costco worth it?
20 June 2012, 09:58 PM
#6
Scooby Regular
http://www.costco.co.uk/membership/
They'll be just about round the regular retail price then, never found their tyres to be particularly cheap compared to online places.
They'll be just about round the regular retail price then, never found their tyres to be particularly cheap compared to online places.
20 June 2012, 10:04 PM
#7
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: RIP Tam.
Posts: 5,108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
just pop into your local costco and complete the joining form, iirc you need some sort of proof of id, they will usually take your picture and make your card for you while you wait 
Trending Topics
20 June 2012, 10:05 PM
#8
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: The Great White North
Posts: 25,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Go to thier website and sign up? Think you will still need to go to the store to pick up tr card, or I had to here (Canada) as the membership card has a photo on the back of it
Guess you could pop down to the local store and do it all there too
As for wether it is worth it, well if you want or need multiple / bulk(ish) items then yes. For example we grab cases of water, paper towels, tea and other stuff and the larger size packs do give a good saving over the supermarket
It is also good for big electronic items; eg televisions. I saved at least $200 - $300 on my tv a few months back. They also extend the warranty as part of their concierge service which is part of the membership.
The only downside I have found is that the only credit card they take is American express, it is cash, cheque ( I think) and debit card
If you know someone with membership then ask them to take you inside as a guest so you can have a look and see if it would be useful to you
Guess you could pop down to the local store and do it all there too
As for wether it is worth it, well if you want or need multiple / bulk(ish) items then yes. For example we grab cases of water, paper towels, tea and other stuff and the larger size packs do give a good saving over the supermarket
It is also good for big electronic items; eg televisions. I saved at least $200 - $300 on my tv a few months back. They also extend the warranty as part of their concierge service which is part of the membership.
The only downside I have found is that the only credit card they take is American express, it is cash, cheque ( I think) and debit card
If you know someone with membership then ask them to take you inside as a guest so you can have a look and see if it would be useful to you
20 June 2012, 11:06 PM
#9
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: The most happenin city in the country
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did pop into one but they wouldn't let me in for a browse. might just have to stump up the £30 and hope it is worth it.
21 June 2012, 07:03 AM
#10
Scooby Regular
To make Costco shopping pay dividends you MUST remember the following:
Costco is not cheap on everything, only certain products and for certain periods. Learn what are good deals and don't be drawn in by things you don't really need to buy. Last year I needed a new Samsung 38" tv and amazon was miles cheaper on pretty much all tvs and had better warranty offers. However, waited a few months and Costco finally had a large batch of the very model delivered with a free 3 year warranty as part of the package and a great saving on RRP.
We shop there a lot and a mate of mine works in the tyre bay at our local Costco and with regards to the 20% tyres, worth remembering that they only really stock Michelins which are definitely not cheap in the first place.
Cheap if you are able to buy non perishables in bulk and for us that is:
Beer:
24x330ml Peroni = £17.99 + VAT
48 toilet rolls for much cheapness
Kitchen rolls
Salmon for freezing
Chicken for freezing
Duracell batteries
Boxes of wine
Washing powder
Car wash solution wash n wax stuff
Also their optician in our area is first rate and have used them for the last few years.
That's obviously just an example of how we save cash with them but just remember that many products can be has cheaper elsewhere and don't fall into the 'magpie trap' of buying shiny stuff you don't need.
Also when you have a card, they will post you details of offers that are coming up over the next few weeks and those are heavily discounted.
Costco is not cheap on everything, only certain products and for certain periods. Learn what are good deals and don't be drawn in by things you don't really need to buy. Last year I needed a new Samsung 38" tv and amazon was miles cheaper on pretty much all tvs and had better warranty offers. However, waited a few months and Costco finally had a large batch of the very model delivered with a free 3 year warranty as part of the package and a great saving on RRP.
We shop there a lot and a mate of mine works in the tyre bay at our local Costco and with regards to the 20% tyres, worth remembering that they only really stock Michelins which are definitely not cheap in the first place.
Cheap if you are able to buy non perishables in bulk and for us that is:
Beer:
24x330ml Peroni = £17.99 + VAT
48 toilet rolls for much cheapness
Kitchen rolls
Salmon for freezing
Chicken for freezing
Duracell batteries
Boxes of wine
Washing powder
Car wash solution wash n wax stuff
Also their optician in our area is first rate and have used them for the last few years.
That's obviously just an example of how we save cash with them but just remember that many products can be has cheaper elsewhere and don't fall into the 'magpie trap' of buying shiny stuff you don't need.
Also when you have a card, they will post you details of offers that are coming up over the next few weeks and those are heavily discounted.
Last edited by SiPie; 21 June 2012 at 07:04 AM.
