We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
appreciated. Thanks.

"jay" > wrote in message
news
>
>
> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
> appreciated. Thanks.

I have not been to a Sams for years, but my general impression is that
Costco is a bit "higher end." Remember too that Sams is part of the Walmart
empire which screws its employees right and left, while Costco has a very
good reputation for treating its workers decently.


--
Peter Aitken

"jay" > wrote in message
news
>
>
> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
> appreciated. Thanks.

I've noticed that recently the packaging may include 2 smaller packages.
And, a lot of the stuff, particularly canned, is packaged 6 or 8 to a unit.
Cheese comes in 1 and 2 pound packages It depends a lot on the way you buy.
Toilet paper, paper towel, Kleenex are packaged with 8-10 to a unit.
Cleaning supplies may have a couple of regular size containers to a package.
Soda pop and beer are sold by the case. Wine by the bottle. Baked goods
are probably a dozen to the package. Loaves of bread 2 to the package.
Meat is definitely sold in larger packages, more like you would find in a
regular grocery store where you pick up a discount for buying larger.
Butter is 4 pounds to a package. Milk is 2 one gallon to a package. Potato
chips, etc are the larger bags you would find at a regular grocery. Hope
this helps. Generally when a Costco opens you are allowed one visit to
cruise the store and decide if you want to become a member.
Janet

"jay" wrote >
>
> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
> appreciated. Thanks.

We belong to both and prefer Costco although it's a longer drive. Much of
the packaging sizes are the same as Sam's and Janet has given you a good
rundown. Although many things are the same and available at both stores
(e.g., canned goods, detergents, etc.) many items are of better quality at
Costco and there is greater variety. The employees are much more helpful
and pleasant and the check-out lines are much shorter.

Dora

jay wrote:

> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
> appreciated. Thanks.

===
We have been members of Sam's for over 14 years. Costco is opening a new
store near where we live and what we are going to do is get a complementary
membership when they do and test both stores. Whoever treats my pocket the
best keeps my business.

Ray
Austin, TX
===

On Sat, 25 Feb 2006 02:45:09 GMT, "Ray S. & Nayda Katzaman"
> wrote:

>
>
>jay wrote:
>
>> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
>> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
>> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
>> appreciated. Thanks.
>
>===
>We have been members of Sam's for over 14 years. Costco is opening a new
>store near where we live and what we are going to do is get a complementary
>membership when they do and test both stores. Whoever treats my pocket the
>best keeps my business.
>
>Ray
>Austin, TX
>===
>

If you are a frequent shopper and credit card user, and find Costco to
your liking, they have a co-sponsor deal with membership with Amex
that offers cash rebates on Costco purchases and on other purchases,
too.

I think the quality of their meats is worth the price of admission all
by itself.

Boron

Janet Bostwick wrote:

I suspect that there may be differences in Costco stores around the
country. Some of the packages described below are different than what I
get at ours here in Virginia.

> I've noticed that recently the packaging may include 2 smaller packages.
> And, a lot of the stuff, particularly canned, is packaged 6 or 8 to a unit.
> Cheese comes in 1 and 2 pound packages

Some come smaller. Particularly the more expensive ones. I just bought a
10-ounce chunk of an aged parmesan (11.99/pound but wonderful).

> It depends a lot on the way you buy.
> Toilet paper, paper towel, Kleenex are packaged with 8-10 to a unit.

Yep.

> Cleaning supplies may have a couple of regular size containers to a package.

But liquid dish detergent comes in large containers. The Kirkland brand
(Costco's house brand) golden-colored dish detergent is the best I've
ever used - gallon. The dry dishwasher pellets (or whatever they're
called) come in a larger than supermarket package. But they all get
used, so what?

> Soda pop and beer are sold by the case. Wine by the bottle.

And the box. Sometimes in two or more bottles strung together with
plastic wrap.

> Baked goods are probably a dozen to the package.

Some are. But large pound cakes are 3. Bagels 12. Croissants 12. French
round rolls 24. Ciabatta 2. Their pies are simply the biggest around.
Usually good. I didn't like their Dutch apple pie. Gummy. Danish 12, and
they make it in the store, not prefab.

