Is it cheaper to go through Costco or Rite Aid/Walgreens for diapers?
*Disclaimer: I have not shopped at Costco for like eight years. They are supposedly (maybe?) getting one here, but now the closest one is an hour away and not worth the membership fee for me.
Cent for cent, Costco is cheaper, 19 cents versus 26 cents per diaper. However, that is assuming you are not going to try for sales, promos, or coupons. Then it gets complicated.
Pros to buying diapers at Costco:
1) Cost...that is all I can think of.
Cons to buying diapers at Costco:
1) They don't except manufacturer's coupons.
2) The diapers come 258 per box (for size 3). Those will last you a long time and you never know when your baby could possibly have a growth spurt, causing possibly extra too small diapers.
3) You have to factor in the cost of membership and getting to a Costco.
4) Costco is a danger zone for spending...you will never leave with just the diapers.
Pros to buying diapers at drugstores:
1) They accept coupons (you can even stack store and manufacturers)
2) The run promos (Like Rite Aid's current one, buy five packs
Huggies, get one free) By doing a recent promo, I also got Huggies diapers for 12 cents each.
3) They qualify you for rebate money or register rewards, which you can roll towards another purchase.
4) Diapers will often go on clearance at these stores.
Cons to buying diapers at drugstores:
1) Price if you don't do with a promo
2) The stock may be limited when the deals are great, especially in say Utah, where they have lots of babies :)
So personally, for me and my situation. I think drugstores (or other stores running great promos) are the way to go. If you don't want the hassle of figuring out promo scenarios and you are sure your little will stay in their current size for awhile go with Costco.
*FYI, I have read on several coupon blogs that they authors have let their "warehouse memberships expire".
That's probably why they don't sell newborn or size 1 diapers at Costco! The kids grow out of them too fast for the big boxes. I just bought my first box of Kirkland diapers last month and the price difference between Kirland brand and Huggies (at Costco) was .001. Not a good saving, but I'm not a huge fan of Huggies. But Kirland brand baby formula is far and away the cheapest. Only $10 a can and my pediatrician says it's the same as Similac. Anyway, I found a website (pinchingyourpennies.com) under the Utah thread, that has a list of all of Costco's prices. So you could always get on there and compare so you know if you are getting a good deal. I was looking at TP the other day and it was around 49 cents a roll at Costco, but it was 54 at Walgreens, so . . anyway. (Oh and I don't have a membership to Cost-co, I just use my sister or my mom to get my stuff when I need it.)
ReplyDeleteI actually prefer Pampers to Huggies. I do namebrand diapers though, too many bad experiences with the cheapies. There are lots of store brand things I buy though, and some are just as good or better than the expensive brands.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dawn! I'm going to give the drug store a try this time. Chase is so close to growing out of size 3, so I don't need 258 diapers in that size. I have tons of diaper coupons that always go to waste because I usually buy from Costco.
ReplyDeleteOther things: I, like Nicole, like Kirkland diapers more than Huggies. Why? I have no idea. I just do. They aren't any cheaper though, and with the savings you are telling me about at the drug store, I could definitely switch over. And...You don't have a Costco?!?! Ahhhh! I'll cross my fingers for one to come your way. :)
No Costco, no Target either. I have been hearing they are both coming since I moved here 7 years ago! We do have Macys, Ross, and 2 (yes 2) Rite Aids, so for the most part I am a happy camper, I mean shopper.
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