you can return it if you find a better price or whatever.....

Gee....and we wonder why prices keep going up and up, while return policies become more and more difficult. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....mi​ght be a connection here.

Woolburr wrote in post #6129662
Gee....and we wonder why prices keep going up and up, while return policies become more and more difficult. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....mi​ght be a connection here.

I'm thinking the likely connection is corporate greed. (see also wal-mart, wolf camera)

Not a Costco shopper, I'm guessing

Not only will they refund your money, they do it without question -- even if your reason is that you found a better price on whatever whizbang gadget it is. (There is a limit on certain electronic items of 90 days - but Costco has negotiated a two-year manufacturer warranty on most tv's and computers that they sell)

Their policy differs from Wal-Mart (and others) in that they actually want their customers to be happy. They will refund not only your item price, but also your membership fees if you are not totally satisfied.

It is simply a different sales philosophy -- they buy limited quantities to encourage impulse buying. This generally will work out in their favor, but their return policy is simply a calculated cost of doing business.

As a result, yes -- I am more likely to make purchases at Costco than at some other store with a less generous (or more onerous) return policy.

Atfulldraw wrote in post #6137123
Not a Costco shopper, I'm guessing

You guess wrong.