r2i forum

Let me confess, I am not a Costco member and never entered their store in my city.

I know that after landing in USA, the first thing the Desi people do is to become member of Costco.

My thought process is that we are a small family and we don't consume that much.

We don't like buying in bulk or big container of soap or shampoo.You need to use same shampoo for months if you buy from Costco.

I was member of SAM's club for brief period but not used that much either except for few toilet rolls. It is not worth driving the extra miles for Costco or SAM's club.

Now I want to give a try for Costco membership.

Did anyone do some cost analysis for Costco membership mainly for Indian type of groceries ?

What do you buy from there on regular basis ?

It's not worth. We had it during our initial years here, but then never renewed it. We do not like to buy grocery in bulk and you can find better deals on electronics and other stuff outside Costco. We had used it mostly for gas and that is because Costco was near our apartment.

Although I heard return policy of Costco is best, one of my ex-colleague once told me that he returned a TV to Costco after using it for 2 years !!

I have been a costco member for more than a decade now. The cash back on the costco Amex card (with true earnings rewards) and the savings in gas makeup for more than the membership costs. It saved a bunch when we bought diapers for our kids when they were young. We buy a lot of other things at costco, cereals, breakfast stuff, clothes, shoes, bakery stuff, juice boxes and snacks that are easy to pack for school lunches, butter in bulk to make ghee, soups, cleaning supplies, peeled hard boiled eggs, pet care stuff, etc, etc.

If you decide to split the membership cost with a friend, you will have to decide what you would do with the coupons. The only electronics I buy is batteries. I dont know what kids do with batteries, but there are a ton of things that need batteries and we buy atleast a couple 24 packs each year.

In general I have seen that the prices are very fair, or comparable to the best sale price else where. This way I save time the I would have spent going to different stores, or do comparison shopping. The savings on individual items are not that big compared to Walmart. I feel Costco has better brands, better quality. A $15 adidas active wear tshirt Vs Walmart brand shirt for $14 Vs $40 at a sports shop (for a similar Adidas tshirt). I think you get the most value out of it, if you have one or more kids, and you naturally consume a lot.

Some things are cheap at Costco

I recently replaced battery for my car. Costco battery costs $65. Outside they cost $85. Car tires are cheaper. See's candy cards, movie theater tickets are cheaper. Banana is cheaper:p. Vitamin tablets are cheaper.

For some things I never checked price outside. It is apt to buy bulk and I always buy from Costco. Those items are rice, oatmeal, olive oil, Washing detergent, honey.

Is membership worth it? I feel it is. You will be saving a little but not a lot. At least you will break even:)).

Membership can pay for itself and lot more depending upon your purchasing habits.
e.g. I drive about 400 miles a week. Thats one tank of gas per week. It saves me around $3 to $4 per refill at Costco compared to the next cheapest gas station in area (in addition I get 3% Costco-Amex card cash back for gas purchases). So in just 3-4 months of gas purchases, my membership fees is recovered. Then you have other usual stuff which is way cheaper than many other place. But yes you have to buy in bulk. Thats why I dont buy groceries at Costco. But for everything else, Costco is great. I even get a discount on my home and auto insurance and great deal on tires.

Moreover, Costco has greatest service and return policies (though I hate returnuing stuff unless it breaks/turns out to be really bad quality, it is good to have a option to return stuff without much hassles).

Thanks all for the reply.
I have decided not to take membership at this moment.
I don't drive much to save on gas also. (most of the time sitting with laptop with R2I forum page open).

This Costco concept won't work in future with online shopping like Amazon, ebay,craiglist etc. and Walmart and coupons and ....

Ok, Chakraan babu,
I am gonna get additional Costco card on my membership (which comes at no additional cost) and mail it to you. Will you then atleast shop at Costco? If not much else, will you please atleast buy a roll of toilet paper? Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee....?:)

R2MyOldWorld;465490Ok, Chakraan babu,
I am gonna get additional Costco card on my membership (which comes at no additional cost) and mail it to you. Will you then atleast shop at Costco? If not much else, will you please atleast buy a roll of toilet paper? Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee....?:)

Are you going to pay for the toilet roll also ? Please send, can't resist this type of offer.

If you go with Ameriprise Inc. for car insurance then you get costco membership free :)
That is because Ameriprise is costco auto insurance company.
I have had them for past 2 years and I can definitely recommend them.
Claim filing and services are excellent.

zenmaster;465922If you go with Ameriprise Inc. for car insurance then you get costco membership free :)
.

I dont think so, Costco membership is free with Ameriprise car insurance.