Cash and Carry or Supermarket?

MisterMonty

Hi guys,

I wonder whether you could advise me?

I’m looking to buy many of our cleaning products, toiletries, and other things that don’t have ‘use by’ dates, in bulk.

I’ve been able to do that recently with toothpaste on a BOGOF basis, and likewise with washing up liquid.

I’m wondering whether it’s cheaper to go to a cash and carry type place to buy these things, or whether it’s actually cheaper to wait for the BOGOFs at the supermarket?

I have no experiences of cash and carry outlets – I’m not even sure whether the general public can shop in these places?

Thanks

MM

ps Is this on the right board?

gizmoleeds

Whether or not a member of the general public will be allowed into a cash and carry depends on the individual place's policy.

If you work for a public body (eg. council, school etc.) I believe you can qualify for a card to many cash and carries (this definintely used to be the case with Makro).

The current Makro website seems like they have tightened up on their rules:

What Registration Documents are Required?

Companies / Organisations

Copy of company V.A.T certificate, (if not registered for V.A.T, a copy of the company cheque book).
Two Recent purchase Invoices over the value of £50 each.
Personal Identification of the cardholder.

Self-Employed

Copy of Inland Revenue Registration form.
Two recent purchase invoices over the value of £50 each.
Personal Identificaton of the cardholder.
Applications are accepted only on documentary evidence as above.
(Photocopies only - no documents will be returned)

It used to be just a copy of the company letterhead to prove you are a trader.

barginunter

I have both a Makro card and a Costco card - my experience is that most stuff is cheaper in the supermarkets unless you can claim back VAT.

gizmoleeds

barginunter wrote:

I have both a Makro card and a Costco card - my experience is that most stuff is cheaper in the supermarkets unless you can claim back VAT.

True - supermarkets have much better buying power than most cash and carries.

That is why all multipack bags of crisps have "MULTIPACK BAG NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY" on them - because small retailers pay more than this at a wholesaler :eek: !

However, there are some things which are cheaper at wholesalers, so they are worth a look. When I sold stuff on ebay I used to buy Jiffy padded envelopes from makro for about 10p each - they cost 3 or 4 times (at least) from the Post Office/Asda etc.

ianonline

barginunter wrote:

I have both a Makro card and a Costco card - my experience is that most stuff is cheaper in the supermarkets unless you can claim back VAT.

If you can claim the VAT back - great
If you can't - tough

....but it makes no difference for comparison purposes (on the basis that both cash & carry AND supermarkets will be VAT registered so both prices will include VAT which is potentially recoverable)

Becles

I tend to buy things from the Makro Mail offers only. You can usually get decent bargains on large packs of kitchen and toilet rolls, and massive boxes of washing powder, as long as you have the room to store them!

The grocery items I buy are just odd bits on special offer - like I got 2 huge blocks of cheese and some fish on BOGOF last time we were in. I would go there just to grocery shop as I find it expensive.

deanos

gizmoleeds wrote:

However, there are some things which are cheaper at wholesalers, so they are worth a look. When I sold stuff on ebay I used to buy Jiffy padded envelopes from makro for about 10p each - they cost 3 or 4 times (at least) from the Post Office/Asda etc.

10 for £1 in Poundland !

Agreed C+C's arnt that much cheaper than supermarkets however they are the only place you can find Westlers hot dogs yum yum and they work out a hell of a lot cheaper than the burger bar !

gizmoleeds

deanos wrote:

10 for £1 in Poundland !

Legitimate Jiffy® Bags? (Customers are impressed by brand names and neat packaging)

alanshave

Yeah the ones at poundland are Jiffy Airkraft. It's only the small ones that are 10 for a £1 though. Bigger ones are 5 for a £1.

deanos

gizmoleeds wrote:

Legitimate Jiffy® Bags? (Customers are impressed by brand names and neat packaging)

Yes they have Jiffi printed on the back

MisterMonty

Thank you all.

I've had a look at Makro and Costco. The nearest outlet is Croydon and that represents a 45 minute journey each way.

I couldn't get an idea of prices online so I'm still in the dark about price comparisons. I rather suspect that the supermarket BOGOFs represent best value for me.

Unless I find to the contrary, I'll stick wholesalers on the shelf for a while.

Many thanks though.

MM