BJ’s is Better Than Costco For These 9 Reasons

When it comes to rivals BJ’s Wholesale Club and Costco Wholesale club, has it going on. Almost the way Target and Walmart are?! No, maybe the way Amazon and Target are?

Either way, BJ’s Wholesale Club is working hard to update the store with new features like the express scan and digital coupons.

There are similarities. Both wholesale clubs require a membership to shop. BJs Wholesale is $55 a year, and Costco is $60 a year.

I can see a benefit to having both memberships as I do. Yet, I’m picking BJ’s over Costco for the reasons mentioned below.

• Grab a $25 BJs Membership deal here.
• Grab a Costco Membership deal here.

Let’s start with ease of shopping at BJs

Costco is always busy. Unless you go at 10 am, when most clubs open by noon, the crowds pick up on a weekday. On the weekends, forget it.

If you need to pick up some hamburgers for a cookout on the way home and want to shop at Costco because the meat is almost always cheaper at wholesale clubs, no matter which one you choose, you’ll wait in line.

AT BJ’s, you can use the express scan- which more clubs are rolling out or choose from the number of self-checkout lanes. I like I can shop at BJ’s for a few items. The former thinking of wholesale members must only shop once a month and stock up and expect to wait.

With Instacart taking off, consumers today want nothing to do with waiting, right?

The Membership is Cheaper- Because there are More Deals

There wasn’t any free trial or discount membership when I signed up for Costco. However, you can always shop the club at BJ’s with a free 90-day trial membership. Or you can get membership deals through Groupon or sign up for a $25 year BJs membership online.

If you think the membership is cheaper because the quality is less, I have to disagree, at least for our two locations. Our local BJ’s seems to come out with a new store-brand item every couple of weeks, and the organic line is increasing.

I honestly don’t get the Kirkland brand craze because many store brands are name-brand items anyways. For example, Costco and BJ’s aren’t manufacturing their fresh new things here, and it’s another brand with the BJs or Kirkland brand over it. Right?!

READ ORPIN: We Compared Kirkland Brand to Berkley Jensen to See Which One is Cheaper

I see why shopping at Costco Kirkland is a hit because the name-brand items at Costco are typically higher priced than at BJs because of coupons. Maybe this was a brilliant marketing move on Costco to create a loyal name-brand shoppers community?

Don’t get me wrong, and I enjoy shopping both and understand everyone has their favorites.

Locations

I live in upstate New York and have four BJs’ Wholesale clubs near me to shop at. But, unfortunately, I have only one Costco.

This is a problem because we all know the store’s success comes from the store manager to an exception. So when the management level isn’t living up to the brand’s expectations, there is a disappointment.

This is why it’s nice to have options. In upstate New York, BJ’s Wholesale is king. Unfortunately, the nearest Sam’s club to us is 67 miles away!

Propane Refills

I’ve price-checked in our area, and BJ’s is the cheapest again this year for a propane tank refill. The price is $7.99. Non-members, it’s $12.45.

I’m not sure if it is dependent on your area, but our local Costco doesn’t offer this option. However, you can purchase a pre-filled tank in the club for $29.99 regular price. We often see a clipless coupon on this too.

The Prices Are Cheaper

Even with BJ’s changing their coupon policy in April 2019, you can still stack one manufacturer coupon with a BJs coupon. For me, couponing and watching how we spend our money has led us to a debt-free lifestyle. One I couldn’t imagine not living.

If I am going, be honest about my finances, I want to look at the item and see which one is cheaper.

When Lauren Gruetman, a frugal living author, made a price comparison of BJ’s, Sam’s, and Costco, BJs came out the cheapest one.

When CNBC compared BJs and Costco’s online prices, guess who came out the winner? BJ’s!

The overall Shopping Experience of the Store

Are you familiar with Lowe’s and Home Depot? Do you know how Lowe’s seems to appeal to the consumer more than Home Depot? Home Depot gives the feel of coming in and getting what you need; you don’t need to browse.

That is how I like to compare Costco and BJ’s. In appearance, BJ’s Wholesale is Lowe’s, and Costco is Home Depot.

When I went to Costco for the first time, I wasn’t a fan that the aisles weren’t marked with items. As a new shopper, I had no idea where to start.

At BJ’s, I like the aisles having the general items listed. Like a regular grocery store.

I find the signs at BJs easier to read and where there is a sale price, which stands out.

I find it easier to spot deals– especially with BJ’s putting most of their clearance items on endcaps for us.

Cheaper Online Shopping

BJ’s Wholesale Club recently started offering a $10 membership to those who want to shop ONLINE only. I see an intelligent move for the shift of all online shopping.

Shopping online is an excellent option for those who want a better deal on patio furniture, beds, or any large furniture item. Plus, online shopping is a perfect option if you don’t live close enough to a BJ’s Wholesale club to shop frequently.

It’s nice to know you can pay $10 to shop online and get all the online prices members receive.

The Hours of Operation

Our BJ’s Wholesale Club is open 9 am- 9 pm Monday – Saturday. Sunday it is 9 am- 8 pm. And of course, this changes for holidays.

Our Local Costco Wholesale club is open from 10 am – 8:30 pm. Saturday 9:30 am – 6 pm. Sunday 10 am – 6 pm.

Six o clock on the weekend is early, and I get that for employees working at Costco; this is a great thing. However, I also understand for those who work weekends and shop after work, this is a problem.

I hope this gives you insight into why there are some perks to shopping at BJ’s or Costco. I enjoy shopping at Both wholesale clubs, but these reasons are my favorite if I had to choose one or the other.

Gas is Cheaper

If you are shopping at BJs, most likely, you are used to coupons and hunting or deals. However, with their new gas promotions at BJ’s, you get gas for as low as 2¢/gal. When I compared Costco and BJs gas prices on the same day, Costco was slightly lower. However, if I buy one select item at BJs, I already get 10¢/gal of gas, making BJs cheaper.

This doesn’t factor in the gas promotions you can stack either!

Keep Reading:

• BJ’s Wholesale Club Members Can Save 75¢ Gal of Gas for May & June
• How to Score the Best BJ’s One Day Pass
• Enter To Win a $50 BJ’s E Gift Card
• BJ’s Wholesale is Expanding to a New Concept Store- BJ’s Market Opens May 6th
• Healthy Food Options that will Save You Time and Money at BJ’s Wholesale Club

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