I hate going to Orlando. If I were going to Costco I would go to the one at Wesley Chapel just north of Tampa. It's just about the same driving time, one road the whole way I-75 and then exit route 56 west and you're just about there. It's only about two years old. They have a bunch of new stores nearby and the Tampa Premium Outlet Mall is right next door and about 4 miles east is The Shops at Wiregrass Outdoor Mall. Here's a google map on directions.

Google Maps

Here's the layout of the Costco Location.

https://neighborhoodnewsonline.net/w...eekCenter2.jpg

The Shops at Wiregrass is like being in a downtown on city streets, it's really nice. The anchor stores are Macys and Dillards.

https://www.visitflorida.com/bin/vf/...500.imagecache

Cosco has a lifetime return policy (except for some electronics which are 90 days). You can buy something and five years later decide you don't like it and return it!

I’ve only been In Walmart about a half dozen times and I’ve never been in a BJ’S , Sam’S or Costco at 82 maybe I should put them on my bucket list , but can’t think of any reason why.

You might be better off taking I-75 to the Costco at Wesley Chapel. At least its interstate driving.

I got the Sam's Club Master Card. What I earn in points every year more than makes up for my membership. I spend between $500 and $600 a month and about once a year my order is close to free.

I bought mayo there a few months ago. It came as two, 25 oz squeeze bottles packaged together.

I think that a point that a lot of people miss is that not all Sam's Clubs are the same just as all Costcos are not and all BJs are not the same. These companies tailor the size and inventory of their stores depending on their location. Stores that are located near major highways are much larger and have more inventory than stores that are in places like The Villages. Take a ride and visit the Sam's Club in Ocala and you'll see a big difference between that one the the one here. Go and see the one in Orlando by the intersection of the turnpike, rte 528 and I-4 and you'll see and even larger store.

Between the Villages, Fruitland Park, Leesburg and Summerfield there are about 200,000 people. Although this is more than Ocala and the surrounding communities, people can come from far and wide because it is a few hundred yards off of the exit of I-75.

It wouldn't surprise me to see one of BJs smaller stores go in here.

You must be a very rich since you have money to waste. On average I save $25 a week on $100 worth of groceries at Walmart instead shopping at Publix. When I go to Publix it's only for the BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) items or I buy it at Walmart. I've been shopping at Walmart since the 70's. Plus I have a Walmart Master Card so all my purchases at Walmart earn 2% back.

Think your forgetting all the other things they sell.

For example find it a great place to buy shirts and pants and other items of clothes for me and some for my wife.

Also tires and other things for our house.

Seems is great deal of controversy over which is "best". Our adult children live in huge metro area with all of them, say Costco is still head & shoulders above all if all services are compared, as I understand they allow returns of anything, even things people have used for years (like a sofa that did not stand up to wear). I've visited all of them when visiting, just could not get into a frame of mind to pay someone for the privilege of shopping in their store ? Personally I think I was most impressed with Costco's merchandise, but these days really would not save that much by purchasing 6 gallons of apple cider vinegar or a shrink wrap package of 12 tubes of toothpaste....LOL... might have been an advantage years ago when all the kids were at home ! ? LOL ! Good to see that a company does see this as a viable retail option though, especially when I see so many places closing. Kind of sad when you walk around the squares and really notice how much is now vacant. Hope 2021 brings better.

That's exactly what I always think when at the "kids" homes and visit all the big warehouse stores with them ! And the gallon jars of dill pickles.... kind of like the college cafeteria ? But nice things look bright enough to have such a huge concern come and make the investment.

I agree, although my experience has all been at Costco when visiting our adult children, HUGE chickens (I jokingly told our son I was a little suspicious about how they get that big...LOL !) for $5, and after all the meals, DIL puts the carcasses in instapot and makes broth like my gram used to make on the farm, rich and delicious, for soup or chicken and dumplings ! WM has them, not as large, but, nice for $4 !

I have run the stats on the WM, Publix, WD comparisons many times. I tend to agree that over all WM (usually) runs less, and yes, BOGO at WD and Publix usually a bit less but not always either. It is very dependent on the individual and the items they buy on a regular basis, in other words, to come out ahead you have to do a lot of homework....LOL.... I would say I personally do a lot of stock items at WM, and actually find their produce usually very good quality and prices. I buy almost all meat at Publix, their bakery and their deli both much higher quality than WM from my point of view, but also really appreciate fresh market and hope we don't loose that option !

No, but I do enjoy buying the regular size mayo at Sam's for $1.50 cheaper than Publix.

Not to mention their meats, seafood and poultry.

[QUOTE=Pairadocs;1883292]I have run the stats on the WM, Publix, WD comparisons many times. I tend to agree that over all WM (usually) runs less, and yes, BOGO at WD and Publix usually a bit less but not always either. It is very dependent on the individual and the items they buy on a regular basis, in other words, to come out ahead you have to do a lot of homework....LOL.... I would say I personally do a lot of stock items at WM, and actually find their produce usually very good quality and prices. I buy almost all meat at Publix, their bakery and their deli both much higher quality than WM from my point of view, but also really appreciate fresh market and hope we don't loose that option ! But making the assumption that a person is "very rich" ( who even knows what "very rich" is ?) and would always save $25 a week, not that simple.


/QUOTE]