Costco worth it?

candlelight_2013

We go about every 6 to 8 weeks to stock up on meat, which is excellent, I buy coffee tops for our coffee so much cheaper than buying small boxes from the supermarket.

Their birthday cakes are great,and I think the last one we bought was £12, and they are enormous.

Not everything is cheaper, particularly if your supermarket has an offer on, but I would definitely recommend the meat.

Oh also eggs, I think they come in a box of 18 (not sure) and a very good price, so if you were planning on baking they would be fine, but too many probably if you were not baking.

I will say their Christmas decorations are gorgeous, but I haven't bought any .

Candlelightx

jackyann

I honestly think that someone living alone, who is not using it for large gatherings or for a local group, is going to struggle to make it worthwhile; unless you pal up with friends and share stuff.

It is true that major goods are very good value, but not much choice, and when it's gone it's gone.

I also think that stuff like baked beans, tinned tomatoes, not really cheaper than most supermarkets.

But their fresh & frozen food is very good. We love their "half-baked" bread. Their bagels are the best and freeze well. Their "deli" stuff is excellent quality.

Most of the time there is just 2 of us and we don't use Costco much, but we do buy stuff there for family gatherings & parties and just about make our membership worthwhile.

GRM

We're a household of 4 adults, usually go once every 4-6 weeks and stock up. We went on Monday and I've got the receipt handy:

12 x 1 litre Orange Juice £7.80
8 x 2 litres Pepsi Max £7.20
7.5kg Maris Piper spuds £3.99
1kg Lurpak Light £3.99 (on special from £4.89)
90 Kirkland washing tabs £12.00
3 x 750g Crunchy Nut Flakes £5.89
2 x 1.75l Robinsons squash £3.84

plus chicken, beef, lamb, ketchup, kitchen wipes, shampoo etc. etc.

BrassicWoman

I get things I can't get anywhere else - their own brand Kirkland shampoo and conditioner as sulphate free and a bargain, organic black bean soup in the long life aisle is vegan and yummy. Huge tubs of almond butter. Lots of flavours of falafelly things. Good prices on gift books for xmas too. You need to check the labels well, but they do have some pretty healthy stuff. I top up my cupboards every 8 weeks or so.

katep23

jackyann wrote: »

I also think that stuff like baked beans, tinned tomatoes, not really cheaper than most supermarkets.

Whilst it's not cheaper than the supermarket, you generally find it is better quality for the same price.

Heinz or Branston Beans generally work out around £7.99 for 24 cans so 33p each and the Italian tinned tomatoes are £3.99 for 12 cans so the same which is about the same as the own brands.

OP, you can usually add another card holder for £12 (plus VAT?) so if you can buddy up, that's only £22 or so each.

allybee101

I've been a Costco member (currently lapsed). I think everyone's summed it up well - it's excellent value if it's nearby, you'd be buying it anyway, and you've got storage.
Trays of tinned mackerel, baked beans and tomatoes are all v reasonable - a bit more than the price of basics range in the supermarket, but you pay the equivalent of the own brand mid price range and get Heinz, John West etc.
Cleaning products are great - I love their cleaning cloths, very robust.
Toiletries are also good value.

Meat is excellent as is dairy produce.
Good deals on cases of wine.
Lovely bakery but sold in big quantities so not cost effective if it'll go off before you can eat it. The same for the fruit and veg.

pricew1970

Was a member for a few years on a corporate deal and was useful as was near to my old office....never really found a bargain but was good for a cheap baked potato lunch...most things were cheaper at larger supermarkets

cherryblossomzel

OP here - I went along to their exhibit they set up here at work and decided against it. I just don't think it's worth my while. I've got a Lidl and Aldi nearby (and started a thread on that too!), and a big Sainsburys. If I keep an eye on offers, I'm probably better off with the supermarkets, rather than Costco.

Space wise I could probably find some, but I don't like clutter. Having too much stuff actually bothers me, so I think I'll stay away for the time being.

Thanks for all the comments, though.