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| Tuesday, October 18, 2005 |
| My first trip to Costco - what I purchased and what I saved |
This past weekend I finally visited Costco after years of hearing about it from co-workers and friends. Saturday was rainy and dreary and seemed the perfect excuse to finally explore Costco. I called my sister and off the two of us went.
Entering Costco we quickly learned that the "greeter" was really a gatekeeper and without a membership card we could not shop. The gatekeeper directed us to customer service and after a short wait spoke to a rep who informed us that membership costs $45.00. I asked if we could look around first before committing to a membership. She said yes and handed us an application with "viewing pass" written along the top. She explained that the application would get us past the gatekeeper but if we found we wanted to purchase anything we should fill out the application and at check-out the cashier would ring up the membership fee along with our purchases. Sounded fair to me so off we went to shop.
While walking up and down the aisles we came across many bargains. My sister spotted a Bissel hepa filter vacuum for $89.00. Just a few weeks ago she purchased almost the same one (only difference we could see was the color otherwise the features were all the same) at Sears for $129.00. I decided that I would join and we both agreed to shop in earnest. My sister found many things for her family while I purchased mostly Christmas gifts. Here are the items I purchased:
Acetaminophen* - $5.99
Hershey miniatures - $8.99
Cashews - $9.99
Socks - $9.99
X-Mas Wrapping Paper - $9.99
Eric Carle Book - $10.49
Eric Carle Book - $10.49
Color Wonder Kit - $12.99
Guinness Book - $13.69
* The Acetaminophen came in a 2 bottle pack, I paid for the pack but gave my sister one bottle. Considering what a pain I was throughout our childhood I figure I owed her that bottle of pain killers :)
The candy is for Halloween and the cashews are a gift for my boss for bosses day (he is a fiend for cashews and this is something he can keep on his desk and share). The books and activity set are for nieces and nephews for Christmas. While the books probably could have been purchased online for less, having my sister there pointing to items and saying "This is perfect for niece X and it is strong enough that Nephew X will not rip it apart" and other comments like that makes it worth just picking up right away and setting it aside for the holidays.
So I spent about $100 at Costco. But I managed to save $45.00. When I got to the check out counter the cashier was very confused about how to charge me for the Membership - so she called a supervisor over who showed her what to do. I then handed the cashier my American Express Coupon which gives me a $10 Costco gift card for becoming a member. Since the coupon did not have a bar code she could scan she was once again stumped. Again she called the supervisor over who was thoroughly out of patience with the girl. The supervisor told the cashier to just delete the charge for membership and cash us out for our purchases. We were then instructed by the supervisor to go to customer service with our coupon to purchase membership and get the $10 gift card.
Well, when we got to Customer Service the line was 20 people deep so my sister and I just showed our receipt to the gatekeeper at the exit and left with our purchases! |
| posted by Boston Gal @ 8:34 AM *
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| 9 Comments: |
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i love me the Costco. We did have to stop using it as "date night" though...it was leading to $200 "Dates" LOL Now we just go for very specific items - we may do a browse trip for gifts, but otherwise in and out is the deal.
Their rotisserie chicken is pretty darn tasty.
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Jane Dough,
Thanks for stopping by my blog... nice to hear that you understand the value of passive income through rental properties.
You are a brave soul for making the trek to Costco. I'm still taking baby steps in the area of deep discount shopping. In Southern California, we have Smart & Final... I would call it the entry level warehouse club. Half the size, half the lines, but lots of stuff in bulk.
Happy saving!
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Here is why I like Costco.
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I avoid the shopping clubs, because I shop sales and save coupons, so I buy larger quantities of needed items when they are on sale & I have coupons for the items, and manage to do pretty well without the clubs. However, I signed up as a "mystery shopper" online, and when they had a "shop" at our local Sam's Club, I took the assignment and got the $35 membership fee reimbursed, along with the cost of an inexpensive item. I really like the variety in their frozen foods section,especially, but I will let my membership expire and perhaps a couple months later I will do another "mystery shop" and get another membership fee reimbursed. Otherwise, I don't feel it saves me that much, if I have to pay the membership cost.
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Nice blog and post! The company I work for offers discounted memberships to Costco (I think it's $25/year). Depending on the size of your employer, you could suggest this option which can save you more money. Also, Target is my favorite place to shop for toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc. Target always seems to have the lowest prices for these types of items.
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i love costco. but every trip ends up being a $100 dollars!
plus i usually fill up gas there. its usually 1-3 cents cheaper than the cheapest ARCO in my area but at ARCO i have to pay cash, and at costco i use the costco rebate amex card thats gives rebates on purchases.
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You can't beat the return policy at Costco. You can return anything for any reason, no hassle at all.
Computers and other specified electronics have a 6 month return policy. I buy all my computers there. I figure, if I have a lemon I will know very soon. And this gives you 6 months of safe time, that you could exchange for a brand new item. Sure avoids the hassle of dealing with a warranty department and outsourced customer service. I've never had to return a computer there, but the peace of mind is more to me than the few dollars I might save buying a computer elsewhere.
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Belonging to Costco and Sam's Club are two of the smartest decisions you can make. If you work it assiduously, you will easily save in five figures over 10 years.
Savings are incredible. Every few weeks Costco sends you coupons. I save at least $30 each time that happens, on items that are alrady less than anywhere else.
You do have to go semi-regularly, as the selection changes. And the two clubs have different items, so we find it essential to shop both.
Go right after Xmas and there are some incredible deals.
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i love me the Costco. We did have to stop using it as "date night" though...it was leading to $200 "Dates" LOL Now we just go for very specific items - we may do a browse trip for gifts, but otherwise in and out is the deal.
Their rotisserie chicken is pretty darn tasty.