Is Costco worth the aggravation?

Parking?  I watch the confrontation this morning between three people in three cars, arguing over the same parking spot. It didn't come to fisticuffs but who knows --- next week?

Check out lines? More and more time spent in checkout

We go.  The trick may be finding the quieter days and times (which we haven't done).  

No … not worth my time and energy 

We have been shopping there for years, and recently it seems to be getting harder and harder to find that off-peak time when the checkout lines aren't horrendous and the parking lot is tolerable. I have begun questioning whether it's worth it to shop there. 

It's essential if you need hearing aids and glasses.  I have heard Tuesday is a good day to go but last time I went on a Tuesday it was packed.  

I’ve let our membership lapse, after kids quit eating the favorite thing that we could only get there.  Waiting to see if we ever miss it. (We let it lapse for years once before, and rejoined when we got a great deal).

what aggravation? seems fine to me.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

Parking?  I watch the confrontation this morning between three people in three cars, arguing over the same parking spot. It didn't come to fisticuffs but who knows --- next week?

Check out lines? More and more time spent in checkout

I always parked at the back of the lot.  Trying to get closer was a waste of time and the walk was good for me.

drummerboy said:

what aggravation? seems fine to me.

you’re in Ohio… if you ever come back to jersey go to Costco in union off route 22… you might need anxiety meds before you even get through the entrance.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

Parking?  I watch the confrontation this morning between three people in three cars, arguing over the same parking spot. It didn't come to fisticuffs but who knows --- next week?

Check out lines? More and more time spent in checkout

I’ve never been aggravated. I use the back road and park in the back. Rainy days during the week are usually better. 

I go to the Costco on Route 10.  No real issues.

DanDietrich said:

I go to the Costco on Route 10. No real issues.

Never been to Costco, but our son and his girlfriend got us a Christmas gift card as an enticement, and we still haven’t used it. I avoid Route 22 whenever possible, so had my eye on Route 10. This cinches it.

Jaytee said:

drummerboy said:

what aggravation? seems fine to me.

you’re in Ohio… if you ever come back to jersey go to Costco in union off route 22… you might need anxiety meds before you even get through the entrance.

I used to go to the one on Rt 10 usually. Yeah, the one on 22 was always a bit of a zoo.

I do Costco, but I'm in W.O so for me it's either Route 10 or Wayne. Route 22 I find overwhelming and try to avoid, so I'm rarely down that way even accounting for it being a bit out of the way for me.

Generally I'm doing the Wayne location as it has gas, which Route 10 doesn't. It's usually crowded, but I have a bit of a routine that makes it bearable, sometimes even enjoyable. Basically I have a list of items I get at Costco (as opposed to the running Shoprite grocery list), and I have it timed so that when I run low on gas and milk, it's time for a Costco run. WFUV up to Wayne, get gas, park somewhat far (it's the Willowbrook mall so there's always spots, but usually not especially close), put on the wireless headphones and start up the podcast. Same route each time, picking up the items on the "Costco list" that are out or low since the last time, line up, then headphones off when I finally get to the point of unloading and paying.

Works out to be every two weeks or so and between the radio and podcasts it's not a terrible way to spend a bit of time.

If one goes early there is no issue with going to Costco on Route 22 (and one has no need to actually get onto route 22 but frankly those who avoid such road perhaps should rethink their capabilities as decent drivers ;-) )

I also hear that going at about 6 pm or so during the week is great but given that I am a morning person I go early on the weekend as I still work.

Also just park a bit away and no need to see the wrangling for the close up spots.

wendy said:

If one goes early there is no issue with going to Costco on Route 22 (and one has no need to actually get onto route 22 but frankly those who avoid such road perhaps should rethink their capabilities as decent drivers ;-) )

Route 22 is one of those roads that makes me rethink the wisdom of letting people drive in the first place.

wendy said:

If one goes early there is no issue with going to Costco on Route 22 (and one has no need to actually get onto route 22 but frankly those who avoid such road perhaps should rethink their capabilities as decent drivers ;-) )

The Phillies are more than capable of sating my masochism.

I go to Costco via Vauxhall Road or Morris Ave to Caldwell Ave to West Chestnut St in Union and avoid Route 22 completely. (Although if I have to drive on Rt 22, I do so. But in this case, there is no need and it seems to be as fast or faster.)

Also, I do a good portion of my Costco shopping via Instacart and have it delivered.

wendy said:

If one goes early there is no issue with going to Costco on Route 22 (and one has no need to actually get onto route 22 but frankly those who avoid such road perhaps should rethink their capabilities as decent drivers ;-) )

I also hear that going at about 6 pm or so during the week is great but given that I am a morning person I go early on the weekend as I still work.

Also just park a bit away and no need to see the wrangling for the close up spots.

I consider myself a decent driver. The only accident I have been in in the last 25 years was coming out of that Costco and yielding to get onto Route 22. The woman behind me didn't seem to think it was a yield and slammed right into the back of me. Route 22 is the worst highway I have encountered in the entire country. The one on Route 10 is much nicer and has plenty of parking if you're willing to walk a little. I find Costco worth it, but have to have the occasional argument with the wife over getting too much food and having it go to waste. We tend to stick with all of the non-perishables, plus milk, eggs, cereal and maple syrup.  

I hear you about Route 22 and sorry you got rear-ended. Yes it's not a great road and the traffic flowing from both sides - center and to the right - doesn't help. As you know read ending can happen anywhere. The route 10 one doesn't sell gas and I choose my time to go to Costco and other stores along that corridor based on conditions. What I said about drivers was that for those that won't ever drive on Route 22 or highways for that matter I don't want to drive with them as they are in my opinion not good drivers based on their own fears and hesitancy. That was my point.

The gas at the Route 22 one is a nice perk.