Money Saving Tip: Excellent Presents from Costco (Free Money Finance)

January 04, 2006

Money Saving Tip: Excellent Presents from Costco

Do you like to pay less money than you usually do but get a better product? I thought so!! Here's my "find" for you:

In past years we've given our relatives (grandma and grandpa, great grandma, aunts and uncles, etc.) custom-made calendars of our kids for Christmas presents. Each month has a picture of the kids -- it makes a very nice and sentimental gift. We always receive compliments on them and requests to "be sure to do it again next year."

The process used to require selecting the hardcopy photos from the album, taking them to a store like Walgreen's or Office Depot that made the calendars, and picking them up in a week or so. Cost was $15 to $20 each. The quality was "ok" -- the printing was "fine" and the paper was flimsy -- but the idea was such a hit we kept doing them.

This year, we went digital (with a new camera) so I decided to go a different route. I went to Costco.com, uploaded my photos (I got 20 free prints just for registering), and played around with them to get the right picture in the right month. It was VERY easy. Plus, it took me less time than pulling out the pics from the photo album alone used to take. I paid for them with my American Express card (1.5% cash back), and that was that.

They arrived at our home three weeks later and they were amazing!! The color was so vibrant and the calendar stock was VERY sturdy. They looked at least twice as good as the ones we'd used in the past.

Not only were they great, but they were way less expensive. Here's the cost breakdown:

Six calendars at $9.99 each: $59.94
Shipping: $11.45
Tax: $4.28
Total Cost: $75.67
Total per unit cost: $12.61
Total per unit cost last year (Office Depot): $18.01
Percent savings: 30%

So the summary is:

Much better product
Saved time
Saved money
Big, big win for us!

Needless to say, we were thrilled!!! I highly recommend Costco for this product!!!!!

There are however, a few hints I want to give you to make the most of a purchase like this:

1) I don't think they have the option of picking them up at a store -- I need to check into that as I'd prefer it.

2) Shipping was expensive $7.50 for "regular" UPS -- it only works if you're doing multiple calendars (BTW -- every one of our calendars was different -- different pictures depending on who it went to). Again, this could be cut if they do allow store delivery.

3) You need to order way in advance if you want these by Christmas. I ordered 2 1/2 weeks before Christmas and got them on December 27. Not a killer since we're celebrating Christmas late this year, but it does take awhile for regular shipping during the holidays.

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