Bob > wrote in message >...

>
> Today I bought a whole beef filet for 8.99/pound at Costco.

That's the going rate at my corner market, and I don't have to buy the
entire filet if I don't want to, I could buy one steak, half an inch
thick,if that's all I wanted. USDA Choice, cut to order. I also get as
much or as little 85% lean ground beef as I need, ground to order, for
$2.29 a pound.


> Bought boneless
> chicken thighs for 1.69.

> 6 hearts of romaine for 2.99.

Again, corner market...package of 3 hearts of romaine, $1.49.

> Three NYT listed paperbacks for a total of 12.47.

Depending on the books...could probably get a similar buy at Amazon.

> Gallon of milk for 2.39.

Gas station where I stop once a week, gallons of milk cost $1.99.
It's a loss leader. I also get half gallons of orange juice for that
price there.


> 2 bottles of Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante for 9.79 each.

Lots of non-membership stores sell wines at state minimum prices. It's
illegal to sell lower than state minimums, so the warehouse stores
offer no advantage there.

> And more stuff. Those same things at any supermarket in the
> area would all have cost a good deal more. I shop there about 4 times
> a month and have bought automotive things, office supplies at roughly
> 3/4 the price at discount stores, kitchenwares, electronics, etc.

Mom and Pop stores have realized that they need to lower their prices
in order to compete with the big box stores. So often, you get better
quality at comparable prices, without having to shell out "membership"
fees. The membership stores brainwash you into beleiving that they
will always have the lowest prices on things, when what they are
really doing is buying your loyalty. If you have to shell out $45 for
the privelige of shopping at Costco...you're damn well gonna shop
there as often as possible, to recoup your investment.
>
> Today, I waited in a line that was three people ahead of me, two
> carrying their purchases in their hands. There were only two lines
> open and it was reasonable.

We all know that's the exception rather than the rule.

>
> Costco is my first choice for quality meats and good prices on branded
> items. For a while I checked sales prices at other stores for the
> things I generally buy there. Nobody could beat them.

But have you factored in the cost of the membership?

Say you make average of 45 visits a year. (you said you shop there 4
times a month...I'm being conservative). So you are actually spending
a dollar a visit on that membership. Factor that in to your receipt.

I dunno...I can have a much more pleasant shopping experience, not
have to buy the quantities THEY dictate, especially on meats, and NOT
have to spend $45 on "membership". I don't see how I'm losing by not
shopping at warehouse clubs.