Sunday, January 10, 2010

Wholesale Club shopping: to do or not to do??? (Giveaway)-CLOSED

Right before the holidays I was given the opportunity through Blog Spark to get a 3 month trial membership to BJ's. I am just about at the end of the trial membership so I thought I would share my findings with you:


The first time I went to BJ's, I didn't buy anything. Instead, I simply wrote down all of the items that I would normally purchase and their prices (Note, I left my kids home for this endeavor :) Then I went over to my favorite shopping store, which is Publix, and compared the prices. I then compared BJ's with Publix. In addition, I took the items that I know are quite often buy one get one free and compared that sale price with BJ's, my results surprised me quite a bit.


I found that on the basic staple items: orange juice, milk, butter, and eggs that BJ's was significantly cheaper even then when I find the items on sale at Publix. However, I was disappointed because even though they carried my brand of Orange Juice (my family is very orange juice specific) they didn't carry any orange juice with pulp in it which just won't fly in my family. And I found that even though the milk was cheaper it was not antibiotic and hormone free so it also wasn't an option for my family. The eggs and butter were definitely a pretty significant savings as well.


Meat was definitely cheaper here than at a grocery store without sales; however I found that Publix offers the same prices when the item is on sale. For instance, every 6-8 weeks Publix has chicken breasts for $1.99 a pound but is normally $3.99 a pound. BJ's is always $2.99. So, if you can utilitze the concept of stock piling you can do better at Publix; however for the convience of purchasing what you want when you want BJ's is a terrific option.


Because I don't purchase a lot of pre-packaged foods there wasn't a lot of savings to be found on a normal basis; however I did find that for large parties (which we seem to have a fair amount) their sheet cakes and drinks and chips can save almost enough to justify the membership fee alone.


I was super excited that they will take coupons...as it allowed me to score some pretty good deals. For instance they had Welch's sparkling cider priced at 4 for $6.99 and we had those $2/2 coupons online right before Christmas, which means I got 4 bottles for $2.99!!


In summary: At first, I was not overwhelmed with the amount of savings. And I was fairly disappointed in the fact that many of the specific items I purchase on a regular basis were not available there. I can do better stockpiling when things are on sale. However, when looking at all of the information, overall, on those occasions when I need to purchase items and I haven't planned well enough or it is last minute BJ's has a lot of savings to offer.


The fact that they also have a gas station which is almost always $.03 or more cheaper combined with the fact that they accept coupons I have decided to go ahead and purchase a full membership for the year which is $45. My thought is that, especially with having a new baby this upcoming May, that although my intentions are to never shop without coupons & always stockpile, life sometimes gets in the way and BJs will allow me to still save money.


In conjunction with this BJ's shopping experiment, BlogSpark has graciously given me a $25 gift certificate to BJ's that I can offer one lucky winner!!


Win one: One lucky reader will win a $25 gift certificate to BJ's.
To enter: Leave me a comment telling me what item you would love to stock up on at BJ's.
Extra Entries:
Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest (leave link to status page in comment)
Follow my blog / Subscribe to my blog

Please remember to leave an email address so I can contact you if you win. Leave a comment for each separate entry. This contest ends January 19, 2009 at Midnight. A winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be contacted via email. This giveaway is open to US residents.


Full Disclosure: I received a 3 month trial membership and a $25 gift certificate for writing this review. Free trial membership, gift card, information and giveaway have all been provided by BJs Wholesale Club, General Mills and MyBlogSpark. The statements above are my honest feelings, but represent only that, my feelings and opinions!





116 comments:

  1. We can always use diapers and pull-ups here!
    It's nice BJs also has baby food items.

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  2. I would really like to stock up on chicken and ground beef since we use those a lot around this house!

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  3. I'd love to stock up on their chocolate muffins. They make the best muffins and they freeze really well.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. I subscribe by email.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  5. I follow by GFC.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  6. I forgot to mention that I'm a follower. :)

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  7. I subsribe through e-mail

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  8. I would love to stock up on paper towel.

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  9. I would love to stock up on toilet paper!! Thanks for the chance! bekki1820cb at gmail

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  10. Follower of the blog bekki1820cb at gmail

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  11. Subscriber of the blog
    bekki1820cb at gmail

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  12. I always stock up on water... I can't help but its one of my guilty pleasures to drink bottled water. I do try to cut back but I am always on the go and it is just so easy.

