I’ve been trying to decide whether I should renew my membership to my local discount warehouse club.
Now that I no longer have kids in diapers (hallelujah!) and don’t have any plans to buy a flat-screen TV this year, I had to figure out whether my annual membership fee pays for itself in savings or not.
Curious to know where I might score the best deals, I hit the big ones near me: Costco Wholesale, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Sam’s Club to see how they compare and what they can save a regular family of four.
Here’s how things shook out:
 | |||
| Membership fees: | $40 a year | $55 a year | $50 a year |
| Thomas’ English Muffins | 9-count, $2.98 | 18-count, $5.49 | 18-count, $8.88 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Yellow onions | 10 pounds, $6.98 | 10 pounds, $6.29 | 5 pounds, $5.49 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Bananas | 3 pounds, $1.46 | 3 pounds, $1.39 | 3 pounds, $1.49 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Jumbo sheet cake | $20.98 | $17.99 | $19.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| The Laughing Cow Mini Babybel Cheese (.75 ounce servings) | 22-count, $8.98 | 28-count, $9.99 | 22-count, $8.69 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | $1.88 per pound | $2.99 per pound | $2.59 per pound |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Take-and-bake pizza | $7.99 to $8.87 | $8.99 | $7.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sabra Garden Hummus | 32 ounces, $6.48 | 32 ounces, $5.99 | 30 ounces, $5.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Organic milk | Pack of 3 half-gallons (1½ gallons total), $10.98 | Pack of 3 half-gallons (1½ gallons total), $10.99 | 2 gallons, $6.79 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Milk (non-organic) | 1 gallon, $2.96 | 1 gallon, $2.69 | 1 gallon, $2.69 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Go-Gurt (2.25-ounce servings) | 32-count, $7.80 | 32-count, $7.89 | 32-count, $7.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Unsalted butter | 4 pounds, $8.29 | 4 pounds, $7.99 | 4 pounds, $7.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Snapple Diet Iced Tea | 24 20-ounce bottles (variety pack), $16.30 | 24 20-ounce bottles (variety pack), $16.99 | 24 20-ounce bottles(variety pack), $16.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Cheerios | Two 20-ounce boxes, $5.78 | Two 20-ounce boxes, $6.29 | Two 20-ounce boxes, $6.29 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter | Two 40-ounce jars, $9.16 | Two 48-ounce jars, $10.99 | Two 48-ounce jars, $10.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coffee (house brand) | Member’s Mark Breakfast Blend, 2.5 pounds, $12.20 | Kirkland Signature Starbucks Bean Coffee, 2 pounds, $10.99 | Earth’s Pride Organics, 2 pounds, $10.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Starbucks Coffee | 32 ounces, $18.98 | 40 ounces, $19.99 | 40 ounces, $21.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore Tuna | Eight 5-ounce cans, $11.72 | Eight 7-ounce cans, $14.39 | Six 5-ounce cans, $8.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Iams Adult Large Breed Dog Food | Not available at my location | 50 pounds, $39.99 | 50 pounds, $39.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Frontline Plus for Dogs (three-month supply, small breed) | $38.10 | $37.99 | Not available at my location |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Glad ForceFlex 13-Gallon Kitchen Trash Bags | 120-pack, $13.46 | 130-pack, $14.99 | 130-pack, $14.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Ziploc Sandwich Bags | 500-pack, $8.98 | 500-pack, $8.99 | 240 snack bags, 250 sandwich bags combo pack, $9.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Tide Liquid Detergent (170 ounces) | $19.54 | $19.95 | $19.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| All Free Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent | 225 ounces, $13.98 | 195 ounces, $12.99 | 225 ounces, $14.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Store-Brand diapers (size 4) | Simply Right Baby Bare, 200-count, $35.38 | Kirkland Supreme Diapers, 180-count, $38.99 | Berkley & Jester, 140-count, $22.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Huggies Snug & Dry Plus Diapers (size 4) | 168-count, $38.10 | 180-count, $38.99 | 168-count, $38.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Huggies Pull-Ups (size 4T/5T, boys) | 72-count, $27.66 | 72-count, $29.99 | 72-count, $29.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Tampax Pearl Tampons | 96-count, $13.88 | 96-count, $13.99 | 96-count, $14.49 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ||
| Duracell AA Batteries | 48-count $18.98 | 40-count, $14.99 | 40-count, $14.99 |
| WINNER | ✓ | ✓ | |
What else to consider:
Got Gas?
On the day of my visit, Costco members were paying $3.69 per gallon for gas. Down the street about 50 yards, regular gas at another station was $3.75, meaning Costco members were savings 6 cents per gallon. Assuming you fuel up approximately 15 gallons per week, 52 weeks a year, that’s $46.80 a year of savings in gas—and double that for a two-car household. So if you are fortunate enough to live near a warehouse club with a gas station (not all have this), this is a major plus for you.
Go Big and Go Home (Think TVs and More)
When it comes to electronics, it’s worth a visit to your warehouse. It often has better deals on bigger-ticket items like televisions or computers as well as savings on swing sets and other backyard or home furniture pieces.
Alcohol and Medication
At my Connecticut Costco, anyone over 21 is allowed to shop in the well-stocked, stand-alone liquor store; you don’t have to be a member. The law on this varies state by state, so check your local regulations. However, all membership stores throughout the United States have to provide access to prescription drugs without requiring a membership. Which is good to know since they do provide some of the lowest prices on medications.
Do You Need All That?
Another big question is whether you have the pantry room to store the bigger sizes that warehouse stores offer. Remember: With fresh grocery items, you have to use them, freeze them or risk losing them to spoilage.
Fancy Feasting
One couple I interviewed insisted the meat was better at Costco. Another steak lover said he swears by the cuts at Sam’s Club. BJ’s had more organic offerings in the store I visited than the other warehouse shops (as well as the cutest refrigerated dog treats!), and I have heard from quite a few local moms that Costco’s cakes are the jam. If you are choosing from more than one club near you, it’s worth doing a walk-around before choosing which one most appeals to you. You’re welcome to visit; you just won’t be able to shop unless you join.
Paper Goods
So I tried to compare the cost of paper towels (Bounty) and toilet paper (Charmin), but the level of complexity due to one- versus two-ply, number of sheets, number of rolls and thickness was insane. Insane, I tell you! I’m going to call this a draw based on sheer exhaustion and a lack of a Ph.D. in mathematics. Sorry.
The Final Analysis
BJ’s: 8 wins
Costco: 15 wins
Sam’s Club: 13 wins
I was surprised at how close the price differences were between the three membership clubs. We’re talking pennies, not dollars. So it makes the most sense to join the club most convenient to you, or that offers the extras you want. And don’t forget that though Costco won our contest, they also charge $5 more than BJ’s and $15 more than a Sam’s Club membership.
I also walked around a few grocery stores and other non-membership big-box stores for further comparison, and the membership clubs were cheaper on almost every single one of the items listed above.
The Verdict
If you’re going to be doing a good chunk of your grocery shopping at a membership store, it is worth it.
Save Even More
Sam’s Club: Today through April 28, Sam’s Club is opening its doors to the public in 600 locations across the country to offers savings to non-members as well. Sam’s will provide complimentary food and beverage samples from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you miss this opportunity, you can get a free one-day pass to Sam’s Club with this printable coupon. To find a Sam’s Club nearest you, click here.
Costco: Save 25% on your first purchase with a Costco TrueEarnings American Express Card and find other Costco coupons here.
BJ’s: Get more savings with BJ’s coupons.
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