OT - Costco Membership

Central_Bama_Egger

im leaning to joining the local Costco mainly because you guys continue to mention it and their prices on various things. 

What membership hip do you guys have? Executive or Gold Star?

i wouldn't need a business. 

Lit

The executive gives you 2% back I believe it is so anything you spend over $2500 in a year you are getting back towards the regular membership price. I always get way more than my $100 membership fee back.

PBandJ

We have the executive. Just me and wifey.
Shop there once a week and our rewards check covered the cost of membership. 

bgebrent

Executive.  Agree with @Lit.

volfan1

Agree with Lit. My wife & I have the executive membership & the Costco Citi Visa. You get rebates on everything you purchase on the card and the extra 2% rebate. You can take your rebate checks and purchase goods in the store or trade them to the cashier for cash.

Sonny3

We have the Gold, but we also have Sams and Bj's cards as well.  There are things we find a one and not the others so we tend to spread our shopping around.

Central_Bama_Egger

So the Executive is what I'm hearing. Thanks fellow Egger's. 

1voyager

Definitely Exec. Also consider using Costco's Citi Visa and get even more benefits, including cash back.

Central_Bama_Egger

Dumb question I know. But can I go in and buy 1 steak? 1 potato? Etc?  

tarheelmatt

Executive with Cities card that pays you to shop as well. It'll cover your membership fee and then some. 

Wolfpack

Central_Bama_Egger said:

Dumb question I know. But can I go in and buy 1 steak? 1 potato? Etc?  

Unfortunately no- steaks usually come in 4 packs. Built for bulk

TN_Sister_State

1voyager said:

Definitely Exec. Also consider using Costco's Citi Visa and get even more benefits, including cash back.

I second this. We did it and couldn't be happier. Especially with the 4% rebate on gas. 

tarheelmatt

Central_Bama_Egger said:

Dumb question I know. But can I go in and buy 1 steak? 1 potato? Etc?  

Nah.. you go in for fruit snacks and come out with TP, meat, batteries and,two pillows. 

1voyager

Central_Bama_Egger said:

Dumb question I know. But can I go in and buy 1 steak? 1 potato? Etc?  

As far as the steak goes the answer is the dreaded "it depends". At least at the Costco I go to. Pre-packaged flank steak and skirt steak are usually available in a single or a double pack. I've only seen 2,3 and 4 packs for ribeye. Single cut prime like cowboy cut are available now and then. Same with prime porterhouse. No single potatoes. Smallest amount is a 5-pound bag of fingerling-type.

stlcharcoal

Get the more expensive membership for the 2% back.  If you fall short of getting enough of the 2% to cover the extra $50 or whatever it is, they'll refund it.  And you can cancel your membership for a refund at anytime.

On the steaks, they'll package you whatever you want.  Just go back to the window, ask them for whatever quantity, go do your other shopping, then come back to pick them up.

td66snrf

Definitely get their Citi Visa. You get a rebate check from Visa and from Costco. Your credit card is also your entry card so you don't have to carry two cards. I put all my gas on it even if I don't get it at Costco. Another advantage is for returns, if you purchased with your Visa they can look it up with no need for a receipt. 

JohnInCarolina

Lit said:

The executive gives you 2% back I believe it is so anything you spend over $2500 in a year you are getting back towards the regular membership price. I always get way more than my $100 membership fee back.

Yep

Eggcelsior

Another vote for the Exec/Visa. 4% cash back on gas anywhere. Rewards checks almost fully covered a patio set this year.

stlcharcoal

td66snrf said:

Definitely get their Citi Visa. You get a rebate check from Visa and from Costco. Your credit card is also your entry card so you don't have to carry two cards. I put all my gas on it even if I don't get it at Costco. Another advantage is for returns, if you purchased with your Visa they can look it up with no need for a receipt. 

I use my Sam's card for gas......that's 5% vs. 4%, but at $600-700/month it makes sense until I hit the limit.

Eggcelsior

stlcharcoal said:

td66snrf said:

Definitely get their Citi Visa. You get a rebate check from Visa and from Costco. Your credit card is also your entry card so you don't have to carry two cards. I put all my gas on it even if I don't get it at Costco. Another advantage is for returns, if you purchased with your Visa they can look it up with no need for a receipt. 

I use my Sam's card for gas......that's 5% vs. 4%, but at $600-700/month it makes sense until I hit the limit.

This is a bit of a wash since Costco's limit is 7000 vs 6000 for Sams, but either way, it's a great benefit.

jaydub58

Executive all the way.   Also, we love to buy the multi-pack top sirloin and new  York strips, then, when we get home,  dig out the Food-Saver and put up packs to freeze for the future.  Yum!

Central_Bama_Egger

Well. Y'all have convinced me. 

Thomasc18

I do the gold. I've always received a refund for not hitting limit with executive. But I don't frequent weekly. About once a month. 

caliking

Don't forget other benefits like mortgage refinancing, tires , AC units, and myriad other services.

DoubleEgger

I've bought the membership twice and I went once each time. With it being just me and the wife, we don't need 5 gallons of mayonnaise or six boxes of mac and cheese. No room to store all of the bulk.  

bgebrent

DoubleEgger said:

I've bought the membership twice and I went once each time. With it being just me and the wife, we don't need 5 gallons of mayonnaise or six boxes of mac and cheese. No room to store all of the bulk.  

My favorite family man.

danv23

Lit said:

The executive gives you 2% back I believe it is so anything you spend over $2500 in a year you are getting back towards the regular membership price. I always get way more than my $100 membership fee back.

Executive. Great deal on credit monitoring. Adds up to your savings between the 2 memberships in a year.

blind99

caliking said:

Don't forget other benefits like mortgage refinancing, tires , AC units, and myriad other services.

And cars! Bought a car via Costco auto, best car buying experience ever. 

Also did an auto rental once through them, such a good price I thought it was a mistake. 

As said above if you get the more expensive card but don't get enough benefit out of it they will refund you the extra cost

Spaightlabs

You get single steaks etc if you have a fresh meat case.  We just got one last week - took advantage and picked up one Prime ribeye cap and one prime tomahawk.  Muy Covfefe.

JRWhitee

I have the executive. It works for me, I have always got cash back.

odie91

I think the belief  that they only sell things in bulk is a misconception.   Membership was  plenty useful for me even when I was a bachelor.   Go for it.  Get a refund after 11 months if you really find it of little use to you