Is it worth it to shop wholesale clubs? The answer depends

It takes work to make a budget last, and that doesn’t just mean avoiding dining out or Starbucks runs. For many, the quest for savings extends to the basic essentials and household goods, and that quest often leads to wholesale clubs.

What is a wholesale club?

At their core, warehouse clubs (aka wholesale clubs) operate on a simple premise: Pay an annual membership fee and get access to a curated selection of goods, often sold in larger quantities and at prices lower than traditional retail shops.

This model thrives on high volume and lean margins, theoretically translating to savings for the members who pay to play. It’s a trade-off: an upfront cost for the potential of long-term discounts on a wide range of products, but are wholesale clubs worth it?

Figuring that out isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. Factors like your household size, spending habits, proximity to a club, and the types of things you typically purchase all play a major role.

To help you decide, we’re looking at three of the most popular wholesale clubs: BJ’s, Costco, and Sam’s Club.

BJ’s

BJ’s Wholesale Club has carved out its space in the warehouse game with over 240 clubs across the eastern U.S., bringing together savings, selection, and convenience for over 7 million members. They’ve got everything from fresh produce and meats to tech, toys, and tires. They also have gas stations at most locations with deals for members.

Costco

Costco is the heavyweight of the warehouse club world, with over 500 locations across the U.S. and more than 800 warehouses worldwide. While it’s a national brand, Costco has a particularly strong presence on both coasts, especially in the northeast, where locations are packed with everything from bulk groceries to furniture, electronics, and vacation packages. If you’re near a Costco and can handle the crowds, it’s one of the most comprehensive wholesale clubs out there, both in what you can buy and how you can save.

Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club is Walmart’s answer to the warehouse club model, and it’s one of the biggest players in the space with nearly 600 locations across the U.S. It blends Walmart’s focus on low prices with the perks and bulk selection you’d expect from a membership-based store. You’ll find everything from groceries and household goods to electronics, clothing, and even luxury items like jewelry and furniture. And like its competitors, Sam’s Club also offers member-only pricing on gas at many of its locations.

The cost of a wholesale club membership

Warehouse club memberships aren’t free, but the idea is that you’ll save more than you spend if you use them right. Most clubs offer two tiers, with different perks and price points. Depending on the membership, you’ll find grocery savings, gas discounts, and even cash back or travel perks.

So, how do you know if any of them are worth it? One way is to calculate your breakeven point. For example, if you spend $500 a month on groceries and save just 10% by shopping at a warehouse club, that’s $600 in annual savings, more than enough to justify the membership fee. And that’s before you factor in other perks like discounted gas, household goods, or car repair services.

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Here’s a quick breakdown of current membership costs:

BJ’s membership

• Club Card: $60/year (currently $20)

• Club+ Card: $120/year (currently $40)

Costco membership

• Gold Star Membership: $65/year (now with a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card*)

• Executive Membership: $130/year (now with a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card*)

Sam’s Club membership

• Standard Membership: $50/year (currently $25)

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Beyond the base value of bulk shopping, these clubs offer a wide range of perks. BJ’s members can stack digital and manufacturer coupons, save on gas, and opt for curbside pickup or same-day delivery. Costco members get access to vacation deals, hearing and vision centers, and a famously generous return policy. Sam’s Club members can use the app to skip checkout lines, score discounts on entertainment, and get free shipping with a Plus membership.

For families, frequent drivers, or anyone managing a whole household, the potential savings go far beyond groceries.

Wholesale clubs streamline their product selection

Wholesale clubs thrive on variety, but they don’t operate like typical grocery or big-box stores. Instead of offering hundreds of versions of every product, clubs like BJ’s, Costco, and Sam’s Club streamline their selections. That means fewer options overall, but the trade-off is lower prices and curated picks, often a mix of well-known and high-quality store brands.

BJ’s Wholesale Club leans into convenience, offering everything from farm-fresh produce and name-brand snacks to tires and toys. You’ll also find seasonal decor, fashion for the whole family, and furniture alongside tech and appliances.

If you're looking to consolidate trips, BJ’s is a solid one-stop shop. It’s one of the only clubs that lets members stack manufacturer coupons with digital offers, which can help when buying brand-name groceries. Members can also add coupons to their membership card via the BJ’s app for automatic discounts.

Costco, on the other hand, is famous for the quality of its private-label brand, Kirkland Signature. You’ll also find an impressive range of international foods, premium cuts of meat, vitamins, electronics, and seasonal items like patio sets or holiday decorations. Their warehouse model means fewer SKUs, but that keeps the focus on price and quality. Their food court is also notoriously delicious and affordable.

Sam’s Club follows a “limited-item business model,” meaning fewer total products, but each is selected for its value and quality. Whether you’re looking for bulk chicken thighs or a patio set, the core appeal is the ability to stock up while keeping your spending in check. And with less shelf clutter, most shoppers have the chance to find what they need without being overwhelmed by too many choices.

All three clubs give you access to a wide mix of everyday essentials, pantry staples, and one-off seasonal treasures. If you’ve ever gone in for groceries and walked out with a kayak, you already know how the product mix works.

