I have a BJ list listing everything we buy there from paper products to vitamins. We go once a month. I hurry through the aisles like someone on speed and only purchase what is on my list. I never linger, never glance at all those catch-your- eye displays and that way it works for you. Here’s an exchange I once had:

Conversation at B.J’s this morning after not finding my Total Cereal:

Me: (going to counter where young girl is manning station) Excuse me, but could you please tell me to whom it is I could speak to about something that is no longer on the shelves.

Girl: You can speak to me.

Me: Well, thank you. There doesn’t seem to be any Total cereal.

Girl: (Punching in her computer) Sorry, but it has been discontinued.

Me: What! (saying this with great consternation) Who on earth discontinued it?

Girl: I don’t know. Sometimes things get discontinued and we never know why.

Me: But somebody knows why.  Who is in charge around here?

Girl: Probably the manager, but he wouldn’t know why either.

Me: You mean to tell me there is somebody who makes these decisions but nobody knows who that is?

Girl: Pretty much. I’m just a lowly sales clerk so I don’t know anything.

Me: Well, you don’t look or sound lowly to me. You have been lovely, but back to the issue at hand: There has got to be somebody I can yell at.

Girl: You could yell at the manager, but he’s not here today. And as I said I don’t think he’s be able to tell you why.

Me: So it’s like there’s someone somewhere who’s pulling all these strings and nobody knows who it is. 

Girl: Like God, maybe

Me: Yeah, although he doesn’t seem like a Total eater to me.

Girl: My mom loves Total, eats it every morning.

Me: As do I! It’s a healthy, 100% vitamin enriched cereal, not like these fancy sugar loaded cereals that are a ubiquitous commodity these days.

Girl: whatever.

Me: Well, thank you, what you can do for me is to convey this message to your clueless manager. Tell him you had an irate woman on your hands this morning threatening to never step foot in this store again if Total is discontinued. Got that?

Girl: I sure do. And thanks for shopping at B J’s. 

Oh Jean, I had to laugh when I read this article because it is so true! You really do end up spending more money in these places than you would a normal grocery store simply because of the bargains they offer.

I think the solution for shopping at a Costco or Sam’s Club is the same as when you shop at a normal store, ALWAYS make a list of what is needed and stick to it. Under no circumstance veer from it no matter how much that big box of 100 sponges for $10.99 looks tempting. You shouldn’t ask yourself "do I need this" because in that moment when you think you have a chance at a bargain, you’re going to lie to yourself and say….yes!   But shopping with a list keeps you honest and on the straight and narrow.

My preference is to support local, independent stores and I do that when I can, but with the economy the way that it is, you simply can’t ignore the cost savings at Costco. 

There are certain things that I get at Costco - E.V. Olive Oil, grape tomatoes, avocados, grapefruit, organic chicken broth, canned tomatoes and black beans, freezer bags, vitamins, and Pellegrino (at $11.00 a case  - $8.00 when they offered a coupon - it sustains my habit!).  Beyond that, I try to avoid the other aisles.  Unfortunately, my husband occasionally goes along and then, we’re usually sunk - he loves to cruise the DVD aisle and we usually end up with one or two.  Their book aisle is nice (and cheap) as well, but I’m a strong believer of the vanishing independent bookstore so I’ll spend a little more on my books in order to support them.

I used to get dog treats at Costco as well; they offer a wide selection, much cheaper than anywhere else, but after closer inspection, they’re cheap because most of the treats are from China and we’re doing our best to avoid supporting China these days. 

I have been a member of Costco for many years and since saving money is important to us, I appreciate their existence, but Jean’s article rang true to me - if I get out of there without spending a couple of hundred dollars, I feel as though I’ve accomplished something. 

Not to be nitpicky, but in defense of the sales clerk, she was right…most of the times discontinuation orders are handed down, and the workers at the store just simply do as they are told. I worked in retail for many years, and had MANY conversations such as these…I was usually more polite than this, but I can’t even count how many time I got yelled at for summoning a manager because someone was PO’d that something had been discontinued, and demanded an explanation why…the answer was almost always, "We have no idea, it was a corporate decision".  The people who make these decision don’t usually deign to tell the people at the bottom of the corporate food chain every step of the decision making process.

Costco opened less than a mile from our house two years ago, and we shop there fairly frequently.  Their meats are a little pricey compared to some other stores, but they are the best quality. We save a bundle on gas, milk, and bread, and splurge on treats for the kids when they have coupons.

With two little kids, we don’t get to go out very often, but when we do, we stop at Costco first for cheap movie tickets!

Only shopped at Costco a few times many years ago when we had a free membership through my work. Didn’t like it.

We prefer to spread our money all over town. Veggies from the local organic garden; cheap wine, more produce, muffins and sausages from Sprouts; coffee, bread, some dairy products from Trader Joe’s; dog food, toiletries, paper and cleaning products from Target and milk, alcohol, meat and various other items from the local grocery chain where my son works (and we get a discount). Hubby and I have a little routine on Saturday, making the rounds doing the marketing. I shop the ads first to see what’s on sale and that is what’s on the menu.

Andrea,

I love Costco……(by the way our local Costco’s did handle the dog food episode properly.) I don’t have animals, but other family members do and they were very pleased with Costco’s concern.

The main reason I love Costco is they supply Electric shopping carts.

Other wise I wouldn’t be able to shop at all. They also offer the service of a Shopper to help you load and unload your basket.  One day I went in and the Electric carts were all in use.  The manager got someone to push me around shopping in a wheel chair.

I find all their merchandise top quality……their food is fresh and very good. And almost all their Paper goods and household products are cheaper than other stores……..also computer related items are cheaper.

 All the employee’s are polite and helpful ………always.

Now you know why I like COSTCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could go on and on but then I’d sound like a commercial………Maybe they’ll hire me..LOL

Barbara,

I use my American Express card at Costco and get back 2% at the end of the year……..

I love that extra 3 or 4 hundred dollars in February.