Categories: Warehouse Clubs, bulk buying, discounts,

With so many warehouse clubs, there are innumerous ways to stretch one’s budget. But not all warehouse clubs offer the same savings. From Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale Club to Costco the boons and the cons vary from consumer-to-consumer. Deciding to join a warehouse club requires an assessment of the benefits versus the drawbacks. Here are a few consumer savvy basics to determine whether buying in bulk makes the most money sense:

Convenience/Geography
• Calculate driving time, fuel costs and the long lines. If the time spent traveling to and from a warehouse club exceeds a four-hour tour, compare it to the amount you’re really saving.

• Look for warehouse clubs that are conveniently located and serve several shopping need. At BJ’s Wholesale Club, http://www.bjs.com/ the volume and variety of goods makes it a one-stop-shop of sorts.

• Each warehouse club has different payment options. Sam’s Club only accepts the Discover Card, DEBIT cards and personal checks. All credit cards are accepted at BJ’s; however, they do not take personal checks.

Price
• Add the membership fee
• Evaluate whether you will make a return on the membership fee. For instance, certain warehouse club consumers use their membership to save on gas, computers, cell phone service and other technologies. Assess whether the 10 percent savings is worth the trip and the member
Tangibles
• Before you decide to join a warehouse club, compare the inventory to your overall household needs. Price-compare the overall savings on staple items. Look for special offers or other buying incentives (discount fuel, cell phone savings, jewelry, luggage, other tangibles).

Warehouse Club shopping tip: To overcome the temptation of making impulsive purchases, exert a little consumer willpower.

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