Buying in bulk can save you time and money
JANESVILLE — Call it youthful folly.
Call it the triumph of math over common sense.
Call it what you want, but the WD-40 bulk-buying incident stands out in my mind almost two decades later.
After receiving a free, 1-year membership to one of those warehouse clubs, I bought a deeply discounted six-pack of WD-40. For the next decade, I moved that WD-40 five times, from apartment to apartment and city to city.
In the end, I gave the remaining four and a half cans to a handyman I was dating. I can't recall his name, but I do remember the lessons of my first bulk-buying experience.
These days, everybody is looking for ways to save, but bulk buying isn't always the answer.
Nor are warehouse clubs.
To figure out what's best for your family, you need keen eyes and a calculator.
-- Tip No. 1: Always, always, always do the math.
I'm in one of Janesville's grocery stores, hunting around for cheddar cheese and baked beans, which is what the alleged head of my household likes to eat.
I can get the 1-pound bag of shredded cheddar for $4.99. Or, I can get two, 8-ounce bags for $4. Here's some breaking news: 16 ounces makes a pound.
By not buying the big bag, I saved 99 cents.
But in the canned vegetable aisle, I find a 117-ounce can of Bush's baked beans is 5.5 cents an ounce and the rational, human-being-sized can is 7.8 cents an ounce.
In the cereal aisle, you can have your Cheerios for 22 cents an ounce or 17 cents an ounce. That 5 cents an ounce quickly adds up.
Manufacturers understand consumers equate bulk buying with discounts, but that's not always the case.
So do the math. We can't stress that enough.
-- Tip No. 2: Watch out for those loss leaders.
It's my first time shopping in the enormous, allegedly deeply-discounted grocery/retail center. I'm delighted to discover unsalted butter for less than $2 a pound and a gallon of milk is $1.89.
Then I realize many of the other items I'm buying are between 20 and 50 cents more they are at my usual grocery store.
Every store has loss leaders. Don't base your entire shopping experience on them. The goal is to save money on your whole bill, not just a pound of butter.
-- Tip No. 3: Make sure you're comparing beans to beans and brats to brats.
Some grocery stores list the "unit" price of an item, and that's usually a good measure.
But for paper products, it doesn't work.
For example, a Charmin 9-pack is listed at 1.39 per unit, or roll. The 24-pack is listed at 40.6 cents a roll. But the 9-pack ends up being cheaper because of the square footage in each package.
Sometimes, too, brands make all the difference in the world. The alleged head of my household will only eat Johnsonville brats.
The actual head of my household insists on Tidy Cats brand litter.
-- Tip No. 4: Warehouse clubs aren't always a bargain.
You can buy 40 condoms for $10 and 48 ounces of Craisins for $7.87 cents at a local warehouse club.
Those are both good deals, though there's something appalling about buying condoms in bulk.
But other items, such as soda, Johnsonville brats, laundry, cat food, weren't fabulous deals. A few items actually were more expensive.
Also, warehouse clubs charge a membership fee. If that fee is $40, and items are discounted an average of 10 percent, you'll have to spend $400 to get your fee back.
For large families with a lot of freezer and storage space, warehouse clubs can help them save, but again—and we can't stress this enough—you have to do the math.
-- Tip No. 5: Consider your time.
Do you want to run all over town for the best deal or find decent deals at one store? Not many working parents want to go one place for paper towels, another for milk and a third for baked beans—especially not with an unhappy toddler in tow.
And how much time to you want to spend in the store? How efficient is your shopping experience? And do you want to smell tires while you shop for lettuce?
Have we mentioned it's important to do the math? Those calculations should include your time and gas costs.
May 30, 2009 at 12:15 a.m.
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Hannah,
Yes, you can get in without a membership. At any time, if you get help, you can take that safe back. Once you get to the club, they will give you assistance getting it into the club.
May 28, 2009 at 4:32 p.m.
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I have never heard of freezing eggs.
I mean, except in the case of invitro.
May 28, 2009 at 4:23 p.m.
