Best buys at the warehouse club

Every savvy shopper knows that membership clubs can save them scads of money (with a few exceptions), especially if they have a large family or are a small business owner. With so much savings at places like BJ's, Costco and Sam's Club, it doesn't take long to recoup membership fees -- that is, as long as you're smart about what you buy and when.

WalletPop went looking for some of the best (and worst) things to buy at club stores. We visited a Chicago area Costco store, then priced the same brand at nearby competitors on the same day. While house brands can yield the biggest savings, they also vary greatly in quality and composition, and therefore can't be comparison shopped accurately and weren't included here. Neither Costco nor Sam's Club accepts manufacturer coupons, and BJ's is not a national retailer and therefore isn't used as a comparison, either. Sizes vary greatly among stores; therefore, all prices are per unit or per measurement for consistency.

Here are our picks for best buys.