BJ’s -- Wheeling and Dealing to Save Money
Written: Mar 10 '06 (Updated Jun 08 '11)
The Bottom Line
Go with manufacturer’s coupons and a knowledge of prices. Lots of selection, and the membership in our household pays for itself with the money we save.
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I have been a member of BJ’s Wholesale Club for over ten years. BJ’s offers a warehouse-style buying club. Since they buy in bulk, and sell in bulk, they pass savings onto the consumer. Their slogan is: BJ’s – Where values come to life.
Membership
BJ’s membership is renewed on an annual basis. They have two membership plans. I belong to the first one, BJ’s Inner Circle.
BJ’s Inner Circle or Business Club Membership – $45
Primary membership includes a free household membership. A second card is issued to one member of the family. This membership also includes access to BJ’s specialty services such as their vacation plans, communications center, and optical services.
BJ’s Rewards Membership – $80
This is geared toward the consumer who spends a lot at BJ’s stores. The plan allows one to earn up to $500 per year with 2% payback on most BJ’s purchases. This payback has to be used on future purchases at BJ’s stores, and in the fine print, it says that not all BJ’s merchandise can be purchased using payback rewards.
Belonging to the BJ’s Rewards plan also allows one special privileges such as 30% off the regular retail price of a complete pair of eyeglasses. You can also receive a “trade-in value report” on your vehicle, and if shopping for a pre-owned vehicle, receive up to three valuation reports, including a vehicle history.
If you are already a BJ’s Inner Circle member and wish to upgrade to the BJ’s Rewards Membership, you can switch plans at any time for an additional $35 or less. The switch between plans is prorated. For instance, if six months remain on the Inner Circle plan, then an upgrade in membership will cost $20.
Merchandise
Shopping at BJ’s offers many advantages. In essence, BJ’s is a superstore with food aisles, bakery, health care items (but not a pharmacy), baby necessities, cleaning products, business supplies, books, music, movies, greeting cards, jewelry, clothing, housewares, computer software, electronics, pet food, automotive section ... and even a fast food concession area. They also offer seasonal areas that display spring/summer or autumn/winter merchandise as well as holiday items.
Here is a sample tour from my last visit.
I parked in the large parking lot and grabbed an over-size shopping cart to wheel into the store. I wore comfortable shoes, knowing that the hard floor would soon cause foot fatigue. An employee at the door greeted me and I rolled my cart through the security detectors and past the greeting card aisles.
My first goal was the computer software aisle. An end-cap display in the computer area showed the Laptop Cooler that I’m using for my notebook computer. I scooted along the aisle noting the array of flash drives, printers, computers, webcams, and assorted computer gadgets. During the last few years, I have noticed that my local BJ’s stores have increased their selection of DVDs and decreased the computer software section. Lucky me, BJ’s had Norton’s Antivirus. I also saw several other Norton’s products, tax software as well as Spanish computer programs, 3D architecture software and family tree maker programs.
Of course I had to scoot down the DVD aisle. BJ’s often sells DVD and VHS tapes at terrific prices. Ooooohhhh ... the original War of the Worlds move (Collector’s Edition) DVD. Into my cart it went.
Even though I didn’t need office supplies this visit, I am a confirmed office supply groupie. I peered at all the markers, pens, pencil sharpeners, notepads, reams of paper, fax machines, shredders and organizers as I made my way toward the kitchen area.
It’s always fun to prowl the items in the kitchen section. BJ’s sells everything from mixers and cookware to kitchen gadgets such as pizza cutters and cookie sheets. Into my cart went a set of KitchenAid Slider Cookie Sheets.
BJ’s didn’t have the hand cream I wanted (I have a dreadful feeling the one I like has been discontinued by the manufacturer). However, they did have Ginsana with an instant $5.00 rebate, Oscal and Vitamin E. I then added some Cascade dishwasher soap and Brita water filters before heading over to the food section.
I enjoy fresh salmon with seafood stuffing. BJ’s has them in the refrigerated section packaged two or three pieces of salmon to a package. I added a package to my growing selection in the cart and roamed up and down the fresh produce aisles. Into the cart went a 10-pound package of red potatoes and a 5-pound bag of sweet onions. I’m always tempted by the selection of goodies in the large freezer section, but resolutely continued my hunt for Welches grape juice and found two 64-ounce bottles bundled together with a convenient carry handle. We enjoy M&M’s, so I scooped up some of the peanut variety in a large 52-ounce bag. Oh, yes, I needed bottled water.
You’ll be proud of me ... I zipped past the bakery selection of cakes, pies, cookies, bread and bagels. BJ’s also does birthday cakes in various sizes for parties and events. I’ve purchased rolls in bulk for deli platters, too.
Before heading toward the checkout lanes, I strolled along the book aisle and added a new mystery hardcover to my purchases. I also walked along the Home & Garden aisle hoping to see a pair of Fiskar’s pruning shears ... but they only sold a 3-pack of Fiskar’s garden tools (an axe, saw, and pruning shears). Since I only wanted the pruning shears, I walked a bit faster toward the row of checkout lanes.
Prices
As with any store, it helps to know your prices. Not everything is a bargain at BJ’s. Here is a list of some purchases with what I paid at BJ’s and an idea of what other stores would charge for the same items and quantity.
