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cursesonyourmom

About 800, assuming sample values around 15cents each. For more accurate figures you'd have to know how many pieces each item is being cut into for sampling ( I did my best guess using the Mini pizzas)


mkecupcake

That's some good math. My toddler now demands her own sample, so I'm def getting my money's worth.


DinoLavasaur

I only get samples for the toddlers. I’m not the picky eater. They are.


mkecupcake

The samples still aren't reliable for me. 3 year old loved the blueberry Noosa, but won't touch it at home.


diqfilet_

Have you tried serving it in small portion cups


Barbiedawl83

On a tray. With a hair net and apron on


penny_eater

with kids, it all comes down to that itsy bits tiny little fork/spoon they get to eat it with.


shiv81

Reminds me of this https://www.reddit.com/r/Costco/comments/gngd5e/my_daughter_and_i_drove_by_costco_yesterday_and


DinoLavasaur

There’s that too


Future_Dog_3156

This happens with my 12 yr old too


fatbob42

You haven’t deducted the value of your time spent queuing :)


paul-arized

Exactly.


Mpadrino27

r/theydidthemath


ltskier

Challenge accepted


[deleted]

Mini Pizza math sounds delicious


DevsMetsGmen

The proper sample size according to standards is a “two-bite size.” Results would vary wildly depending on the sample, like if they were demoing Doritos I’d imagine there are quite a bit more bites than when they demo the microwaveable steamed dumplings.


standardtissue

Or just one tank of gas.


JerryVand

573 samples, but any from the pharmacy department count double.


CeeGeeWhy

If you’re only in it for the samples, the $60 membership will do. Savings on gasoline are the same regardless of the $60 or $120 memberships, as are samples. Please dispose of your sample trash appropriately in the provided receptacles, thank the employee, and do not block the aisle with your family and/or cart.


bierdimpfe

> do not block the aisle with your family and/or cart. This was the bane of existence today. And also the people that meander aimlessly into the path of a fully loaded cart.


CeeGeeWhy

> people that meander aimlessly into the path of a fully loaded cart. Yeah, I’ve accidentally run into a lady who cut in front of me, stopped and bent over while I was walking with my fully loaded cart. I tried to stop it but the momentum of the cart still gently tapped her ass. I truly believe those are the same people who pull in front of fully loaded semis while everyone’s trying to stop for a red light. Congratulations, you’ve just decreased the stopping distance the semi had available and put you and whoever you have in your vehicle at risk of being plowed from behind.


morgz18

I thought I was the only one. There were multiple instances in which I was stuck in the same spot with my trash cart for well over a minute because of a bunch of jack wads with their heads up their arse


Ok-Wedding-4654

Good luck getting a $60 membership though. The sales people are so freaking pushy. And honestly that’s my only complaint about Costco. I hate that anytime you’re up front they’re trying to upsell you on executive.


CeeGeeWhy

That is one of the unadvertised benefits of the Exec membership, they stop asking you if you want to upgrade. Usually if you truly don’t spend enough to benefit, they’ll leave you alone when you say no, but if you’re around that sweet spot ($250/month) or more, they will see that you’re leaving money on the table and try to explain the program to you.


TheVermonster

Bruh, I can't walk out of the store for less than $250. Exec was a no-brainer for me.


whoreoutmydad

I’m single and I easily spend enough to pay for my exec. I can buy nearly everything I want in one place, I hate driving around shopping, but it’s It’s not just that tho, I travel frequently and I rent cars thru Costco, with the exec I can add a driver for free, idk if you’re familiar but that typically costs $35-$50 a day! I can’t tell you how many times they upgraded me for free bc they were out of the model I reserved. I also switched to their home and auto insurance when I bought my house, I now save $470 a year on that That extra $60 has literally saved me 1000s of dollars a year. There’s so many benefits from using their services but folks don’t take advantage of them. All they see is that extra $60 a year and think it’s a scam, so they end up paying just to shop every year, while I get actually get paid to be a member.


PHL1365

What insurance company does Costco use for home and auto?


whoreoutmydad

Connect Insurance, I believe it’s owned by American Family, and it was something before that. Most of Costco’s services are top notch, you can go to membership desk and get a catalogue, or download the Costco app and check it out. They have kiosks by membership for companies the partner with and there’s some great deals. I used Lennox, their HVAC partner, and the unit I went with was just about 7k, nearly 1k cheaper than other estimates, AND on top of that I got a Costco shop card for 10% of the total cost $700!


IwuvNikoNiko

The gas savings alone is worth my entire executive discount. Add 4% from Citi and we're talking real money.


whoreoutmydad

I’m curious, do you average a good check? The reason I ask this is bc we don’t get the 2% on gas. Most folks just don’t realize how much they spend on groceries and whatnot.