> Loaves of bread 2 to the package.

The multi-grain, 2 or 3 pound loaves are singles. Others two, many more
of them.

> Meat is definitely sold in larger packages, more like you would find in a
> regular grocery store where you pick up a discount for buying larger.

And the cuts are larger. Ribeyes are typically cut 2-inches thick. Whole
filets. Whole rib sections. 2 pork rib plates; pretty standard. 2 whole
boneless pork shoulders. Full tender loin cut. Lamb legs (boned, rolled
and tied), rib sections, bone in and Frenched. Chicken - 2 whole fryers.
Boneless, skinless thighs - 24.

> Butter is 4 pounds to a package.

3 pounds here.

> Milk is 2 one gallon to a package.

Sold singly here.

> Potato
> chips, etc are the larger bags you would find at a regular grocery.

Yep. And almost everything is cheaper than the corresponding products in
a supermarket, but with good quality.

You did a good description of the style and spirit of Costco.

Pastorio

"Bob (this one)" > wrote in message
...
>
snip
> Yep. And almost everything is cheaper than the corresponding products in a
> supermarket, but with good quality.
>
> You did a good description of the style and spirit of Costco.
>
> Pastorio

From your description, I'd say you're right about the contents of the store
begin styled slightly different from store to store and region to region.
It's hard not to buy there -- everything is so pretty and so clean and
fresh.
Janet

Peter Aitken wrote:

>
> I have not been to a Sams for years, but my general impression is that
> Costco is a bit "higher end." Remember too that Sams is part of the Walmart
> empire which screws its employees right and left, while Costco has a very
> good reputation for treating its workers decently.

Yup. They also pay well. I worked for them breifly during my college
years.

Plus, I have returned things without a receipt, as they know my
purchases in their computer system.

My most impressive return was a TV/VCR that my mom bought for me for
x-mas. over a year later it literally exploded. I took it back, they
looked it up as something they had sold & returned it without any
questions. No box, no papers, no receipt.

jay wrote:
> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
> appreciated. Thanks.

You have to do the math on the items you are purchasing. I have found
that the svaings aren't that great except on things like Pirelli tires.
Ours costs $65 to join, so we don't - we simply can find as good or
better deals elsewhere.

-L.

On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 22:59:36 -0500, "Bob (this one)" >
wrote:

>Janet Bostwick wrote:
>
>I suspect that there may be differences in Costco stores around the
>country. Some of the packages described below are different than what I
>get at ours here in Virginia.
>
>> I've noticed that recently the packaging may include 2 smaller packages.
>> And, a lot of the stuff, particularly canned, is packaged 6 or 8 to a unit.
>> Cheese comes in 1 and 2 pound packages
>
>Some come smaller. Particularly the more expensive ones. I just bought a
>10-ounce chunk of an aged parmesan (11.99/pound but wonderful).
>
>> It depends a lot on the way you buy.
>> Toilet paper, paper towel, Kleenex are packaged with 8-10 to a unit.
>
>Yep.
>
>> Cleaning supplies may have a couple of regular size containers to a package.
>
>But liquid dish detergent comes in large containers. The Kirkland brand
>(Costco's house brand) golden-colored dish detergent is the best I've
>ever used - gallon. The dry dishwasher pellets (or whatever they're
>called) come in a larger than supermarket package. But they all get
>used, so what?
>
>> Soda pop and beer are sold by the case. Wine by the bottle.
>
>And the box. Sometimes in two or more bottles strung together with
>plastic wrap.
>
> > Baked goods are probably a dozen to the package.
>
>Some are. But large pound cakes are 3. Bagels 12. Croissants 12. French
>round rolls 24. Ciabatta 2. Their pies are simply the biggest around.
>Usually good. I didn't like their Dutch apple pie. Gummy. Danish 12, and
>they make it in the store, not prefab.
>
> > Loaves of bread 2 to the package.
>
>The multi-grain, 2 or 3 pound loaves are singles. Others two, many more
>of them.
>
>> Meat is definitely sold in larger packages, more like you would find in a
>> regular grocery store where you pick up a discount for buying larger.
>
>And the cuts are larger. Ribeyes are typically cut 2-inches thick. Whole
>filets. Whole rib sections. 2 pork rib plates; pretty standard. 2 whole
>boneless pork shoulders. Full tender loin cut. Lamb legs (boned, rolled
>and tied), rib sections, bone in and Frenched. Chicken - 2 whole fryers.
>Boneless, skinless thighs - 24.
>
>> Butter is 4 pounds to a package.
>
>3 pounds here.
>
>> Milk is 2 one gallon to a package.
>
>Sold singly here.
>
>> Potato
>> chips, etc are the larger bags you would find at a regular grocery.
>
>Yep. And almost everything is cheaper than the corresponding products in
>a supermarket, but with good quality.
>
>You did a good description of the style and spirit of Costco.
>
>Pastorio


