Costco Question
 

I just signed up online for a Costco membership a few days ago. I have downloaded the app and I have looked at the website.

Is there a way to determine what is in stock and how much it costs?

I tried to find prices for steaks, milk, eggs, etc., and I couldn't find any prices.

When I go on BJ's, Sam's, or Walmart, I can check the prices online and I can order the items for pickup where they have everything ready when you get to the store.

Can I do that at Costco?

Not sure about Costco prices online but I would think there is a way. Yesterday we shopped Costco in the afternoon and purchased our favorite items that we have purchased at Sams over the years. Pricing is within a few cents either way we found. Since we are close to Costco, we will cancel our Sams membership when it runs out soon. Looking forward to not having that longer travel.

Same day shopping is higher cost, than two day shipping, and less for in store shopping.

I use same day up north all the time. Prices show up in my Costco app. Here Costco is now 10.4 miles away.

When our kids visit they group order whatever they want have it delivered to our house. Prices are a few dollars different than shopping in Costco or Walmart+

I think you must be logged in to see the prices.

Wow, pay to shop there and they don’t easily show price. Guess they don’t want comparing prices with Walmart down street?

If one can navigate Walmart +, Costco is actually easier. Compared price shopping apps are the only way to find where is the better price.

Every time I use something I scan which creates shopping list. App gives best price. I press buy day and time to deliver. My total time is 5-7 minutes total. I can’t start my car and drive out of my neighborhood in 10 minutes , much less drive to business shop, load, unload.

My mom is in her 90s and used the app weekly for all her groceries to be delivered right at her front door. Best prices came from Kroger, Costco, sometimes Walmart. Thankfully she realized she doesn’t need to touch a frozen bag of peas to buy it. I don’t need to worry she is exposed to unhealthy environments

A few months back there was a news report on some companies having higher online prices than in-store shopping. They actually displayed the online price via cell phone while being in the store showing cheaper price for the exact same item. Too bad we cannot check Amazon in person lol

Did you sign in? Many prices are for members only.

Last week or so , I received a Costco flyer listing some items for sale but did not display the ACTUAL price of the item .

They only showed how much you would “save” but again , no reference to the cost of the item .

I think the point that is sorely missed on all these "we need costco"posts is quite simple. It really doesn't matter who it is. wholesale is wholesale. Like mentioned above "only a few cents" our experience between Costco and Bjs is BJs is usually lower on many of our items by more than $2 not including coupons.

Bottom line, they are all paying the same price range +/- $2 it's what are they charging us. Frankly label brands, Sam's is stale slop, Costco is bland and lacks, and Bjs we've found to be better than all of them. Only problem in this area is they built the BJs wrong. it's too small, and poorly managed.

IMHO, Costco doesn't want us to price shop and that can be irritating. Let's face it, one isn't saving that much shopping at a Costco store with the time spent running to the store which may not be in your neighborhood, they don't carry all brands so we normally have to make another run to a different grocery store and the membership, so we can spend our money in their store, isn't cheap. We have a membership but I don't know how much longer. We only pay $2.00 more for the same great chicken at the store 3-4 miles from our home and it's still hot when we arrive there. Also, some stores will price match Costco electronics.

Yep, not worth it in many cases. Any of these warehouse stores are useful for some people - particularly families who consume a lot. I had a Costco membership elsewhere about 25 years ago (when it only cost about $30 for a basic annual membership) and made reasonable use of it.

Groupon recently had the basic membership at $65 with a $50 gift card... result is $15 for the year. So, figured I'd give it a try again for that price. Well, lol, I haven't even been in the store yet, just perusing online, and I already know this will be a one year-and-done membership. I don't need anything big ticket, the volumes you have to buy don't work for me on most things and I'm rather impatient about check-out.

Here's a price comparison for you. Copy paper that I use:
-- 20 lbs., 92 Brightness, 500 Sheets/Ream, 3 Reams - at Staples $15.99

-- 20 lbs., 96 Brightness, 500 Sheets/Ream, 3 Reams - at Costco $24.99

So, for a few extra points of brightness, you pay $9.00 more. How about that?

And the clientele are highly suspect. Ya ever know that guy? Ya know, THAT guy.

The one that does things just a little bit differently than the norm, mostly to be different? The guy that shaves in the car, or showers at night, or puts his seatbelt on behind him, or stretches the fuel pump hose up and over his car to the other side, or mows his lawn side to side instead of front to back, or wears his ball cap backwards? You know, THAT guy.

That's an adamant BJs shopper, one that insists they are better or right because they are a little bit "different."

