The Ultimate Guide To Shopping At BJ's
BJ's is a wholesale club with more than 215 locations across 16 states along the East Coast. Like Costco, Sam's Club, and other wholesale clubs, BJ's is able to offer their customers deep discounts on a wide range of groceries and other products. These discounted prices — often 25% or more — are made possible by the fact that BJ's sells items in bulk, which minimizes the costs to the manufacturers and the store itself.
If you're looking to save money at BJ's or have simply never shopped at the club before, there are a few pointers you'll want to know before embarking on your next (or first) shopping trip. Read on to learn more about BJ's and how the club works. BJ's Wholesale Club has some pretty great prices every day, but you'll also pick up some handy tips that will allow you to save even more when shopping at the warehouse.
Choose the right membership tier
To shop at BJ's, you'll need to be a member. Otherwise, you'll have to pay extra through the non-member surcharge. Fortunately, joining the club is affordable. Plus, you can easily make the membership costs back with all the savings and perks you'll receive. However, there are a few different membership options to consider, and you'll want to choose the one that's best for you and your shopping needs.
The basic membership option, called the Club Card membership, costs $55 per year. It includes access to all the clubs, the ability to access and use exclusive member-only coupons, and one free complimentary membership for a second household member. You can also add up to three additional members to your plan for $30 each per year. If you plan on doing a lot of shopping at BJ's, you may be interested in the next membership tier called the Club+ Card membership. The price for this tier is $110 per year, but it allows you to earn 2% in cash back on most purchases. BJ's gas is 5 cents per gallon cheaper for Club+ Card members, and you'll also be able to attend exclusive events.
Business owners can also apply for Club Card or Club+ Card memberships and be eligible to receive resale privileges or tax-exempt status for their purchases. The price for these memberships is the same as the standard membership. BJ's does offer discounted memberships for educators, veterans, and active duty military members. If you're not positive you want to invest in a full year's membership to BJ's, the chain also offers a one-day pass that you can apply for online.
Don't shop without your coupons
If you've shopped at other wholesale clubs, you're probably in the habit of leaving your coupons at home. Most wholesalers do not accept manufacturers' coupons because of the already discounted prices they are able to offer and other promotions they run in store. However, BJ's is different. The club does accept manufacturers' coupons, meaning you can get an additional discount on their already low prices.
The BJ's coupon policy even states that customers are able to combine coupons for greater savings. They allow individuals to use one national or manufacturer's coupon along with one BJ's coupon for the same item. Stacking your savings in such a way can mean more money in your pocket. You just won't be able to save more than the current retail price of the item. The store accepts digital coupons as well as paper coupons, allowing you to coupon in your preferred way. If you're not a member, you can still use manufacturers' coupons, but just remember that you'll still be charged the non-member surcharge on your purchase.
Check out BJ's digital coupons
In addition to flipping through the paper or looking through your coupon organizer before your next BJ's shopping trip, don't forget that the club also offers several digital coupons. These coupons are only available to members, though, adding yet another reason to join the club. You can find a list of all of the current coupons on the website under the Coupons tab.
BJ's also makes it very easy to use these digital coupons. When you see one you want to use, you can clip it directly to your membership card. This means the discount will automatically be applied to your order, and you won't need to worry about remembering to have the cashier scan any paper coupons or barcodes from your phone. When you're logged into your account, you can see a list of all of your clipped coupons to make sure you add the products to your shopping list.
Don't overlook Berkley Jensen branded items
When you're shopping, it can be easy to walk by brands that you haven't heard of and only purchase items from national brands that you've used before. However, if you do this at BJ's, you might be making a big mistake. While there are a few products you may want to avoid buying at BJ's, the Berkley Jensen brand, the club's private brand, is known for their high-quality items. And, even better, these items typically cost less than comparable products from more well-known brands. So, not only will you be able to find the product you need or desire, you'll be able to get it for even less money.
Berkley Jensen manufactures a wide range of products for nearly every room in the home. You can find paper goods, such as toilet paper and paper towels, generic medications, cleaning and laundry products, dog food, and other grocery items. The brand also sells bookcases, office chairs, suitcases, towels, pillows, office supplies, and more.
