Costco members 'shocked' after Trader Joe's receipt reveals $445 purchase

A TRADER Joe’s customer revealed the cost of his recent grocery trip as Costco members urge them to reconsider.

They spent hundreds of dollars buying essentials for their family, including six children.

Buyers were baffled by $445 receiptCredits: Getty

The receipt was from Trader Joe’s and paid for a family of sixCredits: Getty

The receipt showed a total of $444.38, according to a video posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“How much does it cost to feed 6 children?” the customer wrote in the caption.

The receipt quickly went viral among other shoppers, garnering more than 68,000 views, with many encouraging them to opt for Costco for larger family groceries.

“Go to Costco,” someone replied.

“Trader Joe’s literally has snacks and products for your air fryer.”

Others echoed a similar sentiment, noting that they still only go to Trader Joe’s for snacks and other small items.

“It’s definitely a snack shop,” one customer commented.

“I love TJ’s, but I don’t have a specific store to shop at because everyone has different things that I need,” added a third.

Many were simply left “shocked.”

INTENTIONALLY

Trader Joe’s and Costco are different stores with different business models.

Costco Gives Change at Self-Checkout, Removing Popular Option – Shoppers Insist They’re ‘Going to Home Depot’

Costco is a warehouse retailer and sells wholesale goods at discounted prices.

It also requires customers to sign up for a subscription, either the $60-a-year Gold Star or the $120 Executive.

Although shoppers are required to pay an annual fee for a membership, they should save more money by going to Costco than to Trader Joe’s or other high-end retailers like Whole Foods for their groceries.

TO HAVE ENOUGH

However, several customers have complained about Costco’s prices this year, and some have canceled or threatened to cancel their memberships and turned to competitors like Sam’s Club.

Costco Membership Sharing Guidelines

Costco has strict rules regarding membership usage that shoppers must follow and they have been cracking down on violators in recent years.

Use of main members: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. Sharing it to make purchases is not permitted as the photo on the card must match the person using it.
Household card: Each primary member can add a free membership cardholder who resides at the same address. This person will receive their own membership card and will be able to shop at Costco independently.
Guest Policy:Members can bring up to two guests per Costco visit. However, only the member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by the member.
Authorized Cardholder:For an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who does not reside at your address. They will receive their own card and can make purchases independently.

Credit: Costco

A member who had been a Costco customer for two decades recently decided to end his membership.

They said three items they frequently bought cost three times as much, including pet food.

The customer was outraged that the bag he originally purchased cost $17, but had gradually increased in price to $37.

It was a situation that made them feel like they were “throwing money out the window.”

Another member argued that prices at Costco were “more expensive than the neighborhood grocery store” and advised shoppers to go elsewhere.

Other members said Costco’s costs were “too high” because they opted for memberships with competitors like BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Sam’s Club has also attracted some customers from Costco with a unique feature that can help some navigate crowds with ease.