Costco?

Carlo

Carlo

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Carl
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Is anyone on the forum a member?
We're having a visit from them at work next month, and can join for £25 (plus VAT).
Had a quick 'squiz' at their website, and the wiki page, but doesn't really go into great detail about what they sell.
As it's a warehouse type store will you have to but in bulk? or is it more like a normal store?
either way, was wondering whether it'll be worth joining.
 
They sell everything from baked beans to canoes, I joined about 12yrs ago and there aren't many weeks that go by when I don't pop in. Join, it's great!
 
It's a wholesalers.
It's like a supermarket but on a gigantic scale. They sell stuff really cheap and really big; massive tubs of mayonnaise, bigger bottles of alcohol than you'd normally get in the shops and massive multipacks of canned food etc.

The idea is that you buy stuff from there to stock your own shop. The products are designed with resale in mind and if you stocked your shop from a supermarket you'd probably go bust!

I've been with a pal who is a member and it's absolutely amazing to shop in there, so much money saved, i thought you had to be a business owner to join though.
 
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My advice is that if you have the space to store bulk item's (like washing powder, Toilet rolls etc) then its a god send. Some things are not "as" cheap as the supermarkets however because you are bulk buying then you will be able o save cash through the year.

Please also note that their is no such thing as a cheap Costco shopping trip though because of the bulk buying.

You can attend a costco store with another member though before hand if you want to get a look and feel for the "Warehouse" style shopping.
 
trencheel303 said:
I've been with a pal who is a member and it's absolutely amazing to shop in there, so much money saved, i thought you had to be a business owner to join though.
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Some business owners can join as trade members, also employees in sectors, and people with certain professional qualifications can join as individual members.

Since it's open to all civil servants that presumably means dustmen and streetsweepers can join. I can't as a nerd, but my parents both worked for an aerospace defence supplier so they are members and can have one extra family member with a card, which is me. Despite the fact I last lived with them full time when I was 19, over 23 years ago :naughty:

I use it to stock up on food, the meat is really good and cheap, so I bag it up and freeze it then defrost as needed, plus domestic supplies like washing up liquid and so on.
 
sounds like it'll be worth a go, just better not bring the Mrs along!!
Coincides with a bonus i'll be getting so thats good timing too.
also, their website said you have to bring your own bags/boxes. Is this true for the UK stores too?
 
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I think it costs us a fortune. We buy stuff that we'd never have bought in the first place. BUT, i'd never give up my membership as we like our costco trips.

Big items we've bought are: fat boy hammock - a few years ago, huge charcoal bbq, table and chair set for garden, we've bought nappies through convenience as they don't seem that much cheaper than when tesco have them on offer, we've probably got a lifetime supply of postage stamps and batteries. I'm currently saving for an outdoor play centre thing that works out about £900 for my son as we're nowhere near a park but that might be next years purchase as he's a bit young. I'm also tempted by a huge paddling pool right now (well I was until the weather turned bad again today!).

You don't really need bags etc as you need to repack your trolly and get it checked by security as you leave. We just leave everything in the trolly and then put it straight into the car.
 
I'd recommend joining, but only if you have the storage space for the bulk/bigger items. We usually get stuff like washing liquid, softener, fruit juice and fizzy pop from there, however as mentioned above they sell all sorts. The one in Birmingham also sells car tyres but I've never looked to see how they compare price wise

Lunch is dirt cheap too if you are happy with Jacket potato/pizza/ice cream and free refills of pop.

This is old but might be of interest to you. Its an article in the guardian comparing costco prices to that of the supermarkets.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/jun/05/costco-v-supermarkets-better-value
 
We joined when one opened in Derby, had already been a member of Makro for years before that. Wasn't that impressed but maybe it has changed. EVERYTHING seemed to be branded goods when we went, so you might have been saving a few £ buying 12 of them but they were still over priced as they were branded.....this was about 10 years ago though!
 
Carlo said:
also, their website said you have to bring your own bags/boxes. Is this true for the UK stores too?
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this was the case when my mate and I went. We took some old cardboard boxes I think.
 
We have a membership and kept it 'live' even when we left the UK, we go back when we visit friends familly.

The way I always describe it to people is that it's probably not as cheap as Makro but the quality is better. I would agree that there is no such thing as a cheap trip though, especially around Christmas where the wife seems to buy a 'tower of treats' for everyone she knows!

We mainly get things that can be frozen, dried stuff or tins - the own brand washing powder is good. The pizzas and birthday cakes are spot on for kids parties and get a few trays of cup cakes for grown ups!