I just ordered glasses from Costco. Frames in the local
ophthamoligist's office were twice what they were at Costco and the
lenses also about twice the price. I bought a pair of progressive
bifocals "with everything" and a pair of reading glasses for just
about 1/2 of the local price. They also guarantee them completely.

Last year we ordered an 8' X 12' greenhouse from Costco.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974

On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 19:32:15 -0500, limey wrote:

>
> "jay" wrote >
>
> We belong to both and prefer Costco although it's a longer drive. Much of
> the packaging sizes are the same as Sam's and Janet has given you a good
> rundown. Although many things are the same and available at both stores
> (e.g., canned goods, detergents, etc.) many items are of better quality at
> Costco and there is greater variety. The employees are much more helpful
> and pleasant and the check-out lines are much shorter.
>
> Dora

Thanks Dora. We were considering dual memberships. Why do you have both?
Nice employees sounds good. The employees at Sam's are less than helpful.

On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 23:37:42 +0000, jay wrote:

>
>
> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
> appreciated. Thanks.

Thanks to all for your input. It sounds like Cosco wins.

In article >,
jay > wrote:

> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
> appreciated. Thanks.

Why don't you stop by that new Costco and see for yourself? I believe
they offer a free trial pass, or just wait until a friend buys a
membership card and then tag along when your friend shops there.

"limey" > wrote in message
...
>
> "jay" wrote >
>>
>> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
>> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
>> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
>> appreciated. Thanks.
>
> We belong to both and prefer Costco although it's a longer drive. Much
> of the packaging sizes are the same as Sam's and Janet has given you a
> good rundown. Although many things are the same and available at both
> stores (e.g., canned goods, detergents, etc.) many items are of better
> quality at Costco and there is greater variety. The employees are much
> more helpful and pleasant and the check-out lines are much shorter.
>
> Dora
One thing I like about Costco is that when they put their signature brand,
"Kirkland" on a product, it is a better product than the one you are used to
buying, even in their store, and for sale beside the similar product of the
same. That's been my experience.
Dee Dee

"Steve Wertz" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 25 Feb 2006 02:45:09 GMT, "Ray S. & Nayda Katzaman"
> > wrote:
>
>>We have been members of Sam's for over 14 years. Costco is opening a new
>>store near where we live and what we are going to do is get a
>>complementary
>>membership when they do and test both stores. Whoever treats my pocket
>>the
>>best keeps my business.
>
> Yeah - the first Costco they opened in Austin, they *gave* out
> free memberships. Not sure if they'll do that for the second one,
> but I hope so. My Membership from CA is still good in Texas, for
> a few months, at least. My Sam's from SC expired, and I have no
> intention of renewing it.
>
> Where is the new one going to be?
>
> I've had memberships to all the clubs since the original Price
> Club in Sunnyvale, CA. Rating the 3 clubs I've spent tens of
> thousands of dollars at, I'd rate them (1-5):
>
> Costco: 5
> BJ's: 3
> Sams: 2
>
> Costco beats all the others hands down. But it all depends on how
> you use the stores. For meat and quality household items, CostCo
> rocks.
>
> -sw

