So, you are thinking of purchasing a Costco or Sam's Club membership. But, you wonder - is it worth it? It can be, but you have to put forth a little effor and do take some things into consideration before you shell out the cash. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
How frequently will I shop at this store? If you don't foresee shopping once or twice a month at the warehouse, it may not be worth it for you to purchase a membership.
How much do I think I can save? If you don't think you will save more than the the cost of the annual fee, then it is not worth shelling out that money. Just make sure you know you can recoup your fees.
Bigger is better - right? Not always. Before you can shop in a warehouse, you want to make sure you know (or have a good idea) for what you pay for your items at your local store (after coupons and discounts). For example, if you see 2 - 20 oz bottles of Heinz Ketchup for only $3.49 ($1.74 each), that may seem like a good deal, considering you pay $1.89 at your grocery store. However, when you redeem your coupon at your store, you will pay just $1.39 for that 20 oz bottle - which is less expensive.
You also need to know your per unit cost for your paper products, detergents, etc. Just keep a price list with you when you shop, so that you know if you are truly getting a better bargain or just a bigger box.
Can I shop without coupons? Neither Costco nor Sam's Club allows you to use coupons on your purchases, so that means the price you see is the price you pay. No additional savings.
Can I try before I buy? Many times, warehouses will offer a one day pass for you to check out their store before you sign up for a membership. This can be a great way to check out those prices and do some comparison shopping so you know if you will quickly earn back your annual fee or if you will be tossing money away. Just make sure to take along your price book and take lots of notes. And make sure you ask about the fee if you do make a purchase. Sometimes you still can buy without the membership, you just pay an additional percentage above the purchase price as a non-member transaction fee.
I am certainly not saying that warehouse shopping can't save you money as it can on some items. I am just reminding you that you will want to excercise due diligence before you sign on the dotted line. Doing a little research can save you much time and headache.