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!
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We can always use diapers and pull-ups here!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice BJs also has baby food items.
I would really like to stock up on chicken and ground beef since we use those a lot around this house!
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to stock up on their chocolate muffins. They make the best muffins and they freeze really well.
ReplyDeletebgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I subscribe by email.
ReplyDeletebgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow by GFC.
ReplyDeletebgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I forgot to mention that I'm a follower. :)
ReplyDeleteI subsribe through e-mail
ReplyDeleteI would love to stock up on paper towel.
ReplyDeleteI would love to stock up on toilet paper!! Thanks for the chance! bekki1820cb at gmail
ReplyDeleteFollower of the blog bekki1820cb at gmail
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ReplyDeletebekki1820cb at gmail
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.
ReplyDeleteI'd probably stock up on paper products. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeletems0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net
Tweet:
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/1day1dollar/status/7668161788
ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net
Blog follower
ReplyDeletems0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net
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! :)
ReplyDeleteI'll stock up on milk and eggs...and cheese. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletebleatham(at)gmail.com
follow on twitter and tweeted
ReplyDeletebleatham(at)gmail.com
http://twitter.com/sleatham1/status/7668717636
blog follower
ReplyDeletebleatham(at)gmail.com
i have never been to a BJ's so I'd research before buying. :-)
ReplyDelete~eunice b
rsmile2u @dejazzd .com
i tweeted :-) http://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/7668938956
ReplyDelete~eunice b
rsmile2u @dejazzd .com
i subscribed
ReplyDelete~eunice b
rsmile2u @dejazzd .com
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.
ReplyDeletegtwngirl89@hotmail.com
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.
ReplyDeleteWe had a little baby last month and would stockpile on diapers.
ReplyDeleterbjj32825[at]lycos[dot]com
I would love to stock up on breads and milk.
ReplyDeletecupcakechick72(at)aol(dot)com
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
ReplyDeleteWould love to stock up on diapers and toilet paper!
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway, and nice blog.
Laura
laurasu82@yahoo.com
I would stock up on cleaning supplies!
ReplyDeleteI would stock up on meats - it's always nice to have extra hamburger or chicken to whip up a quick meal!
ReplyDeletehawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a blog follower.
ReplyDeletehawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com
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
ReplyDeleteI would love to stock up on any items that I can't find coupons for on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteRose8380@hotmail.com
My family likes the Tubs of Chocolate Chip Cookies.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me.
littleladyintraining(at)yahoo.com
I a m a subscriber.
ReplyDeletelittleladyintraining(at)yahoo.com
We would stock up on meat.
ReplyDeletethe Centrum Performance Multivitamin Supplement
ReplyDeletemverno@roadrunner.com
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.
ReplyDeleteheidibokor @ yahoo . com
I am subscribed to your blog. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteheidibokor @ yahoo . com
I would stock up on coffee
ReplyDeletefollowing your blog! no19034770 AT YAHOO DOT COM
ReplyDeleteI love stocking up on paper products at BJ's
ReplyDeletefollowing on twitter. http://twitter.com/christinak78
ReplyDeleteLinon Anna Desk and Keuring Single Cup Coffee Maker
ReplyDeleteFollower
ReplyDeleteFollowing on Twitter and tweeted
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/genny315/status/7796198947
fresh ground hamburg
ReplyDeleteI'd like to stock up baking items. We can use more in the house!
ReplyDelete@tcarolinep twitter follower and tweet.http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/7814107754
ReplyDeleteFollower and subscriber.
ReplyDeletetcarolinep at gmail dot com
I would stock up on Carnation Instant breakfast as my son drinks 3 of these a day.
ReplyDeleteBUY GROCERIES
ReplyDeleteI would stock up on meats. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletemogrill@comcast.net
I would love to stock up on diapers, toilet paper and paper towels
ReplyDeleteSounds boring but I like to buy my toliet paper and trash bags at BJ's. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteI would stock up on Gain Detergent and Gain Fabric Softner. I would put the rest towards Charmin Basic Toilet Paper.
ReplyDeletehafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com
I would stock up on drinks like soda, juice and crystal light.
ReplyDeleteMy tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/status/7838774057
ReplyDeleteLaundry detergent...They have a good selection. semtaylor(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI subscribed, semtaylor(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI would really like to stock up on chicken and ground beef, we use those a lot around here.
