Retail membership plans are common these days, but are they worth buying?

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Amazon Prime. People say it so often, it's almost a verb: as in: 'Just prime it, and you'll have it in two days!'

Now, more and more retailers are offering membership plans, betting that you will pay a fee for the privilege of shopping with them. In exchange, they offer perks like free shipping, discounts and even interior design consultations.

But before you join, Consumer Reports says, just be sure to weigh the pros and the cons.

When Randi Odesser shops at Whole Foods, she takes advantage of discounts available to her as a member of Amazon Prime's loyalty program. "Which is the shrimp that's on sale for Prime?," she asks an employee.

The 119-dollar annual membership fee not only gets her deals on groceries, but also: free expedited shipping, unlimited cloud storage for photos, and access to tons of movies and music.

"I am a loyal Amazon shopper to begin with, and now having the added benefit of Whole Foods discounts make it even better. Definitely a win-win," Odesser said.

RELATED: QUICK TIP: How to get a store loyalty discount without having a membership card

"Clearly, Amazon is onto something. More than 100-million prime members likely make Amazon their first stop, when they shop," said Margot Gilman, Consumer Reports Money Editor.

Consumer Reports says plenty of other retailers are also starting to see the benefits of membership programs.

"REI Co-Op," "AMC Theatres," "Bed Bath and Beyond," and "Restoration Hardware" are just a few of the companies now offering members perks including discounts, free shipping, and priority services.

RELATED: QUICK TIP: How to shop at Costco without a membership card

"The benefits sound great, but you have to make sure that the numbers add up. Restoration Hardware, for example, charges 100 dollars for a year for a membership, that entitles you to some discounts and design consultations. And that would be great if you have a lot of furniture in your future," Gilman said.

Just take care that simply having the membership doesn't lead you to spend more.

"Amazon Prime members typically spend an average of 8-hundred dollars a year more than non-prime members." Gilman said.

Be smart when you join, and when you shop.

And finally, be sure any membership is simple to cancel. You might not want to get stuck with a membership that renews automatically and is non-refundable.

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