[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by JerryLBell

Don't hold your breath on getting a "free" membership. Costco charges a fixed markup on all their sales and that markup is just enough to cover the cost of doing business (the building, the employees, power, etc.). ALL of their annual profit comes from the sales of memberships. Expecting them to give those away is like saying, "I'll only buy from store X if they make absolutely no money from my purchases."

Originally Posted by CFrance

Is there a link for this statement?

Sounds pretty close. In 2023, Costco World Wide Sales were $237B. Usual profit rate for that sort of business is about 1.5% or $4.5B. In 2023, Costco collected approximately $4.3B in Membership Fees.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by New Englander

So I have to connect my credit card to the app on my phone??
Also if I may ask. When I went to Sam's today and got gasoline it asked me about a car wash. Is the car wash free?
Thank You.

I put a credit card into the app to make checkout easier. You will need some form of payment but it is possible you could enter the information each time.

Car wash is not free but if I remember correctly it is reasonably priced. I haven't tried it yet.

Thinking about fuel, the app makes it pretty easy at the pump. Open the app, click "more," click fuel, scan the QR code on the pump, then select a payment type. It sounds like a lot but it's easier than inserting two cards and waiting for authorization.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I haven't been in the other 2 for years, but I believe that Sam's Club is the only one where you can watch them squeeze orange juice, then buy it and take it home.

I happily pay the membership fee, just for the OJ. 3.5L/week. My Dr. says it's not incontrovertible scientific evidence, but I haven't had a cold since the 90's.

Somehow I don't want to stand anywhere and watch someone squeeze Orange Juice!

I haven't had a cold since the 90s either, and I don't even drink orange juice, so what does that tell you??!?
So much for OJ evidence.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by jack_pine

Sams has scan and go. Thats a game changer for us.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

So does BJ's.

So does Costco!

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

BJ’s offers a 2% cash incentive on their credit card so we use it for everything. We use it so much we didn’t pay for anything the last two times we went and we still have over $600 in credits.

When using their credit/membership card, you will get:

1% back just by using their credit card on anything, anywhere.
3% back on restaurants
4% back on gas
A big fat check from the above -- every January.

Double (2-year) warranty on appliances & technology

[/SIZE]

[Bilyclub]

The Costco Citi Card stopped the double warranty a few years back. Though the Costco return policy is still the best.

[Mlundberg]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I put a credit card into the app to make checkout easier. You will need some form of payment but it is possible you could enter the information each time.

Car wash is not free but if I remember correctly it is reasonably priced. I haven't tried it yet.

Thinking about fuel, the app makes it pretty easy at the pump. Open the app, click "more," click fuel, scan the QR code on the pump, then select a payment type. It sounds like a lot but it's easier than inserting two cards and waiting for authorization.

Costco has “Top Tier” gasoline. It’s high quality detergent gas. BJ’s and Sam’s do not. It’s a significant difference. Google it.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

So does Costco!

According to Costco.com, their mobile app page, and anything else I can find, Costco does NOT have a scan and go capability.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Normal

I wonder how many south of 44 will ever go there. We currently use the Costco in Clermont because it’s a little less than a half hour drive. Also Traders isn’t far if we feel like the extra drive.

I think this Costco will be just as far?

I'm glad to hear this. Having the Clermont Costco closer to those in the south will spare us more traffic in the north.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Mlundberg

Costco has “Top Tier” gasoline. It’s high quality detergent gas. BJ’s and Sam’s do not. It’s a significant difference. Google it.

The Top Tier site lists none of the warehouse stores.

Sam's gas has worked just fine for me for over ten years and over 100K miles (probably much over).

The Top Tier designation indicates a brand has paid for the right to use the label for marketing and the gas sold by that brand meets a standard for a level of detergent. Foregoing the label simply means the brand has not paid for the marketing, but it does not mean the gas has less detergent. There have been other threads arguing over whether "Top Tier" is worth the extra cost - I choose to not go out of my way to pay for the additional marketing.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by asianthree

For 25 years we have Executive Membership. For every dollar you spend you get a percentage in return 2 months before you renew you get a check. We take the check and pay our membership renewal for the next year. Our average with gas, business needs, optic, tires appliances just everyday items some years over $500 check.

Now we don’t drive as much, so less gas (we stop every 3 weeks from Disney trip) still optical, tires, appliances for up north home, one chair, and basic food. This year was only $311..Memberships last year was $120, this year went up $10. Prices are less than even Amazon or brick and mortar, groceries are less ( have an app for that).

So save money, healthy food, cheap gas, and best customer service anywhere. So that how one gets free membership at Costco

I thought you said you never go to "brick and mortar" stores anymore...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Is there a link for this statement?

From the Google machine:

"Costco makes most of its money from membership fees, which account for about 73% of its profit..."

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

From the Google machine:

"Costco makes most of its money from membership fees, which account for about 73% of its profit..."

Fair enough.

Seems like the original statement was not quite accurate:

ALL of their annual profit comes from the sales of memberships.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Yes, was that strange or not ? Don't want to get too close to those "poor people", WOW ! Plus, do people actually "associate" with poor people in a store ? I thought people in all stores just walk around, back and forth, don't really get into is "poor" or not "poor". Strange remark for someone who probably lives right here in a middle class working class retirement community. Oh well.

We grew up in a middle class society where all people were relatively the same and had good opportunities for success. Today the middle class barely exists and there is MORE social friction.......leading to some people not wanting to shop at Walmart among the "lesser" people.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I'm glad to hear this. Having the Clermont Costco closer to those in the south will spare us more traffic in the north.

Not happening. Any avid Costco shopper know..each one is a little different and carries items that others dont. Plus if I’m am going to universal or Disney going to Clermont.

If I am traveling to the dentist, mulberry clinic, sprouts, tap house. Going to TV Costco. Rarely does anyone only travel 10 minutes from their house. If one drive south of 44 to Sam’s, pinch a penny, Fresh Market, picking up kids from school, HL, or WaWa’s. Costco is in the back door. Big difference from Clermont is less customers during the week. TV Costco will be busy 7 days a week, think 100,000 retired can shop anytime