I think your ratings are similar to what I'd rate them.
One reason I am a member of BJ's, as well as Costco, is that they have
different products. For instance BJ's coffee (which I don't drink anymore)
is of such better quality and variety than Costco's ho-hum offering. BJ's
has a brandname, "B&H," similar to Costco's "Kirkland" that offers some
different products of quality than Costco. BJ's offer a variety of small
kitchen appliances, they offer Ecce Panis bread and so on.
Maybe BJ's 3.25?
Sams - for me -- forget it!
Dee Dee

"Denise~*" > wrote in message
m...
> Peter Aitken wrote:
>
>>
>> I have not been to a Sams for years, but my general impression is that
>> Costco is a bit "higher end." Remember too that Sams is part of the
>> Walmart empire which screws its employees right and left, while Costco
>> has a very good reputation for treating its workers decently.
>
> Yup. They also pay well. I worked for them breifly during my college
> years.
>
> Plus, I have returned things without a receipt, as they know my purchases
> in their computer system.
>
> My most impressive return was a TV/VCR that my mom bought for me for
> x-mas. over a year later it literally exploded. I took it back, they
> looked it up as something they had sold & returned it without any
> questions. No box, no papers, no receipt.

Their computers are guaranteed for either 6 months or a year -- I believe it
is a year. They told me when I complained about a dryer that I had already
installed (that I bought on-line) that I had a year to bring it back.
I bought a jacket recently that smelled of that amonia smell -- I started to
explain, they said, no explanation needed, we believe you, and this is the
way it always goes with Costco returns for me. Complete satisfaction.
Dee Dee

On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 23:49:10 -0800, Denise~*
> wrote:

>Peter Aitken wrote:
>
>>
>> I have not been to a Sams for years, but my general impression is that
>> Costco is a bit "higher end." Remember too that Sams is part of the Walmart
>> empire which screws its employees right and left, while Costco has a very
>> good reputation for treating its workers decently.
>
>Yup. They also pay well. I worked for them breifly during my college
>years.
>
>Plus, I have returned things without a receipt, as they know my
>purchases in their computer system.
>
>My most impressive return was a TV/VCR that my mom bought for me for
>x-mas. over a year later it literally exploded. I took it back, they
>looked it up as something they had sold & returned it without any
>questions. No box, no papers, no receipt.


I had a similarly wonderful experience with an item one year past
purchase.

They have better customer service than any B&M store I shop in these
days.

Boron

In article >,
jay > wrote:

> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
> appreciated. Thanks.

They'll let you walk through and look around. You won't be able to
purchase, though. Have a look-see when they open and decide for
yourself.
--
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com, updated 2-19-2006, Yummy! and church review. :-)

"jay" wrote

> limey wrote:
>
>> We belong to both and prefer Costco although it's a longer drive. Much
>> of
>> the packaging sizes are the same as Sam's and Janet has given you a good
>> rundown. Although many things are the same and available at both stores
>> (e.g., canned goods, detergents, etc.) many items are of better quality
>> at
>> Costco and there is greater variety. The employees are much more helpful
>> and pleasant and the check-out lines are much shorter.
>>
>> Dora
>
> Thanks Dora. We were considering dual memberships. Why do you have both?
> Nice employees sounds good. The employees at Sam's are less than helpful.

Well, Sam's is a lot closer to us so we stop there when we know that the
items we want are the same, and similar prices, at both places. Call Sam's
our second-choice stop.

You're correct about the employees - they're not very helpful and often
abrupt. I'm sure they're suffering from Wal-Mart's "generous" policies.
What is irritating to us is the length of the lines at check-out simply
because they don't have enough checkers.

Costco also carries quite an inventory of computers, computer supplies,
film, cameras, digital cameras, HDTV's. They also demonstrate a lot of
foods, cooked for you to try.

Another thing I forgot. Costco often has high end decorator clothing -
e.g., Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Haggar, Gloria Vanderbilt, Speedo among
others. Comes in handy at Christmastime.

In other words, Sam's has tried to emulate Costco but comes off second best.

