How to Approach shopping at Price Club/Costco
Jan 05 '08
The Bottom Line Everything - okay, some things -- good to know about shopping at The Price Club/Costco
Costco is a fun outing for me but only if I'm doing it as an event, not a necessity and routine, in which case it can feel tedious and time consuming. But familiarity with the layout of the store helps. Since our family pared down (empty next syndrome), we've gone more infrequently so it's a novelty and a treat. On the other hand, the fact that they sell in bulk makes it less useful. We don't need economy sized cereal these days or restaurant-sized products.
I never used their delivery service but can recommend going there to get eyeglass prescriptions filled (cheaper than other optometrists but you may want to pick cuter frames elsewhere). It's also a place to buy discounted books, appliances, outdoor and pet items.
As for food, Costco stocks the most popular brands so you won't find specialty items. The lowest common denominator is their big seller. And you have to think big. Whether it's bread or candy bars, you'll probably have more than you really need.
The parking lot is enormous and the experience starts when you find a cart, present your card (yes, you need to sign up and pay an annual fee), then start making your way up and down the aisles. I'm not interested in their jewelry so I zoom by. When they have a wine department, that can be a good place to check out as prices are lower than elsewhere. You need a car and you'll probably buy much more than you should because, "Well, I'm here" is what happens.
It's an easy place to lose your husband so stay organized and make sure nobody ends up with a garden hose or TV as an impulse purchase.
Costco also has a food counter - fast food, hot dogs, pizza, that sort of thing - so if you dawdle, you won't starve...nor will you absorb nutrients.
Check-out lines can be long - and you have to go pick through their cartons to select your own assortment, after which you do the packing. This is a true hands-on experience, and it we ever calculate time spent, what we end up discarding vs. what's saved, I'm not sure how it would turn out. Surest bets are things that aren't perishable.
Surprisingly, I've gotten nice buys in the produce department, where you can find fresh fruit and vegetables. The frozen foods, too, are worth a look/see. Depending on your taste and eating habits, you'll find the way to make Costco work for you. Just have restraint or you could buy more than you can possibly use or store.
Kirkland is their private label, and it seems to be a quality line. The company that assesses vitamins consistently gives it a good review as containing what it claims to. Prices, of course, are competitive.
Another area of savings is the pharmacy. When our dog needed extremely expensive medicine, I saved substantially when getting it at Costco. Equally great (and surprising) was when it turned out she didn't need as much as I'd gotten, the company, with the cooperation of Costco, allowed me to return the product and get a refund.
Overall, it's a great resource and a place to save, but you have to be mature and limit yourself to what you'll really use. It's also wise to go when there's likely to be less of a crowd.
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