one-day pass to Costco/BJ's, etc.? archived

Yes, I'm pretty sure you just go and ask.

BJs yes
Costco , don't think so

One of the big 3 also charges 5 percent over the marked price to non pass holders.

Honestly, I was at BJs a couple of weeks ago, and the prices didn't impress me that much. If you pay for a one-day pass, then don't save a lot on what you are buying, where does it get you?

I was shocked, to tell you the truth. I thought the savings would be more impressive, and some items actually cost MORE than what I pay elsewhere.

Interesting PeggyC. And then there's the time to get out there and the gas...

I've gotten 1-day passes in the mail for BJs but have never gone. I would just go with a friend to Costco...

Went to Costco some months ago... to buy a specific item.
No one day passes. Sale item not in stock, had to be ordered. A walk around the store left me underwhelmed w/ prices and rte. 22 is such a PITA.
Have never been tempted to go back. Not once.

I think they charge an additional percentage. I go to BJ's quite often and would be happy to meet someone there. (I live in Summit, so carpooling wouldn't really work).

Milk, bread, and eggs are cheaper there. As are diapers and wipes. Meats/fish are not really cheaper than grocery store sales, but the quality and freshness are consistently excellent. Produce is sometimes great, other times looks old, and too often is moldy a day or two after buying. We might drop the membership rather than renew, but we have until February 2013 to make that decision.

Oh, one more thing. BJ's accepts manufacuter coupons (i don't think costco does). At times I have saved a lot when using manuf. coups in conjunction with the bjs high value coups, particularly on tp, paper towels, diapers and wipes.

I used to be kind of ho hum on Costco but then I got religion. There is no way they are cheapest on everything but overall it saves you money to shop there, even if you are sticking to consumables. People aren't stupid, there is a reason the renewal rate is around 95 percent.

I love Costco, and there is no need to go on Rte 22 to get there. I use it for basics like milk and eggs. When they have their coupons the diapers are also a very good price. My son goes through Greek yogurt like mad, and their price on the same brand is lower than the supermarket, EVEN when the supermarket has a sale. I don't know what price the chicken is compared to the supermarket, but I like the packaging. It is easy to buy in bulk when on sale and not worry about freezer burn because each two breasts are in their own hermetically sealed pouch. Yes, you do need to buy a whole package which is 6 pouches, but having them on hand in my freezer is so handy.

ETA: They put Woolite and Woolite Dark on sale about 2 to 3 times a year, and we use both a lot in our household. The price difference between supermarket and Costco on the sale Woolite is not even close to comparable, Costco wins.

If there's something specific and big-ticket you want from Costco, you could probably find an executive member to go with you for the 2% back.

We get ravioli, cleaning supplies, paper products, cheese, coffee, meat, fish and endless other stuff exclusively from Costco. You need to be able to separate everything and have room in your freezer, but it's high quality stuff. Their apples can't be beat -- the way they package them means no bruised ones, ever.

Prices on many things can't be beat. I pay 100 for exec card and get 2% back each year for spending which more than covers the membership fee

Some examples

12 pack Chobani w fruit for $10
Baby wipes 1000 cnt $15 w coupon
Baby formula their brand is 40% what similac or enfamil charge
Fruits are priced very low
I could go on but if you have a family and don't shop here for essentials you are throwing money out the window

I've only been to the one on 22 once, we usually go to the one on 10. @jules867, I'm not sure when I am headed there next but you're welcome to join... Or maybe someone who gets the cash back will want your 2%

Thanks flugermongers! I may take you up on that.

The Rt 22 Costco is much closer than the Rt 10 one, at least if you're in Maplewood. And you don't have to travel on Rt 22 at all. The official address isn't where the actual address is. I use 1200 West Chestnut St, Union, NJ as the address for calculating routes. So getting there from Maplewood is like this route.

One reiteration, and two adds:

1. If you're going to the Union Store and you're driving on Route 22, you're doing it wrong. There is a very painless "back way" that gets you in and out in no time. Listen to Tom.

2. You can get a FULL REFUND of your membership fee any time. If you've been a member for 9 months and decide you just don't like it, cancel, and they'll give you back the entire fee -- not pro-rated.

3. With the exception of some computers and TVs, you can return any item you purchased there, for any reason, forever. The liberal return policy was one of the first things that brought me to Costco, and has helped me take the leap on several items I might not have otherwise purchased. They really do stand behind what they sell. Because of this, they seem to do a good job of weeding out lower-quality brands. Last year they changed the policy on computers and TVs, so that you have 90 days to return (still about the best return policy one electronics you'll find anywhere). With that, though, they also extended manufacturers warranties on everything for two years. Again, makes it easier to take the plunge on a big-ticket TV.