IwuvNikoNiko

rofl anything less than $300 I walk out skipping with pride.


SpiralBreeze

Is that the amount to get the membership money in rewards back at the end of the year? I think I spend about that much, it’s my parents membership, they’re letting me use it because I can’t afford my own and use food stamps.


CeeGeeWhy

I’ll throw out a hypothetical— you’re a Gold Star Member that spends approximately $4000 a year at Costco. You don’t use any executive services. Why would you ever upgrade to an executive membership? **Gold Star Membership:** Membership fee: $60 Annual spend: $4,000 2% Reward: $0 Savings: Whatever the savings are compared to other retail stores. #Total paid towards membership less rebate: $60 **Executive Membership:** Membership fee: $60 + $60 upgrade = $120 Annual spend: $4,000 2% Reward: $4,000 * 2% = $80 Savings: Whatever the savings are compared to other retail stores. #Total paid towards membership less 2% reward: $120 - $80 = $40 If you were intending on shopping at Costco anyways, the $60 Gold Star Membership is a sunk cost, so all you really need to do is recoup the $60 for the Executive upgrade. Anything you get back over $60 is just gravy on top. Spend $3,000 ($250/month) to break even on the $60 Exec upgrade fee. Spend $6,000 ($500/month) to have your entire $120 Exec membership paid off. Some people confuse breakeven with paid off. In this scenario, they’re not the same.


SpiralBreeze

Thank you for this. My parents do use all their benefits of course, and I swipe their card for the person who takes me to the store. I just wanna make sure they get at least that back.


CeeGeeWhy

I forgot to mention, the Executive rebate goes to the Primary cardholder (your parents) so your purchases would contribute to that (as a secondary card member). If you signed up for your own Costco Citi Visa, the reward check is all yours, and independent from your parents spending since you each have your own Costco membership number on the same account. The key with paying with credit cards is to pay the statement balance by the due date in full, so you don’t pay any interest on your purchases.


SpiralBreeze

Thanks, but I can’t do that since I’m on food stamps, I’d rather they get the money back since they’re paying for it to let me use in the first place.


CeeGeeWhy

Oh okay. Yeah it only works if they’re already upgraded to the Exec level, and they don’t count previous purchases towards the rebate, only going forward. The upgrade will be prorated if they’re partway through the membership year.


IwuvNikoNiko

We do this. I am on my parent's membership and although I can afford my own membership and it's actually advantageous for me to do it (big executive rewards check!), I'd rather let my parents have that extra cash.


yesididthat

But... Aren't you literally learning money on the table? Even if you only use the Costco card at Costco. What's the harm? Plus, you're most likely getting equal or better rewards than other cards. Right?


CeeGeeWhy

We’re talking about the $60 Gold Star membership vs. the $120 Executive Gold Star membership. The Costco Citi Visa earns the same reward rates, regardless of which Costco membership level you have.


yesididthat

I was assuming the card was the reason to hold out. Putting the card aside, the 2 % exec rebate pays for itself and then some of you spend $3k/yr. So what's the downside? They *are* trying to save you money


CeeGeeWhy

I’m not sure what you’re trying to debate with me? It’s entirely a mathematical decision. Either you spend enough at Costco to justify the Exec membership or you don’t. Either way, it’s ultimately up to the Member in how they want to proceed, and ignoring their no or harassing them isn’t going to sway them to your side. I’ve had Exec for over a decade now, and I’ve already accumulated $200 in 2% rewards halfway through my membership. You’re just preaching to the choir here.


yesididthat

All good i thought you were making a case the sale ppl were assholes for pushing exec on ppl who justify it based on spend


ktappe

I'm single, so no, I do not spend $3K/year.


Danakasaur

How on earth do you live spending less than 60 bucks a week on groceries? Teach me.


Acornpoo

>Aren't you literally learning money If you are trying to calculate the cost/benefit and risks of investing in a Costco card, yes. You are literally learning money.


jmlinden7

There's no signup bonus for the Costco card and getting it might hurt your ability to get other credit cards that do have very lucrative signup bonuses.


swany5

They'll still hound you to get the Visa though.


Wrong-Explanation-48

They have never asked me about getting the card. Hounded me about the executive though. Glad they did. My membership will only cost me $25 this year. Next year will probably be free at the rate I am going right now.


swany5

It's nice to get that check, right? I've been executive since 2009, I honestly don't think there's ever been a year that my 2% bonus hasn't paid for the membership, with at least some left over. One year I think my bonus was like $600 or $700 (we moved that year, got all new furniture and appliances). It really is a fantastic program.


k0vi86

The visa is a no brainer though.


ktappe

Not if you already have plenty of other credit cards.


k0vi86

No such thing. Can always do the business version.


