Carol, my DH will be very happy to hear about the coffee. I hope the fresh-toasted coffee beans aren't just a Pacific Northwest thing.
I'm looking forward to trying the cheeses too.
And real sugar Coke!

We don't get the fresh-roasted coffee here, so it must be more localized. Still, our everyday coffee is whole beans from Costco.

As you can tell, we all recommend the Kirkland or Costco brands for good quality. Don't be afraid to try those.

And as far as cheese go, our two store, about 15 miles apart, have a greatly different demographic, so thin gs like cheese really vary a lot. The upscale store carries an amazing variety, the other store, not so.

And we get pet food at Costco. Dry and wet cat food, and the Kirkland brand dry dog food. Lots of the picky people I know feed the Costco brand dog food.

Have fun shopping. You an a couple of different Costco lunches. One is the food court, with the $1.50 hot dog and soda and more. The other is hitting the store at noon on a Friday or Saturday and enjoying the tastings!

I think the two stores I could get to will also have very different stuff. One is in King of Prussia (Philly suburbs) and the other is in Lancaster. We'll probably almost always go to King of Prussia but maybe I'll check out Lancaster during planting season.

I get the Costco brand of egg-beaters, in the fresh egg aisle. Six cartons for under $9. Frozen organic broccoli, 4 lbs, in 1 lb. packs for about $6. Their gasoline is likely cheaper, too. Jarlsberg lite cheese, 2# under 9$. Me also for rotisserie chks. Nice chicken or is it plain caesar salad at the concession.

I think it's great for entertaining a large crowd. fresh fruit and crudites. On the weekends their seafood looks great. Underwhelmed by their sushi.

With Costco, it's important to know the prices of products you regularly use so you can comparison shop. There are great buys aplenty, but also many things that you can get for the same or better prices at your local stores. Storage can be an issue as well, since so many of their items are packaged in bulk.

I agree with the others who have recommended their house brand, Kirkland. I haven't found a Kirkland product that wasn't of good quality.

At our Costco,you dont really need your coupons, they just apply it at the register for you if it's on sale with a coupon. That's so nice of them.

Cloudy you asked if there was anything that is not good.

My own personal opinion is, their paper towels. I find them too big and I waste them. I buy the select-a-size Bounty paper towels instead. More often than less, I only need a half a paper towel. But my husband buys those for his shop.

We bought a chest freezer from Costo, a blender, a toaster, a toaster oven, a bread machine, ...... iPods, bluetooths, books, dvds...... Costco is our favorite store.

I buy cat litter there although the price has crept up so much in the last couple years that Target is often a better buy when it is on sale there.

Snack chips are always a good deal although the selection is somewhat limited.

Spices are a great deal (limited selection again).

Kirkland brand REAL vanilla is great and so it there EVOO!

Meat is good although I can often get it cheaper when on sale on my local grocery store.

I have never found soda to be a bargain at Costco.

Within the confines of my town I have a BJ's and a Costco. So in the beginning I went to BJ's, the when Costco opened I started going there and gave up my BJ's card. You cannot beat the fresh produce, such as mushrooms. letttuce , fruits , just amazing. I just love it...so glad it's so near.The breads and meats are excellent.Cheeses from around the world can't beat their prices.

The only thing I don't like is that Costco doesn't take credit cards. Isn't it inconvenient making a major purchase like a freezer and not being able to put it on a credit card? We get cash back from our Amazon card and use it for everything. This will come up because we're probably going to shop for a TV soon.

You can get a Costco credit card. Or the AMEX/Costco card.

OH and dont forget Costco has a "menopause room". It's where the fresh produce is kept. I sneak in there during a hot flash. Perfect!

Yes, we have the AMEX/Costco card for big purchases. And it has benefits at the end of the year too, you'll get a check to spend in Costco. (I think this may depend of what level of membership you have.)

LOL Shaun!

compumom, it is a 14 page document. Will GardenWeb accept documents of that length?

Actually, I looked at the number incorrectly; it is a 24 page document.

Although Costco does not take a credit card except their own, they do accept all debit cards.

You can use an AMEX that's not from Costco. We've done it for years.

Shaun, Is THAT what that room is called?! I know I've used it plenty...