We upgraded our smartphones there and in addition to Costco waiving the activation fee ($140 savings) we also got 4 extra batteries free. That is easily $200 that you would not get elsewhere.

The savings here are huge. I still can't for the likes of me understand how people get turned off by the membership fee. If you shop there 3-4 times in a year and spend about 100 dollars, your savings will have easily covered the 50 membership fee and you're still ahead of the game. For families who shop there once a week, the 50 fee is almost laughable to even discuss.,

Tom, we take a similar route the only difference is to take Vauxhall instead all the way until you hit Caldwell Ave and then take a right. Continue on Caldwell till you hit West Chestnut. We actually go left on W Chestnut and sneak onto the $1.99 Dry Cleaners (all items $1.99 - huuuuuggggeee savings) - then get back on 22 for 1/8 mile and go to Costco. Easy routine.

The only difference with East Hanover store is that the customers are generally-speaking all white and/or Asian whereas the Rt 22 store is mostly immigrants and some of the Newark/Irvington crowd, for those of you who are concerned with demographics and where you shop. Otherwise both stores are typically mobbed and finding a space is never easy unless you go weekdays

I tend to go weekdays and always before 4pm. Once people get out of work the place gets crazy.

But even when it is packed and the lines long they still seem to move at a decent pace.

I agree with the positive stuff above, and will add that we got the Amex card through them. We use it for everything and pay it off each month. EZpass, childcare, food, everything. I just used it for the down payment for our new car. We get about 750 bucks cash back each year, and there is no fee for the card.

I have an even sneakier route for when I go to Costco by bike. I pull a kiddie trailer. I don't have to ride on Morris Ave at all. I towed about 100 pounds of stuff home once. And before you call me a nut (and you'd be right), if I can do it at night in the winter, you can do it in the day time in the summer.

Another vote for joining Costco. Many years ago when we were checking it out, I remember getting some kind of pass. Maybe it was only to check out the warehouse.

We've been members for over ten years, and the benefits really kicked in when our daughter was born. We soon discovered Costco makes the best baby wipes around, and at the best price. If that's not an issue, something not really mentioned is the incredibly low cost of Kirkland brand OTC medicines. For example, we get 365 generic Claritin for less than 30 name brand. And they sometimes have coupons for these as well.

Another Costco plus is for those who keep kosher. Both Union and E. Hanover sell frozen Empire cutlets and leg quarters for the lowest prices around. E. Hanover also has fresh poultry and beef, both in typical large quantities and low prices. Beware, we tried the ground beef and it was inedible.

I have only tried BJ's when they have a free trial membership, either in the mail or sometimes in the coupon section. On almost all items their prices are higher. Yes they take coupons, but on bigger sizes coupons don't save as much. BJ's also has the distance issue. Mrs. dk and I work in Jersey City, so it's right there. From our towns, none of their locations are convenient unless you're in the area.

Tom!! You go by bike? You must have a giant basket!

The Costco membership can pay for itself with just one party when you add up the savings on the cake, plates, utensils, crudite platter, chips, other food, etc.

If you ever head to the shore, the one at the intersection of 18 & 66 in Ocean Township (just west of Asbury Park) has a gas station that stays open 1 hour past warehouse closing time.

By the way Jules, I saw you were looking for birthday cake. Not that it is "artisanal" or local, but Costco also makes a yummy sheet cake. Someone brought one for one of my birthday parties once. I was VERY surprised.

I've heard the same thing about those cakes. Thanks for the great idea flugermongers!

srg36 said:

The Costco membership can pay for itself with just one party when you add up the savings on the cake, plates, utensils, crudite platter, chips, other food, etc.

If you ever head to the shore, the one at the intersection of 18 & 66 in Ocean Township (just west of Asbury Park) has a gas station that stays open 1 hour past warehouse closing time.

Not sure about the hours, but the Clifton Costco also has a gas station. They only have two grades of gas, and I think it is credit /debit card only ( and not all of them!) .

Haha no problem. Let me know if you want to make a run over there.

The sheet cakes are a PHENOMENAL deal, at $16.99 it is comparable to what you'd get at Kings and pay $50. I have no idea how they are able to pull this off...

Volume. They make dozens of cakes per day.