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  13. I'd probably stock up on paper products. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net

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  14. Tweet:

    http://twitter.com/1day1dollar/status/7668161788

    ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net

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  15. Blog follower


    ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net

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  16. Well, I should be really responsible and tell you that if I won I would stock pile on diapers for the baby that's coming home in five weeks... but let's be honest here. Sometimes Mommy needs to spoil herself and I love love love the muffins that BJs sells. So I would probably walk into BJs with my pregnancy induced cravings and buy out their muffins. Seriously, they are that good... either that or I'm just that preggo! :)

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  17. I'll stock up on milk and eggs...and cheese. Thanks for the chance to win!
    bleatham(at)gmail.com

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  18. follow on twitter and tweeted
    bleatham(at)gmail.com
    http://twitter.com/sleatham1/status/7668717636

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  19. i have never been to a BJ's so I'd research before buying. :-)

    ~eunice b
    rsmile2u @dejazzd .com

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  20. i tweeted :-) http://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/7668938956

    ~eunice b
    rsmile2u @dejazzd .com

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  21. i subscribed

    ~eunice b
    rsmile2u @dejazzd .com

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  22. We stock pile everything as we are a fixed income family. If it's not on sale with a coupon we don't buy it! Would love to fill my freezer with help from this gift card!! Thanks for the great giveaway.
    gtwngirl89@hotmail.com

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  23. I would love to use the GC w/ coupons (of course) to stock up on some household needs like paper towels, water and baby wipes.

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  24. We had a little baby last month and would stockpile on diapers.
    rbjj32825[at]lycos[dot]com

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  25. I would love to stock up on breads and milk.

    cupcakechick72(at)aol(dot)com

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  26. Definitely Pampers diapers. With a three-month-old baby, we go through them like crazy. I am so excited they accept coupons! Thanks for the giveaway. reporterkc(at) hotmail(DOT)com

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  27. Would love to stock up on diapers and toilet paper!

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  28. I'd love to stock up on diapers and wipes at BJ's. They are definitely pricey, and I love that I can use coupons for them.
    Thanks for the great giveaway, and nice blog.
    Laura
    laurasu82@yahoo.com

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  29. I would stock up on cleaning supplies!

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  30. I would stock up on meats - it's always nice to have extra hamburger or chicken to whip up a quick meal!

    hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. I'm a blog follower.

    hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

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  32. HI! Thanks for posting this giveaway! I would stock up on yogurt in bulk for my 9 month old! He eats soooo much yogurt! bethel28 (at) yahoo(dot)com

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  33. I would love to stock up on any items that I can't find coupons for on a regular basis.

    Rose8380@hotmail.com

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  34. My family likes the Tubs of Chocolate Chip Cookies.
    Please enter me.
    littleladyintraining(at)yahoo.com

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  35. I a m a subscriber.
    littleladyintraining(at)yahoo.com

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  36. We would stock up on meat.

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  37. the Centrum Performance Multivitamin Supplement
    mverno@roadrunner.com

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  38. I would love to stock up on snacks for school, G2 gatorade, paper towels, and toilet paper. I love how BJ's toilet paper and paper towels always last longer when I buy it in bulk than at a regular store. Thanks for this giveaway. It's awesome.

    heidibokor @ yahoo . com

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  39. I am subscribed to your blog. Thank you.

    heidibokor @ yahoo . com

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  40. following your blog! no19034770 AT YAHOO DOT COM

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  41. I love stocking up on paper products at BJ's

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  42. following on twitter. http://twitter.com/christinak78

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  43. Linon Anna Desk and Keuring Single Cup Coffee Maker

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  44. Following on Twitter and tweeted

    http://twitter.com/genny315/status/7796198947

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  45. I'd like to stock up baking items. We can use more in the house!

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  46. @tcarolinep twitter follower and tweet.http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/7814107754

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  47. Follower and subscriber.

    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

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  48. I would stock up on Carnation Instant breakfast as my son drinks 3 of these a day.

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  49. I would stock up on meats. Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill@comcast.net

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  50. I would love to stock up on diapers, toilet paper and paper towels

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  51. Sounds boring but I like to buy my toliet paper and trash bags at BJ's. Thank you!