Here's how to use your Costco charge card and not get a heart attack when the bill comes. I charge my purchases, then round up the amount and put that into my checkbook and deduct it from the balance. So I spend $122.38 at Costco, I enter "hold for Costco" and $125 into my checkbook. Then when the bill comes, I "deposit" those holds and then write my check to Costco. Since my Costco bill is often $500 or $600, that helps manage the bill easier.

I barely ever use a regular credit card, but I'll do the same for a large purchase, like $300 for car service or whatever.

They do take personal checks though?

Yes, but only checks by the cardholder. If you take in a friend who is not a member, for example, that person cannot write a check. And they take all debit cards, too.

Policies do vary from Costco to Costco, at least here. Our favorite Costco will enter all coupons if you just wave the book (always available at customer service) in their direction. Others require the coupons to be individually separated and offered at checkout.

We use our Amex/Costco card, which offers the same advantages as an Amex, fee-free, and the rebate pays for our Costco membership and sometimes more. We pay off the balance each month and never "carry", so it's a benefit for us. My BIL, who is an independent contractor, puts everything he can on his and collects a very generous rebate.

"Menopause room". I like that. Out-of-season it's impossible to get asparagus or prepped fruits more cheaply than Costco. Their cubed pineapple and mango are real treats in the winter. But again, for small families there can be a waste issue. I'm torn with that when the larger size is less money at Costco than the smaller size locally. Even if it is a savings, I have an aversion to throwing food away, so I do often offer potatoes, onions, asparagus, etc. to my BIL, my brother or friends who drop by.

We have several Costco stores in the Portland metro area, but one is outstanding and the others less so. The outstanding one is in the Silicon Forest area, highly-educated, affluent, cosmopolitan. Biggest Costco by far and best selection. It's the only one that roasts coffee in our area. It's also the newest Costco and the largest. I'm sure that's a factor.

No one has mentioned the "special" shows. From time-to-time Costco offers floor space to dealers in a variety of products. Vita-Mix comes to mind, but here we have seafood mini-shops from the Oregon Coast seasonally. There are Dungeness crab offered fresh, for instance. I've seen beautiful carved exterior doors, all kinds of unexpected items.

We bought an Isfahan carpet from a rug dealer at Costco, of all things. Organic dyes and part of a batch stored in a warehouse for 50 years. The nice thing is I trust Costco to verify anyone who comes into the store to display and the same return privileges and warranties apply as with any other Costco product.

You never know what will show up.

Least satisfying were some whole-grain snack crackers, which despite being well within expiration turned out to be rancid. As we are traveling from out-of-town, either we suck up the cost or save the item and receipt until the next trip, which can be a month or more.

Just something to keep in mind for packaged perishables.

Carol

By cardholder you mean member, right? Not Costco credit card holder.

That question was for Helene. I posted before I saw Carol's post.
It sounds wonderful. And treacherous! I'll have to guard against coming home with ten-pound bags of things. One reason we stopped our Sam's membership. There are only two of us and very little storage space.

I appreciate everyone's comments also. I think Costco wouldn't be a right fit for me. I am usually looking for the cheapest buys and can get that through loss leaders locally.

Specialty items I can get at TJ's or The Fresh Market and the local pet store. I'm fanatical about good dogfood.

Yes, only a Costco member can write a check.

I do think Costco can be insidiously addictive and it's easy to fall into buying far more than you need or can reasonably store and use.

Personally, LOL, I have better luck if DH is not along. He heads for the tools and the snack foods and there goes the budget.

We try to go to Costco only when we have other appointments or reasons for being in town and during times between keep a careful list of items we want to stock up on. Even then, I don't automatically assume Costco will be the most economical option. Local loss leaders will often meet or beat Costco prices without the miles to drive.

Personal preferences are also a factor. For instance, my DH, who is not a complainer, dislikes Kirkland dish soap and detergent because it is heavily scented. Our dental hygienist had the same complaint. I don't object to the scent but clearly for some it is an issue. Those things matter.