Download the BJ's app
Whether you're planning your first shopping trip to BJ's or you've been a member for years, you'll want to make sure that you download the BJ's app to your phone. The app — which is available on the Apple App Store and on Google Play — is designed to help members get the most out of their BJ's shopping experience. It offers several helpful features and useful information that you'll want to have access to as a BJ's member.
You can use the mobile app to place orders, browse for and clip coupons, and more. You'll also be able to create shopping lists to make sure you don't forget an important item when you're in the club. As you're looking through the coupons and special promotions, you can even add the items you want directly to your shopping list. If you visit a warehouse location, but forget your club card, you'll also be able to pull up your membership ID and other information through the app.
Order ahead of time for free pickup
Strolling around BJ's and looking for great deals and new items to try can be a fun way to spend a day. However, with how busy you are, taking such a leisurely trip is often out of the question. Moreover, it is easy to increase your grocery bill by finding too many new things that you just have to try. If you're looking to save time on your next grocery trip or prevent yourself from making impulse purchases, consider placing your order ahead of time and picking it up curbside.
This is a free service offered by BJ's. You won't be charged any additional fees and will receive in-store pricing for all of the items you order. However, you do need to be a BJ's member to take advantage of their free pickup services. You can place orders online or through the BJ's app. After the associates have finished shopping for your order, you'll receive an email or text message letting you know that it is ready to be picked up. Just take note, you won't be able to have someone else pick up the order for you, unless they are a household member on the account.
Consider shopping with a friend to split bulk purchases
Buying foods and other household items in bulk is a great way to maximize your savings. Items are often less expensive when you buy larger quantities. However, this isn't always the case, so make sure you do your financial homework and compare the unit price for the items at BJ's compared to those at your regular grocery store.
Once you've determined that an item you want is indeed a good deal, add it to your shopping list if it is something you're confident you'll be able to use. The last thing you want is to stock up on something only to have to throw a large portion of it out because it expires before you're able to use it. If you're throwing things out, it won't end up saving you money in the long run.
However, there is an alternative to consider to help you still get the deep discounts available through BJ's and avoid wasting food. Talk with a friend and see if they're interested in splitting bulk purchases with you. You'll be able to share the savings and will each get a smaller quantity of each item, making it less likely that it will expire and go to waste. Splitting bulk purchases with a friend can also be a good solution if you simply don't have space to store everything.
Use cash back apps when you shop
If you're not using cash back apps when shopping at BJ's, you're leaving free money sitting on the table. There are several apps that can help you save money at grocery stores that will also reward you for shopping at BJ's. Every app works differently, but some will reward you for simply scanning your receipt after each shopping trip, while others will offer cash back deals when you purchase specific products or brands. Depending on the app, you can redeem your rewards for gift cards or even direct transfers to your bank account.
Some of the best apps that can help you maximize your savings at BJ's include Ibotta, Fetch, Rakuten, Receipt Hog, and ShopKick. Many of these apps can be used both in store and online, so be sure to do your research before you start shopping. There are also no rules stating that you can't use multiple apps to maximize your savings. Pairing your favorite apps with coupons when shopping at BJ's can amount to some pretty impressive savings.
Fill up on gas on your way out
Did you know that BJ's members can also save on fuel prices? BJ's gas stations offer discounted prices that will help you get even more out of your membership fee. The price of gas at BJ's gas stations will vary based on location, but according to CoPilot, they tend to be 10 to 20 cents less expensive than other nearby stations. While non-members are able to fill up at a BJ's gas station (which is different from what some other wholesale clubs, like Costco allow), the price per gallon that they pay will be higher.
There are also ways to save even more at the pump at BJ's. If you are a Club+ Card member, you'll receive 5 cents off of each gallon. If you apply for a BJ's Capital One credit card, you'll save even more. BJ's One MasterCard holders receive 10 cents off each gallon, and BJ's One+ MasterCard holders receive 15 cents off each gallon.
Only consider same-day delivery if you're willing to pay a little extra
If you're running short on time or really don't feel like leaving the house, you could consider placing an order with BJ's for same-day delivery. However, before you submit your order, it is important to know that the convenience will come at a cost. Ordering same-day delivery from BJ's costs $14.99. If this added cost is worth avoiding the time or hassle of shopping in person, then you might decide that placing an order for delivery is worth it.
