Search Smart Spending:

Do free samples cover Costco membership?

Posted Feb 02 2009, 08:55 PM by Karen Datko
Rating:

"FMF" at Free Money Finance asked a question for the ages in a recent post. OK, it really wasn't. But it is food for thought. The post is called "Can you pay for a Costco membership by eating free samples?"

And just like the answers to more serious questions -- such as will the economic stimulus package work? -- the answer here is: It depends.

FMF thought about this because a couple he knows shop at Costco every week, and they eat so many free samples that it saves the cost of a meal.

The possible answers are:

  • Yes, you cover the membership -- $45, which includes a free card for your spouse -- if you eat there once a week or even once a month, and would otherwise be spending at least $2.50 per person per meal. Add in kids and it's a big bonus.
  • No, if you're buying things there that you don't need or won't use, which has been known to happen when people shop at Costco.

Is this a legitimate way to save money? FMF also asks if "using this strategy is in some way dishonest and over-the-top when it comes to saving money?"

This sparked a lively discussion among readers, one of whom remarked, "Maybe you folks should also bring a change of clothes, a pair of sunglasses and disguise your voice just to make sure you can go back two or three times over. This is ridiculous. Why not just crash a wedding reception every weekend?"

Related reading:

5 best -- and worst -- Costco deals

Can Costco keep prices low?

Discounts hiding in your wallet

6 secrets for club-shopping success

Back to Smart Spending Digg this | Email this | Link to this
Comments

 

We are executive members and shop regularly because of the great deals.

Our yearly "cash back" from food, gas(great deal), and other items is always more than our annual membership fee. So we belong for free and get to save money.

Win-Win!

Phil Voss (Posted 02.02.09 10:11 PM ) Report Abuse

As far as costco goes if they would lower the membership back down to 30.00 I would join but 50.00 is just way out there. No I'm not paying that again this year or again ever.

Les Rasmusson (Posted 02.02.09 10:23 PM ) Report Abuse

Crashing a wedding reception would require dressing up.  Costco lets you get in with only jeans and a t-shirt.  There is no shame in going back multiple times, so you can leave your change of clothes and sunglasses behind.

I think though that Costco has many benefits that are money savers in the long run.  I really like their policy on returns.  You can bring back anything and they will refund you your money- no arguements!  I love them!

katrina (Posted 02.03.09 12:06 AM ) Report Abuse

You would be surprised how many people actually go to Costco and Sam's Club for free food. It is ridiculous. The members come in groups rather than the single shoppers at regular grocery stores. They "release" their kids to eat their way through the store.  No cart, no pretense of shopping. They are there for the samples, and go back more than several times to eat souffle cups pf food. After eating they are asked if they would like to take one home. Then the excuses come flying out. Already have this at home. Freezer is full. Not going straight home. and the always insane answer of... Oh, I can't have this, I am (insert ailment) and my doctor won't allow me to eat this. And, heaven forbid the poor demonstrator is not ready or the product is still cooking. They get berated, food thrown at them, cussed out. called names. All for a souffle cup of fried rice, or a cream puff. Where else can you feed a family of 4 for $40 per yr.? Sam's Club!!!

charlotte e reed (Posted 02.03.09 1:17 AM ) Report Abuse

I stop reading when I see someone writing gibberish......the idiot who wrote the article said, "OK, it's really wasn't".....I see stuff like this daily.......apparently no one looks at what they are typing.

Russell Aldred (Posted 02.03.09 4:19 AM ) Report Abuse

If you spent over $300 they asked your i.d. and ask supervisor to checks you or ok the check your written.  Paying a excutive member is high enough already,   then you have to wait for your check to be approved,  is nerve agitating.  I might spend less and get ordinary membership.

GloriaGavin (Posted 02.03.09 6:20 AM ) Report Abuse

Whine!  Whine!  Whine!  If you think having someone approve a $300 check (to eliminate fraud and abuse) then why don't you just shop somewhere else?  Or downgrade your membership?  Or maybe use a debit card?  There are lots of solutions to your nerve agitating problem.  Whining abut it isn't one of them.

Dewey Dalton (Posted 02.03.09 8:36 AM ) Report Abuse

I have never been a member of any of these stores that charge a membership, but my ex works at Costco, and they have saved my butt twice, now.  First when my dental insurance denied a procedure after it had already been performed, and we found that our son was covered under his policy, too, and they paid it.  Then, when medicare denied my dad's wheelchair because he couldn't use it at home anyway due to the stairs(!!), he got us got one from Costco for $30.  Not exactly on topic, but Costo has my vote now!

Night RN (Posted 02.03.09 9:01 AM ) Report Abuse

People standing around the various feeding troughs, causing impossible traffic jams, making my shopping experience more of a hassle than it needs to be is the main reason I stay away from Costco unless I really need supplies. I hate the bovine mentality of shoppers who I see literally waddle from one stand to the next just to shove something more into their pie hole. Costo should either setup "eatery row" and everyone who intrested in going to Costco for 'free' samples could line up and chow, and shoppers like me can actually expect to get down the canned food isle instead of being blocked by 20 carts of lil smokies tasters.

Stewart (Posted 02.03.09 9:03 AM ) Report Abuse

I love costco.  Shop their internet site more than the store since we moved 6 hours from nearest store 3 years ago.  Last fall we drove the 6 hours with an empty truck and purchased a 50" and 42" plasmas along with many other items we feel are well worth the price.  I can't stand the free food thing however.  I understand it pushes products but as a real shopper it holds up the lines too long.  If you are coming for free food only then you really shouldn't be shopping at Costco.  Between are rebate from Costco and our American Express check we get each year we more than 3'x pay for our $100 membership so to try and get a free meal... rediculous,  the hotdog and soda is only a $1.50, take some pride and buy your meal.

tiredoffreeloaders (Posted 02.03.09 9:08 AM ) Report Abuse

1 2 3 4 > Last

Send a Comment

Comments must be directly related to the blog entry. Comments with offensive language will be deleted. Your e-mail address won't be displayed.

(please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):