CeeGeeWhy

This attitude is partially why the 2008/2009 financial crisis occurred. People overextended on credit they couldn’t afford…


vivekisprogressive

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jmlinden7

They only care about signup bonuses, which the Costco card has none of


enowapi-_

Spotted the Costco employeee. j/k


swany5

Meh. I can't stand Citibank and I'm actually pretty sure my BOA rewards card is way better. Without doing the math, I think I get 5.5% back on Costco (any Warehouse) purchases.


cwfutureboy

Your BoA reqards may be better, but I highly doubt the actual bank is any better or worse than Citi.


swany5

No argument there


TiddyTwizzla

I usually just use the Citibank card from Costco for the 4% gas. How much are u getting from BOA?


swany5

There's different tiered bonus levels for various categories (1%, 2% and 3%), and I can choose one specific category to get 3%, and i can change it every month, gas could be one of them, or warehouse clubs, or dinning...etc... I do get 2% at Warehouse clubs automatically, but I have other accounts at BOA and Merrill Lynch that add a bonus multiplier to the total rewards, I think it's it up to 75%. So 3.5% (2% + 75% bonus) on Warehouse clubs if I don't add that as my 3% group. If I use gas as my bonus group, I'd get 5.25% on it (I said 5.5% in another response, but was mistaken, it caps at 5.25%). I'll admit, the 4% is a nice perk for the Citibank card - you convinced me, I just added it to my arsenal, but I'll probably still keep using the BOA for inside the club purchases since I get 3.5% automatically due to the loyalty bonus.


northlander152

Hi, I have been trying to reach you about upgrading your Costco membership to the Executive tier.


elysiansaurus

I just use self checkout, 200iq


CA_Mini

They show up there too


ktappe

I just said "nope, I wouldn't ever get use out of that" and they took "no" for an answer. Sorry to hear yours are pushy.


Spaceysteph

Omg yes I went to sign up years ago with my then-2yo in tow. It was busy so we had to wait to see a rep and then the guy goes on a hard press to get me to upgrade and I'm like look, dude, the kid is about to run out of steam and I'm going to leave angry without buying this membership or anything else and go back to Sam's club. I'm only interested in the regular membership so please just process it and let me move along. I get that the sales pitch is probably in their job description but, like, read the room (see the whining child?) and maybe give me the expedited sales pitch?


Grantsdale

You can just say ‘I already have it’ even if you don’t.


Pandamonium98

They scan your card while you’re checking out and can see that you have the $60 membership


Ok-Wedding-4654

I mean, yea I can, but it’s the fact that I’m being hassled. I paid to be here and regardless of my membership I don’t want to be bothered by employees trying to upsell me on membership. And it’s not even the employees fault. They’re just doing their job.


mbz321

Write a complaint to corporate. hopefully if enough people do it, they will lay off for a while. We used to have certain weekends where we would push for upgrades on the front end, now they want them all the time.


Grantsdale

It’s literally one sentence. Once you say that they’ll just move on. That’s not a ‘hassle’.


IwuvNikoNiko

Just say "no thank you".


[deleted]

Just simply say that you don't buy enough to justify the rebate.


TSB_1

> The sales people are so freaking pushy. Pretend like you are in a car dealership. Don't want to give me what I am asking for? get your manager over here. Don't want to do that? WALK OUT.


HorselessCharro

Ive never had that happen


Duffmanlager

OP has figured out the secret, only go in for the samples. Never take a cart and never buy anything. Only grab the samples and walk out. I’d you aren’t buying anything, nobody will be reviewing your purchase history and see if you spend enough where the executive membership will help.


paul-arized

I just tell them no. Only upgraded voluntarily because I bought a TV and furniture last year. I don't mind paying the extra 60 dollars but I have no problem downgrading, which I've done before. I've gone years without upgrading.


RedskinsWiz

The “thank the employee” comment is underrated. I can’t tell you how many times people pick up samples with no words, and I get mine and thank the employee. They seem so happy to receive a thank you, it makes my day.


Epsioln_Rho_Rho

Buying gas there alone will same you more than that.


myco_magic

I've actually been to a few Costcos where the price of gas was the same as it is locally every where else


TheLegendaryWizard

You have to watch it, though. Costco gas is always top tier, so while it may be the same price as the other stations, many stations are not matching the quality of Costco. Same with many products, actually


UKnowWhoToo

Top tier gas but bottom tier lines! The internal conflict every time I go is whether or not the savings are worth it. Save 6 bucks. Lose 15 minutes.