Dora

"Dee Randall" wrote >

> One thing I like about Costco is that when they put their signature brand,
> "Kirkland" on a product, it is a better product than the one you are used
> to buying, even in their store, and for sale beside the similar product
> of the same. That's been my experience.
> Dee Dee

You're right! When we first bought the Kirkland brand we were hesitant. I
think it was for tall kitchen garbage bags, which were just as good (if not
better) than the Glad bags. Anything we have tried with the Kirkland brand
is very good.
For the first time this week, we broke down and bought Kirkland paper
towels - we had been Bounty users for years but another customer said the
Costco brand was much better. We'll see when we open the package. BTW,
Jay, those paper towels and toilet tissue rolls are in very large packages.

The only caveat (and it's purely personal) is that we buy steak and similar
cuts from Sam's, since Costco cuts steaks much thicker than we like. That's
purely our own preference, though and I realize others prefer the much
thicker cuts. I will say that meats at Sam's and Costco are both good
quality (Choice grade). Sam's here also puts out a much better cooked
rotisserie chicken and always has fresh Chesapeake Bay crabmeat and oysters.

Dora

On Sat, 25 Feb 2006 10:44:22 -0600, Melba's Jammin'
> wrote:

>In article >,
> jay > wrote:
>
>> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
>> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
>> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
>> appreciated. Thanks.
>
>They'll let you walk through and look around. You won't be able to
>purchase, though. Have a look-see when they open and decide for
>yourself.

You can purchase but you pay at 10 or 15 percent premium. We belong
to Costco but Pete goes into Sam's periodically to get Orange Crush.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974

limey wrote:
> "jay" wrote
>
>> limey wrote:
>>
>>> We belong to both and prefer Costco although it's a longer drive.
>>> Much of
>>> the packaging sizes are the same as Sam's and Janet has given you a
>>> good rundown. Although many things are the same and available at
>>> both stores (e.g., canned goods, detergents, etc.) many items are
>>> of better quality at
>>> Costco and there is greater variety. The employees are much more
>>> helpful and pleasant and the check-out lines are much shorter.
>>>
>>> Dora
>>
>> Thanks Dora. We were considering dual memberships. Why do you have
>> both? Nice employees sounds good. The employees at Sam's are less
>> than helpful.
>
> Well, Sam's is a lot closer to us so we stop there when we know that
> the items we want are the same, and similar prices, at both places.
> Call Sam's our second-choice stop.
>
> You're correct about the employees - they're not very helpful and
> often abrupt. I'm sure they're suffering from Wal-Mart's "generous"
> policies. What is irritating to us is the length of the lines at
> check-out simply because they don't have enough checkers.
>
> Costco also carries quite an inventory of computers, computer
> supplies, film, cameras, digital cameras, HDTV's. They also
> demonstrate a lot of foods, cooked for you to try.
>
> Another thing I forgot. Costco often has high end decorator clothing
> - e.g., Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Haggar, Gloria Vanderbilt,
> Speedo among others. Comes in handy at Christmastime.
>
> In other words, Sam's has tried to emulate Costco but comes off
> second best.
>
> Dora

I'm not advocating one over the other (I don't belong to either but I
belonged to Sam's back in the 1980's). I thought Sam's Club was one of the
first "warehouse" type outfits and Costco was emulating (and then beating)
Sam's? I tried Googling but am too lazy to sort through everything to find
out when both were founded. I do know it took a lot longer to get a Costco
in the Memphis area and Sam's had been around for years by then.

Jill

"jmcquown" wrote
> limey wrote:
>
> I'm not advocating one over the other (I don't belong to either but I
> belonged to Sam's back in the 1980's). I thought Sam's Club was one of
> the
> first "warehouse" type outfits and Costco was emulating (and then beating)
> Sam's? I tried Googling but am too lazy to sort through everything to
> find
> out when both were founded. I do know it took a lot longer to get a
> Costco
> in the Memphis area and Sam's had been around for years by then.
>
> Jill

Don't really know, Jill. I only know our Costco started out as Price Club
and dates back to long before I left work a century ago. At that time, you
could only become a member if you were a civil, state or federal employee,
or belonged to a credit union. That left us out for a long time until they
relaxed the requirements.