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dado4...I also got that call on the cereal bars.We had already eaten them(and didn't get sick) but had receipt and was told I could get my money back.And yes I also save $$ shopping at Sams.
May 28, 2009 at 4:07 p.m.
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RummageSalesRock -- I also use Pig...especially for sale items. I find their stock is fresh and their customer service is second to none.
www.spend-local.com
May 28, 2009 at 4 p.m.
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Was it a 55 gallon drum of peanut butter? Plain or crunchy?
May 28, 2009 at 3:53 p.m.
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People can make fun of Sam's all they want, but with a family of 6, we save so much money there. In addition to food there are great deals on cloths, books, and consumer electronics. On a side note with their computerized scanning and record keeping, we were alerted when a product was recalled during the peanut somenella scare. We were given a full refund even though most of the product was eaten.
May 28, 2009 at 3:40 p.m.
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Can you eat frozen eggs on a stick?
Chilled tuna-ka-bob on a hot summer day really hits the spot.
May 28, 2009 at 2:22 p.m.
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You can also freeze eggs.Very easy and they do cook up the same.
May 28, 2009 at 2:20 p.m.
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If you buy a pallet of tuna (say about 3000 cans), you can think of the savings as a profitable investment in tuna futures.
May 28, 2009 at 1:53 p.m.
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LOL HANNAH ~ I missed the 55! But you know, thereare those packages of things that give you that 'bonus' amount for free....lol. I am not sure if you have a Piggly Wiggly near you, but they are having a spectacular sale this week!! Many items are B1G1 free. Those types of sales are my sales!!! And for some reason this year more than ever I have been freezing anything I can get my hands on! Must be the economy.... I froze morels for the first time this year, about 20# worth, and they turned out fabulous!!! Already froze my whole first batch of rhubarb, froze asparagus both given to us by friends along with some my son found and other things. It is such a full warm feeling knowing your have put fresh food into your freezer for a rainy day!! But the article is right, you have to watch what you buy! I personally would NEVER pay anyone to shop at their store other than for the product I am purchasing, but for some people this works out for them. I would much rather spend the time clipping coupons and watching sale ads and making use of my 'free' shopping centers that are having great sales! But hey, some people won't even touch a coupon, so it is to each's own.... and of course I am a stay at home mom, so I have the time too, where not everyone does.
May 28, 2009 at 1:08 p.m.
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It was 55 gallon. maybe the reg size is 50 and you get the special 5 more gallons for free.
May 28, 2009 at 12:26 p.m.
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People, we all need a sense of humor! Come on now, the 50# gallon drum of PB WAS funny! Why so seriously offended all of the time? There are happy pills out there, trust me I take them!!! LOL
May 28, 2009 at 12:24 p.m.
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Oh MIKKI....I can see the fantasies starting...a couch made of PButter with two women from mars made of chocolate wrestling on it......lol!
May 28, 2009 at 12:18 p.m.
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How about a couch made of peanut butter?
May 28, 2009 at 12:17 p.m.
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Absolutely! I just got done freezing a ton of groceries I purchased at Pig this week with their buy one get one free sale. With using coupons in combination with the sales, I paid very little, and now have a freezer full of meats, veggies etc.. By the way, you can freeze milk as well. Not sure if any of you knew that, but you can, just take a bit out of the gallon/half gallon to leave room for expansion. Another brilliant idea is to check woodmans for reduced fruits and veggies....you can toss whole tomatoes and bananas in the freezer to use for cooking at a later date. The babanas work WONDERFUL for banana bread, and when they are reduced for quick sale, it is usually a steal!
May 28, 2009 at noon
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How about a couch that looks like it was made on Mars?
May 28, 2009 at 9:55 a.m.
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If I opened the safe DAILY I would prob go through the trouble of taking it back. Cant get threw the door now WITH OUT A MEMBERSHIP can I????
May 28, 2009 at 3:34 a.m.
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If you realy want 55 gallons of crunchy peanut butter they can order you a truck load just give them a call
May 27, 2009 at 9:54 p.m.
