How is BJ's different than Costco?

babypuplove

We've had a Costco membership for years, but I received a free 60 day membership from BJ's in the mail, and am thinking of trying it out.  Both are about the same distance from home, so that's not an issue.  What kinds of products do they carry?  What are your favorites?  I really like a lot of the specialty food products that Costco offers (large container of olive oil, nuts, cheeses, etc).  Is BJ's similar?  If you've been to both, which do you prefer?  TIA!

Dr.Loretta

My old boss actually has a membership to both. He said prices/selection are better for some things at one place vs the other. Kind of like Lowes vs Home Depot.

MainelyFoolish

I agree with pp that it's like comparing Lowe's to Home Depot.  Similar but not identical.  My parents live in NoVa and they have memberships to both Costco and BJ's.

BJ's tends to carry products in slightly smaller sizes than Costco.  They also have a wider variety of brand name items.  They don't have some of the luxury items that Costco sometimes does, like crystal vases or Prada purses or king crab legs.  BJ's has a bakery and meat department that are both decent but I think I'd give the edge to Costco for the quality and variety of those items. 

For baby items, BJ's carries Huggies, Pampers, Luvs, and BJ's brand diapers and Enfamil, Similac, and BJ's brand formula. 

BJ's also accepts all major credit cards and manufacturer's coupons. 

EnglishMajor03

MainelyFoolish:

I agree with pp that it's like comparing Lowe's to Home Depot.  Similar but not identical.  My parents live in NoVa and they have memberships to both Costco and BJ's.

BJ's tends to carry products in slightly smaller sizes than Costco.  They also have a wider variety of brand name items.  They don't have some of the luxury items that Costco sometimes does, like crystal vases or Prada purses or king crab legs.  BJ's has a bakery and meat department that are both decent but I think I'd give the edge to Costco for the quality and variety of those items. 

For baby items, BJ's carries Huggies, Pampers, Luvs, and BJ's brand diapers and Enfamil, Similac, and BJ's brand formula. 

BJ's also accepts all major credit cards and manufacturer's coupons. 

This is really advantageous because BJ's sends out their own coupons and you can stack those with the MQ.   Plus, if you're buying toilet paper or package that has a barcode on each item you can use as many MQ's as there is quantity.  For example, if you have (4) $1 off 2 coupons for tissues and there are 8 in a bundle at BJ's you can use all 4 coupons. 

babypuplove

EnglishMajor03:

MainelyFoolish:

I agree with pp that it's like comparing Lowe's to Home Depot.  Similar but not identical.  My parents live in NoVa and they have memberships to both Costco and BJ's.

BJ's tends to carry products in slightly smaller sizes than Costco.  They also have a wider variety of brand name items.  They don't have some of the luxury items that Costco sometimes does, like crystal vases or Prada purses or king crab legs.  BJ's has a bakery and meat department that are both decent but I think I'd give the edge to Costco for the quality and variety of those items. 

For baby items, BJ's carries Huggies, Pampers, Luvs, and BJ's brand diapers and Enfamil, Similac, and BJ's brand formula. 

BJ's also accepts all major credit cards and manufacturer's coupons. 

This is really advantageous because BJ's sends out their own coupons and you can stack those with the MQ.   Plus, if you're buying toilet paper or package that has a barcode on each item you can use as many MQ's as there is quantity.  For example, if you have (4) $1 off 2 coupons for tissues and there are 8 in a bundle at BJ's you can use all 4 coupons. 

Ooohhh...good to know!  I think we'll try to check it out in the next few days.   

Stacyc625

been to them both- as english said the only BJs plus is that you can use coupons. BJs always has their own coupons but you can double them with mani coupons for as many items are in the 'bundled' packages.

So say lysol bathroom spray is 10.00 for 4 bottles. BJs has a coupon for 2.00 off- then you can use four .75 mani coupons. So for four bottles it costs you = 5.00. that is how you make out at BJs.

JAM2000

I like the BJs coupon policy where you can use their coupon and manuf coupons and combine them, etc. I also like the BJs has all brands of baby stuff- Huggies, Pampers, Luvs, etc.

BJs has a better 'grocery' (if you can call it that in a club store) dept. They have a regular deli and I get my coldcuts there when we go, that way it saves me a trip to the supermarket and the prices are good at the deli too.
And I know this may sound silly, but I HATE the stupid milk jugs at Costco- they are HORRIBLE. BJs still carries the regular 1-gallon milk jugs you are used to.

Noodle716

We belong to both and I would have said what all the others said about the coupon policy. It is great!

Also the baby section is better than Costco. We use Pampers sensitive wipes and they carry huge boxes, often have coupons and then use the pampers man. coupon on top.

They do not have as much organic and all natural options as Costco does. That is the only thing that I do not like but they do carry YoBaby yogurt and Costco does not.

It took me a few visits to figure out what to keep buying from which place. I usually compare the coupon books and Sunday paper coupons and then make my list and go.

jennlovesrandy05

Amen to the coupons at Bjs! also, their brand of formula is really good and an excellent price.