Does shopping at the big warehouse stores really save you money? It depends. As with many financial questions, separating fact from fiction can present a challenge.

Let’s say, for example, you buy a gallon of maple syrup at a warehouse store. That’s a larger quantity than you would buy at your local grocery store, but the per-unit price is considerably cheaper. Have you saved money?

Maybe. To make an informed decision, you need to answer some questions: Will you consume more syrup (and eat more pancakes) because it’s available? Is your family so tired of pancakes that you’ll end up throwing away some of the syrup? Could you have gotten a better deal by waiting for a sale at your local grocery store? How much did you spend in membership fees to belong to the warehouse store? How much gas did you consume driving the extra distance to the warehouse store?

If you’re considering a membership at a warehouse store (or thinking about renewing your membership), here are a few tips to keep in mind.

• Buying in bulk is not always cheaper. A smart shopper will compare prices. If you shop for sales and use coupons, you may find that your local grocery store can offer competitive prices.

• Impulse buying can lead to overspending. Sure, that designer blouse is marked down from its retail price. But do you really need a new blouse? The big stores know how to increase the likelihood that you’ll buy on impulse. Offering free food samples is a great example of this. Take a few bites, chat with the server, and chances are greater that you’ll drop that item in your cart.

• Where will you store all that stuff? Do you have adequate freezer and cupboard space for the goods you just bought? Have you really saved money if you end up throwing away freezer-burned chicken that’s been crammed into your overstuffed freezer for months?

Overall, it’s important to evaluate your needs and the actual prices of goods. Some items are indeed cheaper at warehouse stores. If you can recover your membership fee, use all the products you buy, and avoid overspending on stuff you wouldn’t otherwise purchase, you can save, especially if you’re selective. But there’s no shortcut to doing the math and exercising discipline.

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