21 June 2012, 07:19 AM
#11
Scooby Regular
What SiPie says. Not everything is cheaper all the time you need to keep your eye out. The stuff that always seems cheaper
1) Batteries (have two small boys with toys so need loads of these)
2) Diet coke
3) Prawns, Scallops for freezing
4) Jack Daniels. £17 in Costco, £25 in my local Sainsburys!!
5) Champagne (only really useful for Christmas etc)
6) Toiletries
Personally if I was going to buy a high value item like a TV I'd rather pay an extra £20 and buy it from Costco than the cheapest on line retailer. Their returns policy/after sales service is second to none imho
1) Batteries (have two small boys with toys so need loads of these)
2) Diet coke
3) Prawns, Scallops for freezing
4) Jack Daniels. £17 in Costco, £25 in my local Sainsburys!!
5) Champagne (only really useful for Christmas etc)
6) Toiletries
Personally if I was going to buy a high value item like a TV I'd rather pay an extra £20 and buy it from Costco than the cheapest on line retailer. Their returns policy/after sales service is second to none imho
21 June 2012, 07:39 AM
#12
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Worth it for meat, juice/beer and toiletries. We buy chicken, lamb and fillet steak in bulk and freeze it. The meat is far better quality than at the supermarket and works out much cheaper overall. The big pack of chicken breasts has far bigger breasts [oooh er] than those in Tesco with far less fatty/****ty bits. We also get Pepsi Max, toilet rolls and watch out for beer offers. They usually have a coupon book near the front door; make sure you pick one up and look to see if there are suitable offers.
21 June 2012, 10:36 AM
#14
As others have said, not everything is cheaper but some real savings can be found on some items.
Remember to look at the prices carefully! The price in large print is without VAT!!! Look at the smaller price underneath for the real cost.
Also you will find that apart from their own stuff (Kirkland) it's all branded merchandise so it's no good if you are comparing prices of branded things with Tesco/Asda own brand.
You can get some good prices on watches and jewellery.
I've bought my last 2 TV's from there (both Panasonic) and I've saved over £500 on those two items alone and they both came with 5 year warranties.
You WILL get sucked in and end up buying loads of stuff you didn't want
We call it the £100 shop because even if you go in for one item you end up buying loads of other stuff and spending £100.
It's great if you're having a party or a BBQ, loads of good quality meat, drinks and other food stuff for good prices.
Remember to look at the prices carefully! The price in large print is without VAT!!! Look at the smaller price underneath for the real cost.
Also you will find that apart from their own stuff (Kirkland) it's all branded merchandise so it's no good if you are comparing prices of branded things with Tesco/Asda own brand.
You can get some good prices on watches and jewellery.
I've bought my last 2 TV's from there (both Panasonic) and I've saved over £500 on those two items alone and they both came with 5 year warranties.
You WILL get sucked in and end up buying loads of stuff you didn't want
We call it the £100 shop because even if you go in for one item you end up buying loads of other stuff and spending £100. It's great if you're having a party or a BBQ, loads of good quality meat, drinks and other food stuff for good prices.
21 June 2012, 11:15 AM
#17
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: The Great White North
Posts: 25,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
*sniff* I wish the beer sales here weren't so regulated (The Beer Store and LCBO are the only places to buy beer - Some supermarkets do have a wine store within a store thing, but that's it)
21 June 2012, 11:47 AM
#18
Fresh meat is excellent quality - may seem expensive compared to supermarkets but the quality is much better - the fillet steaks are amazing.
If you're buying chicken breasts for the freezer - the packs of ready frozen british grade a chicken breasts are excellent value - something like £5.50/kilo and no added water.
As mentioned above, the kirkland pack of batteries are very good quality and price - 48 alkaline aa's are £7.00 or thereabouts.
If you use bottled water, the kirkland 35 pack 500ml work out about 12p a bottle.
Join Costco and you'll never run out of toilet rolls again.
Under their warranty system, and outside the 12 month manufacturers warranty, I've returned 3 carpet cleaners, 1 washing machine and 2 xbox360's. Each time getting a full refund, no questions asked. I ended up in pocket each time I returned the XBox's, as the price of the new one I bought was cheaper than the refund.
If you're buying chicken breasts for the freezer - the packs of ready frozen british grade a chicken breasts are excellent value - something like £5.50/kilo and no added water.
As mentioned above, the kirkland pack of batteries are very good quality and price - 48 alkaline aa's are £7.00 or thereabouts.
If you use bottled water, the kirkland 35 pack 500ml work out about 12p a bottle.
Join Costco and you'll never run out of toilet rolls again.
