Most financial advisors and frugal shoppers will agree, wholesale clubs are a great way to save money on groceries and everyday items.
This is especially true if you are buying for a medium to large-sized family. Buying discounted staples in bulk quantities can easily save you enough money to justify the membership cost.
So in what cases would a BJ’s membership be worth it, and when is it better to take a pass?
What Is A Wholesale Club?
Wholesale clubs, in general, are magical places where you can buy everything in bulk at huge discounts. Because a store like that takes up a lot of space, they are literally built like a large warehouse. They are very industrial-looking with concrete flooring and metal shelving.
Who doesn’t love to get a great deal on 36 rolls of toilet paper? The prices are pretty impressive, but you need to pay for a membership to take advantage of them. The annual memberships are relatively inexpensive and are charged more to create customer loyalty than out of necessity by the store.
It makes you feel like you are part of an exclusive club, and many people won’t pay multiple fees to shop at a variety of wholesale clubs. There are three major well-known wholesale clubs right now; Sams, Costco, and BJ’s.
A Little More Information About BJ’s Wholesale Club
If you don’t live on the east coast, you might not have heard about BJs. While Sams and Costco have more stores throughout the nation, BJ’s is mainly on the east coast, with a few stores in Ohio and Michigan.
There are two main tiers to the BJ’s membership price. You can be an Inner Circle Member or a Perks Rewards Member. Here are the benefits of each one.
Inner Circle Membership:
- Access to shop at the store
- Exclusive BJ’s coupons
- One complimentary membership for an additional member of your household (add more members for $30 each)
- The cost is $55 a year
Perks Reward Membership:
- Access to shop at the store and all Inner Circle benefits
- Earn 2% cashback on purchases
- Earn double or triple cashback during special events
- Exclusive sales and events
- BJ’s travel benefits
- The cost is $110 a year
How Does BJ’s Wholesale Club Compared to Sam’s and Costco?
When it comes to what the “big three” have to offer, there aren’t many huge differences. In fact, going on price alone, debt guru Lauren Greutman did a deep dive of price comparison between the three, and BJ’s came out ahead but just slightly. For the most part, there was very little difference between prices. Out of 40 products in a range of categories, BJ’s Wholesale Club won the price battle 15 times, while Costco won 14 times, and Sams won 11 times. You can read the full report here.
| Store | Basic Membership | Number of Locations | Prices | Coupons |
| BJs | $55 | 219 mostly east coast | Comes out slightly ahead on a number of low-cost items. | The only club that takes manufacturer’s coupons. |
| Costco | $60 | 804 nationwide | Middle of the pack on pricing but home to the brand Kirkland which customers favor in surveys. | Doesn’t take coupons. |
| Sams | $45 | 600 nationwide (some stores being closed) | It seems to be the most expensive but not by a lot. | Doesn’t take coupons. |
What Are the Pros and Cons of Wholesale Club Memberships Like BJ’s?
While the savings are undeniable, wholesale shopping isn’t for everyone. Let’s take a look at the possible pros and cons of wholesale shopping at BJ’s or any shopping club.
Pros of Wholesale Membership Shopping
According to Consumer Reports, you can save up to 20% on groceries at a wholesale club. Many of these clubs, such as BJ’s, also have low-cost gas and other services available like eye care and tire replacement.
Their “house brands,” which offer the most savings, are well-liked by consumers. Kirkland is a well-known brand from Costco, but BJ’s also has excellent private label products from Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen.
Another pro is that wholesale clubs offer a positive shopping experience with large aisles, great customer service, and lots of free samples. As for BJ’s specifically, you’ll get to enjoy manufacturer’s coupons for additional savings. That is a perk Costco and Sams do not offer.
Finally, buying in bulk is a must-have shopping feature for many large families. In fact, just having one or two hungry teens in your house might have you buying in bulk. Large families get a lot of bang for their buck when it comes to potential savings vs. the annual membership fee.
Cons of Wholesale membership Shopping
The most obvious con of wholesale clubs like BJ’s is that you have to pay a membership fee just to step in the door. They literally check for your membership card at the door as if they are checking IDs at an exclusive nightclub.
Buying in bulk isn’t right for every shopper. If you are shopping for one or two people, then buying 3 lbs of mac-n-cheese at once is probably not necessary. When you buy in larger quantities, it’s harder to see the savings because just a few items in your cart can add up to over $100 quickly, but the products will last you a lot longer.
One more con, these wholesales clubs are convenient one-stop shopping experiences, but that also makes them a black hole of impulse buys. You can easily over-spend on impulse items since they have so much variety. Too many unnecessary purchases, and you’ll eat up all your potential cost savings.
FAQ’s About BJ’s Membership
How do I get a BJ’s membership?
Getting a membership is easy! You can sign up in person at your local store with the help of a customer service team member. You can also sign up easily online right here. You can choose between the Inner Circle membership for $55 or the Perks membership for $110 a year.
When will my BJ’s membership expire?
Your membership is good until the last day of the last month, one year after enrollment. If you renew early, you will still get your full 12 months, and then your renewal will kick in with a new 12 months.
How can I cancel my BJ’s membership?
According to their website, you can cancel easily in one of three ways:
- In-person at the Member Services Desk at any BJ’s location.
- Over the phone by contacting our Member Care team at 800-BJS-CLUB (257-2582) Monday-Friday, 9 AM-7 PM; Saturday, 9 AM-6 PM; and Sunday, 12 NOON-6 PM (all times are ET)
- Via mail by sending a letter to BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. Attn: Membership. 25 Research Drive.
What is the difference between Inner Circle and Perks Membership at BJ’s?
If you choose the premium level of membership, called Perks Membership, you will receive 2% cashback on all your BJ’s purchases. You will also get extra cashback during special events. BJ’s members can also access travel agency benefits.
Can I get a trial or discount on BJ’s membership dues?
If you are on the fence about membership and want to give it a try, you can get a one-day pass for free. Have a full shopping experience like an Inner Circle member. This is an option that Costco and Sames don’t provide.
Military members can also get a 25% discount on annual membership and a $10 coupon for their first shopping trip.
Final Verdict, Is A BJ’s Wholesale Club Membership Worth It?
When you’re trying to decide if a membership is worth it, you need to think about how often you will use it. If you intended to shop at the wholesale club at least once a month, or you need to buy in bulk for a family of three or more, then the savings will easily be worth it.
If you are a single person or a small family that prefers to shop at smaller stores in lower quantities, then you can safely skip the membership. It’s also worth noting that if you only need to shop at a wholesale club here and there, you can often order from them using a delivery service like Instacart without having a membership.
If you have no need for bulk buying but crave a few products exclusive to wholesale clubs, you can shop without getting a membership using Instacart or another delivery service. You will have to pay the delivery fees and a tip, however. If you buy more than a few times a year, you would probably save money with the membership.
Many families of two or more people will end up seeing enough savings on groceries, gas, and everyday items to easily make the yearly membership at BJ’s worth it.
You will never be able to talk to anyone on the phone. I tried for days, was on hold for hours. What a joke.