Dora

"jmcquown" > wrote

> I'm not advocating one over the other (I don't belong to either but I
> belonged to Sam's back in the 1980's). I thought Sam's Club was one of
> the
> first "warehouse" type outfits and Costco was emulating (and then beating)
> Sam's? I tried Googling but am too lazy to sort through everything to
> find
> out when both were founded. I do know it took a lot longer to get a
> Costco
> in the Memphis area and Sam's had been around for years by then.

I don't know the exact history, but when it first opened here, it was
not Costco, it was Price Club. Named so not because of the prices,
I understand, but the founder, Sam Price. Kind of thing I would find
interesting, words. Anyway, I don't know about Sam's club history,
either, we didn't even get WalMart's around here until relatively
recently.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote

> I don't know the exact history, but when it first opened here, it was
> not Costco, it was Price Club. Named so not because of the prices,
> I understand, but the founder, Sam Price. Kind of thing I would find
> interesting, words.

Sorry, not Sam Price, Sol Price, originator of warehouse stores:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_Club

"limey" > wrote in message
...
>
> "jmcquown" wrote
>> limey wrote:
>>
>> I'm not advocating one over the other (I don't belong to either but I
>> belonged to Sam's back in the 1980's). I thought Sam's Club was one of
>> the
>> first "warehouse" type outfits and Costco was emulating (and then
>> beating)
>> Sam's? I tried Googling but am too lazy to sort through everything to
>> find
>> out when both were founded. I do know it took a lot longer to get a
>> Costco
>> in the Memphis area and Sam's had been around for years by then.
>>
>> Jill
>
> Don't really know, Jill. I only know our Costco started out as Price Club
> and dates back to long before I left work a century ago. At that time,
> you could only become a member if you were a civil, state or federal
> employee, or belonged to a credit union. That left us out for a long time
> until they relaxed the requirements.
>
> Dora

I was curious, so I Googled. Price Club started out in 1976 and was
acquired by Costco in 1993.

Sam's Club started the first store in 1983.

Nancy Young wrote:
> "jmcquown" > wrote
>
>> I'm not advocating one over the other (I don't belong to either but I
>> belonged to Sam's back in the 1980's). I thought Sam's Club was one
>> of the
>> first "warehouse" type outfits and Costco was emulating (and then
>> beating) Sam's? I tried Googling but am too lazy to sort through
>> everything to find
>> out when both were founded. I do know it took a lot longer to get a
>> Costco
>> in the Memphis area and Sam's had been around for years by then.
>
> I don't know the exact history, but when it first opened here, it was
> not Costco, it was Price Club. Named so not because of the prices,
> I understand, but the founder, Sam Price. Kind of thing I would find
> interesting, words. Anyway, I don't know about Sam's club history,
> either, we didn't even get WalMart's around here until relatively
> recently.
>
> nancy

I'm pretty sure we got Sam's club early on because we're right across the
river from Arkansas where WalMart was founded. Apparently Price Club
(Costco) was around earlier, just not in my part of the world.

We still don't have a TJ's around here. We did get Penzey's just over a
year ago! I *think* there's a Whole Foods out in Collierville but I'd have
to need something very specific that only they carried to spend the gas
money (and time) to drive out there to shop.

Jill

"The Cook" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 25 Feb 2006 10:44:22 -0600, Melba's Jammin'
> > wrote:
>
>>In article >,
>> jay > wrote:
>>
>>> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by.
>>> I
>>> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
>>> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
>>> appreciated. Thanks.
>>
>>They'll let you walk through and look around. You won't be able to
>>purchase, though. Have a look-see when they open and decide for
>>yourself.
>
> You can purchase but you pay at 10 or 15 percent premium. We belong
> to Costco but Pete goes into Sam's periodically to get Orange Crush.
> --
> Susan N.
>
Things must've changed. If you are talking about Sams or Costco, walk-ins
paid 5% over what people with memberships paid. The last time I walked in
Sams - away from home can't remember where and needed something and saw a
Sam's -- they wouldn't let you in to browse, period.
Dee Dee