Under their warranty system, and outside the 12 month manufacturers warranty, I've returned 3 carpet cleaners, 1 washing machine and 2 xbox360's. Each time getting a full refund, no questions asked. I ended up in pocket each time I returned the XBox's, as the price of the new one I bought was cheaper than the refund.
21 June 2012, 02:07 PM
#19
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: There on the stair
Posts: 10,208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You've all forgotten the cakes.
and the pizzas
The cakes are fecking huge, and the buns are like something out of Land of the Giants. The Pizzas are just massive and stupidly cheap.
Saying that though - it's worth it for the bloody washing powder alone.
and the pizzas
The cakes are fecking huge, and the buns are like something out of Land of the Giants. The Pizzas are just massive and stupidly cheap.
Saying that though - it's worth it for the bloody washing powder alone.
21 June 2012, 02:13 PM
#20
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: There on the stair
Posts: 10,208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fresh meat is excellent quality - may seem expensive compared to supermarkets but the quality is much better - the fillet steaks are amazing.
If you're buying chicken breasts for the freezer - the packs of ready frozen british grade a chicken breasts are excellent value - something like £5.50/kilo and no added water.
As mentioned above, the kirkland pack of batteries are very good quality and price - 48 alkaline aa's are £7.00 or thereabouts.
If you use bottled water, the kirkland 35 pack 500ml work out about 12p a bottle.
Join Costco and you'll forever find toilet rolls under your bed, in the wardrobe, in the garage....
Under their warranty system, and outside the 12 month manufacturers warranty, I've returned 3 carpet cleaners, 1 washing machine and 2 xbox360's. Each time getting a full refund, no questions asked. I ended up in pocket each time I returned the XBox's, as the price of the new one I bought was cheaper than the refund.
If you're buying chicken breasts for the freezer - the packs of ready frozen british grade a chicken breasts are excellent value - something like £5.50/kilo and no added water.
As mentioned above, the kirkland pack of batteries are very good quality and price - 48 alkaline aa's are £7.00 or thereabouts.
If you use bottled water, the kirkland 35 pack 500ml work out about 12p a bottle.
Join Costco and you'll forever find toilet rolls under your bed, in the wardrobe, in the garage....
Under their warranty system, and outside the 12 month manufacturers warranty, I've returned 3 carpet cleaners, 1 washing machine and 2 xbox360's. Each time getting a full refund, no questions asked. I ended up in pocket each time I returned the XBox's, as the price of the new one I bought was cheaper than the refund.
21 June 2012, 02:26 PM
#23
Scooby Regular
Fresh meat is excellent quality - may seem expensive compared to supermarkets but the quality is much better - the fillet steaks are amazing.
If you're buying chicken breasts for the freezer - the packs of ready frozen british grade a chicken breasts are excellent value - something like £5.50/kilo and no added water.
As mentioned above, the kirkland pack of batteries are very good quality and price - 48 alkaline aa's are £7.00 or thereabouts.
If you use bottled water, the kirkland 35 pack 500ml work out about 12p a bottle.
Join Costco and you'll never run out of toilet rolls again.
Under their warranty system, and outside the 12 month manufacturers warranty, I've returned 3 carpet cleaners, 1 washing machine and 2 xbox360's. Each time getting a full refund, no questions asked. I ended up in pocket each time I returned the XBox's, as the price of the new one I bought was cheaper than the refund.
If you're buying chicken breasts for the freezer - the packs of ready frozen british grade a chicken breasts are excellent value - something like £5.50/kilo and no added water.
As mentioned above, the kirkland pack of batteries are very good quality and price - 48 alkaline aa's are £7.00 or thereabouts.
If you use bottled water, the kirkland 35 pack 500ml work out about 12p a bottle.
Join Costco and you'll never run out of toilet rolls again.
Under their warranty system, and outside the 12 month manufacturers warranty, I've returned 3 carpet cleaners, 1 washing machine and 2 xbox360's. Each time getting a full refund, no questions asked. I ended up in pocket each time I returned the XBox's, as the price of the new one I bought was cheaper than the refund.
This is why I'd rather spend a bit more and buy (certain things) from Costco than the cheapest price I can find something on the internet.
Their aftersales service is second to none.
21 June 2012, 03:11 PM
#24
To make Costco shopping pay dividends you MUST remember the following:
Costco is not cheap on everything, only certain products and for certain periods. Learn what are good deals and don't be drawn in by things you don't really need to buy. Last year I needed a new Samsung 38" tv and amazon was miles cheaper on pretty much all tvs and had better warranty offers. However, waited a few months and Costco finally had a large batch of the very model delivered with a free 3 year warranty as part of the package and a great saving on RRP.
We shop there a lot and a mate of mine works in the tyre bay at our local Costco and with regards to the 20% tyres, worth remembering that they only really stock Michelins which are definitely not cheap in the first place.