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  52. I would stock up on Toilet Paper and Paper Towels. Maybe I could get one of those huge tubs of Laundry detergent also Thanks for the giveaway lezanac@yahoo.com

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  53. I would stock up on Gain Detergent and Gain Fabric Softner. I would put the rest towards Charmin Basic Toilet Paper.

    hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

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  54. I would stock up on drinks like soda, juice and crystal light.

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  55. My tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/status/7838774057

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  56. Laundry detergent...They have a good selection. semtaylor(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  57. I subscribed, semtaylor(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  58. I would really like to stock up on chicken and ground beef, we use those a lot around here.

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  59. I would stock up on big bags of dog treats and a new dog bed.

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  60. I would stock up on toilet paper. Thanks!

    sphinxcw at aol dot com

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  61. The things that are good deals there that we stock up on is sugar, lipton tea bags, cereal, hot coco, and many other things but that's all I'll list. Thanks.

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  62. I'd love to stock up on calcium supplements and vitamins.

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  63. I love BJs! I shop there for cat litter and all of my papergoods.

    lizames2003 (at) yahoo dot com

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  64. Fresh fruit would be in my cart!

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  65. we buy almost everything at bj's; so I'll pick cleaning supplies

    kris.cor@verizon.net

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  66. I would stock up on meat . can't go wrong with that

    jtrophy at gmail dot com
    www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. followed you on twitter and tweeted
    http://twitter.com/jtrophy/status/7887603790

    jtrophy at gmail dot com

    www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. subscribed to your blog

    jtrophy at gmail dot com

    www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. following you on google

    jtrophy at gmail dot com
    www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I would love to stock up on papertowels.

    denise_22315 at yahoo dot com

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  71. I follow you and tweeted.

    http://twitter.com/wiscmom24/status/7888211357

    denise_22315 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I would stock up on non-perishables like Ziplocs and trash bags!

    Katie
    showbizkp[at]gmail[dot]com

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  73. I follow on Blogger :)

    Katie
    showbizkp[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I'll stock up on toilet paper.
    letessha@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I subscribed to your blog.
    letessha@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I follow in google friends.
    letessha@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. follow on twitter/tweeted

    http://twitter.com/dahliamomma/status/7895016414

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  78. I love BJ's bagels!

    rsbryswrrl at gmail dot com

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  79. I want to stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies!

    wowknk at gmail dot com

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  80. I would love to stock up on paper towels and toilet paper!

    rolapip@yahoo.com

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  81. I would stock up on meat,they have great prices their!

    ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

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  82. I'm sure I'd stock up on bathroom stuff (toilet paper, shampoo, etc.) or maybe cereal since we go through that like crazy!

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  83. I like to stock up on diapers, diaper genie elite refills, & Gerber puffs at BJ's.

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  84. I follow you & tweeted: http://twitter.com/MelodicMom/statuses/7921622564

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  85. I would stock up on toilet paper

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  86. meat meat and more meat! they have great steaks at bjs!

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  87. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway
    fancyfeet45@earthlink.net

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  88. I would love to stock up on toiletries, thanks for the chance!

    Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

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  89. I would probably stock up on hamburger...and maybe some chicken. AztecFeller@aol.com

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  90. Definitely on meat! Hubby is a huge meat eater and that's the largest part of our budget, followed closely by produce.

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  91. Tweeted - http://twitter.com/soluckyducky/status/7950339223

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  92. I would love to stock up on Chicken Stock! In my house it's pretty much it's own food group

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  93. thanks for the great contest!
    bahjeep@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  94. Would love to stock up on paper towels!

    brdgcombs at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  95. follow your blog

    brdgcombs at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  96. follow on twitter- @bridget3496

    tweet

    http://twitter.com/bridget3496/status/7957174280

    ReplyDelete
  97. I'd like to stock up on juice boxes

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  98. I'd like to stock up on coffee. :D

    angela67p(at)gmail(dot)com

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  99. I would love to stock up on books since they sell them at great prices and I love to read.

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  100. I'm following your blog in Google Friend Connect.

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  101. I would stock up on turkey bacon and raisin bran!

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  102. I follow on twitter and tweeted - http://twitter.com/choochoo428/status/7973849852

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  103. I'd stock up on diapers and wipes.

    mommietj at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  104. I followed you blog via google friend connect.
    mommietj at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  105. I subscribe via email.

    mommietj at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  106. follow and tweet
    http://twitter.com/mommietj/statuses/8060927988

    mommietj at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
 
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