The Controversy of the Decade Settled: Which is Cheaper?

[TranquilMind]

So, Amazon Prime or Costco?

 

Your thoughts?  http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/We-checked-the-prices-and-it-turns-out-Costco-is-10122444.php

 

One item left out of the article:  Costco sends you a check every year if you have the Executive Membership. 

 

 

[Lady Marmalade]

Totally agree.

 

I shop on Amazon a LOT.  I've only had Costco at my disposal for a year, but already I know to check Costco first for a lot of things.  The biggest drawback to Costco is the fluid nature of what they carry.  You never know when they are going to stop carrying a product.

Edited October 23, 2016 by Lady Marmalade

[luuknam]

I had no idea that this would be surprising to anyone, and I don't even use Costco. I still assumed it'd be cheaper though.

Edited October 23, 2016 by luuknam

[gardenmom5]

for what items?  for costco items?  (many of which can be purchased at amazon).  costco is cheaper, before the rebate.

there are many many more things costco doesn't carry - that amazon does.

 

it's like comparing amazon streaming to netflix.  they're different.

 

eta: the executive membership is $110, our rebate is always more.  and you can use that visa card almost anywhere, and get cash back/rebate from between 1%-4% depending upon item.  re: restaurant meals, gasoline, etc.  costco has the best price on gas around here. (visa is a much better deal than the previous amex card.)

 

when 2dd got married, she told her dh they were getting a costco membership.  he didn't see the point.  he's been converted.

Edited October 23, 2016 by gardenmom5

[ErinE]

I have to drive to Costco, navigate the aisles, find everything the first time with minimal backtracking, and check out with two unhappy toddlers.

 

I can buy stuff on my phone with Amazon.

 

Time is also expensive.

[gardenmom5]

amazon - I can shop on holidays and evenings.

costco .. . is closed.

 

amazon - I can shop when  I'm grungy after working in my yard.

costco  . . . I have to take a shower and put on clean clothes.

 

amazon - I can sit in my chair, while eating at my computer

costco . .  I have to walk around, and be there at the right time of day for samples.

 

eta:

 

amazon - delivers.

costco ... you have to go there, or else use the online site, and *then* they'll deliver.  (there is more choice on their online site.)

 

amazon-you have to wait for it to be delivered.

costco - you get it right then.

Edited October 23, 2016 by gardenmom5

[maize]

Costco is a hassle to get to, time consuming, and stressful to navigate with children in tow.

 

Amazon is accessible at home.

[ErinE]

If you shop at Wal Mart I highly recommend Wal Mart Grocery Pickup. I fill up my online cart through the week as things run out, check out, and choose a pick up time. I've been shopping with them for months now. I buy my produce on a separate run at a local store, but I've been happy with it for saving me the hassle of hours in the grocery store with toddlers.

[Alicia64]

Costco: I take my two boys for pizza regularly. They think they "ate out." (Plus I get gas which is a great deal. I also got a huge chunk of money off the rental car through Costco at Enterprise last year. I think I save $75.)

 

Can't so the pizza-out-thing on Amazon Prime, but we have that too and use both.

 

I love them both for different reasons.

 

Alley

[luuknam]

amazon - I can shop when  I'm grungy after working in my yard.

costco  . . . I have to take a shower and put on clean clothes.

 

You do? I assumed they'd be like Walmart (have you ever looked at http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/ ?).

[TranquilMind]

Totally agree.

 

I shop on Amazon a LOT.  I've only had Costco at my disposal for a year, but already I know to check Costco first for a lot of things.  The biggest drawback to Costco is the fluid nature of what they carry.  You never know when they are going to stop carrying a product.

 

It is hard to overcome the convenience factor of Amazon.  I suddenly realize I need something, and bam, two minutes later, I've submitted an order and I will likely have it tomorrow at my house.

 

That's a lot easier than schlepping around Costco.  But I do love Costco too!

 

[TranquilMind]

Costco is a hassle to get to, time consuming, and stressful to navigate with children in tow.

 

Amazon is accessible at home.

