Great ‘What to Buy at Costco & Makro’ Hunt

eric_the_red_5

Costco sell l00 A4, 30 A3, 30 A5, laminating pouches in a job lot for about £10.00 including VAT. Pretty massive discount on any opposition.

horse54101

Many products cheaper/better quality but often you have to buy in bulk. Limited selection eg on larger goods, and they don't take credit cards. Check bogofs at supermarket it could work out cheaper. That said Costco food is excellent quality, never bought anything that wasn't first rate. Always buy my meat there now...melt in the mouth!
You could save your membership fee on one shopping trip.

rjaly

I have associate card for Costco. They have fabulous offers on current popular books,usually better than any bookstore.Their bakery and butchery is good value. However, you can usually get better deals on wine in supermarket. Great for grazing as there always tastings. I have a free Makro card through work,but although it's closer I dont go very often. Good butchery and frozen stuff though

stars_bright

What qualifies you to get trade membership?

Primrose

Meat is excellent quality but we find their fruit and veg on the expensive side. CostCo is good if you like to buy your wine in bulk. If you see something you want, you have to buy it on the spot because their range of non-food products change all the time and you can't rely on the same item still being sold on your next visit. We find their potted geraniums better value than many garden centres too. I just wish they had a website with all the current items and prices listed for members. Perhaps we should all press them to do this although nkeeping it updated might be a massive undertaking. However, it would enable members to do a price comparison with what was available elsewhere. Sometimes when we bulk buy there I wonder whether we really are getting better value for money although buying in bulk is convenient if you've got somewhere to store it. Also wish that they would accept credit cards rather than just insisting on paying via a debit card.

Mr_Zippy

USbird wrote: »

Many Costcos in the US sell petrol for several cents per gallon cheaper than the average petrol station. It's definitely worth bringing your Costco card on any US roadtrips!

Good tip as going on a road trip in the US in a couple of weeks!

al_yrpal

Makro has no fee. Makro's fish is always very fresh and about half the price of high street fishmongers and supermarkets. I always buy a lot a freeze it. They often have English or Scottish Sirloins. In the last 12 months I had one at £10.99 Kg and another at £7.99 a Kg. This compares with £17 Kg at butchers and supermarkets. It was excellent and the Makro butcher expertly sliced it into steaks. I think the reason it is so cheap is that restaurants shop there and the recession has reduced the price of beef, but this hasnt filtered through to butchers or supermarkets. I like Makro's Ciabatta rolls.
Personally I refuse to pay Costco's £20 fee, compared with Aldi the savings are not there and its just not worth it.

seadee

stars_bright wrote: »

What qualifies you to get trade membership?

http://www.costco.co.uk/Membership_home/Trade_memship/trade_membership.htm

Details of trade membership

MDSDerby

I have always found Costco to be cheapest for extra virgin olive oil-about £3.50 per litre.

newleaf

Primrose wrote: »

I just wish they had a website with all the current items and prices listed for members. Perhaps we should all press them to do this although nkeeping it updated might be a massive undertaking. However, it would enable members to do a price comparison with what was available elsewhere. Sometimes when we bulk buy there I wonder whether we really are getting better value for money although buying in bulk is convenient if you've got somewhere to store it. Also wish that they would accept credit cards rather than just insisting on paying via a debit card.

The reason they don't do either of these things is to keep the costs down.