While some other stores or delivery services also mark up the prices of each product, it is important to note that BJ's does not do this. The delivery prices for the different products are the same prices that you'll be charged if you shop in the club. Placing a same-day delivery order is simple. Just shop online or through the app, add coupons to your order, and set the delivery location and time. Then, someone will shop for your order and deliver it to you in as little as two hours. You do need to live within 15 to 20 minutes from a BJ's to be eligible for same-day delivery.
Understand the BJ's pricing system
Many stores have their own pricing system that can help savvy shoppers save more money. If you want to shop at BJ's, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the way they mark their products to make sure that you're getting the best deals. One of the first things to look at is the last digit in the price. If it is the number nine, like for items costing $8.49 or $25.99, that means that you'll be paying full price for the item. If you see prices that end in either .00 or .90, then you'll be paying a discounted price. Items that end in .00 and .90 have been marked down by the manager because they want to clear them from the shelves. They can often — but not always — be found on the store's endcaps.
You should also look for the product codes on the price labels for each item. These will be a one-digit number (either one, two, seven, or nine) and will indicate whether the item is regularly priced (one), discontinued (two), seasonal (seven), or something that won't be restocked and is likely to be returned to the manufacturer within a week (nine).
Check out the clearance section
If you visit BJ's website and click on the menu, one of the categories you'll find is Clearance. The Clearance section is a great place to start when you're shopping for your home. Once you land on the Clearance page, you'll see a long list of all of the discounted items available. If you aren't shopping for anything in particular, take a few minutes to scroll through the deals to see what is available.
If you do need a specific item, try filtering the results to bring up more relevant products. You can filter by category, such as furniture, home & office, electronics, toys, sports & fitness, and seasonal. You can also add filters for customer ratings, price, brands, and more to help you further refine the search and find what you need. Be sure to choose how you plan on shopping — pickup, delivery, or shipping — when searching for clearance items because it may affect availability.
Grab some gift cards for your favorite stores and restaurants
One of the perks of being a BJ's club member is the ability to purchase gift cards to various restaurants and retailers for a discounted price. You can purchase gift cards in-store or online. The full list of available offerings can be found by clicking on "Gift Cards" under the main menu on the website.
As you browse through the selection of gift cards, you'll notice that there are a wide variety of options to choose from, including restaurants like Red Robin, IHOP, Boston Market, Starbucks, Panera Bread, and stores, such as Barnes & Noble, DSW, GameStop, and Cabela's. You can also find gift cards for Disney, Fandango, AMC, Southwest Airlines, Paramount +, and Airbnb.
All of the gift cards are discounted, but the amount of the discount will vary. For example, a three-pack of $25 Cabela's gift cards is available for $71.99, a 4% discount. You could also choose a two-pack of $25 Spa & Wellness gift cards for $39.99, which works out to be a 20% discount.
Take advantage of the opportunity to save on travel
Did you know that BJ's members can also save on travel? If you didn't, then now you do. Members can choose from various vacation packages, hotels, cruises, and more. Some have even reported that they were able to save as much as $500 per person when they booked a vacation package with BJ's.
The best way to see if the deals are the right fit for your budget is to explore the BJ's travel page. It is formatted much like other travel sites, allowing you to choose whether you're looking for cruises, vacation packages, hotels, or rental cars. Choose the category that matches your travel preferences, and play around with different departure dates if you're flexible. That can help you get the best deals. You can do a little cross-referencing by putting the same information into another travel site to make sure that you're really getting the best deal out there.
Get your car's tires replaced when you shop
Yet another perk BJ's members can receive is discounted tires. You can drop your car off at the Tire Center and head into the warehouse to complete your shopping trip. If you visit the Tire Center's home page, you can view the available specials. These will change periodically, but often include deals such as buy three tires, get one free, instant savings when you buy a set of tires, and more.
While you could always just bring your car into a BJ's Tire Center to get a new set of tires, you may want to browse through the online catalog first. You'll find that the selection online is greater than what is available in store, and you may still be able to get your tires installed for free when you purchase them online (but you'll want to confirm this).
Each BJ's tire installation comes with some freebies that help make it a better deal. These include free repairs for flat tires, free wheel balancing, and free tire rotation. These costs can add up over the course of owning a set of tires, and can help make shopping with BJ's an even better deal.