The son of a friend of ours works there. He warned us to never shop on the first day of the new specials - and he was right, it's much too crowded.

Their dry packed raw frozen scallops are wonderful. We don't eat a lot of fish that has been frozen but make exceptions sometimes for scallops and shrimp.

I buy all my laundry detergent, dishwasher pods, TP and paper towels there. We very much like their wild rice and chicken soup sold in a two pack. Butter, milk, and just last week I found eggnog in their dairy section. I'll be in egg nog heaven for two months.

I can buy a bag of restaurant quality russet potatoes for the same price as about 4 individual at my local grocery store, share with a friend so they don't go soft before used.

DH buys his coffee there, and his breakfast cereal. I regularly buy a case of Kirkland chicken broth to fill in what I haven't made myself. We use a lot of broth.

Their pot roasts (chuck) are quite good. If too large I can always cut them smaller. Chunked up really small they make a great stew or soup.

Kirkland generic vitamins, tylenol.

Televisions.

I would swear the t shirts I bought myself last year were the Tommy Bahama $90 with a Kirkland label sewn in. Exact fabric, elbow length sleeve, same precise stitching. Coupon that week for $10, just not as many color choices as Tommy's.

There are just two of us here too, but I have more storage space than any one house needs. + two refrigerators and an upright freezer,

I shouldn't forget tires. We are both driving on Michelins purchased last year. DH went to our privately owned local tire shop and they said go to Costco, we can't match their price.

morz8, can you take and post here a photo of the package of dry scallops you got at Costco? They can be hard to find.

Thanks

Elmer, the hard drive burned in my desk top and I'm getting by with a lap top right now. I don't know how to add picture! And no teens in this house to help me.

They are a plain clear plastic 32 oz bag. The label (Kirkland's) reads ' 1QF Dry Wild U-16 Hokkaido Sea Scallops, 32 oz. Count Approx 14-16. Product of Japan, Wild Caught.'

$39.99 0r $20/lb.

Our closest Costco (55 miles) never has them. I have to drive about 15 miles farther north where that Costco will usually have them in stock.

No Costco within 30 miles one way from us. Wish they had a guest-sometimes-maybe card. I’ve never set foot in a Costco. Boo hoo. I’ll live. Maybe the next time I pass through the area with a large one, I’ll take a tour. Isn’t the membership ~$60 per year?

Isn’t the membership ~$60 per year?

I think it's $65 per year. My sister drives 90 miles to a Costco, because she lives in an area with really limited quality shopping options 30 minutes away. So, to each their own - my sister would be driving 25 miles to her small city with limited options anyway. She shops locally, in that small city, for many things, but the high prices led her to make the decision to do a run to Costco every 6-8 weeks.

Different stroke for different folks, in different situations.

Elmer-Do you have the Costco app? You can search individual warehouses when looking to see if they carry an item. Its been accurate for me.

We used to have a Sam's in my area but it disappeared a few years ago. There are two Costco's within three miles of me in opposite directions.

I generally buy TP, paper towels, some produce, bags of frozen berries, and their salmon. I can buy a large piece and then vaccum seal it into smaller portions. I'm kinda picky about salmon being where I live, but have found Costco's salmon to be quite good. There are other things I buy that I'm not recalling at the moment.

Oh, I also buy their 3 lb bags of pistachios, and around Easter they carry the huge bags of Cadbury mini eggs. Thankfully those only come out very few times of the year, lol.

Thanks morz8, no need for a magnifying glass as the description includes "Dry"

Out of interest, do you know what does 1QF mean? That can't refer to quart, could it?

These aren't the jumbos but dry medium scallops beat jumbo wet ones or any size wet, since they can't be seared.

Thanks.

We LOVE LOVE LOVE Costco!!! I went for the first time about forty years ago when it was Price Club, and still do most of our shopping there. I admit I don't coupon shop for best prices, but trust Costco to give value for cost. We have an upright freezer; we buy meat in "bulk" and freeze wrap. My three are grown and there are just two of us, but we still shop Costco. My three and their SOs are also dedicated Costco shoppers. We have NEVER had a problem with their customer service.

Adding: I think Costco's return policy is second to none. When I've needed a vacuum, iron, whatever, I'll buy from Costco. Even if the price is a few dollars more-rarely-, I know that Costco will accept a return- no time limit, no questions.

someone upthread brought to mind their French onion soup, frozen single servings. DS loved them. They fit just right into our Campbell’s Soup bowls.

" Elmer-Do you have the Costco app? You can search individual warehouses when looking to see if they carry an item "

Yes, I have the app. How is the app going to tell me what morz8 bought?

I wasn't just looking for any package of scallops - my interest was, specifically, dry scallops. Most scallops stores sell are wet scallops, labelling is unreliable, and the wet type are a very different product.

IQF = individually quick frozen.

Agreeing and adding that we've used Costco when we bought DH 's car (their auto program is quite good, and the associated dealer is local for us), also tires, and travel.

Re travel, we were looking for an all inclusive resort, and they really only have very good ones at better prices. We only booked the one trip with them about 3 years ago but were very pleased. They throw in perks so they really do give a better deal.