Poland Springs Bottled Water (6 1-gallon jugs for $5.29) –
.......... grocery store $8.34
Welches Grape Juice (2 64-ounce bottles for $5.19) –
.......... grocery store $7.38
M&M’s (52-ounce bag for $6.99) –
.......... no one here sells this size, but comparable price is $11.96
Red Potatoes (10 pounds for $5.99) –
.......... grocery store $6.98
Sweet Onions (5 pounds for $4.99) –
.......... grocery store only sells these singly at 99-cents each
Stuffed Salmon (3 large pieces for $12.20) –
.......... my local grocery store does not sell this item
Brita Water Filters (10-pack for $39.99) –
.......... a 5-pack usually costs me around $30.00
Ginsana (150-count for $10.39) –
.......... my pharmacy sells a 100-count bottle for around $15.00
Oscal (250-count for $14.99) –
.......... grocery store sells 160-count for $17.19
Cascade Pacs Dishwashing Detergent (90-count for $12.99) –
.......... my local stores don’t sell this quantity, but a comparable price is $19.96
KitchenAid Cookie Sheets (Set of 2 for $15.99) –
.......... Sears sells this same set for $19.99
Norton’s Antivirus Software ($33.99) –
.......... Amazon.com sells it for $34.99
War of the Worlds Collector’s Edition DVD ($8.99) –
.......... Amazon.com sells it for $9.99
Checkout
I had my choice of self-checkout or having a cashier process my purchases. I usually do the self-checkout when I only have a few items and am in a hurry. There usually are not lines for the self-checkout. You are on the honor system to scan in all your items, place the item on the conveyor belt and to submit payment. There is usually a BJ’s employee near the self-checkout line in case there is a question (and to observe the check-out process).
Since I had a cartload full of items, I waited in line at the regular checkout. It is up to the consumer to place the items on the conveyor belt. The cashier asks for your BJ’s Membership Card and scans the items. The cashier then places the scanned items into a shopping cart. BJ’s does not provide bags, though empty boxes are available near the door. At the door, a BJ’s employee requests your receipt and does a quick check of the cart to make sure the items in the cart tally with the receipt. Then it’s off to the car to load in all one’s purchases.
BJ’s accepts all major credit cards, checks and cash. They also take manufacturer’s coupons, and they usually have their own store coupons available at the front door when you walk in.
Returns & Exchanges
Twice I have had to return or exchange an item. In each instance, customer service was polite. Once I purchased the wrong candy item for a gift, so I asked for a refund. No problem. The second time, I purchased a DVD and realized after getting it home and unpackaged that the DVD case was damaged. BJ’s allowed me to exchange the DVD with no questions asked.
Best Gasoline Prices in My Area!
As far as I’m concerned, the BJ’s membership is worth it just for the gasoline savings. Not all BJ’s have gasoline pumps. Fortunately, one of the BJ’s near me does. There are a lot of pumps, too. Sometimes I have to wait in a line, but the lines usually move quickly. On average, the gas prices are between 5- and 10-cents a gallon lower than other gasoline stations in my area.
The pumps are easy to use. The hoses are stretchy, so that they pull over or around the vehicle in case one can’t pull up along the side of the pump closest to the car gas tank. Just swipe your BJ’s membership card and then your credit card to use the pump. There is also an attendant in a booth should one wish to pay via cash or have a question.
BJ’s is Branching Out
These days BJ’s offers a variety of products and services besides the shopping convenience of their store. Here are some of their extra offerings:
BJ’s Vacations
Discount vacations. They offer a BJ’s gift card up to $200 with bookings of $500 or more (this offer is not applicable on certain cruises).
BJ’s Car Rentals
Save up to 25% at leading car rental companies.
Verizon Wireless Store
Manned by Verizon Wireless employees. They can activate new phones, upgrade plans, accept bill payments, make account changes. Returns accepted within 30 days with original receipt.
BJ’s MasterCard
Purchases made using the BJ’s MasterCard earn 1.5% back in BJ’s bucks. All other purchases earn up to 1% back in BJ’s bucks (or .5% when you pay your balance in full).
BJ’s Checks
Checks for personal or business use.
MCI Prepaid Phone Cards
Pre-pay phone card with cash, check, debit or credit card at a rate of 2.86-cents a minute.
BJ’s Home Improvement Services
Special savings on siding, window replacement, flooring, etc.
Locations
BJ’s has a website that lists all the locations of their stores – www.bjs.com
They have store locations in: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia.
BJ’s does not offer a website where one can order items online. Instead, their website advertises their various departments and services.
Update June 8, 2011 -- Online Shopping Experience
Our office ordered a Bunn coffee brewer and two decanters online from BJ's Wholesale. While the brewer arrived in a timely fashion, we received only one of the decanters. Since the brewer doesn't come with any decanters, it was important to us to receive the two decanters to keep a rotation of coffee available. When contacted, BJ's initially said there would be no problem sending the second decanter ... but time passed, and no shipment arrived.
After inquiring again, BJ's apologized and said they could not ship it (for varied and odd reasons) and credited us the amount of the decanter they could not deliver. Even though BJ's sent timely emails informing us of the order and shipment (including saying that two decanters shipped), this experience left us leery about BJ's online shopping reliability.
Summary
I enjoy shopping at BJ’s Wholesale Club. The $50 membership fee is worth it for me. I also use this membership to shop not only for the family but for the various organizations I belong to when we hold holiday parties and need supplies. This store also offers great gift ideas. If you know your prices, it’s a great place to shop. However, online shopping experiences have been mixed and not entirely successful.
I hope you found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Please read my other reviews:
Best Buy Online Store
Buy.com Online Store
Staples Online Store
Hogwild Online Store
Harry and David Online and at the Mall
Betty Crocker Online Catalog
Cooking.com Online Store
The Republic of Tea Online Store
Burpee Online Store
Keepsake Quilting Online Store
Joann.com Online Store
Writer’s Digest Book Club
Pogo.com Online Games
Copyright 2006 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Location: Massachusetts -- USA
Reviews written: 1515
Trusted by: 352 members
About Me: Always looking for quality at bargain prices. Author of: Mist-Seer and Harriet's Horrible Hair Day.
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