[Northerner52]

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

Originally Posted by kappy

If BJ’s is coming and Sam’s Club is already here, how long do you think it will take for Costco to realize they need a presence in our area?

[NoMo50]

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.

[patfla06]

Originally Posted by Nucky

We just went to a Costco with our son in N.J. Please tell me what the hell is the big deal? Am I missing something?

Don’t make a remark about N.J. being something to do with it not being so great.

As far as I can see it’s NOTHING more than a personal preference to choose Costco. What a joke. Drive an hour each way to save next to nuttin. Crazy.

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

[eingalls]

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

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Yes, but it looks like the Costco site is on Rt 50, near Magnolia Point, about 7 miles east of the "Clermont" Google map location, so the distance would be about 42 miles. But, if you use the turnpike route, the Costco site would be 46 miles from Rt 466 and Morse Blvd.

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

[Jaydancer]

Originally Posted by wisbad1

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.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by wisbad1

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

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.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by photo1902

You’re not missing anything. Sam’s is just as good. All the lunatics worshipping Costco is a joke.

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.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

Waiting patiently. Loyal Costco customer but getting to like Sam's. I can pick out my steak(s) from the butcher counter and they do have more variety of foods.

They still do not seem to be able to get there s..t together. Went there Saturday PM and had the "usual" terrible service. There were at least 30 people in line to get out the door with one person at the door. Person in front of us(in his 70's) bought alcohol and there was nobody there to check his ID. He waited(and held up customers) for at least 5 minutes.

About 5 years ago, I went to a new Costco store and noted there were not any self check outs. Per a cashier they did not have self check outs. She claimed that store could make more money with real cashiers due to fact that they could turnover customers at higher rate. What a novel idea.

Keep going to Sam's due to convenience. Left store and "Stairway to Heaven" started on radio and still not done when we pulled into driveway. Life goes on.

Costco does have self check outs now.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by H.Richburg

I heard through a community update that Costco has been invited by Ocala several times to build and they have turned them down sighting too much competition which included Sam’s. Hearing that really surprised me.

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

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by NoMo50

• Costco guarantees that your annual rebate check will equal, or exceed, your annual membership fee. If not, they will make up the difference.

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.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by JSR22

There are130,00 in TV no where near 2.6 million

Surrounding area?

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by photo1902

You’re not missing anything. Sam’s is just as good. All the lunatics worshipping Costco is a joke.

Your replies are always so classy. 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.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by wisbad1

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

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.

[Calisport]

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.