 

This is so true.  I don't have the kid factor anymore, but even that is a hassle. Sometimes I need my big strong kids just to carry the hefty packages in from Costco!

 

[TechWife]

Amazon sells reasonable sizes for a family of two.

 

Local stores sell reasonable sizes for a family of two. 

 

I can get better prices at traditional grocery stores utilizing coupons than I can at Costco, and it's not hard or time consuming. 

 

We have a Costco membership that we have only used to buy lemons (for lemonade) and gasoline. I doubt we will renew. 

 

Now I want a Bose Bluetooth speaker, though. I didn't know such a thing existed until I read their article. 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

But who joins Costco to get cheaper vacuum cleaners, though?

 

We go to Costco because it's well worth it for the organic staples we EAT. Everything else is just a bonus.

[TranquilMind]

amazon - I can shop on holidays and evenings.

costco .. . is closed.

 

amazon - I can shop when  I'm grungy after working in my yard.

costco  . . . I have to take a shower and put on clean clothes.

 

amazon - I can sit in my chair, while eating at my computer

costco . .  I have to walk around, and be there at the right time of day for samples.

 

eta:

 

amazon - delivers.

costco ... you have to go there, or else use the online site, and *then* they'll deliver.  (there is more choice on their online site.)

 

amazon-you have to wait for it to be delivered.

costco - you get it right then.

You have summarized it all.  Especially the bolded! 

 

[TranquilMind]

But who joins Costco to get cheaper vacuum cleaners, though?

 

We go to Costco because it's well worth it for the organic staples we EAT. Everything else is just a bonus.

This is true. We buy tons of organic food at Costco.  And get a check back every year for some percentage of it. 

[gardenmom5]

You do? I assumed they'd be like Walmart (have you ever looked at http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/ ?).

 

there are a lot of upscale SUV's at costco (i love their generous parking stalls.)  walmart. . not so much.

[Farrar]

This feels to me like comparing apples and oranges. Who cares if the apples are cheaper if sometimes you really want an orange?

 

I use both a lot. We get a lot of produce and meat from Costco. And canned goods and spices and so forth. I try to remember to check Costco for things like vacuum cleaners if I need it. But also, Amazon provides a lot of goods and services that Costco doesn't.

[eternalsummer]

I bought a Costco membership recently after reading here how awesome it is.

 

I went once.  It was a nightmare - the store is huge and because we eat a mostly vegan diet I couldn't buy much of anything.  I hadn't realized how few options there were in terms of brands/types of different things.  The produce was un-buyable, it was so bad (either rotten or not ripe yet or overpriced, and very little of it organic).

 

So it was just $55, no big deal, but for me Amazon is a much better deal.  Hell, a membership to *Walmart* would be a better deal than Cosco.

[SparklyUnicorn]

We don't have Costco.

[FriedClams]

Someone may have said this up thread, but with Amazon I usually buy exactly what I need. If I need one watch battery or bag of dates or whatever, I buy just that. Then I'm done. Free shipping. Here in two days-ish.

 

When I go to Costco I am so much more prone to impulse buying. It's even worse there because (as someone mentioned) you never know when what you like will be gone.

[elegantlion]

I just placed an Amazon order while wearing a bathrobe. We don't have Costco here, but I prefer not to buy larger quantities, small family and budget. Plus I don't impulse buy off Amazon. I just throw things in the art and let them set if I'm unsure.

[poppy]

You do? I assumed they'd be like Walmart (have you ever looked at http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/ ?).

 

BJs is like that. Costco is fancy-schmancy.

[El...]

We have Sams, not Costco, and they are about to begin offering curb-side pickup!  Woooohooooo! 

[TravelingChris]

I don't shop at Costco because we have a small family and don't want to buy large quantities of items.  I do shop at Amazon.

[marbel]

This feels to me like comparing apples and oranges. Who cares if the apples are cheaper if sometimes you really want an orange?

 

I use both a lot. We get a lot of produce and meat from Costco. And canned goods and spices and so forth. I try to remember to check Costco for things like vacuum cleaners if I need it. But also, Amazon provides a lot of goods and services that Costco doesn't.