Perks and services: Wholesale clubs are about way more than just bulk buys

Beyond the bulk buys and discount gas, wholesale clubs pack in a lot of extras for members. From time-saving features to exclusive deals, these benefits can add up fast, but only if you take advantage of them.

BJ’s offers a surprisingly flexible shopping experience. You can skip checkout lines entirely with ExpressPay, use curbside pickup, or get same-day delivery, depending on your location. Their app lets you manage everything from digital coupons to online ordering, and you can also arrange recurring delivery for staples. They also accept manufacturer coupons, which can be stacked with their own digital coupons for extra savings.

Members get access to perks like discounted tires, home improvement deals, and even optical services. The Club+ Card tacks on 2% back on most purchases and additional gas savings. Club+ members also get two free same-day deliveries and up to 3x back in rewards during special events. Rewards never expire while your membership is active.

Costco takes a different route with services like Costco Travel, which gives members access to deals on cruises, rental cars, and vacation packages. There’s also a pharmacy that doesn’t require insurance, along with in-store vision and hearing centers. The famous food court and generous return policy don’t hurt either. Executive Members can earn 2% back annually and unlock deeper savings on select Costco Services. You also get a free Household Card and access to every Costco warehouse around the world, including Business Centers.

Sam’s Club offers Walmart-style convenience with a few premium upgrades. Members can access discounted movie and concert tickets, hotel rates, and car rentals. The Scan & Go app makes it easy to avoid checkout lines, and the digital experience is polished and practical.

The Sam’s Club app also gives you access to your digital membership card, lets you track rewards, and helps manage subscriptions for common household items. Same-day delivery, curbside pickup, and early shopping hours for Plus members can make a major difference for anyone with a packed schedule.

All three clubs also offer member-only gas stations with discounted fuel. And for those looking to handle more in one stop, prescription savings, glasses, insurance services, and even seasonal discounts make running errands into a singular event instead of a day running across town. And if you’re planning a vacation or event, don’t overlook the travel portals, especially for Sam’s Club and Costco, where hotel and entertainment deals can really stack up.

In a pricing comparison, do wholesale club savings stack up to grocery stores?

One of the main reasons shoppers consider a warehouse club membership is to save money, but how do those savings stack up against traditional grocery stores?

According to a 2023 Consumers’ Checkbook analysis, shoppers at BJ’s, Costco, and Sam’s Club can expect prices up to 35% lower than those at major chains like Safeway on frequently purchased grocery items.

Even after factoring in membership fees, regular shoppers generally come out ahead financially. Forbes explains that Costco’s low prices are partly due to its limited markup strategy and efficient store design.

Warehouse clubs offer fewer products and keep margins razor-thin, making the store feel like a “treasure hunt.” That thrill of discovery is what keeps shoppers coming back, and it’s actually part of a broader psychological strategy that shapes shopper behavior.

The psychology behind the impulse purchases

Warehouse clubs offer a different kind of shopping experience, one that has been carefully curated to trigger psychological responses that drive spending: feelings of security, value, and even abundance. Shopping at Costco or Sam’s Club isn’t just about saving money. It’s about feeling like you’ve scored something exclusive. You’re a kid in a candy store, only instead of candy, you’re grabbing 20-packs of socks and a piping hot rotisserie chicken.

That satisfaction, often referred to as the “Costco Effect,” comes from the thrill of discovering unexpected deals in a no-frills environment where oversized packaging signals long-term value. It plays into our instinct to stock up because if it’s a great price today, who knows if it’ll be there next week? When was the last time you saw a 50-pound bag of rice? You may never see one again.

Add in the scarcity effect of rotating inventory and limited-time offers, and you’ve got a formula that fuels impulse buys just as much as planned purchases. Retailers like Costco have tapped into this balance between rational budgeting and emotional satisfaction, creating a space where walking out with a cart full of goods feels like a win, even if you bought more than you needed.

Caveats: Not everything is better in bulk

Wholesale clubs aren’t for everyone. The savings they offer are most valuable to families, households with storage space, or people who are consistent about what they use. For solo shoppers or those in small spaces, buying a 10-pound bag of shredded cheese might not make sense, especially if half of it ends up in the trash at the end of the month. Produce and frozen goods are another thing to watch out for: one spoils quickly, and the other takes up quite a lot of room.

As we mentioned, impulse buying is a risk. It’s easy to go in for paper towels and leave with a TV you didn’t plan for just because it was cheaper than you expected. The scale and pricing can encourage overbuying, which may work against your budget and storage situation.

Another consideration is product variety. Clubs use a limited-item business model, meaning they carry fewer total SKUs than a supermarket. You may not find your preferred brand, or it might be gone by the time you return.

Getting the most out of your wholesale club membership

Maximizing a warehouse club membership comes down to smart planning and a little self-awareness.

Start by taking stock of what your household actually uses in large quantities. If you regularly go through items like cereal, detergent, paper towels, or pet food, buying in bulk can lead to meaningful savings over the course of a year. But if your pantry turns into a graveyard of unused goods, it’s time to rethink what belongs in your cart.

