Costco?

MummyMoo

Hiya. Just wondering if anyone uses Costco at all? if so, whats the best way to get the most out of the deals? I was walking around today for the first time and was quite disppointed at the prices tbh. Thought it would have been a lot cheaper than it was. Or am I just looking at it the wrong way cos Im used to supermarkets?

scottishminnie

I'm a big fan, especially of their meat section, most of their frozen foods and lots of non-food things. It's not neccessarily always cheaper, for me personally it's more about quality and the fact I can get lots of US made things there which I consider to be much higher quality anyway. Once you join they do send out regular money off vouchers which make quite a difference

Worth having a look at this post

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1603897&highlight=costco

debtfreein4years

some things are cheaper than the supermarket other arent. i find the meat and cakes/pastries the best value. we buy black pudding in bulk from there as its £2 for a big tube and it cuts up into 12 slices whcih is amazing value. if you are bulk buying it does work out cheaper but if you are just going for a normal "supermarket" type shop then i dont think it works out cheaper. we bulk buy loo roll, kitchen roll, washing powder, black pudding, mince, crisps, diluting juice and scan meatballs, just buying those makes the membership cost worthwhile as im the 2nd cardholder on my mum's account so i pay half the cost of her yearly membership and we make that saving back the first shop of the year type thing.

PixiePie

Another fan here - as others have said, the quality is superb, especially of the meat - the price might be comparative to a supermarket lb for lb, but as the quality is so much higher, you use far far less (and this is coming from a self confessed love-food-far-too-much-and-therefore-have-too-large-portions couple) so becomes a lot cheaper overall.

You do need a large freezer to make the absolute most from it I think, but even if you only have a small one (like we do) you still win. For parties etc it is marvellous - the cakes are totally divine!! They did used to do a lot more presenty type sets I think (going back quite a few years now), which were great come Xmas etc, but for everyday stuff they are still great imho. The washing powders are good as well - haven't priced them up for a quite a while, but if only for convienince of only having to get one massive box once a year instead of many trips to the supermarket.

You have to know your prices on things like irons etc, as sometimes these aren't such a good deal, but if you know your prices, when they are a good deal you can spot them.

Oh, and they're *really* good for books and mags - a LOT cheaper on lots of things, including quite a few of the newest hardbacks as well as children's books etc.

Not very good if you need to go on a diet though.

System

I am a huge fan of Costco, their meat is excellent, their cheeses, pastas, cakes, etc - we get lots of stuff from there. They also sell alot of clothes and household goods.

Also buy ginger beer, wine, soft drinks, washing powder, part baked baguettes.

Excellent quality and I find it well worth it..

stw48

Their cooked chickens are better than all the supermarket ones.
The cafe is really cheap, you can even get a takeaway pizza if you want.

Ryan

I'm with you MummyMoo, I found Costco quite expensive and when you consider the extra cost of membership, then Asda is definitely better value. I won't be going back.

mooomin

I found the meat good quality for the price and saved a lot on cat litter too (Catsan specifically)

My mum does a LOT of charity baking, and found good prices for bulk-buying sugar etc. I think it depends on what you want from it. If I had more storage space, I would do a quarterly shop from there for cereals etc too.

Buttonmoons

I went to Costco yesterday and was really dissapointed. I used to get those massive boxes of Persil non bio, for around £15, the boxes are half the size now, yet the same price? Grrr

creaker

I enjoy shopping at Costco because it reminds me of home. Sad but true. I'm originally from the US so I use to shop at my local Costco in the States, but since living in England I have to make a special trip to Costco which is about 45 minutes from where I live.

I agree some of the products are expensive and I don't like that you have to buy in bulk because there are only two of us in the household but some products are of better quality. The meat and chicken is good to buy in bulk and then freeze some. I enjoy the pastries as well, and there are things there that you can't find at your local supermarket.

jebervic

The quality is good, however, most things are cheaper in Tesco, I buy the pastries and meat, but best of all are the tyres.