[Mark was here]

Studies in the retail world have found that people spend between 10-20% more money in Costco and Sam than they do at regular stores.

Studies, eh? This does not pass the smell test. Were these union funded studies perhaps?

[Doctor Stochastic]

But perhaps they get 30% more groceries. The post gave incomplete numbers.

[Fairview]

Studies in the retail world have found that people spend between 10-20% more money in Costco and Sam than they do at regular stores.

Studies, eh? This does not pass the smell test. Were these union funded studies perhaps?

Nah, I think it's true. The difference is that when you go into the local grocery store you buy food, toiletries, light bulbs, and cat litter; when you go into Costco you buy food, toiletries, light bulbs, cat litter, an air compressor, an office chair, a TV, and a cashmere sweater. Even if you save a lot on food purchases you're liable to spend more, which is the principle of the whole place. Last week I came back from Costco with hiking boots and a jug of chocolate sauce I didn't go in there intending to buy.

[driftdiver]

dunno if they were union funded. Based on my personal experience it seemed reasonable to me.

You buy larger quantities there. You buy stuff you don't need. If you check the unit prices against that of your regular store Costco or Sams are frequently higher. That means you not only buy twice as much peanut butter as you can use in the next 3 years, but you're paying more for it.

These places are a businessmans dream. Spend next to nothing on customer service, interior, cleaning etc but charge much the same price as any place else.

Yes you can save money on some things. They make up for that with the other items you purchase.