 

This exactly. We buy from Amazon and Costco.  

 

I can't get pork tenderloins or beef chuck roast for a great price from Amazon.  I can't grab a rotisserie chicken for an emergency dinner either.  

 

But there are loads of things we order from Amazon that I could not get at Costco.   

 

They aren't comparable stores. 

[Butter]

I needed to get socks for homeless packs I'm having the girls at church make when I teach their lesson on November 6th.  I needed 24 pairs of them.  I checked on Amazon and found I could get them for about $1 a pair.  Went to Costco... and it was over $2 a pair.  Target was cheaper than Costco, too, actually.  I ordered them from Amazon, obviously.  Costco is often more expensive for me than HEB (our grocery store) or Amazon.  Costco is MUCH more expensive for produce than HEB.  We wouldn't have the Costco membership because it is so much more expensive for stuff we actually buy except we're on my parents' account and they keep it because their Costco has gas that is much cheaper than regular gas stations where they live.

[TechWife]

I bought a Costco membership recently after reading here how awesome it is.

 

I went once.  It was a nightmare - the store is huge and because we eat a mostly vegan diet I couldn't buy much of anything.  I hadn't realized how few options there were in terms of brands/types of different things.  The produce was un-buyable, it was so bad (either rotten or not ripe yet or overpriced, and very little of it organic).

 

So it was just $55, no big deal, but for me Amazon is a much better deal.  Hell, a membership to *Walmart* would be a better deal than Cosco.

 

Costco will refund your membership fee at any time during the year. 

[luuknam]

BJs is like that. Costco is fancy-schmancy.

 

Okay. Well, I guess I hit my "today I learned" requirement. :)

 

Still no intentions of going to either (nor do I buy groceries off Amazon unless they're things I absolutely cannot find locally, such as the right brand of ketjap).

[luuknam]

Come to think of it some more, I think my only familiarity with Costco is from the movie Idiocracy. Great movie, btw.

[Lady Marmalade]

It is hard to overcome the convenience factor of Amazon.  I suddenly realize I need something, and bam, two minutes later, I've submitted an order and I will likely have it tomorrow at my house.

 

That's a lot easier than schlepping around Costco.  But I do love Costco too!

 

 

Out Costco went up just TWO BLOCKS from our dance studio... Ten trips there for me a week makes Costco pretty darn convenient.

 

But yes, for most things it's Amazon Prime.  

[4kidlets4me]

I live in the birthplace of Costco and not too far from the birthplace of Amazon. I love them both for different reasons. I have 3 teenagers so shopping at Costco is like regular grocery shopping to me these days. I pine for the good old days when Costco was stocking up and I could get away with a once a month trip. Now it's a weekly thing. I love Amazon for Xmas shopping, and getting obscure things I can't find locally. I haven't tried them for groceries mostly because they are too expensive. 

 

I think it's unfair to compare them.

[TranquilMind]

Thank God for both of them!

[eternalsummer]

Come to think of it some more, I think my only familiarity with Costco is from the movie Idiocracy. Great movie, btw.

 

Welcome to Costco, I love you.

[mamiof5]

I don't use either. Can't compare

[gardenmom5]

This feels to me like comparing apples and oranges. Who cares if the apples are cheaper if sometimes you really want an orange?

 

I use both a lot. We get a lot of produce and meat from Costco. And canned goods and spices and so forth. I try to remember to check Costco for things like vacuum cleaners if I need it. But also, Amazon provides a lot of goods and services that Costco doesn't.

dh jokes costco is our favorite store, as we spend more there than any other store.  (as much as I spend on amazon, that still may be true.  and I buy a lot of stuff on amazon I can't get at costco.)  and we easily make a profit on our rebate after it pays for our membership.

 

Okay. Well, I guess I hit my "today I learned" requirement. :)

 

Still no intentions of going to either (nor do I buy groceries off Amazon unless they're things I absolutely cannot find locally, such as the right brand of ketjap).

