Costco Membership Dues - a rip off?

[GLC1968]

I'm fairly certain we pay $50 a year for our annual membership (for the two of us)! $180 is nuts.

And hell yeah, $50 is worth it. There are two Costco's within 10 miles of us and one of them is walkable from my office, so it's easy shopping for us. We buy boatloads of produce, nuts and meat from them every couple of weeks. They often carry great deals on organics and for us...a vast majority of the in-season stuff is local. Ours carries local, pastured eggs as well. We never even go down half of the aisles since we no longer eat any pre-packaged or processed foods, and yet it's still a great deal for us.

For those that don't shop there (I can't speak for BJ's as I've never been) because you have to buy in bulk, you really don't. Not everything comes in mammoth sizes!

We've also had good luck buying electronics and various other home goods there on occasion but it is very important to be cognizant of pricing as it's not always the best deal.

Between Costco, TJ's, two CSA's and New Seasons (a local 'Whole Foods' type place but better prices and selection of local stuff), we hardly ever go to a regular grocery store anymore!