[asianthree]

Originally Posted by CFrance

"Over 20 years, never paid a yearly membership, because my year end check is more than membership fee." Please explain what you mean by this. Tx

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

[maistocars]

Originally Posted by CFrance

"Over 20 years, never paid a yearly membership, because my year end check is more than membership fee." Please explain what you mean by this. Tx

If you have an Executive membership they give you 2%-3% from store purchases and various other purchases in an annual rebate. That rebate check is always more than the Executive membership fee. Last year, mine was $475 and the fee, I believe, was $135.

[tophcfa]

Just a small sample of the wonderful stuff you can get at Costco for a very reasonable price. The Salmon burgers are absolutely delicious and the k cups are about 30 cents per cup and as good or better than an overpriced coffee from Starbucks.

[Bill14564]

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.

...

2% "Sam's cash" on in-club purchases for Plus members at Sam's club but doesn't apply to gas. To get credit for gas purchases a member also needs to have a Sam's club Mastercard. I wasn't interested in another card to carry until I looked at the details today... I might be applying for one soon.

[Switter]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

You've obviously never been in the Sam's Club in Lady Lake.

That's the one I was referring to and where I was a member. The steaks at Costco are much thicker.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

2% "Sam's cash" on in-club purchases for Plus members at Sam's club but doesn't apply to gas. To get credit for gas purchases a member also needs to have a Sam's club Mastercard. I wasn't interested in another card to carry until I looked at the details today... I might be applying for one soon.

We have Sam’s plus also, and always come close to membership fee. Although this year we will not get much back, since Clermont Costco. Sams renews in January I may not.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Lynnesail

How do you shop at Costco in a golf cart?

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Right now you don't. The new one that is being discussed in another thread will be golf cart accessible once it is completed.

I think poster is wondering how one gets all the bargains in a golf cart once Costco is in the bubble. Not that it will be the first golf cart accessible

[Carlsondm]

Costco sells higher quality goods and food than BJs and Sam's for the most part. They a lot of clothing for men, as well and women and children. Many stores cater to women. Sampling stations .. yes they pop up, but we are there for the organic or less processed food. They have loss leaders .. chicken @ $5/ Pumpkin pie @ $5.99/ decent wines at 6.99 and up./ seasonal chicken pot pie. Paper good, soaps, detergents, clothes are usually a major brand or very high quality. Yes you get big quantities, but savings is good.

Note that gift cards are available. If a friend has a membership, they can get you one. Then you can shop at the store like a member. If you have a $25 card, you can buy $300 worth of goods and pay the difference. Good way to try the store without a comitment.

I tried both BJs and Sam's and wanted to love them. Service was subpar at both, didn't have enough chickens at meal time, food was not as good.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by asianthree

We have Sam’s plus also, and always come close to membership fee. Although this year we will not get much back, since Clermont Costco. Sams renews in January I may not.

Several articles I have read said location is the biggest difference between the clubs. Whichever is closest or most convenient is the one most people will use. I tend to agree. From the southern areas, an easy drive down the turnpike to Clermont might be preferable to a trek up 441 to Lady Lake. I live closer to Lady Lake so it's Sam's for me.

Getting to the location of the new Costco is pretty quick and easy for me today. I'll have to see what traffic is like once it opens and decide if I would use even a trial membership.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by asianthree

I think poster is wondering how one gets all the bargains in a golf cart once Costco is in the bubble. Not that it will be the first golf cart accessible

Thanks, I should have read it that way.

I have the same concern... three 35-packs of soda and one bundle of paper towels or toilet paper might not leave any room for the rotisserie chicken. (and I'm not sure how well the cheese, milk, chicken, or beef would hold up my 45 minute drive home on a hot day)

[Angelhug52]

BJs let's you use manufacturer coupons along with their coupons. An item they have for $ 21 plus a manufacturer coupon for 5 and theirs for 8 just gave me a 13 dollar savings. Plus our BJs has a fantastic staff in optical!

[UpNorth]

Originally Posted by ehonour

Surprising (to me) answers to this question, most of them by people who don't shop at Costco. Gotta love it when people have an opinion about something they've not explored.

The difference is quality.

I've been a Costco member for well over fifteen years in other locations. When we moved to TV, I tried both Sam's and BJ's because they were close. Neither one came up to the same standards as Costco. So I continued to drive down to Tampa (now Clermont) to go to Costco. There are lots of boxed/wrapped commercial items (toilet paper, kitchen appliances, etc.) for which there is no difference. But most of the foodstuffs are simply better quality at Costco: better flavor, better choice, better price. I look forward to their opening here in TV.

Absolutely agree. The Costco buyers know how to get the best of the pick. Their private label brand is cheaper, yet always top quality. And no, you do not always need to buy giant size containers of products there. Most items are of reasonable size and quantity.

[NoMo50]

Originally Posted by westernrider75

I’m surprised that nobody has mentioned the travel benefits through Costco. Everything you book through their travel department earns you a cash card upon completion of your trip. We got a $400 cash card for booking our Alaskan cruise through them.

Right you are. We took a 10-day Mediterranean cruise with Celebrity. Costco Travel had the absolute best rate for the cruise itself, which was fantastic. Less than a week after getting home, we received a Costco Cash card for $920.00. We have found Costco Travel to also have, by far, the best rates for car rentals.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

No need to drive or ride in either. The point is...............the Sam's/Costco debate is the same as the age-old Chevy/Ford debate. It's 100% opinions.

Noted, thank you. I thought you may have meant that one is of better quality than the other, and I have no idea whether Ford or Chevy would have won that argument.

[New Englander]

Recently I got a one year membership to Sam's Club for $20. You had to join online. It was a Christmas Special. Prime steaks were great. I wanted to buy olive oil but the container they sold looked like a half gallon size. Price of gasoline was very good. I would try Costco when it opens depending on what they charge for membership.