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The Pros & Cons of Shopping at Costco

Costco is a wholesale store providing all sorts of things from groceries to television sets to engine oil. When it comes to buying groceries, I find that I can often get better deals at my local grocery store. Costco doesn’t carry the cheaper generic food brands, and you have to be willing to buy food in large quantities. Although buying bulk is often cheaper, it can be more expensive at times, so you need to watch.

I also don’t like the idea of having to pay a $56 membership fee to be able to shop there. There are other wholesale places that don’t charge you anything. Not only that, but they won’t let you take a tour first before deciding if it’s worth your while to pay for a membership. You have to pay before you can look around. Another downer is that you can’t pay using a regular credit card, it has to be a Costco credit card, cash or debit. I like to use my credit card for everything so I can earn points, but I can’t do that at Costco.

That being said, Costco definitely has its good points. We save a ton of money on synthetic engine oil – it costs about 70% of what it would cost in regular retail stores. We’ve also saved a lot of money on buying ink for our printer. Had we bought it at any other store, we would have paid almost twice as much. Costco also has cheap clothing and books. We also discovered some good deals on picture frames, electric toothbrush replacements, and other miscellaneous items. If you are patient enough to look through the entire store, you are sure to find something you need and find a good deal.

A bonus to shopping at Costco is that they have plenty of people offering samples for everything from sausages to lemonade to candy. You can be entertained just by walking around the grocery section and trying all kinds of new things!

For us, at least, Costco has been worth the membership fee because of the savings on computer and auto supplies. The grocery prices aren’t that great, however, if you do a lot of entertaining, you will probably like their inexpensive fruit and veggie trays. I would encourage you to check it out, but only if you have plans to buy more than just groceries.

August 17, 2009

Shopping

Selling Secrets From The Farmer’s Market

I love going to the Farmer’s Market. It’s a weekly ritual that forces me out of my cave and into the sunlight. I get to stretch my legs, buy fresh produce, and meet people in the heat of personal one-to-one sales.

There are about 15-30 vendors at the two markets close to my house. They range from veggies and fruits to tamales and carrot cakes. Most of the food is organic, locally grown and the guy selling it is the guy who picked it. I feel so much closer to my food.

Okay, so I’m a little bit sentimental. But the Ralph’s clerk just doesn’t give a rip about what they are selling. The market vendors are intimately connected to their wares. And their attitudes and behaviors reflect that connection. I think the closeness makes the food more satisfying.

As always, there are a few lessons to learn from this weekly trek. Most of these folks are farmers and artists. They haven’t been schooled in selling. Most of the good things they do are instinctual rather than purposeful. And many of the things they do wrong are a result of no training. But ALL the lessons can help you.

Massive competition

The bulk of these vendors are selling produce. Potatoes, celery, carrots, lettuce and peaches. It’s all seasonal so everything changes throughout the year. Which is a bummer because I wish avocados were always “in season.” I’m going to chat with God about that one.

A good half of the vendors at both markets are selling the same stuff. Different farms, different crews, identical product. It’s displayed the same way, looks the same, and probably is grown the same. So, what makes me choose one vendor of the other? Proximity. That one is 5 feet closer.

There is nothing distinctive about these vendors. Not even their charisma (farmers, not performers). This is most businesses. You and ten other companies are selling the same product to the same prospect. You set up shop and hope that the guy walks closer to your stand.

Very few people are able to sell in a vacuum. The environment where you have virtually no competition. Usually, if you have that, it’s because nobody wants your product. And if you do, it won’t last for long.

August 3, 2009

Shopping

How To Save Money at the Drugstore

1. Buy the generic brands instead of the brand names. They work just as well and cost a lot less. A pharmacist at our nearby drugstore is a really great guy and he swears by the generic brands. He said they contain the same ingredients so there’s no reason to buy the more expensive brand name products.

2. When purchasing prescription medications, if you know you will need more than one month’s worth of the product, fill 3 months at a time and pay a single dispensing fee rather than paying an individual dispensing fee for every month. It will save you money, and you will also save time because you won’t have to visit the pharmacy as often.

3. Watch for sales. I have noticed flipping through flyers that vitamins and painkillers frequently go on sale. Unless you have completely run out, wait to purchase these items until you can get them at the lowest price.

4. Check the expiration dates on the medicines you purchase. You don’t want to end up paying an arm and a leg for a product and then discover that you will have to throw it out if you don’t use it within a month.

5. Be an informed shopper. Make sure you know what you are buying and don’t get conned by clever advertising. Not all medicines are necessary or even effective, so be sure to do your homework. Feel free to ask a pharmacist, as they will be familiar with all of the products.

6. Civilized Health suggests checking online for better deals on your over-the-counter and prescription medications. There are a number of fully regulated online pharmacies who offer deals and discounts on certain items.

July 7, 2009

Shopping

Don’t Let The Economy Beat You!

During these tough economic times many consumers are afraid to spend money like they would have one or two years ago. A lot of jobs are uncertain and many people are losing confidence in their ability to buy the products that they would like. New movies, more advanced gadgets, and fuel efficient vehicles are being unveiled every month but a large percentage of the population are having to miss out because they are too worried about spending their money. Even families that have been preparing for a time like this and have the funds saved are holding back and living very basic lives.

Why Miss Out?

You should not have to miss out on buying the things that you want to buy! While it is not okay to go out and purchase everything you want, everyone deserves to enjoy at least a few luxuries. But how do we know what is worth the money or what will leave us disappointed? Is there really a tool that will help consumers shop smarter?

June 27, 2009

Shopping

Avoid Marketing Ploys At The Grocery Store

Grocery stores want you to spend as much money as possible, so they deliberately display their inventory in such a way as to make you think you need to buy more! Not only do they want you to buy more, they use sophisticated tactics to entice you to buy the most expensive products. Keep these strategies in mind whenever you shop and you will get the most for your money.

1. Most retail stores place the most expensive products at eye level. Be sure to look both above and below eye level and you will likely find similar products at a much lower price.

2. Just because you’ve tried a free sample of a product in a grocery store, don’t feel obligated to buy the product. Buy the item only if it’s something that you actually want, and be sure to check the price first.

3. If you decide to buy a grocery item because it’s on sale, recheck your list and your shopping cart. Determine whether or not the new item can replace a similar item rather than adding another item to your list. It is better to substitute than to add so you can stay within your budget.

4. Often grocery stores will place complementary items together such as cocktail sauces with seafood, croutons near lettuce, or whip cream near strawberries. When stores do this they are banking on their shoppers’ impulsiveness. Often the complementary item is a high cost item. Instead of selecting it on the spot, if you think you might want to buy it, add it to your list and then check out the aisle where other varieties can also be found so you can compare prices.

5. Another common tactic grocery stores use is to place chips, candy, and other sweets and junk food in the areas where crowds build up due to lineups. It’s so tempting to grab a few of these items and throw them in your cart. That’s why it always good to eat before going grocery shopping. If you shop when you’re hungry, you will almost always give in to these impulse buys while waiting in line.

May 29, 2009

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