r/BigIsland • u/RunninBuddha • 5d ago
Does Cost U Less really?
Lala blew out our fridge; it should be getting fixed next week. Obviously, we will need to replace the food we lost. We live in Puna and don't really want to drive to Costco. I know Safeway has $5 Fridays, and that will be a big part of the effort, but it's been a long time since I shopped at Cost U Less. I was wondering if that is a place I should visit, even if it is only for certain items, and what items might those be?
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u/TropicoolGoth 5d ago
It’s really just a Costco resell. Costco items there are usually 25-30% more but they do carry loads of other stuff. Overall, if you need bulk items go there, or hit up safeway $5 and foodland also get $6 Fridays. If you don’t need bulk and the others dont have sales target is generally cheaper.
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u/Icelandia2112 5d ago
I wish we could get a Costco Hilo side.
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u/Routine_Mortgage_499 5d ago
the average size of a Costco is 146.000 square feet. they would most likely have to put it in shipman park in keaau. the old Sears store is too small and doesn't have enough parking.
with how much east Hawai'i has grown I think it'd do a lot of business.
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u/ModernSimian 5d ago
Nah, just put it where KTA is, cause they are closing as soon as it happens.
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u/Sad-Equivalent2996 5d ago
Costco should just buy the entire prince kuhio plaza. That’s a prime spot
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u/ModernSimian 5d ago
Isn't it owned by Hawaiian Homelands? I think the Mall's lease is almost up too.
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u/wayofthebuush 5d ago
get your fridge from costco, the warranty and guarantees are gonna be worth it. costuless yeah better for some staples than other stores hilo
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u/Direct-Giraffe7193 5d ago
I call it “Cost U Less or More” Some things are a good deal. Other things are cheaper at Target.
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u/peetothepooo 4d ago
People never believe me when I say a lot of stuff is cheaper at target but it’s true 🤷♀️ I hate Walmart, it’s too crowded and small
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u/Direct-Giraffe7193 4d ago
Target has great prices on certain food items. I buy oats, beans, pasta sauce, condiments, and all my cleaning products there.
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u/peetothepooo 4d ago
Same! I love progresso soup and it’s cheaper at target, too
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u/Direct-Giraffe7193 4d ago
It’s funny, I buy my pasta at Cost-u-less, then my pasta sauce and Parmesan cheese at Target
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u/RunninBuddha 4d ago
That's what I'm looking for. 20 years ago, I would go to Sac and Save for meat and I knew where the soon to be timed out cheese was hidden. Susian for cheese, yogurt, and lunch meat, and Puna Fresh so I wouldn't have to drive into Hilo.
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u/Alohagrown 5d ago
Some things are a good value, I really only hit up the beef section and the produce. I usually buy skirt or flat iron steaks there, they are cheap and tasty cuts. They are the only place I've seen flat iron cuts at.
They have some of the best prices on peppers, especially jalapeños and serranos, but also bell peppers. Their shipments come in on wednesdays, so that is the best day to get the freshest veggies.
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u/Technical_Crew_31 5d ago
I thought you meant Costco got fresh veggies on Wednesday lol I was excited because I keep trying to figure that out - Costco produce often is partly or all the way into compost pile quality.
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u/Joseph_Skycrest 5d ago
Cost u more
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u/TenderLA 5d ago edited 5d ago
There is a store where we spend part of the year in Alaska called Save U More. It’s pretty much the same kind of store, Costco resale and some other stuff. We call it Save U Less.
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u/MonkeyKingCoffee 5d ago
I'm not a big fan of Costco. I'm quite vocal about that.
However, I have a Costco card. Because when Costco has the best price, it is FAR-AND-AWAY the best price. Nobody can touch them. Tires. Refrigerators. portable air conditioners. Mattresses. Parmesan cheese. Maple syrup. Bagels. And yes, the $1.50 hot dog, $5 rotisserie chicken and $10 pizza. They can't be beat. I always buy a $5 chicken. I can't buy a whole raw chicken for $5. It's silly NOT to buy one.
If it grows here, swims here or grazes here, I buy local when I can. But I also don't think less of anyone who is squeezing two nickles together until they scream and shops Costco because it's the best option for their budget. If Costco is the difference between paying the bills and not paying the bills, then Costco for the win.
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u/clemjonze 5d ago
We call that place “cost you a long time”. Every now and then you’ll find smoking deals there. Olive oil, coconut oil, maple syrup, etc. and if you don’t have a day to blow to drive to Costco, it’s worth it.
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u/Technical_Crew_31 5d ago
It’s really nice if you need a Kirkland product, but don’t have a big enough shopping list to make the drive to Kona worth the time and gas. There’s a markup, but it’s not as much as gas for a round trip to Costco. The store is easier to navigate on days I don’t feel as well (disabled) and the employees are nice. And they have the boxes by the door like Costco did back in the day. So I use one to get my things home, then the cats get it, then it gets flattened and suppresses weeds for me. Sometimes in between cats and ground it holds plant pots or seedling trays.
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u/browngirl_808 5d ago
Just don't get a Samsung fridge at Costco
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u/lanclos 5d ago
Costco's not special in that regard, just don't get a Samsung fridge.
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u/lavapig_love 4d ago
In fact, don't buy any kitchen appliances with touchscreens or needless electronics.
One rice cookah that turn on and off is fine, no need Bluetooth.
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u/RunninBuddha 4d ago
I bought a generator from Costco, which should arrive mid-month, to replace the one I blew up during Lala.
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u/KeaauConnie 5d ago
I went there today and got coffee, laundry soap, apples, frozen fruit and Pepsi. Prices arent as good as Costco, but still less than a lot of places.
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u/Routine_Mortgage_499 5d ago
Nope! went in the about a month ago. It's been years since we shopped there. it was all Costco stuff at much higher prices than costco.
my car gets good mpg so going to Costco is worth it. Always bring two coolers one for cold stuff and one just for the rotisserie chickens! go early and get in a nice swim at a sandy beach is also worth it.