 

somethings I just can't find anywhere else.  I really started buying dudeling's supplements off amazon - cheaper than most anywhere else (thorne is the same price almost everywhere - including the drs office or pharmica.) and they deliver.

I was making my grandmother's pickle recipe - one ingredient I could only find online.  no local stores carried it.

I want to compare the price of the dillitante "mints" (re; the *real* frango recipe.   macy's destroyed it to increase their profits. only the name was trademarked - not the recipe.)  we have a dillitante store locally- amazon is pricey for them, but they have them all.

 

I live in the birthplace of Costco and not too far from the birthplace of Amazon. I love them both for different reasons. I have 3 teenagers so shopping at Costco is like regular grocery shopping to me these days. I pine for the good old days when Costco was stocking up and I could get away with a once a month trip. Now it's a weekly thing. I love Amazon for Xmas shopping, and getting obscure things I can't find locally. I haven't tried them for groceries mostly because they are too expensive. 

 

I think it's unfair to compare them.

 

dh jokes we're "charter" members.  we joined in nov 1983.  the only store was the one on 4th, and it was a hodgepodge of warehouses.  they've torn it down and built a nice building there now.  I currently have four within 20-30 minutes, with another under construction.  

 

 

I love costco, and I love amazon.  they're different.

I'm looking forward to them getting panettone in . . they sell out because it is a very good price.   and it's so yummy . . . . they've also had the best price on whole copper river sockeye. . .pity the season is so short.

[Tap]

I agree with other posters that they aren't really comparable. There are very few things that I buy at Costco that I would buy on Amazon. 

[Incognito]

I've had Costco memberships and lived without them.  I personally waste more money on unnecessary things when we have a membership.  I also buy more convenience and junk food.  It does have good deals and some nice things - I am so glad for the flashlights we have from there, for instance.  There are some things at Costco that are cheaper, but I don't really NEED two year's worth of ziploc baggies in my closet, and I am quite sure with the way the food is so bulk that we ended up wasting more food too.

 

I've never had Amazon Prime, but don't feel like I've missed out not having it anyways.  It doesn't really matter for where I live, and I can always wait for an Amazon order to be over the minimum shipping amount.

 

In general, it is cheaper for me to shop at a local chain grocery store than either Costco or Amazon.  I do miss the artichoke asiago dip, though.  Yum.  

 

[LucyStoner]

Online shopping keeps me to my list. I'm not a big Amazon fan but it is convenient. At Costco, I can easily add $50-100 to the bill in random stuff I see and "need".

 

That said, I prefer Costco and stick to the perishable food and things I specifically plan to buy.

 

Amazon Prime doesn't have perishable foods. And Amazon Fresh was $300 a year there for awhile...hell no. Now I think it is $15 a month which is more reasonable but still not worth it for me to sign up.

[bettyandbob]

I buy certain things at different stores. Isn't that the way most people shop.

 

There are things I buy in bulk at Costco like

Vanilla

Olive oil

Cinnamon

Canned tomatoes

Chocolate chips

Toilet paper

Ziploc bags (we do go through these)

Etc.

I like fresh produce at Costco. I like getting gas there.

 

Certain things we get at Target grocery. After price comparison Target grocery is cheaper than several options.

 

I don't have Amazon prime. I did briefly and dropped it. Anything I order I don't need in Two days. If I need it quick I go local. I fill my cart until I have a minimum for free delivery. I do check free delivery items against items that have a fee for delivering because sometimes there is a savings paying delivery.

 

Really I don't see how you compare the different shops. They don't seem to be targeting the same thing.

[Carrie12345]

I love Amazon and have been a Prime member for longer than I can remember, but I've never been impressed with their grocery offerings. I do buy my cat litter from them b/c my local stores don't carry the brand.

 

I haven't been impressed with BJs (don't have a Costco), either. For big ticket items once a year or two, maybe.

 

My local (and locally owned) supermarket still beats all, usually including Walmart. Once I got into the routine of stocking up on sales, I failed to understand how people could prefer to save $2.00 on a case of 24 widgets over saving $.25 per widget.

