Costco

[Becky]

We have a BJs membership, and use it for non-perishables like TP, dog food, contact solution, and dry foods. I'll buy meat or produce occasionally, but it's just the two of us, so I have to have a plan for it all! We definitely save money, even with the limited amount of stuff that we buy.

As for ethanol gas: E10 is all that's available in some parts of the country now that MTBE is no longer being produced by many of the refiners, including our local refinery. I have some concerns about ethanol, especially at higher concentrations, but it's my only choice here.

[Tuckervill]

What is your issue with ethanol gas? Up here, they only sell gas w/ethanol, during the winter months. There is no other option. They do it to improve air quality in winter, and that has certainly improved over the years. We don't find it affects our vehicle's performance, either, so what's the problem?

My Honda Element gets 4-5 mpg less on ethanol than it does on plain gas. I can prove it, as I document every single tank and I've plotted many of them on a graph. I can also prove that my car* gets much better mileage in the Northeast than it gets between here and Nashville or in Indiana, Illinois or Missouri. I haven't figured that one out, yet, but I'm thinking that it has to do with emission standards in Northeastern states that we don't have in this part of the country.

Also, if you use ethanol in your gas powered tools (weed-eater, lawnmower, chain saw) the ethanol will separate and will begin to create pits in the sides of the cylinders, thus rendering your power tool inoperable.

Karen
*A 2000 New Beetle and a 2007 Honda Element where both used in this experiment.

[Zen]

You should call Tom and Ray with that one.

[berkeley]

Corn-based ethanol does have a lower energy content than gasoline. The trade off is using a domestically produced fuel source with lower emissions. When we finally get a cellulosic-based ethanol, there will be more benefits (better energy return, etc). If all you're worried about is MPH, then go for 100% petroleum.

The problem with power tools is because they're left sitting for long periods with gas in the tank not being used, I would imagine. That's not really a good idea with any type of gas.

Did you know Brazil has been on ethanol since the 1970s? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_Brazil

[Tuckervill]

Yes, it's all I care about, my gas mileage.

Karen

[Irulan]

My Honda Element gets 4-5 mpg less on ethanol than it does on plain gas. I can prove it, as I document every single tank and I've plotted many of them on a graph. I can also prove that my car* gets much better mileage in the Northeast than it gets between here and Nashville or in Indiana, Illinois or Missouri. I haven't figured that one out, yet, but I'm thinking that it has to do with emission standards in Northeastern states that we don't have in this part of the country.

Also, if you use ethanol in your gas powered tools (weed-eater, lawnmower, chain saw) the ethanol will separate and will begin to create pits in the sides of the cylinders, thus rendering your power tool inoperable.

Karen
*A 2000 New Beetle and a 2007 Honda Element where both used in this experiment.

in our area, one has no choice, it's mandated by law that the winter fuel is 10% ethanol. I'd have to drive to a different state to get something else.

[Tuckervill]

Yeah, I know, but as long as I have a choice, I'm going to make the one that benefits me the most.

Karen

[berkeley]

Yes, it's all I care about, my gas mileage.

Karen

I'm not trying to put words in your mouth - that's the reason you gave. Are there others?

Ethanol is used instead of MTBE as a fuel additive, too, which is another big environmental upgrade.

[Tuckervill]

I'm not going to use ethanol if I have a choice, a) because it is inefficient and b) because it's a political boondoggle. When it becomes practical to get where I want and need to go without burning fossil fuels, I will do it. But right now, I'm making the best choice for me that I can make.

Karen

[ZenSojourner]

I'm a Sam's club member, and I've been a Costco member.

If I had a choice, I'd STILL be a Costco member. No Costco anywhere near me since I left Oregon.

Definitely worth it if you can get it.

[WrensMom]

We love Costco! Of course, we have 3 kids at home also, so we definitely use stuff up. It is right by where I work, so it's not out of my way at all. We get practically everything there. One of my big scores was a Natuzzi leather sofa for $500 a couple of years ago. They have a very generous return policy also, and really stand by their products. I like that they treat the employees well too. We have the "executive" membership where you get the 2% back, plus their AmEx for another percentage (varies between 1-3%, depending on what it is). There is no risk to joining--if you are not happy with the membership, they will cancel it and refund you. I say give it a shot!

[KatieJean]

I can't really say that I've gotten my money's worth at Costco. The annual fees are proabably higher than any money I save, and really, how do you use a 1 gallon can (or whatever it is!)of tuna for sandwiches for a family of five? Having said that, I know lots of people who swear by it. I just have a problem with buying in huge quantities when half of it spoils before being used.

I have found that Smart & Final has the same or lower prices, and their big sizes are not as big as Costco's.

Recently I shopped for an upgraded Direct TV satellite receiver--same exact price as elsewhere. Ditto for a new computer when our old one bit the dust.

So...unless you can really use the big sizes, or benefit from the glasses/RX dept., I don't see it as being a good deal for a family (as opposed to a small business owner--it's great for that).

[WindingRoad]

Costco is a good deal. Me and my boyfriend buy and split groceries between the two of us. We are both active types so we go through a lot of food between the two of us. A lot of their produce is organic which is something I like to find. I think it's a great deal. My favorite Costco things are: the coffee they roast in the store (exceptional value), tires for the car, organic eggs and produce, goat cheese (exceptional value) and milk if they have 1%.

[deedolce]

Funny, it's not gallons of tuna, it's a package of many little cans! I love eating tuna, so it's one of the things I do get there. Organic carrot juice, Odwalla Orange juice, my yummy Pop chips, bbq. I do get gas there. I hate that $.45 surcharge for using my debit card, and then another $.25 charge from the debit card! None of that at Costco, plus the gas is less. I have a 'new' one just down the country road about 6 miles, and it's large, not crowded (except on weekends, but even then not as bad as other more urban ones) AND it's in a new complex with Michaels for my craft supplies, and a super Target. Now if only Trader Joes would move into my neighborhood!!

[Pedal Wench]

I like them for frozen fish and turkey and veggie burgers. I like just grabbing a protein out of the freezer, and they have some great varieties with real flavorful options. (just had a salmon burger for dinner - major yum!)

And, how's this for customer service. I bought a very expensive camera there in 2001. It broke in 2004, but by the time I got around to wanting to fix it, the company was bankrupt (Konica Minolta.) I no longer had the box or receipt.

I was interested in a GPS unit and had a question about their warranties. They said that for almost everything, their warranty is for the life of the product, but now, not for cameras and other select electronics. As an aside, she said unless it was purchased before 2007. I asked what happens if it was purchased before 2007. She said they'll take it back. I told her I had a camera that doesn't work that I bought back in 01, and she said I should definitely return it.

So, I just returned my broken camera for a full refund, no questions asked. I'm a fan for life.