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What about a 55 gallon drum of CRUNCHY peanut butter?!!!
May 27, 2009 at 9:15 p.m.
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janesvillian, ....or why not shop from a company that is forced to drastically slash prices and/or pay back bonuses to the shoppers for being loyal to their store which is what I do? When you have the power and influence of a "community" of shoppers vs one or two shoppers, you start making the new rules and the companies either comply or you'll take your community elsewhere to someone who will. Trust me, they will! I agree with your assessment that it's a wierd way of looking at it, but, it's going to take thinking out of the box to get different results. I'm not saying everyone will agree with it, but, I'm living it along with a great deal more of other people as well so there's definitely something to it!
May 27, 2009 at 7:05 p.m.
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wow ihavealfe maybe you should do the same if u don't have anything nice to say either I think that she is right so I am sorry I am on her side
May 27, 2009 at 7:02 p.m.
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scm2006... Lighten up !! The reason you don't need a receipt for a return at Sams is all they have to do is scan your membership card and they know everything you have ever bought.Really if you have nothing nice to say after reading comments...just don't read them in the first place.
May 27, 2009 at 6:54 p.m.
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wow you haven't been at the Sam's Club here in Janesville our peanut butter isn't that large unless you want them to order it that large for you.
May 27, 2009 at 6:37 p.m.
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Oh Boy!! Have you EVER been in Sam's Club?? Sorry to disappoint you-But theres NO 55 gallon drum of Peanut Butter!LOL!And if there was a problem with your safe(I know you'd rather complain than try to return!) Their return policy is the best anywhere!! Even without the receipt!If you do not want to save money-don't get a membership. But for once why don't you keep your NEGATIVE attitude to yourself.
May 27, 2009 at 5:44 p.m.
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I might join Sam's Club if I ever have a need for stuff like: a 55 gallon drum of peanut butter or a pallet of shredded wheat.
May 27, 2009 at 3:34 p.m.
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we were members once threw work. it is HUGE saving on tp and p towel and found an awesome deal on some balsamic vinaigrette. the small file safe I bought though is a piece of garbage. NO need to lock it I cannot open if it is unlocked- something is wrong in there. TO darn heavy to take it back and say I cannot return it for what ever reason. main reason is for fire protection. hopefully it is "drop proof" of course it will prob open then!!!!!
DID you know this is important??? in case of fire and floor burning away it is important for the safe to be fire proof and DROP proof.
May 27, 2009 at 2:43 p.m.
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I really dislike the deception of BUY 2 for $4. or what ever it is and then go to register and just ONE is $2. why cannot they tell you that. It seems VERY dishonest to me. usually i get the TWO items and will use the other one but what if I am short on money and just need one.
May 27, 2009 at 2:38 p.m.
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Well, that's a weird way to look at it, darius. Why not just shop someplace without a membership fee, like Woodman's? Nobody's forcing you to sign up.
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The value in a membership is probably psychological, in that people then feel an obligation to make sure they shop there enough to make the discount worth it. On the other hand, the store also makes money from a few customers who forget to use their membership.
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No, the main concern I as a consumer have with warehouse shopping is limited brand selection. Example: At Wal-Mart, I can get their "equate" brand of antacid tablets (or whatever). But at Sam's Club, they don't carry equate -- they only carry brand names like TUMS with a discount, and you are paying more than you pay for the equate. Is it a discount over what you would pay for the very same thing? Yes. Is it the best consumer choice? Perhaps not.
May 27, 2009 at 2:06 p.m.
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I know it's just me, but, I find it insulting that these multi-million and billion dollar companies like Wal-Mart (Sam's Club) are charging the consumers (their bread and butter) an upfront fee for the rights to spend money in their stores to help make them wealthier. When you look at this logically, it's a slap in the face for people like you and me! I have nothing against people or companies making a profit, but, the more I learn about these companies, the less I like what they're doing with these profits. I can see a day, infact, I'm seeing it right now, when the consumer can tell these companies, we're not going to pay your membership fee's and on top of that, you're going to share those profits you're raking in at OUR expense back amongst the consumer community! It's called the influence of community! If 10 of us make a stand and bull rush these stores with demands like that, they'll laugh at us. But, what if one thousand people bull rush that store??!! I guarantee you, they WILL NOT turn us away! Why am I so sure? Because if they turn us away, there's ton's of other stores who would gladly welcome us and our hard earned money. Only this time, it's on OUR TERMS! Have a great day all!