ReplyDeleteI would stock up on big bags of dog treats and a new dog bed.
ReplyDeleteI would stock up on toilet paper. Thanks!
ReplyDeletesphinxcw at aol dot com
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.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to stock up on calcium supplements and vitamins.
ReplyDeleteI love BJs! I shop there for cat litter and all of my papergoods.
ReplyDeletelizames2003 (at) yahoo dot com
Fresh fruit would be in my cart!
ReplyDeletewe buy almost everything at bj's; so I'll pick cleaning supplies
ReplyDeletekris.cor@verizon.net
I would stock up on meat . can't go wrong with that
ReplyDeletejtrophy at gmail dot com
www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com
followed you on twitter and tweeted
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/jtrophy/status/7887603790
jtrophy at gmail dot com
www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com
subscribed to your blog
ReplyDeletejtrophy at gmail dot com
www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com
following you on google
ReplyDeletejtrophy at gmail dot com
www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com
I would love to stock up on papertowels.
ReplyDeletedenise_22315 at yahoo dot com
I follow you and tweeted.
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/wiscmom24/status/7888211357
denise_22315 at yahoo dot com
I would stock up on non-perishables like Ziplocs and trash bags!
ReplyDeleteKatie
showbizkp[at]gmail[dot]com
I follow on Blogger :)
ReplyDeleteKatie
showbizkp[at]gmail[dot]com
I'll stock up on toilet paper.
ReplyDeleteletessha@yahoo.com
I subscribed to your blog.
ReplyDeleteletessha@yahoo.com
I follow in google friends.
ReplyDeleteletessha@yahoo.com
follow on twitter/tweeted
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/dahliamomma/status/7895016414
I love BJ's bagels!
ReplyDeletersbryswrrl at gmail dot com
I want to stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies!
ReplyDeletewowknk at gmail dot com
I would love to stock up on paper towels and toilet paper!
ReplyDeleterolapip@yahoo.com
I would stock up on meat,they have great prices their!
ReplyDeleteardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm sure I'd stock up on bathroom stuff (toilet paper, shampoo, etc.) or maybe cereal since we go through that like crazy!
ReplyDeleteI like to stock up on diapers, diaper genie elite refills, & Gerber puffs at BJ's.
ReplyDeleteI follow you & tweeted: http://twitter.com/MelodicMom/statuses/7921622564
ReplyDeleteI would stock up on toilet paper
ReplyDeletemeat meat and more meat! they have great steaks at bjs!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful giveaway
ReplyDeletefancyfeet45@earthlink.net
I would love to stock up on toiletries, thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteHotsnotty2@hotmail.com
I would probably stock up on hamburger...and maybe some chicken. AztecFeller@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI would stock up on meat for sure
ReplyDeleteDefinitely on meat! Hubby is a huge meat eater and that's the largest part of our budget, followed closely by produce.
ReplyDeleteTweeted - http://twitter.com/soluckyducky/status/7950339223
ReplyDeleteblog follower
ReplyDeleteI would love to stock up on Chicken Stock! In my house it's pretty much it's own food group
ReplyDeletethanks for the great contest!
ReplyDeletebahjeep@aol.com
Would love to stock up on paper towels!
ReplyDeletebrdgcombs at aol dot com
follow your blog
ReplyDeletebrdgcombs at aol dot com
follow on twitter- @bridget3496
ReplyDeletetweet
http://twitter.com/bridget3496/status/7957174280
I'd like to stock up on juice boxes
ReplyDeleteI'd like to stock up on coffee. :D
ReplyDeleteangela67p(at)gmail(dot)com
Flour :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to stock up on books since they sell them at great prices and I love to read.
ReplyDeleteI would stock up on paper products!
ReplyDeleteI'm following your blog in Google Friend Connect.
ReplyDeleteI would stock up on turkey bacon and raisin bran!
ReplyDeleteI follow on twitter and tweeted - http://twitter.com/choochoo428/status/7973849852
ReplyDeleteI'd stock up on diapers and wipes.
ReplyDeletemommietj at yahoo dot com
I followed you blog via google friend connect.
ReplyDeletemommietj at yahoo dot com
I subscribe via email.
ReplyDeletemommietj at yahoo dot com
follow and tweet
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mommietj at yahoo dot com