B J’s Wholesale Club

I have been going to BJ’s for many, many years. I remember when they first came to Syracuse around 20 years ago. Since that point, my family has always had a membership. For those of you not familiar with BJ’s, it is a wholesale warehouse that sells a wide variety of name-​brand and off-​brand goods in bulk. It typically has some pretty good prices and is most similar to a Sam’s Club and a Costco; but on a little smaller of a scale.
I have had memberships at all three of the above, and although I like BJ’s, I find that the other two are typically bigger, better, and more expansive than BJ’s. However, there are some very specific items that BJ’s has, and some very specific areas that BJ’s excels in. Below you will find my comprehensive assessment of BJ’s products and services.
Products: As alluded to above, BJ’s offers a wide variety of grocery store products — in bulk. The only exception to this is their Deli, their meat, and their produce departments. Their deli and meat department is where they truly shine. BJ’s fresh meat department is always dealing-​out high quality cuts of meat for excellent prices. If you have the bankroll, grab a whole prime rib roast and slice it up into 1 – 2 inch thick slabs of ribeye steaks. Or, just leave the roast whole and invite a ton of people over for a Holiday meal. Either way, the price per pound is OUTSTANDING. Mind you, these roasts are HUGE, so, even at the low price per pound, the whole roast is always well-​in-​excess of $ 100.
They have a wide variety of meats and cuts of meat for a very fair price. The key though, is the quality. I have never had a bad piece of meat from BJ’s. Never. And in the event that you did. I guarantee you that they would provide a quick refund or exchange. (Meat ⁵⁄₅)
Their Deli: This is another facet of their business that is very good. Their Wellsley Farms London Broil (roast beef) is by far the best I have ever had. HEB in-​house roast beef is a close second (for those of you familiar with HEB). Plus, at the 7.99/lb price tag, that is more than fair for top quality cold cuts. Looking for turkey or ham? They got that too. Great quality, low price. (Deli ⁵⁄₅)
Produce: Their produce department is also really decent for a wholesale club, but it is not very expansive. Sams Club and Costco definitely win the cake here, but overall, the BJ’s produce seems mostly fresh and well stocked (³⁄₅)
Other Parts of Store: Their household goods section with appliances and such is fairly limited and you can typically find an equal or better price online. They do not have much of a furniture/​home furnishings section. Their clothing area is pretty expansive and so is there books section. The electronics section is fairly basic, but they will occasionally have some decent prices on tvs and such. Again, I don’t feel as if they necessarily have anything that you couldn’t find online for an equal or lesser price online. (³⁄₅)
Overall Store Score: ⁴⁄₅ (³⁄₅ +1 for great meat and deli dept)
Service: I have never had bad service at BJ’s. I have had slow service (deli) at BJ’s, but never bad service. Honestly, slow-​moving delis is the norm. Every deli I go to takes forever. I have worked in a deli before… it really isn’t that hard or difficult or time consuming. Just pump-​out the orders and be done with your day. Overall though, I have always had mostly pleasant people serving me at BJ’s, and when needed, they are also mostly helpful as well.
Service: ⁴⁄₅
Atmosphere /​Amenities: The store itself is pretty basic. It does not have expansive of a selection as a Costco or a Sam’s Club, so the ‘coolness’ factor is a little lower. I would consider BJ’s to be a place where you can get your every day necessities, but it also has a few cool bonus things that you can’t get at a grocery store. Overall though, the other two wholesale stored have a lot more to offer. Lastly, what the hell happened to the ICEE machine. Every BJ’s I have ever been in has an ICEE machine. No ICEE machine? Well, that is just crapping-​on my childhood memories of a blue raspberry ICEE every time I would go to BJ’s.
A&A: ³⁄₅
Price: I have seen multiple instances of a 50% off membership coupon. That makes the membership fee 25 $. For that price, it is an excellent value for one year. The savings on gas alone make it worth your while. Yesterday gas was $ 2.29 elsewhere and $ 2.12 at BJ’s. That is solid. Overall, you get bang for your buck at the gas pump. If you have multiple drivers and multiple vehicles, the gas savings will pay for your membership twofold by year end.
Despite the great savings outside the store on gas, you will spend them in the store on frivolous and stupid things that you would not ordinarily buy (*cough* Cheesecake factory cheesecake **cough** … ya, that was me). But, you will do this every week. So, how much money are you really saving?
Price: ⁴⁄₅
Final Thoughts: For a basic wholesale club experience, BJ’s is a solid option and worth the membership for gas.

BJ’s is great. Because it’s a warehouse club, their stock varies, but I’ve gotten some good deals there over time. Great deals on DVDs, books, and gift cards.