"limey" > wrote in message
...
>
> "jmcquown" wrote
>> limey wrote:
>>
>> I'm not advocating one over the other (I don't belong to either but I
>> belonged to Sam's back in the 1980's). I thought Sam's Club was one of
>> the
>> first "warehouse" type outfits and Costco was emulating (and then
>> beating)
>> Sam's? I tried Googling but am too lazy to sort through everything to
>> find
>> out when both were founded. I do know it took a lot longer to get a
>> Costco
>> in the Memphis area and Sam's had been around for years by then.
>>
>> Jill
>
> Don't really know, Jill. I only know our Costco started out as Price Club
> and dates back to long before I left work a century ago. At that time,
> you could only become a member if you were a civil, state or federal
> employee, or belonged to a credit union. That left us out for a long time
> until they relaxed the requirements.
>
> Dora
I remember those days well -- what we did was join a credit union. It was a
good idea -- we still belong to the credit union and it is still our bank
and still have never paid one cent banking fees -- since 1988.
I have since wondered how people do join nowadays.
Dee Dee

"Dee Randall" > wrote

> "limey" > wrote

>> and dates back to long before I left work a century ago. At that time,
>> you could only become a member if you were a civil, state or federal
>> employee, or belonged to a credit union. That left us out for a long
>> time until they relaxed the requirements.

> I have since wondered how people do join nowadays.

I remember when allofasudden you could join Price Club
if you could provide proof you worked at the company I
did (obviously others, as well). Somewhere after that now
anyone with 45 bucks can join, which is fine with me,
of course.

nancy

"Bob (this one)" > wrote in message
...

>> Butter is 4 pounds to a package.
>
> 3 pounds here.

Has anyone used their butter in baking? A friend says that her cakes
weren't as good -- I'd be interested to hear of anyone else has had a bad
experience. I have their butter in my freezer but am now afraid to use it.

Segue

"jay" > wrote in message
news
> On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 23:37:42 +0000, jay wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> We have had a Sam's Club card for years. Cosco's is opening close by. I
>> have heard that Cosco's has better products lines than Sam's Club. Are
>> most of the food related items at Cosco in LARGE packages? Opinions
>> appreciated. Thanks.
>
> Thanks to all for your input. It sounds like Cosco wins.

Costco

In article >,
The Cook > wrote:

> You can purchase but you pay at 10 or 15 percent premium. We belong
> to Costco but Pete goes into Sam's periodically to get Orange Crush.

Costco wouldn't let me do that at the one in Mpls.
--
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com, updated 2-19-2006, Yummy! and church review. :-)

"Segue" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Bob (this one)" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>> Butter is 4 pounds to a package.
>>
>> 3 pounds here.
>
> Has anyone used their butter in baking? A friend says that her cakes
> weren't as good -- I'd be interested to hear of anyone else has had a bad
> experience. I have their butter in my freezer but am now afraid to use
> it.
>
> Segue
I've used their butter for more than 10 years and no problems. But as it
says on the package -- if you're not satisfied, take it back. Don't you eat
butter? Try it and make up your own mind. Within a particular grade,
butter should be butter. How were the cakes not as good? Is she claiming
that the butterfat content was not what it should be? Or that the butter
tasted bad? I'd like to know.
Janet

"smithfarms pure kona" > wrote in message
...
snip
> One thing not mentioned so far is that they do some business services,
> such as merchant cards with very low rates which is how I run my
> little business. They also sell checks for about half the price. A
> total store. Hey you can even buy diamond rings in ours but I don't
> know anybody who has
>
> aloha,
> Thunder

Don't forget Costco.com -- a lot of high end items carried there plus a lot
of services are listed there. The garden center has outstanding prices and
always fresh plants and trees that are far larger than any others you can
get in your community for the money. Fountains, greenhouses, big boy tools,
tires, batteries, flower bouquets, pharmacy, office supplies, camping gear,
the best deals you will find on winter jackets for the whole family, deli
party trays, fresh fruit and vegetables that are picture perfect, pre-paid
phone cards that are 2.9 cents per minute, cell phone deals, gasoline that
is in our community at least 17 to 22 cents per gallon less than elsewhere,
watches, diamonds, toys , pet food, etc. We very seldom shop elsewhere as
we can't beat the price and quality and return policy.
Janet

