Battle of the Big Stores: Wal-Mart vs Target

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Large family or freezer/pantry space. Although I do know people who share a membership and split the purchases from warehouse clubs like that.

Yep, I got none of that.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Yep, I got none of that.

Heh, ditto. It is occasionally worthwhile to tag along with someone and pick up things you use a lot anyway, whether it's granola bars or TP. But not worth even the 35 a year for me at this point.

[Senusret I]

I don't go to big box stores of any kind in person. They cause me a lot of anxiety.

I ordered one piece of my furniture from WalMart.

The rest came from Target.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well maybe, but don't you pretty much have to buy everything in bulk? If you don't have a large family, the cost of finding someplace to store it and the amount of wasted/spoiled food far outweighs the savings.

Not necessarily. A lot of what Costco has, particularly paper products, is bulk (or bulkier than a regular grocery), but not everything is. You can get meats, fruits and vegetable, bakery goods, milk, wine and that kind of stuff in manageable amounts.

Then there's electronics. We got a new TV there -- it ran about $100 less than what I could find anywhere else, and Costco automatically doubles the warranty, so we have a 2-year warranty on it. (90-day no questions asked return policy.) They also do glasses/contacts.

Finally, there's gas. Gas at Costco tends to run about $0.10 a gallon less than the lowest nearby station. We figure we make up lots of the membership fee just in gas.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Costco is alright, very good wine selection and probably second best here in El Paso next to Cost Plus.

ummm..no.



Out of those 2, I chose Target. I love me some Sam's though.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well maybe, but don't you pretty much have to buy everything in bulk? If you don't have a large family, the cost of finding someplace to store it and the amount of wasted/spoiled food far outweighs the savings.

not really. We have a family of 3 (sometimes 4) and we shop very frequently at Sam's. It's great for things like drinks (sodas, waters, etc) cause it runs cheaper.

It's not necessarily selling things in bulk, but the things you do buy usually come in a bigger quantity.

[Nanners52674]

Target never wal-mart. We have BJ's as the closest so that's where I go for "bulk" stores.

[VandalSquirrel]

I split a Costco membership with my BFF. There are lots of things we split but I buy Dave's Killer Bread and freeze the second loaf. I got tires there for a steal, and the things you can order online are great as well. I also liked getting a year of generic Zyrtec for $13.

We have a Walmart in my town which I go to if I need something that can't wait for a trip to Spokane. Target is nice, but nothing beats Fred Meyer. My Northwest peeps (PeppyGPhiB, WCSWeet, Jill1228 formerly, etc.) know the amazing world of Freddies.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Target. K Mart also.

Originally Posted by southbymidwest

Target. Cleaner than Walmart. K-Mart stores here are just a mess.

If KMart can compete in this competition, I'm voting for Caldor. My NE GCers know what I'm taumbout.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by epchick

ummm..no.

You know of someplace better than those two or the shop @ the Greenery? Please share.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

You know of someplace better than those two or the shop @ the Greenery? Please share.

There is Star Canyon Winery and Billy Crews, just to name a couple. The places are out there, you just have to look for them.

Not to mention the restaurants that actually serve wine.

[PeppyGPhiB]

I won't set foot into a Walmart. I love Target, however. I don't think we even have K-Marts around here anymore.

We have very few Sam's Clubs here in the Seattle area, since Costco HQ is here! Ahhhhh, Costco. Land of the best lunch deal - kosher polish dog + large soda for $1.50! You can get all kinds of stuff at Costco, including electronics, office supplies (printer ink!), pharmaceuticals and OTC stuff, appliances, jewelry, furniture, tires and auto supplies, not to mention the awesome baked goods (they have the best croissants), party platters, choice meats, birthday cakes, other food, and wine and beer! In some states you can buy liquor there at amazing discounts. And we just bought the travel package for our honeymoon from Costco Travel (they have their own travel agency)...basically got a killer rate on a nice hotel and a free car rental for two weeks. The trick with Costco is to go in with a list, and not deviate from it. I know a lot of people who split the packages, but I mostly just buy certain things there that I know I'm going to use a lot of, and that won't spoil.

ETA: VandalSquirrel, you know we love us some Fred Meyer!

ETAA: Costco is also known as a great place to work. They pay well and provide great benefits. So I like to shop there.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

TARGET SUCKS! My first job was actually a Super Target and while it's cleaner than Wal-mart and prettier, that's just not enough for me. My local Target refuses to hire enough cashiers so it's a decent wait even if I only have a few items and no one ever lets me skip, unlike at Wal-mart where people are apparently more courteous. Target also has a cashier with a disability who adds to the wait because he chats everyone up! I can't even go in his lane anymore because he won't stop talking and get me out of there.

If Target hired more cashiers so I didn't have to race a bia-bia with 60 things in her basket to the register to pay for my ONE item and get out I'd like it better. However, they don't care so they can suck it.

[IrishLake]

Meijer first, then Target. Our Kmart just closed up shop, but it wasn't worthwhile in the first place.

[pshsx1]

I prefer Wal Mart over Target, actually. Whenever I go into a Target, I feel like they don't have enough of anything. With Wal Mart, I can find everything under the sun, plus some, and it's all decently priced. I'm only speaking for the Targets and Wal Marts I have been to, though (all in heavy suburban areas). I am more impressed aesthetically with the Wal Marts around me in Texas than I am with the Targets around here. In Michigan, it's about the same for me.

When it comes to K Mart, I don't like shopping there anymore. All of the ones I stumble upon now (ever since they filed for bankruptcy and then resurfaced) look like they've been raided by rioters on the inside and still have their extremely 1980-90 look on the outside.

I love Meijer.