BJ’s Wholesale offers free trial membership

Wonder whether you can live with the limitations of warehouse club shopping? Now you can find out risk-free without investing $45 a year to join. 

BJ’s Wholesale, with 180 stores in the East, is offering fence-sitters a free 60-day trial membership, which can be activated between now and July 6. To print out the coupon you’ll need to present to customer service, click here.

The club, which began in New England back in 1984, claims consumers can save more than 30 percent off regular supermarket prices, and we know from years of covering the clubs that substantial savings are indeed possible. 

Of the big three warehouse clubs, which also include titans Costco and Sam’s Club, BJ’s is the only one that accepts manufacturers’ coupons and allows payment via multiple major credit cards. BJ’s also claims to sell some merchandise in more consumer-friendly sizes, such a quarts of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, milk in half-gallon containers, and chopped lettuce in regular supermarket-size bags. Package size – gallon jugs of mayonnaise, for instance, or a dozen 1-pound cans of green beans – has always been a knock against the clubs, which is why they’re not suitable for everyone.

Of course, like the other clubs, BJ’s is still essentially a no-frills working warehouse with limited service.

Even if you don't buy groceries, a club can be a bargain source of eyeglasses, electronics, prescription medications, auto supplies, books, and other goods and services. At no charge, it's worth a try.

Comments

[Stephanie]

A great thing about Costco I just learned this week: you don't need a membership to use the pharmacy; however if you do have a membership, you can get further discounts. I'm not sure if that also applies to eyeglasses, but you can definitely fill prescriptions without a membership.

[Patrick]

One other difference with BJs: unlike Costco or Sams, BJs allows anyone to enter the store without needing to have a membership card. Non-members are free to come in and check out things for themselves and see if the selection and prices will work for them before forking over any membership fees. Try before you buy.

My family belongs to all three clubs right now because each offers something different. We do find the grocery selection slightly better at BJs but there are brands carried at one and not at the others so shopping around is a must. I happen to prefer Costco myself. We carry Sams simply because it's the least expensive and we make use of the gas station feature. Sams practically gives away the memberships and some extent I think you do get what you pay for.

In my area, the BJs have eliminated the food courts and the pharmacies. Both of those are extremely popular areas at our local Sams and Costco but never at BJs. No surprise that they closed them down.

[RADD]

thank`s for the fyi.....;>"K"

[wholesale clothing]

Your blog is great! Based on this post, it looks like you folks offer great products and services.i will try that,.. Keep it up!

-altheya-

[Jane]

I need an eyeglass prescription filled.
Has anyone had experience with BJ's optical dept.
What is your opinion?