I’m curious what apps you use to create a shopping list and then it does comparison pricing. I’ve searched and didn’t find an app that does both. Also, ones I’ve looked at don’t show local pricing for the The Villages, just orlando.

When will Costco have the Sam’s app convenience of scanning items as I put them in the cart, pay when finished on system retained credit card, and walk out the door unimpeded? Makes shopping the most-convenient-never-a-line experience.

I went to Costco today. First visit ever.

When I arrived, I asked whether I could check prices online before I got to the store and I was told that I could not. Instead, I was told that I would have to come to the store and check the prices once I got there. As I was leaving, I found out this is wrong.

YOU CAN CHECK PRICES BEFORE YOU GET THERE!!! To do that, go into the app (I don't think it works on the website), and look at the bottom of your phone. There should be five choices - explore, shop, account, warehouse, and cart. Click on warehouse and a new page pops up. On the page should be a choice saying "Search Warehouse Inventory." Type the item that you are looking for and it should give the warehouse price which is the price that you get in the store.

I also figured out the difference between buying in the store, buying with same day delivery, and buying with two day delivery.

If you buy at the store, the prices are the cheapest.

Same day delivery is for all groceries and household supplies. There is a $35 minimum order but prices include a service and delivery fee. The app says that item pricing is higher than your local warehouse in order to cover the service and delivery fees. Two day delivery is for non-perishable food and household supplies. If the two day order is for $75 or more, the delivery is free. If it is less than $75, there is a $3 per item surcharge. So if you bought seven items totaling $70, you would have a surcharge of $21.

I checked a few items. A gallon of Kirkland Whole milk is $2.76 in the store and is $3.13 for same day delivery.

Honey Nut Cheerios is $8.79 in the store and is $9.98 for same day delivery.

Kirkland Signature Eggs, Large, 24-count, are $5.79 in the store and they are $6.57 for one day delivery.

Daisy Sour Cream, 3 lbs is $5.29 in the store and is $6 with same day delivery.

Kirkland Signature USDA Prime Beef Boneless Ribeye Steak is $19.99 in the store and is $22.69 for same day delivery (I think that it is sold in packages of about 4 pounds).

The prices for one day delivery do not appear to be that much higher than in store prices. The advantage to one day delivery is that you don't have to spend money on gas driving to the store and then spending an hour or so shopping waiting in line at the cashier. I live near Sawgrass so the trip up and back is at least 30 minutes each way so one day delivery will save me at least 2-3 hours. If people are getting older, and are reluctant to drive, this might be a good option. For the items listed above (excluding the steak), the price differential is about $3.

The one thing that I didn't like about the store is that they do not label the aisles so you have no idea where to find something. Instead, you have to track down an employee and hope that they know where every item is. YOU CANNOT DO THIS ON THE APP!!!

Apparently, it is by design!!

Why Aren't Costco's Aisles Labeled?

Costco does not have a scan and go feature like Sam's Club has. Instead, you are forced to stand in line!

I went to the food court and had the hot dog combo. One hot dog and and fountain soda (Coca Cola products only) for $1.50 plus tax. Pretty good.

The gas station is well designed. There are a lot of pumps available and there is sufficient room between the pumps so that you don't have to worry about getting hit by a car like at Sam's Club or BJ's. And they use top tier gasoline!!

The few cents difference is one reason I use Same day at Costco. Although we are 10.7 miles now, I will only shop if I am in the area.

When our kids come down they order what their wants and needs from Walmart+ to our front door. Today 2 are visiting I got the alert a same day Costco delivery was arriving this afternoon.

Dinner, 3 salads, treats for dogs, sparkling water. It’s a bonus our kids are so thoughtful. Plus they were thrilled to order from Costco this trip

Certainly more convenient but a 13.5% upcharge is enough to keep me from using delivery.

I'll take a few minutes from my busy retirement, save a few dollars with the inexpensive gas, save $20 on the delivery upcharges, and maybe save $10 on a hot dog.

We have an elderly woman on our street who is in good health but no longer drives a car. For her and people in her situation, delivery allows them to live independently. Surely worth a few extra dollars a month - especially if you aren’t paying $100 a month for car insurance.

You missed how it’s thoughtful my kids order all their wants and needs from Kroger, Walmart+ and Costco the day of their arrival, so I don’t have to shop for them. After paying for all their medical degrees, a few $$ and more time visiting than shopping is well worth. Plus we won’t have to travel out of the bubble for good restaurants.
I do draw the line at Uber eats, warm food isn’t top of my list

No, I saw that and yes, your kids are thoughtful.

I also saw the part where the few cents difference is the reason you use same day delivery from Costco and you only shop there if you are in the neighborhood.