Make the Most of Your Warehouse Club Trip
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Scott Olson, Getty Images
How to Spend the Least
For a bargain on everything from dog food to diamonds, head to a warehouse club. These clubs limit their margins to between 11% and 14%, compared with 25% to 30% at supermarkets, according to Michael Clayman, editor of Warehouse Club Focus.
But you won't save much money if you get sidetracked by the bling and the flat-screen TVs. Here's how to make the most of a trip to the warehouse.
Read the Article
Next: Do Your Homework -
Do Your Homework
Don't try to bone up on brands and prices amid the kids, the carts and the chaos. Comparison-shop online before you leave home so that you know which products and features you can't live without before you arrive.
Next: Grab the Deals -
Paul Sakuma, AP
Grab the Deals
You can always count on finding a small but decent selection of electronics, fancy food, jewelry and brand-name clothing. But the treasures -- say, a Kate Spade bag or Ralph Lauren coat -- are here today and gone tomorrow. Snap them up right away or regret it later.
Next: Prepare to Do It Yourself -
Tim Boyle, Getty Images
Prepare to Do It Yourself
You're on your own when it comes to getting that hot tub off the warehouse floor and into your car (order online and the clubs will deliver). You'll do the installing, too.
Next: Watch Those Portions -
AP
Watch Those Portions
Warehouse clubs offer better prices because they sell in bulk. But it's no bargain if the food goes bad -- or if you bulk up eating it. Studies show that "people eat more when there's more in front of them," says Ephraim Leibtag, an economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The only way to save money and your waistline is to resist the temptation to race through an entire tub of rocky road.
Next: Gauge Gas Prices Online -
Gauge Gas Prices Online
Warehouse-club deals on gasoline are good but not always the best. Before you drive ten miles to Costco -- and waste more gas while you spin your wheels waiting in line -- check local gas prices at GasBuddy.com.
Next: More From AOL -
More From AOL:
What to Buy in Bulk
If you can resist the temptation of loading up your cart with non-essential "oh-look-at-thats," buying in bulk at your local warehouse club can indeed save you a bundle.
AOL Money & Finance visited both a Costco and Giant grocery store in Gaithersburg, Md. to see which items make the most sense to buy "big." Click through our gallery to see which items to buy in bulk.
Next Gallery: Item No. 1More in Money & Finance:
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Recent Comments
WANTACE 03:32:38 PM Dec 27 2008
I wish costco would close their FEEDING stations. Makes it had to get around the free loaders to shop
Ckeck8167 03:02:10 PM Dec 27 2008
The worst thing to buy at Costco or Sam's Club is 'fresh' produce. It spoils really fast and most of the time, a portion of the bulk box is already rotten. YUK!!
Cbstanek 11:47:58 AM Nov 15 2008
For those of you using Debbie M. greenbags: How much nutrition to you think is in those veggies kept looking fresh for 2 or 3 weeks at home and most likely harvested a couple of weeks before that, being offered for sale in the big box store? Or any store for that matter.
Mysto99 09:35:14 PM Oct 06 2008
People do not and will not have the CASH to shop as they did in the past,with the economy going down the tubes. Sam's,etc. will do fine as cost-cutter Wal-mart is doing with better money-saving deals for shoppers. Some grocery stores offer at-cost deals, double up to 50-cents manufactures coupons... to get the traffic in, so you will buy other things. It will be very ineresting to watch sales,etc..and how stores will handle the economy in the next couple months with the Christmas shopping season upon us. As in the past, those with cash will do fine. Those without cash will not do so well, if they do at all. The terrible unfair high interest rates of the credit card crunch will take it's toll during the up coming holidays..and many months to come..!
HUNTCTRY 12:46:31 PM Oct 01 2008
I know which products work for me at Costco and they are wonderful and money saving...so when I go in, I go in with the purpose of buying those things and nothing more...and you are right about designer events...I found a pair of AmyJo Gladstone slippers, that I had bought five years ago for $90...$20 at Costco..I came home to call my daughters to make certain of their size and when I went back they were all gone...now, I never go there without my Cell Phone. Don't think you are the only one who knows label shoping at Costco...others are looking for the same thing you are.
Nativesigrl 10:23:24 AM Sep 30 2008
certain things at a good grocery store that doubles or triple coupons is the way to shop, sometimes you just dont need the huge size, especially when you are on a limited budget, i really hate to blow 400.00 on trash bags, meat(which i have seen a few dollars cheaper at shoprite), and cookies, etc.. it's great if you have the storage space, and discipline
CarmenDepot6528 07:53:52 AM Sep 30 2008
we shop costco for majority of all of our meat/fish/pork and our fruits and veggies. If you use the debbie m greenbags... it is well worth the trip. we have bought heads of romaine lettuce and quite honestly they have stayed fresh for 3 to 4 weeks! and we also bought this new vaccum sealer gadget from reynolds at the grocery store for $10 and it is amazing. we don't even use our big gawdy vaccum sealer anymore. we get all our meats and divide them up and vaccum them into 4pc portions and put them in the freezer. majority of everything else unless its partsupplies (plates, cups etc) we buy at Publix.... with all they're 2 for 1 deals we wait for our staple items to be on sale and stock up!
Anthony Golfer 1 02:08:03 PM Sep 27 2008
Costco does not carry any reduced fat or lowcalorie products nor do they carry decaffinated maxwell house coffee. .They also do not have signs over their aislesi i ndicating what items are located in these aisles. This makes shopping longer and much more difficult.
Correll476 10:34:11 AM Sep 27 2008
If you use Debbie Meyers bags correctly they do work. As far as Costco only some items are bargains some are actually more money. Shop wisely..
