The Costco Thread

We had Sams when they first rolled out that scan/pay app and it was awesome, but I can't say I miss Sams.

When you don’t have a Costco in your area, Sam’s is great. When a new Costco opens next door, Sam’s sucks.

We unfortunately still fall in the first category. I’m not driving an hour and a half to Iowa ****** to go to Costco. I’ll get my rotisserie chicken at Sam’s (although their BBQ ribs are really good too).
 
I was so happy with the Costco in Ankeny opened. The extra gas lanes as well as being 3 pumps deep ensures that there is never a line. That was the absolute worst part about the WDSM one. Understanding how Costco prices items is an extreme benefit to know and identify last call items before they leave the store.
$.99 - its full priced
$.97 - typically a clearance item or manager markdown
When it ends in 9 but isnt $.99 that is a promo deal limited time
If the tag has an asterisk then it won't be restocked and could also be on its final sale price.
 
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One of the biggest price differences I've noticed is in their wings. I love to smoke wings and it's insane how cheap they are compared to Hy Vee, Fareway, etc.
 
We mostly buy paper goods there -- toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags.

I've also started buying the pediasure shakes there (same cost as Amazon, but ... you know). My son doesn't always want to eat in the mornings, so he has a pediasure. I don't feel bad sending him to daycare with just a granola bar in his bag if he has the pediasure drink. He thinks it's just chocolate milk. Win.

We also go through a crap ton of Hidden Valley Ranch in our house because my son will dip anything in it. So I typically pick up those two-packs.

I'm trying to explore what else I can get there to break my Amazon and Target stops.

has he put grapes in the ranch yet?
 
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Jesus Christ.....what is this abomination?

We used to have a goddam proper society

I thought my oldest was awful for putting ketchup on everything but the younger upped the horrors of dinnertime with that ****. There is nothing he does not try ranch on. Nothing is sacred.
 
First purchases yesterday! Trying to avoid Target and Amazon as much as possible and stuff was starting to run low. Did some price comparisons in store and was surprised at how MUCH cheaper the per price item was. Lot of household good stuff like aluminum foil, light bulbs, dish soap. Water filters were like $2 cheaper per item. Probably set til my 1st grader is in high school on some of those. Got a couple things of fruit (pricing is essentially the same as Woodman's but quality looked good) and those delicious Bourisin cheeses - pack of 3 for $10 was much cheaper than normal single price, and some fancy smoked salmon. We did the card + executive because for the next 18 months it's on our daily drive so gas cashback will be great. It's in a good location even after we're done with childcare. Been using the card at restaurants too because 3% beats our normal 2% card.

Definitely following for ideas. I will say I passed on hand soap refill because that amount was so large I'd need to name a recipient in my will.
 
A big thing for me recently was light bulbs. Our house has a ton of recessed LED lights. A 6 pack replacement on Amazon was $66. A 4 pack at Costco was $20. I bought 3 of the 4 packs.

Also - clothes. A month or so back I asked my wife to look for gym shorts for me, and she found these Puma shorts that are incredible and I now own 8 pairs of (I WFH and I wear them).
I got a pair of those Puma shorts and they might be my favorite pair of shorts I've ever owned. For like $15.
 
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The frozen salmon (individually packaged) and frozen shrimp is really good. I love shrimp and devour pounds when I go oceanside and for being frozen, it's pretty impressive.
 
I was so happy with the Costco in Ankeny opened. The extra gas lanes as well as being 3 pumps deep ensures that there is never a line. That was the absolute worst part about the WDSM one. Understanding how Costco prices items is an extreme benefit to know and identify last call items before they leave the store.
$.99 - its full priced
$.97 - typically a clearance item or manager markdown
When it ends in 9 but isnt $.99 that is a promo deal limited time
If the tag has an asterisk then it won't be restocked and could also be on its final sale price.
SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop giving away all the Ankeny Costco hacks!
Everyone should keep going to the West Des Moines one.
 
First purchases yesterday! Trying to avoid Target and Amazon as much as possible and stuff was starting to run low. Did some price comparisons in store and was surprised at how MUCH cheaper the per price item was. Lot of household good stuff like aluminum foil, light bulbs, dish soap. Water filters were like $2 cheaper per item. Probably set til my 1st grader is in high school on some of those. Got a couple things of fruit (pricing is essentially the same as Woodman's but quality looked good) and those delicious Bourisin cheeses - pack of 3 for $10 was much cheaper than normal single price, and some fancy smoked salmon. We did the card + executive because for the next 18 months it's on our daily drive so gas cashback will be great. It's in a good location even after we're done with childcare. Been using the card at restaurants too because 3% beats our normal 2% card.

Definitely following for ideas. I will say I passed on hand soap refill because that amount was so large I'd need to name a recipient in my will.

Things like Kirkland TP, paper towels, Lysol wipes, etc. are great values.

You don't pay very much for any of it in bulk and then you're good for a few months.
 
Sous vide egg bites are a must. We keep those on hand all of the time. 10 minutes in the air fryer and they're a great, high protein breakfast.
 
The frozen salmon (individually packaged) and frozen shrimp is really good. I love shrimp and devour pounds when I go oceanside and for being frozen, it's pretty impressive.
Try their shrimp cocktail in their ready made meals case. Very good.
 
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I got a pair of those Puma shorts and they might be my favorite pair of shorts I've ever owned. For like $15.

Are they millennial shorts or gen z shorts? I think spouse could use a couple new pairs but IDK if we need to be scandalizing the neighborhood with that much man thigh