To PriceSmart Or Not To PriceSmart

Sol09

Well-known member
Jan 12, 2017
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I would say the only things that would be worth to buy there for a single person are toilet paper, detergent, dish soap, bath soap. (I like certain brands and it's always cheaper and a per unit basis than buying from the store.)
 
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Father Guido

Active member
Jul 24, 2022
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SDQ
Is PriceSmart worth the US$40 yearly fee for 1 person buying normal quantities of stuff? What about purchasing appliances (fridge)? Is it better to buy PriceSmart or a regular local company?
very small selection of appliances at PS, Plaza Lama and Jumbo have better selection
 
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Father Guido

Active member
Jul 24, 2022
271
187
43
SDQ
I would say the only things that would be worth to buy there for a single person are toilet paper, detergent, dish soap, bath soap. (I like certain brands and it's always cheaper and a per unit basis than buying from the store.)
I would have to agree with you; except at XMas when the spiral sliced ham, 3 lb boneless butterball turkey breast and pecan pie was nice
 

Jan

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Jan 3, 2002
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Welp, I don't really use toilet paper, I hose it off..lol
I buy the Franks Hot Sauce (my addiction) but I have a friend get it for me.
I was just checking their website and it seems that maybe joining is not good for me at this time. The only stuff I see that interests me is the sharp cheddar cheese and a few other small items.
 

NanSanPedro

Nickel with tin plating
Apr 12, 2019
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Boca Chica
yeshaiticanprogram.com
Welp, I don't really use toilet paper, I hose it off..lol
I buy the Franks Hot Sauce (my addiction) but I have a friend get it for me.
I was just checking their website and it seems that maybe joining is not good for me at this time. The only stuff I see that interests me is the sharp cheddar cheese and a few other small items.
There are 2 of us and I don't find it economical. However, I do like to buy non-perishables in bulk just to "get 'er done." But even the Price Smart Goya beans in bulk (4 cans) are more expensive than the indivdual generic ones at Bravo.
 
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johne

Silver
Jun 28, 2003
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I buy my fish there. Have a slice of pizza and drive down to Bravo to buy all else.
 

CristoRey

Welcome To Wonderland
Apr 1, 2014
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You pay the $45 in order to gain accees to quality (mostly American) made goods which are becoming harder and harder to find here thanks to both the current and past administration(s) allowing the Chinese to flood this country with cheap over-priced garbage.

The price of a membership breaks down to $3.75 a month. If you have to second guess paying this amount, you're going to be sorely disappointed when you see the prices on the shelves.
 
Aug 21, 2007
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We buy snacks for the school kids there. But truly, you must price compare. Sometimes the súper mercados have better pricing.

Just today I placed a Click and Go order. The Santiago parking lot is often frustratingly full.

I ordered laundry soap, paper towels, Goya vinegar, pee pads for my little dog and a couple other non perishables I cannot remember. There were a couple of things they did not have in stock. I cannot live without Dawn dish detergent - but the last two times they did not have it.
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
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I go back and forth on Price Smart (or any big box store). Just as another poster, we got our paper products there, the large pack of gatorade has grape flavor in it so we bought that (son likes grape). At one time I was able to find chocolate covered raisins which I like. But honestly, we shop more at Sirena, Carrefour and Bravo. Not so much the membership price, it is more we do not really go there.
 

bob saunders

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
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dr1.com
We buy our Nuts there, our toilet paper (their brand) vitamins, shampoo, hand lotion, parmesan cheese (better and cheaper) Oatmeal, and shelving units.
 

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
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Welp, I don't really use toilet paper, I hose it off..lol
I buy the Franks Hot Sauce (my addiction) but I have a friend get it for me.
I was just checking their website and it seems that maybe joining is not good for me at this time. The only stuff I see that interests me is the sharp cheddar cheese and a few other small items.
You're as bad as I am. I love the blocks of cheddar Cheese.

Not really worth it for the prices, the value is finding things you can't get anywhere else. (I just bought some Sargentos sharp Cheddar on Amazon, LOL)
They almost always have cottage cheese, and of course the cheddar.
I'd say try to find somebody you could piggyback with to go.
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
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JD, how does the cheese from Amazon work out being shipped? Does it arrive ok? I like their Havarti and Baby Swiss. They also have Extra Sharp Cheddar which I really like.
 

Glenn Burke

Active member
Sep 12, 2023
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Santo Domingo
Is PriceSmart worth the US$40 yearly fee for 1 person buying normal quantities of stuff? What about purchasing appliances (fridge)? Is it better to buy PriceSmart or a regular local company?
Does every person who wants to enter there have to have his/her own card? I mean, if you have a card but want to go shopping with your wife, she must has a card too to enter the store with you? What if your wife wants to use your card? What if somebody else gives me his card, can I enter with it or it must belong to me and they check it?
 

johne

Silver
Jun 28, 2003
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Does every person who wants to enter there have to have his/her own card? I mean, if you have a card but want to go shopping with your wife, she must has a card too to enter the store with you? What if your wife wants to use your card? What if somebody else gives me his card, can I enter with it or it must belong to me and they check it?
one card gets you and wife in
 
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JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
13,088
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JD, how does the cheese from Amazon work out being shipped? Does it arrive ok? I like their Havarti and Baby Swiss. They also have Extra Sharp Cheddar which I really like.
That's exactly what I ordered. First time. I don't expect any issues, there's nothing on the listing that says keep it refrigerated. I'll let you know.
 
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Glenn Burke

Active member
Sep 12, 2023
150
98
28
Santo Domingo
When they built their first store many years ago, I went it, they said a membership card is needed. I said let me go in first so I can see if it's worth it to buy a membership. They let me in, I walked around every shelf and I did not find any item that I wanted to buy there and I did not see anything that was worth to buy a membership, so I said No Thanks and left.

When they built another store in Zona Universitaria a few years ago, I was passing by one day so I decided to park and go check it out. I went in, they said a membership card is needed. I said let me go in first so I can see if it's worth it to buy a membership. This time they said NO, so I said Ok F*ck You and left.
 
Aug 21, 2007
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When they built their first store many years ago, I went it, they said a membership card is needed. I said let me go in first so I can see if it's worth it to buy a membership. They let me in, I walked around every shelf and I did not find any item that I wanted to buy there and I did not see anything that was worth to buy a membership, so I said No Thanks and left.

When they built another store in Zona Universitaria a few years ago, I was passing by one day so I decided to park and go check it out. I went in, they said a membership card is needed. I said let me go in first so I can see if it's worth it to buy a membership. This time they said NO, so I said Ok F*ck You and left.
If you want to know what they have just look on their website and avoid even entering. You are welcome to enter with anyone who has a card.

As I previously mentioned, the crowds and parking have complicated PriceSmart. I will continue to shop for what I need but buy it online and just go pick it up at the store. No need to park and enter.
 
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SantiagoDR

The "REAL" SantiagoDR
Jan 12, 2006
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Does every person who wants to enter there have to have his/her own card? I mean, if you have a card but want to go shopping with your wife, she must has a card too to enter the store with you? What if your wife wants to use your card? What if somebody else gives me his card, can I enter with it or it must belong to me and they check it?
You can not let others use your card.
You must be there for your wife /family to benefit AND you do the transaction.

They refused my wife as a separate transaction with me there once.

PS: She has her own card but did not have it with her.