A COSTCO employee told me corporate decided on Clermont site over the BJs site and when COSTCO chose Clermont, BJs chose the site.

Ford vs Chevy. People tend to be loyal to one or the other, and sometimes both. We are long time members of both Costco and Sam's. For us, Costco has long been our favorite, but there are a few things we buy at Sam's that Costco does not carry. Some things that give Costco the edge:

• I get my hearing aids from Costco, but that is only every 5 years. $2,500 a pair from Costco, vs over $5,000 from an audiologist.
• Hard to beat Costco prices on Michelin tires, plus they give you free rotation & balancing every 5000 miles, and free road hazard warranty.
• Kirkland, which is Costco's "house" brand, is often times name brand quality at much cheaper prices. Costco, of course, makes nothing, but buys in large quantity from major manufacturer's, and rebrands. Example: Kirkland batteries (AA, AAA, 9v) are made by Duracell, but significantly cheaper. There are a couple of websites that identify the actual maker of Kirkland labeled products.
• Costco guarantees that your annual rebate check will equal, or exceed, your annual membership fee. If not, they will make up the difference.

Granted, these warehouse clubs are not for everyone. Plus, we used to shop them more frequently when we had an extra freezer, and more in-home storage space. But they still have their place.

Thank you! I was beginning to think I was the only one that didn’t understand what the big deal about Costco is. :ohdear:

I was hoping they were looking at a site somewhere in Lady Lake or near The Villages, Claremont is too far away.

Who care ? After gas and wear and tear on car, what did save? Nothing!

EXACTLY! It is true that each has certain good things that the other doesn't but, even though I do prefer COSTCO, I'm not willing to spend the time and money (gas, wear and tear on the car and sometimes frayed nerves) to drive down to Clermont. I was hoping that they would go in in that nicely cleared space across from Total Wine on 441 in Lady Lake. Does anyone know what is going in here? Seems there was a flurry of work and then nothing for months.

We have found quite a few things at Sams that we purchase regularly that we have never found elsewhere.

Went with a friend to BJ and they had a great deli counter and might join just for that.

I am sure Costco has other things that would appeal to us.

Joining one of these clubs is not just about the savings.

I guess I'm one of those lunatics..........

Costco has pulled rotisserie chicken (awesome) and Sam's does not.

Costco has Soft Soap with lotion in it and Sam's does not. In fact, I don't think that is available anywhere.

Costco has 4 1/2" wide Charmin toilet paper and Sam's does not.

Costco has Sunsweet prunes and Sam's has some off brand that does not compare.

Costco has fresh shrimp cocktail that doesn't look like the shrimp was pressed in a machine. Sam's has that pressed looking shrimp.

Costco has frozen Atlantic Salmon that does not have that grey something or other on one side. Sam's has that grey stuff on their frozen salmon.

Costco has frozen Tilapia loins that are much thicker than those skinny fillets that Sam's sells. NO COMPARISON.

Those are just a few of the differences I find between the two warehouses.

Costco does have self check outs now.

North of Milwaukee Wi. on Hy 41, there's a Costco with a Sam's club across the road. :shocked:

This may have been a 1 time promotion? Maybe that has changed?: From their website: The Reward is not guaranteed to be equal to or greater than the Executive upgrade fee paid.

Assuming the Costco website is wrong this is how it used to be (or maybe still is):

Costco Executive Membership Difference
If you haven't earned at least the amount of money you spent on the Executive membership ($120) by the end of the year, Costco will refund you the difference between the Executive and Standard memberships downgrading you to the Standard Membership. The refund is attached to downgrading. You can not remain executive and receive the refund.
Seems it is (or was) a 1 time offer. It seems to have been a GROUPON deal from a while back.
So if you only get $20 in "rebates" over a year you're not getting a $100 refund, only $40 to get you back to the equivalent of $60 standard membership. The refund is difference between the rebate check and the added $60 Executive membership fee.

Surrounding area?

Your replies are always so classy. :ohdear: Maybe someone just likes one over the other. We go to Costco, Trader Joes & Whole Foods about every 6 weeks. Sometimes we stop at Disney Springs and/or Millenia Mall as well. Orlando has a lot more to offer than here in the bubble shopping at Anthony's or Van Heusen or the Purple Pig. Along with that there is "restaurant row" with every restaurant you could possibly imagine from Chick-Fil-A up to Ruth Cris steakhouse within 2 miles. It makes for a very enjoyable day trip. The way I look at it, I don't smoke or drink so all the money I saved NOT doing those things I can waste on $60 Costco membership and a few gallons of gas and tolls.

Other than most don’t keep car long enough to have wear and tear. :) Now, my 2012 Accord that would be unnecessary wear and tear for me to travel 50 plus miles (deom my location) just for groceries.

Gonna be tough for me. I have 3 Costco’s within 3 miles of me in southern cal. 2 Trader Joe’s within 2 miles. 3 24 hour fitnesses and la fitness gyms.