Shopping at Price Clubs and Discount Stores

By

DorothyNYC

You have to know your prices to shop at the warehouse clubs as it is true, not everything is a deal. Try to find someone who wants membership as well and put them on as a secondary member and you split the annual cost that way. For me, BJs is the best as they take manufacturer coupons.

By Tracy (Guest Post)

Costco has consistently low, or lowest, prices on certain things:milk, butter, rice, chicken, nuts, raisins, mayo.
My experience is that by timing the sales at local grocery stores, you re much better off buying meat--steak, hamburger, pork chops--somewhere other than Costco.
But in any case, wherever you may shop, do not shop unless you have a target price firmly in mind. Research the internet to find just what a competitive price may be. Then check a source such as Craigslist to find out what the item you seek may fetch on the preowned market.
Read the reviews that are usually posted to see what other consumers say about your desired item.
Go to chat rooms to see what people think.
Do not ever forget: When you are ready to buy, you have what it is that a seller wants--money.
Use it wisely.

By

jkl

I shop at Sam's a lot. I'm from Canada near the border. It is wonderful. Most things (food) are much cheaper. The other night coming home we were told that there was a limit of dairy products to $20.00. Our customs official told us all about it. He also said we could be taxed up to 300% for the overage we had. My girlfriend had 12 lbs of butter. She is a baker and is starting her Christmas baking. He said, You know by buying butter in the USA you put our Canadian farmers out of business. And then it is hard to get that business back.
Well guess what? The Butter we bought was made in Montreal Quebec. Imagine, Canada can make butter and sell in cheaper in the USA than to sell it cheaper in Canada. Also Eggs in Canada $2.00 a dozen. At Sam's $l.25 per dozen. Milk in Canada $4.50 a gallon and at Walmart in USA on Friday was $l.98 a gallon. Figure that one out. Also wool that is made in Listowel Ontario. is sold cheaper at Walmart in USA than it is here in Canada. I want to get the best bang for my buck. Don't You!!!!! I also bought a sewing machine from Brother which was made in China. He didn't say a word about that.
Brother can't afford to pay North American workers enough, plus benefits, so they outsource to China.
Great machine. However we are making the mess we are in. I better shut up because now I am ranting!!! While I'm on a roll, Why doesn't the OIL COMPANIES bail out the auto industry. They caused the mess by telling car companies to make gas guzzlers!!!!!

By Kathy Ray (Guest Post)

I can find things at "Sam's" that I can't find any where else...

By JubJub (Guest Post)

I usually sign up when I need to buy a high ticket item that I have researched and usually save back at least the cost of the annual membership. Then I let the membership lapse until I need (or want something else). At the end of my membership I stock up on as many staples as I can, TP. Laundry Detergent etc....
Still end up with duplicate stuff from time to time. I have about 10 tubes of toothpaste in my closet :D

By

TXBetty

Yes, beware of clubs. I used to work for one of them. A lot of the items back in the corner you think are marked down actually are NOT. Oftentimes they were just moved from another location but sometimes a item is the last one left and they're making room for something else. Sometimes it's a good buy; sometimes not. AND you can negotiate by asking to speak with a manager. I've seen people walk out with really good deals. Speak up because otherwise you may not be getting the bargain you think you are.

By

Debbie52

We are members of Sam's Club and have been for many years. There are many things we have purchased over the years at a good savings. We get our kids DVD's and computer programs there, food, 2 mattress sets, meat (excellent), baked goods and the list goes on....but one thing I have always bought there that I love is jewelry! The membership is well worth it and we always spend enough in a year's time to justify it!

By

Mrs. Clean

I save plenty of money when shopping at Costco. It charges a 45.00 yearly membership fee.

You can make that money back very quickley if you purchase your staple items such as milk and bottled water there. Also you save plenty of money on the designer clothing, childrens PJs and swimsuits, underwear, etc.

I purchased a beautiful wicker set for 1200.00 last year while other regular stores were charging up to 5,000.00 for a similar set.

It definitley has it pluses!

By

cookwie

My DH brown bags his lunches and I buy the 10 oz or larger bottled juices (V-8, orange, grapefruit, apple and grape) for him at Sam's - this alone makes it worth while for us to maintain a membership.