May 27, 2009 at 1:44 p.m.
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I find woodmans produce and meat appaling, even if their prices are cheaper! I get it at Logli's. Sure I pay a little more but then my strawberries aren't moldy! Plus the meat is sooo much better. But then I went to the farmers market on saturday and found organic eggs for $2 a doz. $3 for 18. Not too bad considering the good eggs in stores are more. I also bought a fresh butchered chicken. not plumped up with water so they don't shrink to half their sze when baked! Yummy! ( oh yeah they were free range chickens too!) But I still do buy things from Sams, after all I have a growing teenage son!!!
May 27, 2009 at 12:17 p.m.
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I buy 2 50# bags of dog food a month for $23.00 each. The difference is well worth the membership fee I pay.Being a small business owner I also can go early and get the markdowns on their meat and sometimes bakery.You get spoiled buying in bulk and don't want to pay regular prices at other stores. Coffee prices are the best around !!!
May 26, 2009 at 10:48 p.m.
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Here is a link to an article I found on Msn's home page.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Sav...
May 26, 2009 at 10:45 p.m.
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Granted, the warehouse clubs charge a membership fee. At least they are up front about it. You know that you need a membership to shop there. You may not save on every single item you ever buy there, but you will save on most. Other stores (non-warehouse) may not charge an up front fee, but add up the difference in prices and you will see that you are paying a fee there as well. Usually more than the 40.00/year.
Try the ribeye steaks at Sam's. As scm says, there is a 200% guarantee. You're not happy, make it known.
The average family of 2 will not see the savings that the family of 4 or more will see. Need tires on your vehicle? Call around and check with Sam's. That membership could save you alot.
Currently, there is a table set up just inside Sams Club. You can stop there, talk about what you would spend in a year, and the associate working the table will give you an estimated savings amount for a year. You like what you hear, you can take part in their 100 days of summer promotion. 100 days of membership for $15.00. No questions asked after the 100 days, if you do not purchase a regular membership. Any questions? Call Sam's and ask them.
May 26, 2009 at 10:28 p.m.
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Why buy meat from a store? buy a steer, have it slaughtered and made into your favorite cuts and freeze it. If you don't need that much meat, buy a half or quarter.
May 26, 2009 at 10:22 p.m.
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I find the best way to buy meat is to watch for sales, then buy bulk. I don't buy meat at Woodman's if I can help it. Logli's meat is excellent. The vegetable section is fun to look at, but expensive. No other store can beat their steaks. Sentry's meat is also very good, but very pricey if it's not on sale. Woodman's prices are better than most for all the other day to day items.
May 26, 2009 at 7:51 p.m.
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scm2006, you are 100% right. Try finding a container of strawberries at woodmans that isn't moldy. I also have bought meat at woodmans that was spoiled and they would not let me return it, and it was a reasonable amount of time (it was still before the expiration date).
May 26, 2009 at 7:12 p.m.
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Do you get double your money on that return?
May 26, 2009 at 7:07 p.m.
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I find Woodman's fair on returns/exchanges if you have the receipt and it's within a "reasonable" time for return. I'm one of those where a mega card wouldn't be an effective tool. I'd rather spend a few more pennies a pound for lesser quantities rather than spoil the mass quantity.
May 26, 2009 at 6:46 p.m.
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But where in Janesville is there a store that offers 200% guarantee on all your fresh products-meat,produce and bakery?? Not Woodmans try taking something fresh back there once??
May 26, 2009 at 5:52 p.m.
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LMAO !!! Good one Janesvillian.
May 26, 2009 at 4:59 p.m.
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There's something appalling about raising kids in bulk, too (see: Jon & Kate).
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