Costco opinions

jon81uk

Hi,

We are thinking of joining Costco but at £30 for membership we would need to save £2.50 per month to make it worth joining. A lot of prices seem similar to the Supermarket when they are on offer (eg Go Cat 4kg is £6.70 in Costco but currently Tesco has 2kg on 2 for £6). I'm also concerned that as there is only two of us some of the big buys aren't worth it as it would take us 6 months to use them (things like dishwasher tablets) which means once you take into account the membership cost Tesco is still cheaper.

Anyone got any advice?

PLRFD

All true but generally all Costco own brand Kirkland Signature is top quality better than market leaders most of the time,Kirkland washing powder can save you money also the fabric conditioner,meat is top quality and sometimes on offer,loo rolls very good too

camelot1001

I have a Costco membership but only buy certain things.
Their meat is superb, I stock up, divide and put it in the freezer, the same with their sides of salmon.
I use their own washing powder and buy the tins of kenco coffee which works out cheaper than jars in the supermarket.
You really have to work out if you will use it enough to warrant the membership fee. I think I do, just!

dibuzz

My biggest problem is coming out with a load of stuff I didnt know I needed before I went!

chanie

I have membership and I think I do save money even though I only go every other month and spend under £50 a time. I have a joint membership with my sister and we go halves on the fees so it costs us £20 a year each. Despite me not spending loads, I do think it does save me money.

With regards to the cat food, when you run out and there are no decent offers in the supermarket, at least you know Costco has it cheaper.

If you are worried about bulk buying, go with a friend and split the products. Me and my sister sometimes do this with jars and tins.

My favourites buys:

Washing powder - lasts 6 months.

Cakes - I get huge customised cakes for £14 for the children's birthdays. I'm not sure I could get it cheaper.

Books - they have a great section with books you don't see on the high street. They make great presents as people won't know how much you paid.

Batteries - our children go through batteries quite quickly. I can get 40 for £10 and they last ages. They are Costco own brand.

Meat - I portion up and freeze.

DigForVictory

I have three sons & storage - Costco works a treat for me!

I buy the Big boxes of Persil & thank god I'm not lugging boxes every week.
Subject to promotions, unles I have a stash of beans at under 31p a tin, I'll get a pallet of beans every trip.
Chopped & plum tomatos undercut even the Indian grocer.

Their meat is very high quality even if you have to divide it down before freezing.

The kirkland brand tends to mask other better known names, like duracell & John Frieda.

I also find on Michelin tyres Costco undercuts my local garage by at least £20 a tyre.

The primary school thinks I'm marvellous - one birthday cake feeds the whole school, pupils & staff... (OK mad sugar rush, but they're happy!)

If you have the space to store & a very clear shopping list, Costco is wonderful! (Shared with a pal, even better!)

BB34

I always get my tyres from Costco, even when not on offer they are markedly cheaper than anywhere else (and I have tried lots of places!) As the poster above says, the meat, while not hugely cheap, is far better quality than I have found in the supermarkets! Fizzy drinks, squash, cheddar cheese and fish is all cheap I find. Things like jam, honey, sandwich spreads are cheaper than the supermarkets and I find their canned goods (tuna, tinned tomatoes etc) well priced too.

VfM4meplse

I thought there was already a Costco thread - does this need merging? Would help the OP to see some previous answers.