I hate Costco because they built a huge store (with gas, etc) close to my house in Venice and completely changed the neighborhood traffic patterns - added their own traffic signal to control traffic just for their own parking lot, where you could never find a parking space anyway. I tried to go to the store several times but could never park, and when I did get inside, it was such a zoo with such intense crowds that I vowed never to go there again. Plus I do not at all like the idea of having to be a "member" for the priviledge of shopping somewhere. I would only go there with someone who had a membership card. One of the reasons we moved away from Venice was that the traffic had gotten so bad, and Costco had a major effect on that - the traffic more than doubled on Washington Blvd after they opened. Their location used to be a huge vacant lot where Christmas trees were sold seasonally. Costco also closed off certain streets when they built on the property, making it impossible to go around them the back way. I'll never forgive them for that! I would have had to go on bicycle to shop there, and then I would only be able to buy would I could carry in a backpack. If you like to buy in bulk and store massive quantities, you might save money, but I do not have room for that kind of storage. I was also rear-ended on Washington Blvd by someone leaving the Costco parking lot. I hear that the South Bay store is not so bad, but I do know others here who will not shop at the Costco in Marina Del Rey because of the inadequate parking lot and horrible traffic - think crowded shopping mall just before Christmas. Someone gave me some Waterford crystal wine glasses for my house-warming in Venice that they had bought at Costco, and I did very much appreciate those. Lars

I haven't looked at Costco prices for probably 5 or 6 years so I won't comment on their current pricing. But when I was there the last couple times I did some random price checks on some common things I purchased. Examples: Dawn Dish Liquid, huge jug, must be cheaper right? Nope. Cheaper (per ounce) at Walgreens! Plus Walgreens would accept a coupon for it which made it substantially cheaper, plus I wouldn't have to buy a gallon at a time. Another plus, the bottle is much more manageable. Tide laundry detergent. Cheaper at Target and K-mart, plus they had more varieties if that's important to you. Shampoo? At the time I was buying the bonus size White Rain for $1. ) Not even close. Coffee? Limited brands, larger size came to about the same price per ounce or slightly more. These were just some staple item examples that I did to get a feel for their "great prices" that so many people raved about. For me, I didn't see it as a viable option. Others disagree of course so they're doing quite well! I will also say that prices can be deceiving there. With the huge quantities it's hard for many people to really compare prices. Many items aren't conducive to unit pricing comparisons. Number of sheets of paper towels might be a different size or weight. And nobody has really mentioned spoilage and your potential losses there on the bulk purchases. Nor do people factor in the cost of the extra refrigerator or freezer to buy the bulk. It's part of the cost. And of course, instead of buying one or two candy bars, you buy a box of them! There's almost a cult-like following for certain stores, this one included and when you're almost brainwashed into thinking "everything is a bargain!!!" some can't wipe the rose tint off their glasses. So, while there can be some savings, the fact is it can easily be offset by overpurchasing. I was at the other warehouse store and needed some paper plates so I bought a pack, WAAAAAAY more than I needed at not a great price either. But I've had paper plates for about 5 years without buying more. Aldi would have been a better choice but I happened to be there. I hear the "I'm saving SO much money" but they don't know what they're actually paying so how would they know? LOL Gas usually is cheaper. (Occasionally it's not.) It's true you'll probably spend a lot more than you expect. But when you look at what's happening, you'll understand why. You buy way bigger sizes than you generally need and usually want. So the price of paper plates is $15 instead of $2! (And yes I know you're probably going to have more plates so you don't buy them for a while but the point is, $100 doesn't go too far at these places!) I'm not criticizing Costco or the people who like it, but if your goal is to save money, be prepared. Have a price book and/or know your unit prices. Compare it rationally. If you normally buy store brands, and/or use coupons factor that in when you compare. And don't go there hungry! :) If you don't care what you spend, then enjoy your shopping. The warehouse stores have become almost a "fashionable" place to some people and I think that's why some shop there. One question for the Costco members with their cashback card: Out of curiosity, is Costco like Sam's in that the cashback earned on the card is in the form of a check made out to the store? Once I saw that you had to spend it there, I threw out the card application.

chisue, Rita's comment led me to look up the beginning of Fedco and she's got the story straight. Your comment about a Mr Price was wrong, he wasn't with Fedco (based in LA) but rather FedMart (in San Diego). Very different companies and very different stories. Anyone interested in SoCal retailing trivia might also remember a company named Akron. Not pronounced like the city in Ohio (that I think is Ack' run) but rather more like Ack Ron. Also started in the 1950s, if it had survived to today, you'd recognize their wares because they specialized in the offbeat, quirky stuff (from Asian and Third World countries) as used to be more prominent in Cost Plus/World Market stores before they went a bit more mainstream. mamapinky, be careful in Whole Foods, many of their products are very overpriced, including some produce. Shop carefully. Their 365 Brand house label stuff is good quality and reasonably priced. Also most but not all of the dried products (like beans, grains, etc) that you bag yourself and label are reasonable.

We don't have BJs around here, just Sam's for a long time and Costco arrived a few years ago. Is BJs virtually the same in price, products, and policies? I never joined the Sam's because is was not convenient, and just not nice inside, kind of gloomy! The Costco is a nice experience to get to and shop in. Leaving is a pain with their checking your receipt, card, and cart, ugh. Just let me go! Re: the Sam's Club, why does the notice on the door say they will reopen the next day? Weird.