After Shopping at a warehouse club for 10 years I’ve learned things that are never a good deal at warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s and BJ’s Wholesale. See where you can get a better deal if you are a member of the popular warehouse clubs.
Shopping at warehouse clubs can seem like it costs more to shop then you will save. I’ve been running this website for two years now and can tell you the savings are huge.
I am a frugal person and love getting a deal on everything. If I can’t get an item for sale or use coupons, I usually walk right on by it. I love clearance and BJ’s has amazing markdowns on so many items other than food. Which is very exciting for a work at home mom.
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Through my couponing and running this website I have found items that continue to be cheaper at my local grocery stores or Target. Today I want to share those items with you. Not to say we will NEVER see a deal on these items at BJs because there are times I find items marked down and we can stack BJ’s and manufacturer coupons.
These 10 items are the ones when you don’t have a coupon or an extreme markdown on the item you should buy it at a retailer other than a warehouse club. This is the same for Costco.
After price comparing to Costco and BJs, these items are frequently the same price. At Costco, you aren’t able to use coupons, which is a huge downside to shopping there hoping to save even more money.
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Computers
I have found much better deals at Newegg for computers. The computers seem to be marked higher than any other place online.
Razors
This is an item you can usually get for free or less than a $1 at Drug Stores. Don’t be fooled by drug stores. They offer some of the best coupon deals for personal care items.
Tuna
BJ’s doesn’t offer their own brand of tuna, yet. If they did this may not be on the list. Tuna at our club is around 75¢ when you use a coupon. I can get it for as low as 47¢ at my local grocery store when I buy the store brand.
Cereal
Usually, cereal is cheaper at our local grocery store. You do have to watch sizes. I have found that BJ’s will sell larger size bags then what you find at the grocery store.
The average 2 bag of cereal is around $8. If you use coupons you will get it cheaper at other stores. Again this is one item that can fall under a cheap deal if you come across a huge markdown and coupon at BJs.
READ OR PIN:
- How to Shop Warehouse Clubs Based on Family Size
- How to Grocery Shop Once a Month at Warehouse Clubs
Toothpaste
It takes a while to come across a 50¢ tube of toothpaste at warehouse clubs. Weekly you will be able to find toothpaste for 50¢ or less a tube. If you use these amazing coupon matchup lists every week, you will quickly be able to have a stockpile of cheap toothpaste for the price of one at a warehouse club.
Use our incredible search the best price tool! Just type in any product for example crest and see who has it on sale this week.
Books
I can always find books for less on Amazon than at warehouse clubs. Especially with Amazon prime members having access to free book titles. Although warehouse clubs have lower prices then you will probably find at stores like Barnes and Noble, with a bit of online shopping you are bound to find a lower price than at a warehouse club.
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Holiday Cards
Holiday cards used to be the best buy at BJ’s, until they raised their price. Cards are the full $5, $6 and even $10 at warehouse clubs. I have found great cards at Dollar Tree, or even my local grocery store has a $0.99 card section. Skip warehouse clubs for seasonal cards to send out and hit up Dollar Tree. It’s crazy to think about paying almost $10 for a card. How many people keep these cards?
It’s the thought that counts, not the higher price tag.
Hey! I'm Tasia
Welcome! I have been deal hunting for years. Getting the best deal shopping at BJ's and beyond has allowed my family to go through a 6 month spending freeze, pay off all our debt and now on our way to mortgage free! Sign up for tips and ways to save a ton.
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I worked at bjs for almost 3 years. They sell Wellsley farm brand tuna and canned chicken much cheaper than the name brand.
I never buy produce there, I honestly never use that much of it in bulk before it goes bad.
I never buy greeting cards there–always at a dollar store
I never buy grapes there
I never buy greeting cards.
I do not buy produce, milk or greeting cards at wholesale clubs.
Never bought veggies or peanut butter
I never buy greeting cards, books or eggs. I can find better deals on those items at other stores.
I never get cards there as I have them at a better print at the Dollar Tree
Produce, cereal, and greeting cards.
I never buy paper towels or toilet tissue
I never purchase razors at BJ’s. I wish I could get better deals on hygiene items there. We like to collect things to donate to local homeless teens.
I never buy coffee pots.
I never buy greeting cards there!
I never buy condiments at Bj’s. I buy them in even LARGER amounts online 🙂
For me it is diapers. With Aldi having such cheap diapers I can not purchase anywhere else for that price.
I never buy bread.
I avoid the fresh meat
I get eggs and ice cream at Aldi’s and tuna packets at Walmart.
I never buy greeting cards at BJ’s. Always dollar tree.. for toothpaste too!
Dont buy greeting cards or toothpaste at club stores. I can get them cheaper at Walmart or Dollar store
I agree that toothpaste, greeting cards, some paper products, produce, cereal/oatmeal, etc can be found elsewhere for less. Especially with Dollar Tree, Aldi, grocery store deals, B1G1, and coupons at Publix,
I never buy dog food there, I can usually find it cheaper online
Books
I don’t usually buy gift cards or razors at a wholesale club, because the prices on these are not any better.
I was surprised at the pc’s. I did get a great deal at Christmas.
I have bought some razors at BJs. Only with the coupon they offer every once in a while and then it’s close to the drug store price for that many razor heads. I have also bought holiday card at BJs on clearance and they were about the same price as the Dollar Store.
I actually buy my razors at BJ’s I use the Schick intuition razors so when they have a coupon out in the book and one in the inserts I usually buy them I cant get a better deal on them at my smaller grocery or even Walmart and not Target stores then at BJ’s
Wow I learned a lot from the post on what not to buy at BJs. I admit I’ve bought all of them. Thank you, lesson learned.
Happy to help 🙂
Thanks
That’s a good list of never buy items and we agree with them all. We have on occasion bought Cereal though and tuna.