Great ‘What to Buy at Costco & Makro’ Hunt

Ed..._2

bennyboy83 wrote: »

Costco Electricals...

I'm a business member but was told on signing up that whatever electricals you buy, if something goes wrong, they'll take it back without warranty and for life!
I was surprised but they were dead serious!
They're not as cheap as the internet by any means but I'd certainly consider them if you'd usually pay extra for an extended warranty on top. Seemed like a great deal to me.

They updated their policy last year, From the Costco Website (Terms and Conditions page) it is now:

Costco's Double Guarantee

On Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund.Costco is first quality and guaranteed by a full refund from Costco and where available, is covered by the manufacturer's warranty. We will refund your annual membership fee at any time if you are not fully satisfied.

(Effective 7th May 2008 , Costco will accept returns within 90 days from the date of purchase for the following items: Televisions, Projectors, Computers, Cameras, Camcorders, iPod/MP3 players and Mobile phones. In addition Costco also extends the Manufacturers warranty to 5 years on Televisions and 2 years on Computers and Camcorders. All other products are subject to the remaining manufacturer's warranty.)

AirCooledHeaven

I joined costco 6 months ago and have to say I have been generally disappointed with the prices on a lot of their items, even buying in bulk there are many items that are no cheaper than my local supermarket. Having said that I've found the following products to be consistently great value:

Car batteries, 25 quid cheaper than I could buy locally (Bosch) which paid for my membership.

Car tyre fitting.
Washing powder.
Fabric conditioner.
Fruit juice.

I think the key with costco is to search out the special deals they run and use the coupons they regularly mail out. Also don't assume that a product you got a great deal on last week will still be a great deal in 2 weeks time

VIVIEN_WRIGHT

I have been a member of Costco for a few years, as have my immediate neighbours. My grown up children also come with me from time to time. It is correct to say you have to be selective in what you buy. It is a good idea to do research on the day to day items you purchase as they are not always cheaper. If you get together you can buy a larger amount and split between you. As for food, certainly meat is good value and exceptional quality. I usually buy packs of items that I can split and freeze separately. I no longer buy meat in quantity at the supermarket. I also bulk buy loo rolls and washing powder. Their ranges of goods change regularly so if you want anything specific you need to keep an eye on their 'specials' or go regularly till you spot it because the items tend to come back eventually. I purchased a 'boiler' type iron there for £98, having missed the deal on it, but it was still £100+ less than a well known store. The trick is not to try to shop there in the same way you would a supermarket, and make sure you have lots of space in your garage to store dry goods.

DebtHater

A lot of people are saying they save no more than visiting the local supermarket ?!?!?

This may be the case on one or two items, but the money you save else where in the store should more than make up for not getting brilliant bargains elsewhere surely?

I have been a member of Costco West Thurrock for a fair amount of years now, and I travel quite often from Ashford to get there, which is about 40 minutes each way.
The savings I make cover the membership fee cost, the fuel there and back + dartford toll crossing and still have some extra savings on top.

The washing powder is brilliant, I purchased an Ariel large box over 12 months ago, and as its only me and my partner in the house, the powder is still going. Not got much left now though, but lasting more than 12 months is excellent!

The trays of baked goods are perfect, they freeze well too so you can buy more than one tray and freeze whatever you dont want to use.
The meat has always been spot on, the joints of lamb and pork are really good, never had any chicken from there so cant comment on that, but the joints we have had are always perfect.

Toilet and healthcare products are always cheaper than the shops, even if it is only by mere pennies. I take advantage of buying a bulk pack of adidas bodyspray there, which is the same price for buying 8 in a pack than it is buying 2 individual sprays in a supermarket.

What you have to remember folks, is the products in Costco will more than likely be the same cost as in the supermarket.
BUT remember, the prices in the supermarkets are for the individual item, you are buying in bulk at costco so it is more like a buy one, get the rest of the bulk pack free.
You get more for your money!

Highly recommended to anyone. Just remember to take a calculator with you as it is very easy to overspend and go way over your budget! hehe

moneypanicker

I've been a member of costco for several years. We enjoy going for the cafe and to try out all the food tasters around the shop. Items are not always cheaper and generally you can get things cheaper in supermarkets when they are on offer. The things we generally buy are

• Robinsons special R squash (huge bottles much much cheaper than supermarkets even on special)
• Marmite huge tub 800g?
• Raisins sunmaid variety huge bags (the kids love em!)
• Aptimel yoghurts half price of supermarkets even on special
• pilgrims choice cheddar
• swedish meatballs
• Chicken breasts
• mince
• loo rolls (only when they are doing an offer)
• Bicarbonate of soda for those old stylers out there i picked up a huge bag i think 5kg for £5
• kitchen roll (only when on offer)

The thing i like about costco is that you buy in bulk so you are less likely to run out of loo roll just when you need it!!