I did make the mistake though of mentioning to DH that I was running low on craisins...meaning that if they go on sale then he should buy them, but I wasn't out of them yet. That was just before he went to costco ... so he came home with a 4 lb bag! I gave half to my neighbor and told him he'd better start baking scones and muffins and such using cranberries!

I live in an apartment and have a car-free lifestyle, so don't do Costco. But years ago I heard a cute story about my aunt who lived in California and my cousin who lived in Arizona. Every week, they would go Costco shopping "together" and visit by phone as they walked the aisles, often buying the same things.

@Annie Deighnaugh I've discovered that craisins are excellent in broccoli salad too.

I'm making a long list of things you guys like and buy. Thanks

I have a wild and crazy texting thread with a fellow Band Parent, where I’m walking through Costco and confirming how many and price of and what kinds of cookies and waters and paper plates and etc, interspersed with our personal conversation about kids and gardening and what happened on Bake-Off. It was a lot of fun, and now it is totally incomprehensible.

I should have added that some things can be seasonal and not available all year around. I buy two wagyu corned beef towards the end of February every year - Costco is about the only place I can afford it. I cook one for St Patricks day and freeze the other for cooking a few weeks later. Second week of March, they may be out for the rest of the year with no wagyu on the shelves.

My favorite granola is at Costco!

The savings on gasoline alone more than pays for the membership fee, Just paid $2.19/gal for regular gas. Haven't seen prices that low is a very long time! There's just 2 of us and I do not buy meat or fish there because I can find better prices at my local HEB grocery store.

We do buy dog food, rotisserie chickens, some produce, frozen organic berries {3# less than $10), coffee, prescriptions (by law anyone can use their pharmacy - no membership required), paper goods, laundry detergent, eye exams, some clothing and more, Plus it's 10 minutes from home, so the convenience is great, We NEVER EVER go on weekends!

Annegriet's post reminded me to recommend Morning Summit cereal. I don't see it in the grocery stores I use, and it's much more expensive from other stores online. It has a cherries, almonds, and dried pumpkin seeds. I'd like to find some way to re-use that sturdy box.

I buy Toblerone chocolate bars at Costco when they are on sale before Halloween. We like the big tins of Walker's Shortbreads -- only available near Christmas. They stay fresh for a long time.

Right. Never, Never on a weekend if possible. Weekends, especially during the holiday months can be scary. Also, the closest one for me is 25 miles away, so I don't go often anyway, and try to mix the trip with with other destinations out there.

This new Costco is three miles from my house. The other one is across the river and maybe ten miles, and we never went there, but my kids do. Son-in-law says he'll take us on Veterans Day, which doesn't seem like a good idea either, since on holidays, my Traders, 1/2 miles away, is bursting. I knew long ago..never on weekends, just like Traders.

I went to Costco today and got a few things that were listed here. Thanks for the suggestions. And toilet paper was $3 off. Oh and gas was $2.41/gallon. And my cart got pre-scanned so I was out in a jiffy. I love that!

I paid double that for gas about two weeks ago. Not at a Costco. Its discount is usually 25-35 cents per gallon.

Buying Costco gas in my area can be challenging. Costco stations usually have long lines. It can sometimes be better right after opening early in the morning or late in the evening, the last hour or so before closing time. I think they're losing business because I suspect many customers don't have or don't want to spend the time to wait or, perhaps like me, don't think it's worth it. Gas tends to be something I buy when I'm out and about and to make a trip just to get it isn't convenient.

Elmer, normally when the line is long, I don't wait either. It's not worth the difference. But I was going into Costco anyway and I was I think, 3rd in line since they double up and it ended moving along ok. I didn't even know how much the gas was until I was at the pump. It's going for $3.20 in most other stations around here.

Costco is far enough away from my house that I would never go there just for gas. It usually isn't that much of a savings.

I've sometimes looked at the cars in the line and wondered if any decided to split the jobs: One person is inside shopping while the other person waits for gas, and they meet up later in a designated area of the parking lot.

Hmmm. When we lived in NJ, anyone could buy gas at Costco and the lines were insane.

After we left NJ, they changed and you must be a memberto buy gas there, so lines are not like that anymore, I hear.

We are now in Pa and only members can buy gas and there is rarely a wait for gas. I'd say 90% of the time, I buy gas at Costco because I'm usually in that area at least once a week.

I wonder for people who commented on the lines, if the issue is the state law determining if a gas station can be members only.

" if a gas station can be members only "

Interesting question........I've seen the long lines, but I've never wondered about membership to purchase. Just looked it up: On the Canadian Costco website, it says gasoline purchase is for members only, or for holders of a Costco Shop card. I guess because a member had to buy the Shop card in the first place (?), but a non-member can use it.