Carol

The American Express Costco card is the only card I use. And I channel everything I can through it - i.e.cable bill, etc. So anywhere you use it pays off. I pay the balance every month. The rebate I will be getting next month is $306.00. I worked at American Express at the time they struck the card deal with Costco. And you don't have to spend it all at Costco. You can cash it there or buy one item and take the rest of the cash with you.

I would recommend getting one.

Teresa

walnutcreek - the easiest way I would say to share a file here is to go to a file share website, upload it, and share the link.

If you go to www.mediafire.com and click the 'upload (without an account)' link and upload your file. Then click on "copy link to clipboard" and then post that here, people will be able to download the document.

Easiest way to share any file to a large group of people.

No one mentioned the chicken pot pie. They are very large, run about $15 but they are wonderful. For only two people, you will have leftovers from the leftovers but worth it. Last minute company? Grab it and call it pot luck night. I wish they would make it smaller and sell me 2 or 3 though.

Meats can be regonal too. No tri tip or ox tails sold in the Chicago market and they never have meats marked down. Sams will do tha here.

Seafood is good but watch the country of origin.

And they sell a good Foodsaver for freezing those large packs of meat too. You might want to invest in one.....

They sold us on the Executive level membership with the Costco Amex card because they give you the rebate to cover the price difference in the membership fee if you don't happen to earn it. You can upgrade your existing card to get one.

Costco automatically doubles the warranty on TV's to two years but when you buy it with their Amex, you get a 3 year warranty for free! I used it once. A sony repair man was sent to my house and he replaced a part, no problems.

I use the Kirkland dog food as well. My dog became allergic to wheat and I was spending close to $40 for a 35 lb bag of wheat/corn free dog food at the pet stores. The Kirkland brand is $23 for 40 lbs and the 1st ingredient is chicken. Wheat and corn free for a reasonable price.

I like their take and bake pizza and the chicken for a quick meal. I just recently discovered the lunch prices at the food court. You can feed two people for $5. Unheard of anywhere else.

I think someone here posted a link once about the testing of extra virgin olive oil and the Kirkland Evoo was one of the few that was actually extra virgin.

Costco will take back ANYTHING, for any reason and then call you to ask if your return was handled to your satisfaction. I love that store.

Yes, customer service is great. Return an item and there are no questions asked, they just give you back your money. Ours has a gas station, which usually has the lowest local price, and a good tire store.

Just wander around inside and I am sure you'll see plenty of things to buy.

I'll try to restrain myself, but since we all like to cook, I could mention the nice big bags of pine nuts, walnuts and pecans, and the Starbucks coffee beans. We also like the roast chickens that were mentioned. Cherries, in season. Juice. Nice cheeses.

They carry a lot of our favorite vitamins and supplements at a good price. Charmin TP. Mascara. Face cream. Sometimes they have separates I like, and I got some really nice p.j.s there recently.

Regarding their return policy, they do have a limit on certain electronics due to the number of people abusing the policy by using an item until something better comes along, returning it, and buying the latest and greatest. I was surprised to discover that there's a whole genre of people that do this with everything they buy, and somehow don't see it as stealing. Incredible.

From the Web site: "Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. The following must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund: televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones."

But, we bought two Garmin GPS devices that at the one year mark, literally died. They took them back and we bought new ones. Costco often charges slightly more for items like this, but I'll gladly pay it, rather than the rock-bottom lowest price on Amazon, etc. because I know they'll back it up if there's a problem.

This thread prompted to me to make a trip! Bought dried cherries, a set of BPA-free tumblers, a discounted gift card to a local restaurant we've been wanting to try, avocados and bananas, a Blu-Ray movie DH wanted, string cheese and Laughing Cow spread, and a few other things.

Sue

Oh, yes, the restaurant cards.... You get two $50 gift cards for $79.99, and among the choices are our two favorite places, Phil's and the Italian place that has 1/2 price Southern Italian red wines on Tuesday nights.

treydawgmt: I could not get the upload to work - tried several times. Will try again tomorrow.

OH one more thing. Costco has a liquor store.

If you drink Vodka, try the Kirklands brand Vodka. I've been told it's the same as Grey Goose. The salesman told me that.

Our city won't give Costo a liquor license (wine and beer only) because the local liquor stores can't handle the competition!

