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May 8, 2008 11:00 pm US/Eastern
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3 On Your Side: Warehouse Clubs
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
If you haven't been in a warehouse club in a while, you may be surprised. While they still cater to people like Paul Bunyan, couples and even singles are now shopping there too. As 3 On Your Side's Jim Donovan reports, you don't always have to buy big to save big.
BJ's, Costco and Sam's club. For years, these warehouse stores have offered big items at big savings.
Colossal cans of corn, king size ketchup and super sizes of sweeteners!
"I mean if you're going to buy in bulk, this is the way to go," said Darlene Petrarca, a Costco customer.
Buying in bulk can yield big savings. But you don't always have to be consuming in large quantities.
"I think that's the misconception, everybody thinks it is all bulk, and it's not all bulk," said BethAnn Nelson, a Costco customer.
"People would come in and they'd buy pounds and pounds of peanut butter. However now when they come in, they'll see, we have luxury items, we have items that are a lot smaller," said Cynthia Goins with BJ's Wholesale Club.
You can find everything from food to furniture, tires to TV's, and cosmetics, clothing and cakes all under one roof.
"We've made a lot of changes to meet the needs of people as we've evolved," said Goins.
By cutting expenses to the bone and buying large quantities directly from manufacturers, warehouse clubs can offer rock-bottom prices.
Consumer reports found the prices to be 63 percent lower than other stores. And BJ's says you can save 30 percent on your food bill.
"There is definitely a savings," said Jean Walsh who belongs to Costco and BJ's.
"I mean a loaf of bread is three dollar. You get two for the same price. Same thing with detergent, the chickens are five dollars, you get them at the supermarket for $8.99," said Nelson.
Side by side how do they stack up?
In our tri-state area, BJ's has the most locations 18, versus 10 of Sam's Club's and 5 Costo locations.
BJ's stocks around 7,000 items, Costco 4,000 and Sam's Club typically stocks between 4,000 and 5,000.
Sam's Club has the lowest membership fee at $40 bucks a year. BJ's is $45, and Costco is $50.
BJ's allows you to use manufacturers coupons, Costco and Sam's Club don't.
And all Costco and many Sam's Clubs have pharmacies but you don't have to be a member to use them.
So whether you need a ton of toilet tissue or a Single rotisserie chicken, warehouse clubs have certainly evolved over the years and customers like Darlene are convinced "in the long run, you're going to save."
If you're still on the fence, check with any club you may be interested in to see if they're offering any type of special.
For instance, Sam's Clubs occasionally sends out special membership invitations and BJ's right now is sending out offers for a 60 day free trial membership.
And if you try it out and don't like it, BJ's will refund your membership fee if you cancel within 90 days, no questions asked.
Costco and Sam's club will refund your full membership fee any time you want to cancel.
RELATED LINKS:
BJ's Wholesale Club
Costco
Sam's Club
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