[Guest]

Amazon is cheaper when your nearest Costco is 441 miles away.

[The Girls' Mom]

I have pretty much zero crossover on the things I buy from each place.  Costco is where I buy my food.  I don't order meat and veggies from Amazon...lol.  Amazon is where I buy all the things that I don't want to drive all over creation to find.  

Oh, and I get cash back from both places.  

Edited October 24, 2016 by The Girls' Mom

[Zinnia]

We've had a Costco membership for the last 2 years, but I'm letting it expire at the end of the month.  It's a pretty long trek across town (25+ minutes to an area I rarely go to), so I never really realize the savings on gas.  It's nice when it happens, but I can't work it into my schedule.

 

Mostly, we've used it for cheap "eating out" for my kids...they love the hot dogs.  Not worth my 55 bucks.  LOL

 

The first year, we had the executive membership.  We felt like we bought a ton of stuff there.  I grocery shopped monthly on stuff I could get cheaper, we bought all Christmas presents there, including the splurge Bose speaker, and we bought tires, too.  Our refund check was $26.  The second year, they refunded the $55 from the executive membership, effectively giving us a second year for free.  This year, we haven't needed any big purchases, and we just haven't saved enough with those rotisserie chickens to make it worthwhile.

 

For most things, Costco is a great deal if you are comparing apples to apples.  But I'm perfectly willing to buy the store brand or Aldi or whatever is on sale.  I don't care about having the name brand.  So, in that case, generic is almost always going to be cheaper than Costco, even if it is a good deal *for the name brand.*

[bettyandbob]

Amazon is cheaper when your nearest Costco is 441 miles away.

If I lived where you lived I would do Amazon for everything.

[poppy]

Online shopping keeps me to my list. I'm not a big Amazon fan but it is convenient. At Costco, I can easily add $50-100 to the bill in random stuff I see and "need".

 

That said, I prefer Costco and stick to the perishable food and things I specifically plan to buy.

 

Amazon Prime doesn't have perishable foods. And Amazon Fresh was $300 a year there for awhile...hell no. Now I think it is $15 a month which is more reasonable but still not worth it for me to sign up.

 

Every Costco trip is about $200, give or take.  

 

If you live near a Costco and stick to a list, Costco is cheaper.

[gardenmom5]

 

Oh, and I get cash back from both places.  

 

tell me more - do you have the amazon cc? (which I've always ignored, but I buy enough stuff there.)

 

eta: otherwise I would just see it as having a cash rewards cc and getting their rebate.

Edited October 24, 2016 by gardenmom5

[Cinder]

But I'm perfectly willing to buy the store brand or Aldi or whatever is on sale.  I don't care about having the name brand.  So, in that case, generic is almost always going to be cheaper than Costco, even if it is a good deal *for the name brand.*

 

We found this to be true when we had our Sam's membership. I buy a lot of store brand so I wasn't saving by stocking up at Sams. And when they dropped those few special items that made going there worthwhile we dropped our membership.

 

I've never been to Costco even though nearly everyone we know loves it. It's just over 30 mins drive from here and right off I-75. I hate driving in that area. Between that and my family's lifestyle/situation and the temptation for impulse buying, we've decided not to join.

[Splash]

Sadly I use Sams, Costco and Amazon prime.  I dream of the days when buying in bulk isn't a weekly thing but right now these all pay for themselves.  We actually used Costco's auto program to buy our latest car, much better deal than we could get for ourselves at local dealerships.  We tried.  I tend to shop these before anywhere else.  I hate Walmart, so frustrating, especially the grocery department  last time I tried shopping there four of seven items rang up a different price than what was posted.  Target is okay but the furthest away from our house and no grocery store.  Amazon I use mostly for books and weird things my kids need for costumes, school projects, etc.

 

 

[hjffkj]

I did some price comparison with camelcamelcamel and that chart and amazon prices on sale beat those Costco prices. And since I don't buy anything big if I haven't thoroughly researched and gotten it for its lowest price then Costco would not be better for us.