When lines got long our local Costco expanded the number of pumps. You have to be a member and our local does not allow you to loan out your card. We buy gas when we do our major grocery shop. Since we tend to not run to town all the time it works for us but if we have to go farther afield we will buy gas elsewhere of course. I try to keep my car at at least half full.

patriciae

You have to be a member here to buy gas at Costco and Sam’s. The price for gas at both is usually about the same. Yesterday I noticed gas at Sam’s was $4.09. It’s only 1.5 miles from us and we go when the lines are shorter, such as late morning. It’s the least expensive gas around and you get the cash rewards for it.

I had a doctor’s appointment this morning at an office not far from Costco. At 8:45 a.m. the parking lot was packed! Sometimes I wonder how much you save there, due to the enormous sizes and impulse shopping. I think of it as entertainment more than savings.

The closest Costco doesnt sell gas.

Whether or not you save money is strickly up to you. Are you an impulse buyer? I have a list. These days I have to give my list to my DH and he is an impulse buyer but he knows he will experience grief if he goes over board. I ignore entire isles in any store. I am a peripheral buyer-that is the area of stores that sell you staples. I am totally disciplined in what I buy. It is my choice. I am an executive member so I get cash back and we do not normally pay a membership fee as the cash back pays for it. I price check local prices. My Costco has better quality meat than we can get locally, things like that.

patriciae

" and impulse shopping. "

I have some friends who do that - for me, it's not an issue. I go for the same things most times (produce, egg whites), and occasionally other small things (cheater glasses and vitamins), but I just go where what I want is. I don't go up and down all the aisles.

Different strokes for different folks. If you're an impulse buyer, take a list and shop alone.

Our Costco gas station stays open later and opens earlier than the store. Closes at 10 pm and opens at 6 am. I often shop Trader Joes around 8:30 pm and head to costco for gas afterwards. No lines either place.

Eyeglases and hearing aids are a grear buy ar costco I also buy double packs of Cheerios there but eat them at leasrpg 4 or 5 days a week

From what all you guys wrote, my list will be two feet long...lol..But thanks!

From my own experiences, Costco sells moderate quality eyeglasses at fair prices. I buy sunglasses there and untinted glasses as backups to my much more expensive primary pair purchased elsewhere.

The lens clarity isn't as good, the progressive lens patterns aren't as good or as useful (I usually have to take the Costco glasses off to read because the reading area is too small, bordering on useless). I get them to have a backup in case my primary ones break. I wouldn't use the ones I've purchased there as a primary pair for use most of the time. I also use them to go to the gym where glasses can slip off and fall.

That may just be me and what I prefer, others may find their offerings more suitable. My vision correction is not that substantial and my lenses are not visibly thick.

I believe Costco only sells the better blend of gasoline. Not a sure thing elsewhere.

They must be charging good prices if people will cheat to shop there -- using fraudulent membership cards and going through the self-checkout lines. Costco has attempted to combat that by requiring shoppers to 'check in' with their cards as they enter the store.

" Costco has attempted to combat that by requiring shoppers to 'check in' with their cards as they enter the store. "

We now have to scan the QR code on our actual or virtual cards to enter, and there are 2 people watching people scan. We also have to scan the code before checking out through the self-checkout line as well.

Our costcos only sell regular or premium...no midrange which is what I usually buy for my car, so it's essentially not worth it. But gas prices are so regional. I head up once a week to class in a far off area of the county and gas prices are usually significantly less there than at home.

There's no need to buy mid-range gas unless that's what's specified for your car in the owners manual.

A car's recommended fuel octane rating is a function of the car's engine and compression ratio. Cars with higher compression ratio engines need premium fuel because of a tendency to knock on lower octane.. The octane rating describes the fuel's performance relative to producing knocking. Which can be damaging to an engine.

Putting premium into a car that's spec'd to use regular does not give it more power.

" Putting premium into a car that's spec'd to use regular does not give it more power. "

No, but it can improve your mileage. I did the math once, and the price worked out to be slightly in favour of premium gas for my car at that time. Everyone's calculation on that will be different depending on their car, driving habits and locations, etc.

The differences in gas prices for different areas usually has to do with local taxes added to state taxes. City tax, county tax. That sort of thing. Each of the local towns have different gas and sales tax. Big cities normally have much higher tax.

patriciae

" No, but it can improve your mileage. "

Nope. This is incorrect.

" The differences in gas prices for different areas usually has to do with local taxes added to state taxes. "

Not always.

I believe normal market forces of supply and demand often have a greater effect. I'll share my recent experience that demonstrates this, I just made a car trip of over 400 miles, all in my state. In the area I left, gas was in the $4.30-$4.50 range. Along the Interstate highway, gas was over $5 at most places. Now at my destination, gas is in the high $4 range. Same state, same taxes. Prices differences of over 25%, depending on the location.

" No, but it can improve your mileage. "

Nope. This is incorrect. "

Thanks for invalidating my lived experience.

N=1 data is never valid to make generalizations from. Octane ratings are simply for antiknock characteristics - higher compression engines need higher octane for that reason and no other. That's the whole story. You're welcome to look it up - it's something I learned in auto shop in high school.

I took it for 3 semesters running, taking it repeatedly was permitted. Have you had any auto shop training or experiences working on cars?