We use the Avonmouth one and they do tyres, we always get Michelins (I think that's all the do) and found them cheaper than all the local garages - except the fact that you shop whilst they are being fitted!

Keep an eye on the special offer booklets, the vouchers are normally only valid a few weeks after they come through the door.
 
Carlo said:
also, their website said you have to bring your own bags/boxes. Is this true for the UK stores too?
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They don't provide bags. I leave it all in the trolley then put it all straight in the boot of the car without using boxes and bags.


Being in Bristol I use the Avonmouth branch, always loads of space to park and not crowded. My parents live near Watford and the branch there is permenantly packed as far as I can tell.
 
some things are cheaper, some not, pepsi, washing powder and softener are and a lot of the food stuff is, haven't been for a while was going to look at Bookers
 
DOes anyone know if it sells photogrpahy itmes? I'm lookng for a camera bag
 
Emma1 said:
DOes anyone know if it sells photogrpahy itmes? I'm lookng for a camera bag
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No. There are memory cards & usb sticks, a handful of compacts and video cameras and occasionally an entry level DSLR kit, but I've never seen anything like a camera bag.
 
Carlo said:
We're having a visit from them at work next month
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smacks of desperation on their part.

Carlo said:
and can join for £25 (plus VAT).
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tell them you'll become a member for the same joining fee that Bookers charge. £0 :lol:

Many things will NOT be cheaper than the supermarkets. And the choice of goods is not as great as you might expect.
 
Jimmy_Lemon said:
We joined when one opened in Derby, had already been a member of Makro for years before that. Wasn't that impressed but maybe it has changed. EVERYTHING seemed to be branded goods when we went, so you might have been saving a few £ buying 12 of them but they were still over priced as they were branded.....this was about 10 years ago though!
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Stopped using Makro for food type buying because Tesco is almost as cheap and we buy what we need. They do have some good offers in the 'homeware' department occasionally.

2blue4u said:
smacks of desperation on their part.


Many things will NOT be cheaper than the supermarkets. And the choice of goods is not as great as you might expect.
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As has already been mentioned they have always been 'picky' as to who they let 'join'. Maybe a sign of the times.

Tyres used to be really good - at one time they only sold Michelin and charged £1 to fit and balance. Was always having my tyre retailers bitching about Costco price. Worth checking out.:thumbs:
 
Don't have a costco around here, we have a makro that operates on similar principles....... (so it seems)

Yes - wholesalers mainly looking to sell on to retailers....

One thing to consider, and I don't know if CostCo are the same, but with Makro the prices on the shelves exclude VAT, so many things can appear "cheap" .... just remember to factor in 20%, unless you are VAT exempt... (I would assume most of their customers are, as it works out a turnover of approx £1500 a week)
 
Lynton said:
One thing to consider, and I don't know if CostCo are the same, but with Makro the prices on the shelves exclude VAT, so many things can appear "cheap" .... just remember to factor in 20%, unless you are VAT exempt... (I would assume most of their customers are, as it works out a turnover of approx £1500 a week)
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Costco list both, the VAT exclusive price is in larger type.
 
Tyres are pretty good value, main tyres are Michelin but they have started stocking BF Goodrich in some sizes - last year there other tyre was Continental.

There tyres are even better value when they have the 20% + VAT off - you need to buy 4 tyres though, but do not need to have them fitted at that point, you can return any time in 2 years with your receipt and they'll fit them for you.
 
Costco is good for many things. Excellent quality meat and fish at good prices (especially when they are on voucher specials). Lots of good bulk buy food offers and detergents as already mentioned. Good guarantees on electrical goods.

Watch the prices when you are in there as the main prices shown are excluding VAT (where applicable - not all items attract VAT)

Can be fantastic for bigger items. They are high quality and expensive but often (not always) much cheaper then anywhere else, especially when on voucher offer. Always best to price test.

You are responsible for moving all items yourself, including the really heavy stuff. They often have 'approved' van men who can collect the goods and take them home for you at a reasonable charge, but you have to get them through the checkouts first and pay for them.

The best part is the service. Bought a microwave from there 2 years ago. It failed and I had lost the receipt. Took it back, they looked up purchase on their system and got a full refund with no questions asked (other than fault description).

If you are unhappy with your membership they will refund it at any time.
 
I think costco is great, the quality of food is very good. I visit maybe 6 times a year and really stock up.

My advice when shopping there would be:

to keep an eye on how much you are buying as your shop can easily become very expensive
don't assume that everything there is cheaper than the supermarket
insure you are looking at the price which includes VAT

As defiance says, they are fantastic if you need to return something.
 
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