"Janet Bostwick" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Segue" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Bob (this one)" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>> Butter is 4 pounds to a package.
>>>
>>> 3 pounds here.
>>
>> Has anyone used their butter in baking? A friend says that her cakes
>> weren't as good -- I'd be interested to hear of anyone else has had a bad
>> experience. I have their butter in my freezer but am now afraid to use
>> it.
>>
>> Segue
> I've used their butter for more than 10 years and no problems. But as it
> says on the package -- if you're not satisfied, take it back. Don't you
> eat butter? Try it and make up your own mind. Within a particular grade,
> butter should be butter. How were the cakes not as good? Is she claiming
> that the butterfat content was not what it should be? Or that the butter
> tasted bad? I'd like to know.
> Janet

My f-i-l is not a picky eater and likes most any typical American foods and
doesn't talk about food much, but we bought him butter from Costco and he
remarked that it was the best butter he'd ever tasted. (He has traveled
around the world, so perhaps it is a good recommendation of sorts.) I buy
their butter for table (for DH) and use with olive oil and some minor
baking. No problem.
Dee Dee

In article >,
"Segue" > wrote:

> "Bob (this one)" > wrote in message
> ...
>
> >> Butter is 4 pounds to a package.
> >
> > 3 pounds here.
>
> Has anyone used their butter in baking? A friend says that her cakes
> weren't as good -- I'd be interested to hear of anyone else has had a bad
> experience. I have their butter in my freezer but am now afraid to use it.
>
> Segue

I love it. I buy two packs at a time and keep it in the freezer. I
have never found unsalted there, but if you don't mind baking with
salted butter it's fine.

marcella

ravinwulf wrote:
> On Sat, 25 Feb 2006 12:09:58 -0600, "jmcquown"
> > wrote:
>
>> We still don't have a TJ's around here. We did get Penzey's just
>> over a year ago! I *think* there's a Whole Foods out in
>> Collierville but I'd have to need something very specific that only
>> they carried to spend the gas money (and time) to drive out there to
>> shop.
>
> Don't waste the gas. There's not a Whole Foods out here in C'ville
> although The Fresh Market is pretty good, if pricey.
>
> Regards,
> Tracy R.

Ah! That's what I was thinking of, thanks, Tracy! Thanks. And no, I won't
waste the gas.

Jill

>Don't forget Costco.com -- a lot of high end items carried there
plus a lot
>of services are listed there. The garden center has outstanding
prices and
>always fresh plants and trees that are far larger than any others you
can
>get in your community for the money. Fountains, greenhouses, big boy
tools,
>tires, batteries, flower bouquets, pharmacy, office supplies, camping
gear,
>the best deals you will find on winter jackets for the whole family,
deli
>party trays, fresh fruit and vegetables that are picture perfect,
pre-paid
>phone cards that are 2.9 cents per minute, cell phone deals, gasoline
that
>is in our community at least 17 to 22 cents per gallon less than
elsewhere,
>watches, diamonds, toys , pet food, etc. We very seldom shop
elsewhere as
>we can't beat the price and quality and return policy.
>Janet
>
You ought to work for COSTCO <g>. Sorry not many plants here as we
have ag issues. And to be honest some of their prepared food like the
sushi (real kind) has not enough seasoning but I love their cheeses---
that Brie with the Blue Cheese in between-- is the most expensive
cheese I have seen in COSTCO and so worth it. Excellent meat, great
wine prices, must have dog biscuits, human soaps, great deal on 2 base
handles Sonicare toothbrushes etc....

BTW I did go to COSTCO 2 days ago and although I just totally believe
in their gas operation, it cost $2.72/gallon for the unleaded but here
in my home town, about 25 miles south and very rural, the gas was only
$2.79/gallon. I was surprised. But yes, it is COSTCO for us.
Remember we think of it as MECCA in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

aloha,
Thunder
smithfarms.com
Farmers of 100% Kona Coffee
& other Great Stuff