DebtHater

moneypanicker wrote: »

• loo rolls (only when they are doing an offer)

The thing i like about costco is that you buy in bulk so you are less likely to run out of loo roll just when you need it!!

I always buy the big bags of toilet rolls, the luxury Costco ones, if I remember correctly they are £12 or something like that, the rolls last forever :T

Also, a good buy is the "Chicken Bakes" in the restaurant for £2, you can eat it on the way home in the car :rotfl:
And they also sell them in the shop, but these are very expensive but I think they are worth it as they make a main meal just on their own because they are so filling, 4 for £8

Chrissy_flintshire

The very best thing about Costco is their returns policy. They never argue if you want to return an item. We have returned washing machines 3 years down the line and they have stumped up cash immediately (and I mean cash). They are always really helpful if you have a problem with a product. I wouldn't touch curry's/comet with a bargepole after so many problems trying to get them to fix faulty products. The prices for electrical stuff is pretty competitive too. You just have to resist all the extra things that seem to slip into your basket as you are shopping :rotfl:

Draxxuk

I have been a Costco member from when they opened their first warehouse over 10 years ago and have had experience dealing with Costco working for a manufacturer so have had a little more experience and insight than most on how they work with suppliers who supplies them with a number of products (Incidentally, Costco use the American term Vendor for suppliers) .

They have a good business model and keep their prices low by being a “low cost” operation themselves. They cleverly operate as a trade/club warehouse rather than a retailer such as Tesco. This allows them to build on land which has different planning regulations and is cheaper. (Often wonder why their depots are often away from retail parks).

They do make profit on the products they sell but in many cases is minimal and as another has already mentioned their Kirkland own label and membership charges help off set operation cost of the business. The general member probably won’t get to see their heat Office and staff canteens – no expensive fancy glass building here!

I’ve also had the opportunity to visit a majority of their 21 warehouses, all often very busy and some way more than others (Eg Watford).

Costco will not give out pricing and availability of product over the phone, they are quite secretive as they try to avoid people shopping around for price, they need people to visit their warehouses and this is where as my people have already mentioned you often see other things to buy and if not careful spend more than expected!

Also mentioned before, if you see a bargain at Costco and don’t buy there and then, on you next visit it may not be available anymore. One tip! If you live close to a number of their warehouses, get one of the staff to check stock levels in other depots, Iv;e done this before and is worth the effort on a purchase with a big saving (Eg if you live in Warrington- it’s a 30 mins drive to either Liverpool, Chester, Haydock or Manchester warehouse)

One of the ways to get a good value membership is if a close friend of family has a trade membership. If you are trustworthy, they could allow you to be added to their trade membership which costs £12 + VAT (£13.80). Just remember to respect it’s their membership at stake if you don’t follow Costco’s rules!!!

sap1

If you work for a company that has a Makro close by you can ask the company to apply for its staff to have cards. I used to work for local newspaper and Makro contacted our department to ask if we would like cards so each of us put our names down and we received our cards with no problems, i have left the company for over 4 years but still have card and still able to use it, although our local Makro is closing at end of May so will probably let membership lapse as it's a bit too far to travel to the next nearest. If you do not use your card for 6 months it is cancelled.
Over the years I have had some good bargains there. I regularly purchase toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, fabric softener, washing powder, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, pop, meat, bread, and I have also bought a TV, garden furniture, bedroom furniture, and my best bargain a few weeks ago was a Tefal steam press iron I paid £80 plus vat and exactly same in Tefal shop in Factory outlet centre was £177. You just need to know your prices before going.

James_W_4

I much prefer costco. Nearly all costco food is top branded and they have some really nice stuff - like huge packets of loch fyne salmon.

I joined Makro for free but I only went there once as I didn't find it too appetising - it all just seemed a bit cheap.

Sometimes costco go round to companies and let anyone join so not everyone has to be a business. Maybe they have to keep a cap on the number of non-business people to be classified as a wholesaler.