Whats Costco like?

arkonite_babe

Are there any contact details? Maybe you could phone to ask?

calleyw

kiwichick wrote:

You dont have to be trade for COSTCO, they have set hours for trade and the public. Trade customers get longer hours.

So if it is for everyone why does it state this on there webpage

"Coscto is an exclusive wholesale cash and carry membership warehouse club and is not open to the general public. Membership is required. You are eligible for trade membership if you are a bonafide business owner/manager who can provide evidence of trading. Follow our Trade membership tab above for further details."

And only talks about a trade membership and not a personal one.


Yours


Calley

joe13

kiwichick wrote:

Hi All,

Just wanted to know if any of use you COSTCO for purchases and if so how money saving they really are.

They charge about £20-£30 for membership annually and while not a bad price for lifetime membership I think its a bit steep for an annual charge.

Any comments/advice on joining?

Thanks,
Al.

I joined Costco this January and to be honest the savings I have made hardly cover the annual membership cost. I did go yesterday and they do have some lovely xmas gift packs in. Also I understand toys are good value but I have no little ones to buy for.
The main problem is you have to buy in bulk (loo rolls for example 12x 4 packs = 48 loo rolls) and it takes a lot of storing. Also with things like soup, you have to buy 12 tins of the same flavour. But I did find it great when we had a family party this summer as they have some lovely party pack selections of food, would be good for xmas entertaining.
Hope this helps, also need to consider how close your nearest Costco is.

Mine is a personal membership, anyone who works for police, airline, health service etc etc can have a personal membership, this restricts you to shopping after mid-day, only trade memberships allowed to shop in the morning.

scotgirl

They seem to let anyone join as long as you pay the membership. We have one in our town and just about everyone I know has a membership!

It has saved our family so much money, mainly when buying electrical goods as they seem to take back anything faulty after great lengths of time.

Everything is excellent quality and priced very competitively.

I would recommend it. Why not see if you can find someone local with a card to take you in so you can see what you think.

moggins

DH works for the National Probation Service, would this count?

calleyw

joe13 wrote:

Mine is a personal membership, anyone who works for police, airline, health service etc etc can have a personal membership, this restricts you to shopping after mid-day, only trade memberships allowed to shop in the morning.

I assume they are trying to discourage personal people from joining as it seems to say nothing about a personal membership on there webpage.

Mind you my nearest one is about 50 miles away so a 100 miles round trip. Not very money saving if you ask me.


Yours

Calley

MrsB_2

I'm sure it would. Our Costco also lets pretty much anyone join. If you're worried ring your local store (they're all listed on their website) and ask what the criteria are and what you need to take with you to join.

DH and I have been members for years and have always found it to be very good quality and extremely good value for almost everything. The point about buying in bulk is true, but that's the reason you get such good deals.

MATH

I've used Costco and Makro in the past and IMO you don't save much if anything and I certainly wouldn't pay for my own membership. I also really hate having to add on VAT as I go round. I've also tried a local cash n carry where you do not need membership, it is geared for the hotel and B&B trade and I didn't rate the prices there either.

kiwichick

calleyw wrote:

So if it is for everyone why does it state this on there webpage

"Coscto is an exclusive wholesale cash and carry membership warehouse club and is not open to the general public. Membership is required. You are eligible for trade membership if you are a bonafide business owner/manager who can provide evidence of trading. Follow our Trade membership tab above for further details."

And only talks about a trade membership and not a personal one.


Yours


Calley

Mmmmmmmmm, it does seem confusing.I know fora fact they take public members though as my sister in law joined last year. I would have asked her about the moeny saving properties of it but money just BURNS a hole straight through her pocket so I knew it wasnt worth my while.

Sounds like they need to sort out their website wording though.

Ticklemouse

I've been a member of Costco since they first opened and have always made my membership fee back and more. However, I used to live 4 miles away from one, now my nearest is 30 miles away and TBH I was going to let my membership lapse as I have now sourced cheap but good quality meat - which is what I used to buy at Costco. However, I needed 2 new tyres on the old jalopy - I saved over £80 on buying that make anywhere else - including online.

I don't tend to get a lot of food there anymore. Their meat is good and fairly cheap. I find their fruit and veg expensive. I buy some of their tinned goods when on offer. I do buy their Fairy DW tabs - about £13 for 300, also the loo rolls and kitchen rolls, but I have room to store them.

You can usually get a day pass to go in and look, but not buy. At least you can take a note of prices.

moggins, I'm sure your DH would qualify for a card and you would get a 2nd one free as his spouse.