by Charlotte DeWinter

Created on: July 19, 2010   Last Updated: July 13, 2011

Nowadays, it isn’t very uncommon for someone to have a membership to a warehouse store. “Everything is so much cheaper there!” is usually what you will hear when you ask them why they have this membership, but, as with everything, there are pros and cons to this membership, but what are they?

Pros
Most warehouse stores provide anything from a gallon of milk to a new couch to even a computer. This means that the shopper can get everything they need in one place, saving the shopper unneeded hours of shopping time. Most of these warehouses also usually provide a discount to members, saving them money. A warehouse store is a good option for non-perishable items such as deodorant, shampoo, and paper towels because they usually require you to buy in bulk. These bulks usually are cheaper than buying the same amount of items separately, also saving money.

Cons
Warehouse stores usually have limited brands, so if your partial to a particular brand, they might just not have it. Also, because you have to usually buy in bulk, warehouse stores aren’t a good option for perishable items. Think about it, can you use that large of an amount of whatever it is before it has to be thrown out? Warehouse stores are usually a great place for impulse buying, seeing that huge sign saying, “buying this box with twenty packs of gum is cheaper than buying twenty separate packs at your local grocery store” might lead you to throw a box in your cart. The question is, do you really need those twenty packs of gum? In the end, you might be spending just as much, or even more than you usually do at your local grocery store. These warehouse stores also charge you a membership fee, so your spending even more just to be able to shop there. Also, if you can't afford a big bill to buy them in bulk and can only afford to buy a few items on your paycheck, then shopping at warehouses isn't a good option.

Taking all of these things into consideration when you are contemplating on that membership to your local Sam’s Club or Costco’s will help you make your final decision. Think about whether the pros sound more appealing or whether the cons outweigh them in your opinion. Then you can decide if you want  to upgrade to the big warehouse store or if you'd rather continue to shop at your local retailer.

Learn more about this author, Charlotte DeWinter.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.