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A Costco Wholesale store in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.

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Costco memberships start at $65 a year and Sams Club memberships start at $50 a year.

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Find out why experts think, for some shoppers, thesememberships might be a waste of money.

For smaller households, buying in bulk could lead to unnecessary waste, especially for food items.

The bulk items take up a lot of space.

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Musson agreed, adding that if a grocery store is closer, thats probably a better choice.

These are not the places to look for smaller, boutique brands, Renwick explained.

People who prioritize a wide variety ofbrands or niche productsmay find the limited selection at these stores less appealing.

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Renwick suggested these customers stick to local grocery stores or even delivery services for their shopping needs.

If you host gatherings frequently, youll be able to take advantage of the bulk.

If you rarely cook, youll waste money on a membership.

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