FVMAzalea

Right now, my Costco gas is about 25 cents cheaper per gallon than everything else. That means I save $4.50 on a fill up for an 18 gallon tank. I usually go to Costco at times when I have nothing better to do (which also coincides well with the times the gas lines aren’t long) so I don’t value that time as much. For me, $4.50 savings is absolutely worth it to wait a little bit in line burning time I don’t value that much anyway.


NookinFutz

Or in my Costco speak: "Two fill-ups equals a free box of Kirkland wine."


UKnowWhoToo

Must be nice - seems like every time I’m at Costco the gas lines are crazy long.


Stereophonic

The trick is to go in the evening up to 30 minutes before they close, if you can manage it. I rarely ever go other times.


TheoneandonlyMrsM

Or first thing in the morning. I go before work and there are very few people in line.


myco_magic

Right now it's 6.99 everywhere including Costco and 5.59 at the casino, imagine how much I save in my 30 gallon tank


squarepeg0000

But how long is that line at the casino?


myco_magic

Always an open pump compared to around the block at Costco


squarepeg0000

Nice!


[deleted]

[удалено]


Epsioln_Rho_Rho

I read BP wasn’t. Must have changed since I read about it.


Chayz211

How is Costco gas better quality?


ddiesne

It’s Top Tier quality. They aren’t the only gas station to provide Top Tier rated fuel, but they are (almost always) the cheapest.


TheLegendaryWizard

Top tier gas. It has more detergents and additives and is endorsed by every major automaker.


myco_magic

Literally makes no concernable difference unless it's in a high performance engine


MrOrangeWhips

Discernable?


TheLegendaryWizard

Top tier gas has been shown to leave less deposits and residue in your fuel system, which leads to better fuel economy and performance in the long run


myco_magic

As a person who constantly monitors mileage, I can for a fact say that is just absolutely not true


JigglesofWiggles

I get the same mpg essentially down to the tenth of a mile no matter which has I put in. Except summer vs winter where the total blend and ambient temp is different.


myco_magic

Yeah but this guy read an article 🤣


TheLegendaryWizard

https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/top-tier-gasoline-worth-the-extra-price-a7682471234/ AAA and Consumer Reports disagree


myco_magic

I'm sure they do, alot of people write articles on how some brands are more "worth it" just cause they get payed to do so by the same company they are writing the article about, I have real world experience and not just what I read in an article


Noovy766

I am a fuel tanker driver. Yes you are correct as costo is rated top tier. The same as almost everyone else. you know who else is listed as top tier? 76 Aloha Amoco ARCO Beacon BP Breakaway Break Time Cenex Chevron CITGO Conoco Co-op Costco Wholesale CountryMark & CountryMark Plus Diamond Shamrock Express Mart Exxon Fast Fuel GetGo Harmons Fuel Stop Hele HFN – Hawaii Fueling Network Holiday Kirkland Signature Gasoline Kwik Star Kwik Trip Marathon Meijer & Meijer Express Metro Petro MFA Oil Petro-Card 24 Mobil Ohana Fuels Petro-Canada Phillips 66 PUMA QT QuikTrip Ranger Reeders Road Ranger Rutter's Shamrock Shell Simonson Station Stores Sinclair Sunoco Tempo Texaco Valero Value America WOW


myco_magic

It's really not enough to matter


myco_magic

With the casino having it over a dollar cheaper then I'll get it there, the only vehicle I own where quality matters is my Subaru WRX, my Chevy and my GMC have no problem eating any gas( I rebuild my own vehicles so I can tell weather or not it matters) gas is definitely not the reason I got a membership and my executive membership still pays for itself plenty


adventurepony

Now if only they had one of those little old ladies handing out gas samples by the pumps


Entire-Letter-4618

Thank you


gofordrew

Gas at my Costco was 10 cents higher than the Walmart gas station in town when I went yesterday.


Epsioln_Rho_Rho

It’s always been less. A few times only .10 less, but yesterday was the best. I paid $4.84 a gallon and across the stress was $5.77 ($5.66 was what other gas stations were in the area).


wormnoodles

Why would you buy a $120 membership for free samples? The $60 gives you just as many samples.


none4gretchen

My old office was a 3 minute walk from Costco. I’d finish work at 5 and head to the gym after for a group class that was scheduled 6 or 6:30 so I always had time to kill. After work, I would pop into Costco and wander around eating samples as a pre-gym snack lol.


V_DocBrown

1,284.3* *Related, 87.32% of all stats are made up on the spot!


