A while back we had a great conversation about Costco, here, and I asked for your input on what best buys you stock up on at the warehouse. There were all sorts of great tips, so I wanted to summarize it into a post in case you’re not a comment browser!
Here’s some of what you think Costco sells for great prices:
- jewelry (great quality and awesome prices)
- clothes (name brands at discount prices!)
- produce (if you can handle the quantity you can’t beat the price)
- baby wipes
- shredded/brick cheese
- bulk batteries
- the pharmacy! you can use it even if you’re not a member
- the pharmacy! they have a prescription plan you can use if you don’t have insurance
- soy milk
- tortillas
- coffee
- flooring
- frozen fruit
- ketchup
- popcorn
- sandwich meats
- printer paper
- canned goods
- canned soda
- butter
And there you have it. Some of the items you (and I!) agree are cheaper to buy in bulk. Even with a sale at the grocery store it can sometimes be hard to beat Costco/Sam’s pricing on certain items.
One more reader tip about Costco? This one was news to me:
If you have ever been to the Discount Rural Center in Eagle River they carry the “damaged” or returned items that Costco carries. We got our Oreck vac from there for $182 when it STILL sells at Costco for $349. :-0 Nothing was wrong with it either, it was still in the box only issue was the box was smashed on one side.
Some items cost the same or less at Costco because I don’t think they know exactly how much those items retail for when they think they are “discounting” them but still sometimes you can find a good deal.
To wrap it up, 2 notes on Sam’s:
One reader wrote and told us that at Sam’s they have a satisfaction guarantee for their meat and produce. If you aren’t satisfied they will not only return your money back but they’ll DOUBLE it. You have to mention the policy though, to get it!
Lastly, we hear that Sam’s has great prices for diapers ONLINE only and shipping is free. Or so it was when I ordered. I got a box of 288 huggies for $34.00 which is cheaper than the huggies at sams club or costco. ONLINE ONLY! Shipped for free and got to me 2 days later. (Kara’s note: free shipping, even in Alaska? I love it! And remembering to order the diapers BEFORE you’re down to just 10? Now that would be priceless…)
8 Comments
I think it’s really called “Rural Discount Center” and it’s located north of Eagle River on the Old Glenn Highway.
18915 Old Glen Hwy. Chugiak, AK 99567
Has any one been to the DRC? Is this a fairly new place? Why haven’t I heard of this until now.
If you want free shipping from Sam’s you have to hit 2-3 day shipping.
I buy organics at Costco, milk, butter, sugar, jelly, peanut butter, chicken, spinach, lots of items that are much less expensive than at Fred’s, Carr’s or Sagaya’s.
DRC is at 18915 Old Glen Hwy. Chugiak, AK 99567 PH: 688-4448
They often run specials on TV’s, Blu ray players, vacuums, and other large items. Food and stuff are rarely on a good deal unless you want a large bag of sugar or yeast that has been accidentally cut open.
Did you know that when Costco is trying to get rid of an item the price ends in 7, like $2.97, $5.47? This may be common knowledge, I don’t know, but it’s helped me get inexpensive soup mixes and cookie dough, just keep your eye out for the 7s and you might snag a great deal.
Do they sell dry goods at that store? I’m still trying to get my hands on some Morning Moo.
Where is the discount rural center in Eagle River?