Quote:
Originally Posted by bsloan1960
I'm a bit confused. So I pay a fee to join. Then I stock up on everything I need- in bulk packaging- which means it will last a long time. If I don't need to go back for a long time- how does my fee pay for itself with the reduced number of shopping trips per year- because I'm stocked up? There are only 2 of us. Rather than simply tell me it is worth it, please address the point I made about being stocked up with bulk packaging. I just don't get it. Thanks!
|
Because some of the stuff you are "stocking up" gets used up. Like a flat of water, or case of beer, or package of toilet paper, or the rotisserie chicken you bought (can't store that for three years), or any of the meats, steaks, seafood. Yes, they're in bulk. Yes you can freeze them, but yes you will use them up. No one buys enough stuff in one trip to last three lifetimes. You don't have a car big enough to take even a year's toilet paper home with you, muchness anything else. So people buy enough for a few months. That will necessitate multiple trips in a calendar year.
Yes, we use Costco. I go every month. There are only 2 of us in the household. Yes, we have a bidet seat (so use less TP), yet we always need batteries, or paper towels, or paper plates, or the awesome very inexpensive clothes, or the coffee (a huge Folgers was on sale last week for $10. I can't get the tiny one at the store for under $12). You will find that dynamic with many of Costco's offerings.
If you're so reticent to go all-in on the membership, you can go once and request a day pass to try it out. Then after you go through all the stuff you may have purchased on that trip, then decide if you are willing to pony up for replenishment.
I first joined when it was Pace-Costco in Long Beach, CA in the early late 80's. I was going to buy my then-girlfriend a very nice pair of Ray-Ban ClubMaster sunglasses for Christmas. They ran $120 at the sunglass store. I told myself if I found them for a low enough price at Pace that I could buy the membership ($25) and the glasses and still be out less than $120, I would l do that. I found them at Pace for $65.
Got the membership and still saved $30.
You can apply this example today to things like eyeglasses, hearing aids, tires, car batteries, gasoline, OTC pharmaceuticals, televisions, appliances, etc. Overall, your purchases will save the membership fee and more in a year's time or even much less (depending on what you buy).
Let's not even discuss the incredibly liberal return policy. I knew a guy that did something I disagree with - I find it unethical - but he did it. He returned his big screen TV every year and replaced it with a new one. Sometimes he got money back as the price dropped over time and he always had the newest and latest. He just saved his box and packaging in the attic. I think it is wrong, but Costco allowed it - they have a very forgiving return policy.