In article , George says...

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"RobertPatrick" wrote in message
And why would anyone shop at a store where you have to pay to join?
Forget that.

I used to feel the same way, but then I found out why. Big savings. Butter
at my local super market is $4+a pound for name brand. At BJ's (similar to
Costco & Sam's) it is $1.88 for state brand, $2.29 for LoL. Cabot sharp
cheddar cheese is about $2 a pound cheaper. Filling a propane tank saves me
$5 or more each time. And the list goes on. Not to mention that the meat
quality is better than most supermarkets also.

For a long time I figured screw them, but that $50 membership is paid for in
a trip or two a year. Most of the club stores have one day passes so you
can check them out. Before you go, note the price of some things you buy on
a regular basis and then go compare. You won't replace the local market
100%, but you can go once in a while, stock up, save a bundle, then fill in
the blanks as needed.

Most items are larger sizes or in two packs. Some items are not as big a
savings. Everything is good quality though, event he store brands. Go with
an open mind and a bit of price knowledge and you can easily save that
membership cost in the first trip.


We don't bother because we found minimal value. We buy at a large local
family owned market that has its own meat cutting department. They have
good quality fresh meat in reasonable package sizes (or any size you
want) at good prices and a large well stocked produce department where I
can select any quantity I want at good prices. There are at least 3
conveniently located local places that will fill a propane tank for ~$8.
I can buy tires at local place for less etc. It just doesn't make sense
for us.

You're both right.

Its a matter of getting at Sam's Club what Sam's Club is good for, and getting
at other places the rest of the stuff.

My Sam's Club is about 20 miles away; so I factor in the distance/time/gas.
Leading me to go more locally for propane as I don't want to be storing much or
driving around with it too much, whatever the price. But if I want a pile of
little farmed tilapia fillets to fry up for everyday cooking over the next few
months Sam's Club is great - I separate them into bunches of a few and freeze
'em in sealed bags. When I want I quickly defrost them by putting the baggies
in tepid water, bread 'em and fry 'em up. On the other hand if I want nice
large fresh tilapia fillets for some special company dish I go to the same kind
of place you do. I prefer fresh produce too - I only buy Sam's produce for
special items I plan to freeze (blueberries for muffins out of season) or if I
have a party planned. Party stuff in general (plates, etc.) Sam's volume is
great. Stocking up on party supplies for our scale model hobby club - Sam's
club for sure.

We are a small family of only two, so certain volume items I'd otherwise be
interested in really aren't of use. I use a lot of peanut butter, but not THAT
much peanut butter. One would have to be a restaurant to go through THAT much
mayonnaise...

Wish I had discovered Sam's Club back when my son was in diapers...

But the main point is - I combine everything from Sam's Club to the local
mega-super grocery store for other stuff Sam's doesn't have the variety for, to
the local farm market for the stuff I want fresh. Theres little call for this
to be seen as an either-or thing.

Banty