Originally Posted by JerryLBell (Post 2397039)

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 (Post 2397459)

Is there a link for this statement?

Originally Posted by New Englander (Post 2397430)

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. :smiley:

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2396912)

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.

Originally Posted by jack_pine (Post 2397420)

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

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2397429)

So does BJ's.

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com (Post 2397461)

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.

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2397469)

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.

Originally Posted by Bonanza (Post 2397494)

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2397186)

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?

Originally Posted by Mlundberg (Post 2397529)

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.

Originally Posted by asianthree (Post 2397071)

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

Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 2397459)

Is there a link for this statement?

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2397620)

From the Google machine:

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

Originally Posted by Pairadocs (Post 2397451)

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.

Originally Posted by coffeebean (Post 2397552)

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