Is Makro worth going to?

alinwales

Our company is issuing us with Makro cards (what generous folk eh).

Are there any bargains (or even just good value) to be had? Last time I went there, food/drink was really quite expensive. I know they do everything else you can think of, but thought I'd focus on essentials like food!

cheers
al

abitofhelp

Hi. We have a Makro close by and we use it a couple of times a year to stock up. tinned toms, coconut milk, beans & curry paste come to mind. also baking goods & herbs & spices can work out cheaper buying in bulk. the frozen section you should be able to find some bargains, we try and go when they have an offer on steak. also the fresh produce section can offer good value, we last went before christmas and amongst one of our purchases we bought a box of ginger approx 7 fingers for 1.99. if you have the space to store items it should be able to make it work. take the time to walk round and take a list of the items you usually buy.

s_b

if you normally do the shopping in your houshold then you will know the price of most articles
if you then go to makro you can use your knowledge to eek out some bargains but do remember vat if applicable is added at checkout
i used to use makro a lot but its a long trail and i got tired of finding that the articles in their special offers were always sold out
(a staff member told me often they are reduced 15 minutes before store shuts,after cashing up possibly and all the real bargains are grabbed then)
not been for 2 years but still have the card i think
the other ones costco but i always found them dear and it was £25 a year to be in da club

daveyjp

Always bargains to be had on washing powder, dishwasher tablets - our last lot were bogof and worked out 4p each, toilet roll occasionally. Bulk buy sweets and chocolates can be keenly priced.

Best offers are on bulk buy meat. They sell catering packs, but will butcher it for you ready for freezing. A piece of ribeye which can be cut into 10-12 steaks can be less than £30.

Enterprise_1701C

You do have to watch them, but our last big bargain from there was loads of Plenty kitchen roll (it was still Plenty then) at about a quarter of the price - still using it!!!

Also managed to get a Kenwood Prospero for about two thirds of the normal price.

If your nearest store is Reading, be prepared for a disappointment. Last time we were there it was distinctly run down.

doelani

I always buy the same things when I go to makro,

chicken fillets, 5kg approx £20
beef pieces 2kg approx £11
bacon
washing powder
dishwasher tablets when on offer
disenfectant

check out the Makro Mails on their website for offers before you go

BLUEWKD

I always buy the bacon. We take the big pack when we go on holidays.

Lovelyjoolz

I used to use Makro quite a bit, but I really do prefer Costco. Yes, they charge a membership fee, but I still find it cheaper and nicer than our local Makro. And it's better stocked too. The fresh produce is excellent and their fish counter is fantastic.

Also, if you go on a Saturday, you can get almost a full meal by trying the samples. Last time we have trout, mushroom risotto, ice cream and Lindt Lindor :rotfl:

alinwales

Some of the zero vat stuff looks pretty good value - would definitely go for the chicken fillets at £4 per Kg.
As for the other stuff, the offers look pretty good until you at VAT, and then it's not so good after all! I think this always threw me a bit and put me off going there (plus I didn't know there was one 4 miles away from where I now work).
Thanks for the input though, may have to have a wander around soon.

meritaten

my daughter used to work in our local Makro - alinwales, I wont ask where you are - but this Makro is near a multplex cinema and a McDs!
We used to use her staff card to get Catering packs of foods - huge packs of cheese, ham etc when doing a family party. otherwise I found it rather disappointing. by the time you add on VAT - there really isnt a lot of difference from the discount supermarkets. and for some reason the special offers were always 'sold out' even when the store opened on the 'day'!
But - sometimes you got lucky and got a bargain!

peachyprice

We usually get toilet rolls, kitchen rolls and dishwasher tabs when they're on BOGOF. Also as mentioned above the meat is good value, particularly the pork loin and chicken breasts.

As long as you go in with a list of things you actually NEED, rather than being wooed by all the goodies in huge packs, and remember all non-food stuff has VAT added you should be able to come out with enough bargains to make a trip worthwhile.