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Is Buying in Bulk Actually Cheaper?

With the cost of food and other household items on the rise, a trip to the grocery store can be very costly. In order to cut costs, many people turn to buying in bulk at specialized warehouses for members only. But bulk does not always mean cheaper, and there are several costs and factors you may want to consider before becoming a member.

No Sale Price at Warehouse Stores

Everyone loves to save money, so of course, we all love a good sale. However, bulk warehouses offer far fewer sales and promotions than grocery stores, and often times they do not offer sales at all. So although you may be saving money by purchasing large quantities, it is worth considering sale prices at your local grocery store versus the cost of buying in bulk from a warehouse.

Will You Use the Product?

Buying certain items in bulk can end up being wasteful. If you purchase bulk produce or other perishables, unless you have quite a few mouths to feed, many of these items will likely end up spoiling and going to waste, and you will ultimately have paid more than if you would have purchased a smaller amount. And perishables aren't the only items at risk of going to waste. Some people choose to buy items such as cleaning products in bulk. This can become a problem when people choose to try a cleaner they've never used before. When trying new cleaners or detergents, there is always the risk of allergies, undesirable smells or even poor performance. There is little sense in purchasing a new cleaning product in bulk when there is a chance that you might end up pouring the cleaner, and your money, down the drain.

Not only do you run the risk of items going to waste when buying in bulk, but you often times run the risk of sacrificing quality and variety for quantity. Yes, when you buy in bulk you get more items at a very low cost, but when it comes to products such as meats and bakery items, more often than not, they are not the best quality, they don't have the best flavor, and they don't keep as well as fresher, higher quality items. When it comes to variety, your choices are limited when buying from bulk warehouses, as they often times only have a few brands – or even just one brand – versus the wide variety of national brands, store brands and local brands found at your area grocery stores.

Don't Forget Travel Time

Travel costs can sneak up on you when buying from bulk warehouses. Lack of variety may mean an extra trip to the grocery store to find what you are looking for, and extra trips means extra time and extra gas. It is also worth considering that there is often only one bulk warehouse per region, so you may have to travel 10, 20 or 30 miles just to get to the warehouse rather than a quick trip to your local grocer.

Don't forget to consider the cost of membership to bulk warehouses. Yes, membership is required, and at yearly fees that are worth taking into consideration. The cost of membership at your local grocery store? Free.

If you are considering membership at a bulk warehouse because you are hoping to cut spending, first consider contacting the professionals at Advantage CCS. If you need to cut costs or set up a budget, there are several options available to you. A certified counselor at Advantage can look at your current financial situation to help develop a budget management system tailored to specifically meet your goals and needs.