Why is Costco so expensive?

[gamer4Life]

I did a price check on various items found around Costco vs items found at RCSS and Save On Foods -- I found most things at Costco are more expensive or roughly the same per unit price.

I've always figured that they were cheaper because you buy in bulk and because you pay for "membership", as well as having a very warehouse type feel to their stores. They must make a killing on overcharging people for their foods.

I compared all sorts of meat with Save-on, and Save-on came out cheaper all the time. The only thing cheaper at Costco was the HP steak sauce. I'm sure there are other items that Costco is cheaper at, but if my sample is accurate, then it's not really worth going to shop at Costco for food, let alone paying a membership fee.

Does anybody know the meats they sell at Save-on? I assume they're AAA, not that I know what the difference is.

[CSK'sMom]

Check the labels on the meat at grocery stores. You will rarely find AAA beef. Usually it says A-AA. When it has the A-AA range on the packaging chances are that it's only A grade and a very small percentage of the run would be AA. A is the lowest grading and AAA is the highest. Costco's beef is always AAA and most of it is also prime grade as well which means it's the grade of meat that one would usually find at a high end butcher of a really good restaurant...

[3weddings]

Check the labels on the meat at grocery stores. You will rarely find AAA beef. Usually it says A-AA. When it has the A-AA range on the packaging chances are that it's only A grade and a very small percentage of the run would be AA. A is the lowest grading and AAA is the highest. Costco's beef is always AAA and most of it is also prime grade as well which means it's the grade of meat that one would usually find at a high end butcher of a really good restaurant...

You took the words right out of my mouth!! We never buy grocery store meat, we buy organic in St Jacobs, but I will from Costco.

Also, compare Orange Juice and bread. You will find a massive saving.

[CSK'sMom]

And milk! When we run out and can't make it across the border we buy milk only at Costco. It's always cheaper than grocery or corner stores.

[3weddings]

And milk! When we run out and can't make it across the border we buy milk only at Costco. It's always cheaper than grocery or corner stores.

Absolutely...it was when the kids were on Homo that my Costco addiction started!

Can't forget about the clothing area either! I buy sweat socks and a pack of JoeBoxers for dh every time I am in! Where else can you find $30 Dockers and Jeans under $12 for the kids?

[Phr3sh]

Hrmmm....ive never tried the meat there....sounds really good though

[cloneman]

Costco used to be great years ago, when there was very little competition in general.
There was simply no better place to buy appliances/televisions/mattresses even computers. Nearly everything was cheaper.

Most food is still a little cheaper as far as I know...

Now their prices are just "reasonable/warm".

Anyone else still call it Club Price?

[NiftyScent]

Costco used to be great years ago, when there was very little competition in general.
There was simply no better place to buy appliances/televisions/mattresses even computers. Nearly everything was cheaper.

Most food is still a little cheaper as far as I know...

Now their prices are just "reasonable/warm".

Anyone else still call it Club Price?

Nope, Price Club!

[Anessa]

Yeah it's true that No Frills and RCSS can match them for prices. I think most people just shop their to a) get their cash rebate on the black card b) cash rebate on both black and platinum cards c) they just like the selection or d) it's just more convenient. I know there's a Costco closer to me than RCSS or Walmart superstore.

Oh, and the return policy

[onehaehyuk]

Yeah, my family's always been big on the meat at Costco. Their meat is top notch and the price is pretty good too considering the quality.

I was wondering, me and my fam always go to Costco to do "wholesale" shopping but I've never been to the other large wholesale company, Sam's Club. Anyone know if Sam's Club is comparable in terms of prices, products etc.? I've always been curious because i never hear ppl. talk about Sam's Club, most ppl. i know all go to Costco still.

[Impossibles]

And it's not that Costco is expensive, its that other stores are following the same model of large quantities at very low margins.

We go there once a month, what I find are good prices are: over the counter medications, sauces, canned veggies (tomatoes), meats, books, zip loc bags, breads, and frozen foods.

[Steeve Urkel]

I find Costco is ok, they have a good selection of gifts.

But for regular food, esp frozen items they are not cheaper.
Food basics just had a sale on frozen Stoufers skillets and I paid $1 a package, Costco would probably be $5.

Costco does have cheap Starbucks coffee, but not sure how "real" it is, as they only have one kind.

I don't live near Costco anymore so don't shop there.
But I do miss the fast food section where they had the giant ice cream cones and fries

[3weddings]

I was wondering, me and my fam always go to Costco to do "wholesale" shopping but I've never been to the other large wholesale company, Sam's Club. Anyone know if Sam's Club is comparable in terms of prices, products etc.? I've always been curious because i never hear ppl. talk about Sam's Club, most ppl. i know all go to Costco still.

We used Sam's for a year, but because it was not convenient location wise, went back to Costco. Pricing is about $0.01 different either way, and the selection is very similar. The one thing I do miss is WonderBread and the mini croissants (Costco doesn't offer either). They also seemed to have a great selection of clothes and seasonal items. I have to admit I enjoyed Sam's, and if they were closer, I probably would have both memberships.

[chadw01]

And milk! When we run out and can't make it across the border we buy milk only at Costco. It's always cheaper than grocery or corner stores.

You have to wait in those huge lineups just for one item? There's always one person who always looks funny carrying one item in hand while waiting at the cash lineup.

Why doesn't Costco have express lines for people with very little items???

[sergiepopov]

I have both costco and sam's, and I find that the groceries and meat I buy at costco are always better quality than sam's. Manufactured goods are almost the same, except for in house brand, where costco is the winner again.