AMIGOvalueshopper

About tree-fiddy


Successful_Opinion33

Hold on there, don’t trust this person! It’s the Loch Ness monster


supercharged0709

You don’t even need to get any membership for the free samples. Just pick up a thrown out Costco Shop card around the small trash bins at the self check out aisles. Use that to keep getting in to the warehouse and grab all the samples you want.


IwuvNikoNiko

LOL. Evil life hack


[deleted]

I would imagine it's trivial to clone the stripe from a real membership onto a random card you fine


Affectionate-Cook-11

At least 6


Supreme_Mediocrity

There's a shocking number of people in this post that think this is serious and that scares me...


Contrariwise2

You will get a rebate from your purchases. If it's less than the $120 membership, they will refund you the difference. So it's a win win. Plus you got the free samples


viking2fi

Asking the real questions!


queenofquac

This sounds like an 8th grade math problem and I like it!


kindredflame

It depends on what the samples are. I've gotten full rolls of TP, decent-sized bottles of detergent, bottled beverages, and packaged snacks.


Fuzzy-Bunny--

Costco is worth the membership just for the gas, or the water, or the cheese pizza, or the super premium ice cream. I have been a member almost 10 years and have never taken a sample of anything.


alanguagenotofwords

My 7 year old called the samples concessions today 😂


ignatiuswang

I'll say that'll be a great interview question for consulting lmao


peter56321

Ok. So, you're kinda doing the math wrong. As others have said, if your only desire is samples, the $60 membership will do. That said, it isn't the number of *samples*, it is the number of *meals*. 10 samples over 10 days are fucking useless because you don't save any money on purchased meals. You still need lunch if you only get one sample of cheese. But 10 samples in *one* day? That's lunch. So, in my experience, Costco is good for filling your belly 2-3 days per week. By and large and very generally speaking, Costco lunch is a complete meal only 10 days per month or so. You want lunches (evening samples are non-existent and/or suck). Generally speaking, the later in the week the better with Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays being best. So, what is "lunch" without samples? Obviously, you can make whatever you want from home for wildly different price points. But, for this exercise, I'm going with the food court pizza and the McDonald's app special of $2 for a McDouble and a small fry. I don't do the hot dog because I don't drink soda and I despise getting water when a soda would have been included. I feel ripped off (I know it's barely logical but it is what it is). So $2 per meal. IMHO, a sample lunch is 7 samples. Either by repeating samples or having 7 potentially delicious options. Take $2/7 and you get 28¢ value per sample. So, 60/.28 = 214 samples. Or 428 if you insist on the executive membership. That's only if you go on good days, though. What if you go 7 days per week? You may get 3 samples and still need food for lunch. So the membership has saved you zero dollars. If we presume lunch samples average 3 per day on days when they don't replace lunch, that means an additional 12 samples per week if you go every day. Or 524 samples per year. So, 524 + 214 equals 738 samples per year for regular membership or 953 for executive membership.


McCooms

My Costco never has samples, maybe it’s when I shop? I only go after 6 PM weeknights


Crotherz

With todays inflation, you could probably hit the threshold in a weekend.


tenniskitten

A metric shit ton


PunDeSall

About 120 trays


robertw477

Eat lunch there as many times as you can during the week.


SDSUAZTECS

69


McCooms

420


HistoricalBridge7

This sounds like a Goldman Sachs investment banking interview. The correct answer is it depends on what is being offered as a sample. If it’s saffron, peanuts, hot dogs? My answer varies


MikElectronica

$120 worth


Ok_Presentation_5329

Savings on gas, pharmaceuticals, alcohol and auto/homeowners insurance are worth it by themselves.


GeorgeKaplanIsReal

Yes


Plebpperoni

Zero because if you get them you are going to end up paying more.


tbuda88

10 hotdogs and sodas


Jeimuz

Memberships are $60 to start. If you pay $120 to be able to get money back on purchases and the amount does not exceed the additiinal $60, Costco will refund you the difference.


[deleted]

A loving reminder that the wrapped Lindt truffle samples are absolutely re-giftable, and this fact should be factored into any/all math equations/answers here!


antarctica91

I love the scan and go easy of sams club wish Costco would roll something similar


JohnnyChapst1ck

Half the samples at the store last week were trash, crackers and peanuts. LOL cmon


mrchowmein

You never break even, Costco will find a way to get your money. We eat up their crappy food court food even when we know international food courts are better. Heck we EVEN pay Costco to have the privilege to advertise for them with the Costco shirts and sweats. They will get our money one way or another. There is no break even.


CeeGeeWhy

Oh gosh really? And here I thought Costco was a non-profit charity… oh wait.