BJ’s, Sam’s and Costco members probably know they can save a lot of money on groceries by shopping at warehouse clubs.
However, not everything available at these stores is a good deal. There are several items that you’re better off avoiding altogether. Here are seven things you should never buy at warehouse clubs.
Shopping at warehouse clubs can seem like it costs more to shop than you will save. However, I’ve been running this website for two years now and can tell you the savings are enormous.
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 by it.
I love clearance, and BJ’s and Sam’s club have amazing markdowns on many items other than food, which is very exciting for a work-at-home mom.
My favorite clearance finds at Costco in our area are the clothes.
Related:
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. Sometimes you many see a deal on these items at BJ’s or Sam’s Club because there are times I find items marked down, and we can stack BJ’s and manufacturer coupons.
These seven items are when you don’t have a coupon or an extreme markdown on the item. It would be best if you bought it at a retailer other than a warehouse club. This is the same for Costco.
After price comparison to Costco and BJs, these items are frequently the same price. At Costco, you can’t use coupons, which considerable huge downside to shopping there, hoping to save even more money.
And of course, if you are looking for items you SHOULD buy, check out the post here.
Wholesale Club Membership deals:
- Grab a $4.99 Sam’s Club Membership HERE – LIMITED TIME!
- Grab a $25 BJ’s Membership HERE
- Grab a Costco $50 Membership HERE
Computers
You might be tempted to buy a new computer at a warehouse club, but you’ll probably end up paying more than you would elsewhere.
Warehouse clubs typically sell computers for about 10% more than other retailers. So you’re better off buying your computer from online stores like Newegg, Declutter, Amazon and others.
When you shop online, use cashback sites like Rakuten to earn more! You can sign up with Rakuten here and get $30 off your first purchase if you are new.
Razors
You can usually get this item for free or less than $1 at Drug StBut, don’t Don’t be fooled by drug stores. They offer some of the best coupon deals for personal care items.
Most of the packs of Razors at Sam’s Club, BJ’s and Costco cost around $34 and up!
Read my new review here on How BJs Brand Razors are the Worst!
Tuna
BJ’s and Sam’s Club don’t offer its brand of tuna yet. If they did, this might not be on the list. The Starkist tuna at our BJ’s 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.
Check Tuna prices at Sam’s club here.
Costco does carry Kirkland Albacore Tuna at our club. The price is $18.99 for an eight count. I find if you are looking for regular chunk light tuna Aldi or a grocery store brand is a better deal.
If you want Albacore tuna, Costco may be your cheapest option. The great thing about buying canned tuna is the long shelf life. If you do come across a good deal, it’s a great item to stock up on.
Cereal
Usually, cereal is cheaper at our local grocery store. However, you do have to watch per unit size. I have found that BJ’s will sell larger bags than what you find at the grocery store.
When you are thinking about adding cereal to your shopping list look at Sam’s club, BJ’s and Costco unit price.
The average two bags of cereal is around $8. If you use coupons, you will get them cheaper at other stores. Again this is one item that can fall unreasonably cheaply if you come across a huge markdown and coupon at BJs.
I do like to watch for seasonal cereals. For example, the Wendy’s cereal that Sam’s Club carried was always cheaper than my local grocery store.
This year BJ’s has the Fall Flavor Cheerios out, which are cheaper than the local grocery store.
You are better off buying generic cereal at your local grocery store if you aren’t a brand snob.
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Toothpaste
It takes a while to come across a 50¢ tube of toothpaste at warehouse clubs. Weekly you can find toothpaste for 50¢ or less a tube. I suggest following a coupon blog to get cheap toothpaste.
If you aren’t particular about a brand, this is an item to grab on sale when you can pair it with a coupon. If you like certain brands only like Sensodyne, which is expensive and tends to run fewer sales, then grabbing it at a wholesale club is a better option for you.
When comparing prices with toothpaste, look at per unit price. I find many tube sizes are larger than most at other stores.
Books
I can always find the best deals for books on Amazon than at warehouse clubs. Especially with Amazon prime members having access to free book titles.
If you have the Amazon, Kids+ they can download free books. You can get free digital downloads of most books through your local library.
Although warehouse clubs have lower prices, you will probably find the prices similar to 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. We no longer have the 99¢ section.
I have found great cards at Dollar Tree, or my local grocery store has a $0.99 card section. Skip warehouse clubs for seasonal cards to send out.
If you want to get a deal on cards at wholesale clubs, the boxed set cards are a better deal during the holiday season.
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.
Check out what you should buy here.
In the end, you want to make sure that if you are shopping at a wholesale club, it is worth your time and money.
Many people go there because they think they will get better deals than anywhere else, but in reality, many items can be found cheaper elsewhere, so before committing yourself, do some research first!
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help finding bargains or have general questions about buying what type of item.
We’re happy to answer any questions and provide guidance on how best to use these stores efficiently.
$4.98 for Assorted Board Games at BJs | No Coupons Needed
I did some comparison shopping at BJ’s, Sams and Costco. Sams prices were better than the other 2 stores for things I looked at, with BJ’s a close second. Though as I like to get things shipped BJ’s shipping was way more reasonable. Also BJ’s has a store close by both Costco and Sams closed their close stores many moons ago. The closet stores close to an hour. BJ’s 15 minutes. Sorry for the short story 🤫
I never buy toothpaste or pasta at wholesale clubs. However I do buy Schick intuition razors at BJ’s because they are way cheaper with stacked coupons then anywhere else.
I don’t buy soup anymore. ShopRite puts Progresso on sale for less than $1 per can, add coupons, the limits are very generous. I stock pile because it’s a staple in our house.
? thanks some new things learned ?
That’s a good list of never buy items and we agree with them all. We have on occasion bought Cereal though and tuna.
Thanks
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 🙂
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
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 was surprised at the pc’s. I did get a great deal at Christmas.
I don’t usually buy gift cards or razors at a wholesale club, because the prices on these are not any better.
Books
I never buy dog food there, I can usually find it cheaper online
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,
Dont buy greeting cards or toothpaste at club stores. I can get them cheaper at Walmart or Dollar store
I never buy greeting cards at BJ’s. Always dollar tree.. for toothpaste too!
I get eggs and ice cream at Aldi’s and tuna packets at Walmart.
I avoid the fresh meat
I never buy bread.
For me it is diapers. With Aldi having such cheap diapers I can not purchase anywhere else for that price.
I never buy condiments at Bj’s. I buy them in even LARGER amounts online 🙂
I never buy greeting cards there!
I never buy coffee pots.
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 at wholesale clubs, especially K-cups. With sales and using coupons, I always find great deals ..which is almost necessary as I LOVE COFFEE!! Others I won’t purchase at “clubs” include toothpaste, deodorant, bath tissue, paper towels and dog food/treats.
BJs is the only place I can get 40 oz of coffee for $12.99!! And the name brand coffee is sooo cheap! But if you like Eight O Clock and certain other brands that offer coupons more often I can see where you could find a better deal. I’ve never seen a better coupon deal on Starbucks coffee at any other grocery store though.
I never buy paper towels or toilet tissue
Produce, cereal, and greeting cards.
I never get cards there as I have them at a better print at the Dollar Tree
I never buy greeting cards, books or eggs. I can find better deals on those items at other stores.
Never bought veggies or peanut butter
I do not buy produce, milk or greeting cards at wholesale clubs.
I never buy greeting cards.
I never buy grapes there
I never buy greeting cards there–always at a dollar store
I never buy produce there, I honestly never use that much of it in bulk before it goes bad.
I worked at bjs for almost 3 years. They sell Wellsley farm brand tuna and canned chicken much cheaper than the name brand.