Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

I don’t have a membership at either, but am thinking of getting it to save some money since prices have gone up so drastically lately on groceries & everything else.
Which do you like better, BJ’s or Costco? Or neither?

Edited to add, how much do you pay to join every year?

Message edited 6/16/2023 10:37:49 PM.

Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

I got a BJ membership thru work this year, cost me $17 other wise I would never get a membership. Usual cost is $25- $55 depending on what you want. That said, I can't say I save that much. When my local store has a sale those prices can be a better sale. My friend has Costco and I go with her some times, and I like Costco better, their membership is $60.00 I believe.

What I found is, BJ is better in some ways and Costco is better in others

adding, The muffins and roasted chickens at Costco are better IMO then BJ.

I buy very little, eggs, lactose milk, muffins, yogurt. Cereal at times, at times coffee and English muffins. I go to Costco for Cashews LOL. I've never bought meats etc, but when I look the prices, they don't seem that great.

My friend does all her food shopping at Costco.

Message edited 6/16/2023 10:59:32 PM.

Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

I can only speak about Bjs because that's where I've had my membership for years!! I pay for the higher priced membership which us up to 110.00 a year, but I get the money back in rewards accumulated, so for me it's a free membership every year. They have de ent coupons and you can use manufacturer coupons there, too. Meat section is good, bakery is goid, but my mom used to be a cosco member and I thought their bakery department was better. I'm happy with bjs. It's closer to my house, too.

Message edited 6/16/2023 10:55:27 PM.

Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

Yes, I forgot, at BJ you can use manufacturers coupons at Costco you cannot. You can buy a BJ GC and try it without a membership I believe.

Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

They are both good lol but it depends on what you are looking for.

I like the meats and produce better at Costco and the Kirkland brand items are great. BJs has some great brand name items that Costco doesn’t carry. I also like that they have curbside and in store pick up so you can order in advance. They also don’t tend to be as busy as Costco lol.

I ultimately would choose which one would be more convenient for you.

Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

We buys smart. We look at the price and then look at the amazon/grocery price. Alot is a better deal then those places even if it were on sale and some are not.

We buy all our paper goods there. The store brand is better than brand name to us and cheaper there in bulk. The store brand laundry soap and softner are also better than brand name. We also buy vitamins and allergy medicine there in bulk that comes out better. Milk and Eggs also we feel are cheaper there than grocery.

We love their bacon which again better than brand name. We got a handmade cake from the bakery for my DD's birthday recently and it was cheap and tasted fantastic. Now as far as the other stuff we like to double coupons. So if we see they are offering it on sale we see if we can find a coupon to combine with the store coupon and it makes it a better deal then regular supermarket.

Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

Ugh. I have both
Personally I hate going to Costco because it’s always a mad house and the portion sizes are just massive there and they don’t take Mastercard. But I love shopping Costco online for makeup and clothing and other house hold stuff.

I like BJs because I can do order pick up and they take all payments and the portion sizes are more cost effective as I can get a 1 pound bag of carrots for 2.99. I don’t need the Costco 8lb bag for 9.99. But Costco has great clothes lol. Each is good in its own way

Re: Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

We have a Costco and Sam's Club membership.
There are things I like better at each one, but prefer Sam's club overall. Plus, Costco IMO is more expensive, including their gas. Sam;s club gas is much cheaper.
I did have a BJ's membership, and didnt really care for them.

Re: Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

We have both- and there are pros and cons to each- which many have already listed.
Costco does have some nicer things for the home ,like patio stuff, beach towels their clothes and shoes are better and i love their premade meals and huge salads.
But they are always always a zoo and their hours aren't as good as BJ's
The gas prices for members- if your club has a gas station are great. But the lines are always terrible for gas- unless you go at like 630 am when they open

What I will say is that I am not sure a membership to either is really worth it anymore. Every time DH comes home from one or the other the bill is always over 200 dollars. Even for not much stuff. Now I know you are buying in bulk but I feel like lately, with the rise in prices- are you REALY getting a bargain? And I mean a bargain enough to not only save you money on this stuff as compared to the supermarket/Walmart/Target but offset the yearly membership fee?

I would like to sit down and run the numbers if i have time some day.

I feel like these clubs may not be saving as as much as we think - or as much as they used to.

Re: Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

We use Costco. I share a membership with my mom and we have the executive card which costs more upfront but you get a percentage back at end of year which usually covers the membership cost.

My favorites are toilet paper/paper towel.

Re: Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

Message edited 6/20/2023 11:44:47 AM.

Re: Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

I only have BJs. I like that I can do curbside pick up and get gas discounts. I think Costco might have a greater variety of items but BJs checks all the boxes for me.

Re: Your opinion? Which is better, Costco or BJ’s?

BJ's is the closest to me and so that's why I have a membership there but I would probably go to Costco if it were closer.

ETA: Costco has the best price for rental cars also. We always book using my mom's account and the prices are great. We just got a 7 passenger crossover for a trip we are going on next week for $478 for the week.

Message edited 6/23/2023 10:02:07 AM.