Cheap if you are able to buy non perishables in bulk and for us that is:
Beer:
24x330ml Peroni = £17.99 + VAT
48 toilet rolls for much cheapness
Kitchen rolls
Salmon for freezing
Chicken for freezing
Duracell batteries
Boxes of wine
Washing powder
Car wash solution wash n wax stuff
Also their optician in our area is first rate and have used them for the last few years.
That's obviously just an example of how we save cash with them but just remember that many products can be has cheaper elsewhere and don't fall into the 'magpie trap' of buying shiny stuff you don't need.
Also when you have a card, they will post you details of offers that are coming up over the next few weeks and those are heavily discounted.
Costco is not cheap on everything, only certain products and for certain periods. Learn what are good deals and don't be drawn in by things you don't really need to buy. Last year I needed a new Samsung 38" tv and amazon was miles cheaper on pretty much all tvs and had better warranty offers. However, waited a few months and Costco finally had a large batch of the very model delivered with a free 3 year warranty as part of the package and a great saving on RRP.
We shop there a lot and a mate of mine works in the tyre bay at our local Costco and with regards to the 20% tyres, worth remembering that they only really stock Michelins which are definitely not cheap in the first place.
Cheap if you are able to buy non perishables in bulk and for us that is:
Beer:
24x330ml Peroni = £17.99 + VAT
48 toilet rolls for much cheapness
Kitchen rolls
Salmon for freezing
Chicken for freezing
Duracell batteries
Boxes of wine
Washing powder
Car wash solution wash n wax stuff
Also their optician in our area is first rate and have used them for the last few years.
That's obviously just an example of how we save cash with them but just remember that many products can be has cheaper elsewhere and don't fall into the 'magpie trap' of buying shiny stuff you don't need.
Also when you have a card, they will post you details of offers that are coming up over the next few weeks and those are heavily discounted.
Usually day to day stuff available as single or in retail sized packs is no cheaper. But teh bigger wholesale/bulk stuff is better. Unless there are offers on. Electronics are always hit and miss.....always keep google shopping handy on your smart phone when walking around
And don't forget to add the VAT!!
Last edited by ALi-B; 21 June 2012 at 03:15 PM.
21 June 2012, 03:43 PM
#25
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: A big town with sh1t shops: Northampton
Posts: 21,366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a Costco card but don't think I've got the full benefit of it yet due to the nearest one being in Milton Keynes, so not just a "pop to the shops" distance. We recently had a party so I went there for a couple of carrot cakes (awesome!) and some other bits and pieces. I am reluctant to buy toilet rolls, cos the quantities are HUGE! Dishwasher tablets are the best though, I bought 2 packs of 84 Finish ones for £17 or something.... Will last us ages! Also, the cafe is extremely cheap and the ice cream is lovely!
As a relatively new shopper there, there are some funny quirks you have to get used to, e.g having your card checked on the way in and your trolley checked on the way out.
As a relatively new shopper there, there are some funny quirks you have to get used to, e.g having your card checked on the way in and your trolley checked on the way out.
21 June 2012, 03:49 PM
#26
Agree on teh diswasher tabs (the Finish Power Powder is usually even cheaper if you can be bothered to mess with it). Its also the only place where you can get decent sized packs of washing powder.
Bog and Kitchen Roll is a pain, but again buy a few months worth which means less bulk on the weekly shop.
Bog and Kitchen Roll is a pain, but again buy a few months worth which means less bulk on the weekly shop.
Last edited by ALi-B; 21 June 2012 at 03:50 PM.
21 June 2012, 03:56 PM
#28
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 1998
Location: Staffs
Posts: 23,573
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The 24 pack of big Cookies is always hard to resist
We went last Saturday and filled up the freezer. Takes a bit of time once home to individually bag up all the meat (eg pork lamb steaks) into pairs or 500g chunks (minced beef) but worth the effort. I can't remember the last time we bought soap tablets in the supermarket since joining.
Out of interest, are they as tight / specific on membership groups as the website makes out?
We went last Saturday and filled up the freezer. Takes a bit of time once home to individually bag up all the meat (eg pork lamb steaks) into pairs or 500g chunks (minced beef) but worth the effort. I can't remember the last time we bought soap tablets in the supermarket since joining.
Out of interest, are they as tight / specific on membership groups as the website makes out?
21 June 2012, 04:13 PM
#29
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Swindon, Wilts
Posts: 912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I saw Cliff Richard in Costco Reading a few years ago.... someone else pushing his trolley for him though (well, you would wouldn't you).
Nice big parking spaces at Costco as well, for proper sized cars!
Nice big parking spaces at Costco as well, for proper sized cars!
21 June 2012, 04:17 PM
#30
