BJ’s Wholesale Club

How can you not love BJ’s? There are my things I love to get there, then some other things that I didn’t know you could get at a store typically known for buying in bulk, like say ¼ lb of cheese at the deli, where you order just like any grocery store, as much or as little as you’d like! Sometimes the lines are crazy and they could have more cashiers, think beginning of the month, but other than that, I can’t complain! I plan on bringing my son to the optometry section for glasses that are at least half the price of our eye doctor. They also do have the do it yourself cash registers if you like ringing yourself out, and decent pizza if you need to grab a slice on your way out. Oh, don’t forget your samples or a hot rotisserie chicken for dinner!

The worst thing about BJs is buying stuff you don’t really need… in bulk. But now that I’ve gotten control over my impulsive buying binges, this really is a great place. I have a bad habit of running really low on something (say, paper towels), and then paying an absurd amount for a small amount at a convenience store. BUT NOT WHEN I PLAN AHEAD AT BJS!
I really do love it here. Not only is it ten minutes away from home, but the store is well stocked, well marked, and the employees are always pretty helpful. I’m also a fan of the self checkouts. The $ 50/​year members card is well worth the price — and the gas is always cheaper as well!

I have been to most of the BJ’s in the Hartford area including Southington and I personally think W. Hartford is the worst. First of all, the fresh food section is lacking compared to the others including Southington and especially Wallingford, plus the service desk is a joke. I tried to discuss a TV floor sample that was for sale and was told it was not for sale when it was clearly marked as such on the floor. They could not find it in their computer at all and I ended up waiting for over an hour while they argued with each other about how to find it. I ended up walking out frustrated and empty handed. I ended up getting a much better TV at the Manchester store that was not on the floor in W. Hartford for a cheaper price and it wasn’t even a floor sample. Again, I ended up getting my computer it in Manchester because I found a much nicer one at a better price than any in W. Hartford. That said, my favorite BJ’s is in Wallingford, but it is a distance from me so I don’t get there often.

This is not the BJs I normally go to. It’s probably my issue more than theirs, but I didn’t like the layout of the store, as compared to the Wallingford or Manchester stores. Also, the peanut butter I buy was nearly $ 2 more at this club than in Manchester! That’s a bit much. And there were only a handful of registers open on a Sunday afternoon.
While I was waiting in line, a weird woman approached me and asked if she could use my card. I said no, and told her to go to customer service if she forgot hers (I had lost my card and had already gone to customer service myself, it was fast and easy). She wandered away but I saw her at the exit later, and she got right in my face and told me I was so selfish for not helping her. I thought I was in the Twilight Zone. I don’t know if she didn’t have a membership or if she was just too lazy to go to customer service like the rest of us.
Overall, a frustrating experience. I will probably not visit this particular club again unless I’m in a super hurry and don’t have time to get to Wallingford or Manchester.

Not very impressed, but not disappointed.
I have not been a member at any other bulk retailer so I cannot contrast and compare. Compared to other mass grocery stores in the area this is defiantly one of the best values. I payed 4 bucks for two loafs of whole wheat bread, whereas the same brand is over 5 bucks a loaf at the local Stop and Shop.
However it does not offer as much as a produce section as I would like. Occasionally we do buy some produce just to find it has gone bad in less than day. Which is a bummer, but hasn’t happened often enough to use to be a major issue.
As a vegan I am very limited to what I am able to buy here. They do sell good stable foods on the cheap. Black beans, rice, Amy’s soup, Black Bean burgers and giant tubs of hummus.
The gas is a cheap as it gets from here to mass.
Over all it’s worth the membership fee and we are regular shoppers here.

One of the best deals on gas in the area. I wish Costco was closer, but BJ’s can have some good deals. Oddly enough, one of the best things to get here are greeting cards, party supplies and the like. There is currently a 60 day free trial offer. It’s definitely worth trying to see if you find it useful.

Impressed. Been a lifelong Priceclub/​Costco member starting with my parents.
Trying the free 2 month membership.
Differences between BJs and Costco:
No store brand (no Kirkland signature)
More choices for specific items, i.e. 5 different Kleenex types in bulk
Better produce selection
Accepts all major credit cards, Costco only take AE
Food court has brand name pizza i.e. Uno pizza and costs $ 2.50 for ¼ a WHOLE PIZZA!!! OMG!
This BJs is closer to my house, the closest Costco is in Enfield or Waterbury which is way too far…
Liking what I see so far at BJs.

I love coming here. Before I use to come here for the gas, too, but now I just like getting all my stuff in bulk. Granted at times it can get pretty busy in here, I believe you still can find all the products you need in this place.

This BJs location is better than the one in Southington. Huge selection.
Like many wholesale stores everything must be purchased in bulk but the packages aren’t as big as Costco’s.
I frequent BJs for gum, sanitary products and laundry products. Snack size potato chips when feeling fat. For $ 11 you can get 50 snack size bags of Lay’s potato chips. I’d say that’s not bad if you normally eat Lays. Occasionally you can find organic items here.
They’re not bad for cheap yellow sheet cakes. Order it ahead of time and you can get one for approximately $ 25 that includes price for decorating. The cake is moist and is great for those office parties were you want cake simply to have cake.
Their grinder rolls are decent as well. I ordered it once and felt for $ 20 it was a bargain for a kiddy party.
I don’t shop here for everything but the few things I get here I find it’s the best price. Sometimes there’s more to life than going from store to store and BJs makes life easier because you don’t have to watch sales. They accept coupons too.