Comments on: Buying Bulk Items Not Always Cheap

By: Think Outside the Grocery Store Box

Think Outside the Grocery Store Box — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:26:18 +0000

[...] Warehouse clubs such as Sam’s, Costco, or BJ’s sell pantry staples, meats, and even prescription medications at great prices, and many of these sell gasoline at a substantial discount, making it very easy to recoup the annual membership fee. I have to be careful in warehouse clubs because there are lots of tempting goodies (edible and otherwise) that call to my wallet! You can also buy in bulk, but be aware that bulk buys aren’t always everything they’re cracked up to be. [...]

By: JJ

JJ — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:35:14 +0000

I’m glad I was able to read this. I’ve been thinking of getting a Sam’s Club membership, making that popular assumption that buying in bulk will inevitably be more economical. However, continuing to make Walmart my main source of regular shopping may be my best bet – especially since that’s where I work so shopping is convenient (requiring no more gas too) and I get an employee discount on most items as well.

By: Ten-Week Sam’s Club Membership for $10 | Frugal Dad

Ten-Week Sam’s Club Membership for $10 | Frugal Dad — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:23:56 +0000

[...] to realize $10 worth of savings, you would do better to pass on the offer. And keep in mind that bulk packaging is not always cheaper. Sometimes you do better to buy smaller packaging, but more of it–always compare unit [...]

By: 20 Money-Saving Tips for the Grocery Store

20 Money-Saving Tips for the Grocery Store — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:49:28 +0000

[...] Compare unit costs, not list prices. Bigger packages don’t always mean cheaper prices. The calculator you brought along can help convert price to unit cost to compare which items are really cheaper. Simply divide the price by the total number of units (ounces, items, etc.) to get each package’s unit cost. Many times you will find it is cheaper to buy two smaller packages than one slightly larger. This is especially true of paper products, where stores rely on consumers believing the myth that bulk packages are cheaper. [...]

By: 6 scenarios where being frugal simply costs more | On Financial Success

6 scenarios where being frugal simply costs more | On Financial Success — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:59:43 +0000

[...] products and stores offer significant savings when you buy a lot up front. For some people, buying in bulk makes a lot of sense. If you have the space and the money up [...]

By: S.B.

S.B. — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:15:18 +0000

I totally agree. We don’t have a Sam’s or Cosco, but we have BJ’s Warehouse club. For our three person family, it doesn’t pay for us to buy in bulk.

Also, I love the site so much I added you to my blogroll. Thanks

S.B.

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:56:58 +0000

Hi – just read your post after coming over from ProBlogger. I have to say I completely agree with your findings. I moved from a smaller town to a city that has a Sam’s club as well as a few other “bulk/wholesale” shopping areas, and have found the same exact results.

For me, I have a family size of 7, three teenagers, and two younger children and my wife and I. Needless to say we go through quite a bit of household goods, and especially food. But we soon found that the clubs didn’t necessarily offer the better value.

By: The Bad Penny

The Bad Penny — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 03:37:48 +0000

I’ve noticed this a disappointing amount of times at places like Sam’s Club. Often, I can buy the exact same thing much cheaper per ounce at Walmart or even a grocery store – and when I add in sales and coupons…

So at Sam’s I spend a lot of time checking price per unit!

This is a really good point, though – a lot of us were raised to believe “bulk is cheaper” and the manufacturers have caught on to this and try to take advantage of our assumptions.

And you reminded me I need to go switch out the laundry!

By: Weekend Roundup-No Cooling Pad Edition | The Wisdom Journal

Weekend Roundup-No Cooling Pad Edition | The Wisdom Journal — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:11:39 +0000

[...] Frugal Dad reminds us to check the per unit price on items you buy in bulk because buying bulk items isn’t always cheaper. Thanks Frugal [...]