Avoid impulse buys by shopping with a list and sticking to it. Warehouse clubs are full of tempting one-time deals like seasonal furniture, giant snack packs, and blenders with more horsepower than your car, but the savings only count if you were going to buy that item anyway.

Here is our wholesale club shopping strategy and tips

A good rule of thumb is to treat warehouse club trips more like a monthly stock-up than a casual stroll. Know your budget, plan your storage space, and leave room for flexibility only when you’ve got room in the freezer (or the garage).

Look out for digital coupons and promotional rewards. As noted, BJ’s is especially strong in this department, allowing you to stack manufacturer coupons with its own digital ones. That’s a rare benefit that can double your discount with minimal effort. Sam’s Club and Costco both offer rotating instant savings on select items. These don’t require clipping or code entry and are automatically applied at checkout.

Don’t forget the value of non-grocery services. Clubs often offer discounts on optical exams, prescription drugs, dental insurance, tire services, photo printing, travel, and more. If you’re already paying for these services elsewhere, consolidating them under one membership can stretch your savings even further. Gas discounts available at all three clubs can also chip away at your membership cost, especially if you fill up regularly.

Many clubs have apps that make shopping more efficient. Use features like BJ’s ExpressPay or Sam’s Club's Scan & Go to skip time-consuming checkout lines entirely. Schedule pickups or same-day delivery when you’re pressed for time, and consider setting up recurring deliveries for essentials to simplify your routine.

A warehouse club membership is only as valuable as you make it. Buy what you’ll use, time your purchases with sales, use the perks, and always bring a game plan and enough room in the trunk.

If you’re serious about making the most of your membership, it’s also worth getting familiar with your club’s sales calendar and seasonal rhythms. Many wholesale clubs rotate inventory and offer limited-time deals that follow a fairly predictable pattern, things like grilling gear in the spring, back-to-school items in late summer, and home goods or fitness equipment at the start of the year. If you plan purchases around these cycles, you can get deeper discounts on the stuff you were going to buy anyway.

Another way to stretch your dollar is to get strategic with your membership tier. The higher-priced memberships usually come with added benefits like 2% cash back, early shopping hours, or free shipping.

Also, don’t overlook the digital tools each club offers. The apps from Sam’s Club, Costco, and BJ’s aren’t just for placing orders—they can help you track rewards, see instant savings, manage recurring deliveries, and locate items in-store. If you’re trying to avoid aimless wandering (and the impulse purchases that come with it), those features can help you stick to your plan.

Final verdict: Are wholesale clubs worth shopping at?

Warehouse clubs like BJ’s, Costco, and Sam’s Club offer a compelling way to stretch your dollar if you shop smart. The promise is simple: pay an annual membership fee and unlock access to low prices on bulk goods, exclusive services, and member-only perks like gas discounts, travel deals, and free shipping. But whether that tradeoff makes sense for you depends on how you shop, where you live, and what your household needs.

For families with consistent routines and enough storage space, a membership can pay for itself quickly. Buying staples in bulk can cut your grocery bills substantially. If you regularly use services like curbside pickup, same-day delivery, or prescription discounts, those benefits can be just as valuable as the products themselves.

Still, warehouse shopping has its limitations. Not everything in bulk is a deal. If you're not careful, perishables can spoil before you use them, and stocking up on rarely used items can backfire, creating more mess and stress than value. Some shoppers also fall into the trap of overbuying, driven by flashy in-store displays and the thrill of the “deal.”

Location also matters. If you have to drive 30 minutes out of your way just to visit a club, the savings on groceries could be offset by time and gas. The bottom line? A wholesale club membership makes the most sense if you:

• Shop for a household that uses a lot of essentials regularly
• Have storage space for larger quantities
• Live close to a club location
• Can stick to a shopping list
• Plan to use the full range of services, from gas savings to travel deals

If that sounds like you, the savings can be significant, and the convenience might surprise you. But if you're not sure you'll take advantage of the full value, you may be better off sticking with traditional stores or following the tradition of accompanying a friend with a membership to see if it’s worth the price.

*To receive a Digital Costco Shop Card, you must provide a valid email address. Valid only for new members and those whose memberships (Primary and Household) have been expired at least 18 months or more. Limit one promotion per household. Valid only for nonmembers for their first year of membership. Not valid for renewal or upgrade of an existing membership. Promotion may not be combined with any other promotion. Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed to the email address provided by the Primary Member at time of sign-up within 2 weeks after. Digital Costco Shop Card is not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Costco is not liable for incentives not received due to entry of an invalid address during sign-up. Digital Costco Shop Cards are not accepted at Food Court Kiosk. Use the provided single-use promo code when entering your payment information. A Costco Gold Star Membership is $65 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $65 upgrade fee a year. Each membership includes one free Household Card. May be subject to sales tax. Costco accepts all Visa cards, as well as cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT and Costco Shop Cards. Departments and product selection may vary. Promotion code MUST be purchased and redeemed by June 30, 2025 to qualify.