I'll have to go to a Costco in another state and check out the wine and liquor. I think there's one near my daughter in Connecticut. Here in PA the state has its own stores and forces us to buy only from them.

Still can't get the Word document uploaded to mediafire. I even created an account and still can't get it to work. I will keep trying, just wanted to update you.

No liquor here either as Oregon limits liquor sales to OLCC (Oregon Liquor Control Commission) stores.

Carol

Some of the Jersey stores have liquor. The one in Edison has a fantastic selection!

Just went to Costco this morning & bought walnuts, almonds, mango-peach salsa & "Winter Garden" by Kristin Hannah. I resisted the Stilton with dried apricots - exactly like Wegmans, but cheaper. I've bought tires there and "Forever" stamps. I know that hot dogs are not good, but I really love me a quick, cheap and good $1.50 Hebrew National dog AND soda. They also carry Regal movie passes - used to be $15.00 for 2, but as I haven't looked at the price in a while, it may have gone up. Can't buy liquor anywhere in VA but at a state store.

Walnutcreek, I appreciate your efforts. I think you can do it with Google Docs, and I know you can do it with Dropbox, but I'm afraid I'm not the one to tell you how.

Have you been to Costco yet? Add plastic wrap to your shopping list!

I haven't been there yet. On Saturday I finally got the freezer defrosted, so it's ready for the Costco meat, but now we have another snow and ice storm headed this way, so I won't be going anywhere in the next couple of days.

About the plastic wrap: just saw on another thread that Costco's brand may be the same as Stretch-Tite. Looked it up and saw that some people say yes it's the same and others say (passionately) that it's completely different, LOL. I've never tried Stretch-tite but I know it's famous!

I'm very grateful for so many suggestions and thoughts about Costco.
I guess I must take my own bags and boxes, as at Sam's?

Costco will have boxes, no bags. I just unload into bags when I get the cart to my car.

Dried fruit, nuts, meats, water softener (no salt) stuff.
Coffee, some clothing.

Linda

Are the TV's on the Costco website all the TV's that might be in the store? Or might the store have some not on the website?

Usually the store has a slightly different selection than the website. And it changes quite often.

Selections vary from store to store and from the website as well.

The website offers a greater selection of business and commercial items (i.e. stainless work tables) and their electronics are often entirely different from those the stores carry.

I just purchased a new computer. I found one online at Costco but called the store to see if they carried it also. They didn't offer it, so I ordered from the website.

Anything online can be returned to a store rather than being mailed back.

Carol

I like most of the stuff at Costco, as others have said you have to know your prices. I can purchase some items cheaper at my local supermarket or from Amazon (usually with free shipping and no sales tax). The Costco I go to also has a travel center, photo center, tires, gas, pharmacy, optical center & services like carpet/flooring, kitchen counters, window treatments, I think they also have partnerships for deals on insurance, cars & tax returns. I've used the optometrist & ordered glasses. You'd want to check your insurance plan to see if it's cost effective. I love Costco's bakery, all the things are fabulous, especially the apple pie and chocolate cake. They have samples so you can taste before you buy. Seasonal items like holiday decorations, patio furnature, BBQ grills, bikes & outdoor plants are gone quickly and usually once the items are soldout that's it (they even had those big wooden outdoor playsets). I've purchased so many different things at Costco and really can't say anything bad about any of the products. Some things: books, electric keyboard, humidifier, stamps, landscape plants (roses, trees, bulbs), cut flowers, clothes (socks, flannel pants, jeans, coat, sneakers, under garments), printer ink, Wii/DS games, pool accessories, camping equiptment, cordless phone set, sterno, Kirkland brand (paper towels, napkins, dog food, laundry & dishwasher detergent), dog bed & toys, grocery items, party platters, makeup, shampoo, toliet tissue, snacks for the kids lunch box, mixed nuts, choc. covered raisins.... to name a few LOL!

I have also learned that you can order items through the Costco website without being a member of Costo.

I am just going to give up on posting my running list. I have tried Dropbox and it will not even load on my computer; have tried Google doc and can't even find a browse button to point to my document on my computer; and have tried mediafire more times that I can say. I don't know if my computer is blocking, but something sure is.