Getting Value at the Wholesale Club
by Mary Ann Romans

Whether we are shopping for two or for twenty, we are all concerned with our grocery budgets. With its bright lights, large warehouse setting, and miles and miles of brand-name products at great prices, the wholesale club can certainly be a homemaker's secret weapon when it comes to marketing. But how can we make sure that we are really getting a good bargain when we shop at one?

The wholesale club business has quickly grown into a $41 billion dollar industry. Once only accessible to government workers and small businesses, these bargain clubs are now open to the public all over the country. Chances are that there is one near you, and even if there isn't, you can do your shopping online through virtual versions of these warehouses.

Places such as Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale promise a low 10-12 percent markup over cost compared to an average 25-30 percent markup at the supermarkets.

The convenience of stocking up on staple items is appealing, since it means fewer trips to the store and more time to dedicate to other things. That factor really made me look forward to shopping at a club, and I was originally seduced by the thought of being able to purchase a whole case of peanut butter at one time. I was very excited to see those boxes of my favorite pasta line the shelves in amounts that would make even the sturdiest Italian grandmother faint.

For just a very small membership fee that is about $30 on average, you too can come away with an industrial supply of weenie franks. The fresh bakery and deli items, along with other conveniences can overcome a sometimes-moderate selection.

One thing I have found, though is that with a whole sale club, it can be easy to fall into the trap of having too much of a good thing. Here are a few tips I've discovered that will help you get a good value at a whole sale club.

Be Educated

Before you step into a whole sale club, you should have a pretty good idea of comparative supermarket costs. For example knowing that a can of cat food normally sells for about 35 cents in the Philadelphia area, helped me determine that a case of 36 cans selling at $9.98 was a pretty good deal. Some places will even post the cost per unit of a product, but don't be afraid to take along a calculator to help figure things out.

Find out if the whole sale club accepts manufacturer coupons. Some do. This saves the hassle of calculating buying bulk verses using coupons. Use them at the club instead, and you'll get a double whammy of savings.

Most clubs will give you a one-trip membership for free so you can check them out. Take advantage of this! Even if you chose not to buy anything that day, you can find out if the club has many of the products you normally purchase. You can even take this time to get to know the layout of the store, since there usually aren't any description signs posted by the aisles.

Making a map will make your next trip more efficient, and you'll be less likely to impulse buy in aisles with products that weren't on your purchase list. This is especially important when you discover all of the wonderful things these clubs sell outside of groceries, from electronics and books to clothing and even diamonds! There are lots of temptations. I like to limit myself to one really good unplanned deal within a set price limit, per trip.


Be Aware

Know what it is you are buying. In the case of a variety-pack of bottled iced tea, are you sure you don't mind all of the included flavors? Are you really willing to try your luck on a new brand of oatmeal, or will it just wind up sitting unopened in your pantry?

You should be aware that whole sale clubs don't seem to carry many low-fat, low-salt or other specialty products. They tend focus more on large quantities of products for the average consumer. That said, you can still get great deals on items such as packages of boneless skinless chicken (meat and poultry are apt to be great deals in bulk), fresh fruits and vegetables, and low-fat yogurt for healthy eating.

Make sure you understand the hidden costs associated with shopping at a club. For example, you might want to factor in the membership fee, the cost in gas if you live far away, storage costs for bulk items and any other extra expenses.

Be Practical

Go ahead and stock up on things you frequently use, but watch out when it comes to the perishables. Take for example a 20-pound jar of mayonnaise. On the surface it seems a study in practicality. No more running to the local store in the middle of the night when you are just so overcome with desire for a tuna salad that you can't stand it.

In reality, that 20-pound jar of mayonnaise may get opened and then only used a couple of times. It then becomes not a study in practicality but an experiment in refrigerator art, turning all sorts of hues of green and brown as it inevitably goes bad before you get to make use of it all.

Make sure that you have enough storage space for the things you buy and be reasonable. If you like making fresh bread, one or two boxes containing 5 individual packets of mix is great, but five or six boxes could be a little extreme. You don't want to have to ask your spouse to build an addition on the house just for the trail mix.

There are some bulk foods, such as bagels that may have to be kept cool to preserve their freshness and keep them from getting fuzzy before you can use them all. You'll need extra space in your refrigerator or freezer for them, too. Which brings us to our last point…


Be Prepared

Think about investing in a good freezer. You should be able to recoup the money you spend in savings in a short time. This can serve as double duty in stocking up on supermarket deals, too. For example, many regular stores run turkey promotions around Thanksgiving and practically give away Ham at Christmas just to get you to come into the shop.

Bring your own boxes and bags. If you leave them in your car, you can load your purchases directly from the cart in the parking lot. Most clubs don't supply bags, although a few may have some empty boxes available for you to use. And keep your receipt handy. Someone will check it against your purchases when you leave the store.

If you have more than one vehicle, bring the one that is larger or will more easily carry things in bulk. There is nothing sadder than trying to squeeze a 50-roll pack of toilet paper into the back seat of a Hyundai.

So you see, armed with a little knowledge, it isn't hard to get a good value at a whole sale club. Happy shopping!

By Mary Ann Romans http://www.romansville.com/