Is Cosco really that cheap? Which SM is best?

Danjames90

We have two adults and three young children in our house and seem to spend a fortune on shopping. I've tried Lidl and Alidi and while I understand they are much cheaper I'm not a huge fan of the brands to be honest.

Our default weekly big shop is normally ASDA.

I joined Cosco a while ago and had a stage where I used it a lot for bulk, none perishable items.

However, a visit recently convinced me buying this way isn't the best option. Do you think I'm right?

Has anyone looked at Cosco/bulk buying in greater detail?

Do people think this is a cheaper option long run?

Thanks,

Dan.

jon81uk

I almost always check something in Costco against Tesco/Asda (I keep their mobile websites open on phone) and only buy if I know we will use it all in a reasonable timescale and it is cheaper than the supermarkets.

I find meat works out quite a good deal in Costco and a lot of it is better quality for the same price as Tesco, also by buying a big pack and freezing in portions we always have meat ready to defrost. Also the products on offer in Costco usually work out a good deal, for example currently they have 3kg (jn 6x500g) of organic pasta at £2.34, 3kg of standard pasta in one big bag is £2.87 at Asda. But at Costco standard prices they aren't always cheaper, but are often better quality.

I do often buy things we don't need at Costco too though such as 24 bags of M&Ms (they were on offer!) but have also found good prices on books and other similar things for gifts.

Danjames90

Thanks that is helpful. I'm just finding that you cant beat some of the deals in the SM but they might not be regular deals. You know, Colgate buy one get one free etc. Even buying Colgate in bulk at Tesco/Asda you can't beat that but I guess it's all down to the deal on the day.

fozziebeartoo

We love Costco!!

But always, always check prices.

Have had fantastic bargains very rarely......once a glitch and three times special offers.

I make sure I can buy LOTS on the odd occasions its a great deal because its NEVER still there when you go back.

Their frozen onion rings were the best EVER but no longer stocked and never were cheap but delicious!

I tend to buy my meat there......not cheap but far better quality than my local butchers or supermarkets eg minced beef leaks NO fat or water when dry frying.

My local (Southampton) has dreadful stock control and several times I have pointed out bread etc past its sell by date (no price reductions).

Their toilet roll offer of the month tends to be good on a consistant basis.

Other deals SEEM very ad hoc but if you track the reductions, they do come around quite often so you can plan to bulk buy when the best offer appears.

emmbrook

We joined Costco a bit over a year ago. Most of our meat comes from there - as others have said it is great quality. We also buy frozen things like fish fingers and chicken tenders, cheese, some tinned items, rice when it's on offer, and have picked up various other things for the house, booze sometimes, some clothes, and books can be excellent. And loo roll is usually a great deal.

You do need to check prices as it's not always cheapest for some things but we definitely save money buying there.

MysteryMe

Bakery items are well priced, although they stopped doing my favourite Almond Croissants :-(

Electricals are always worth checking.

Danjames90

Thanks very helpful. I guess it's the same as everything. Keep a close eye on prices and take a look advantage of their special offers.

Surely the meat can't be cheaper than a local butcher??

pelirocco

Danjames90 wrote: »

Thanks very helpful. I guess it's the same as everything. Keep a close eye on prices and take a look advantage of their special offers.

Surely the meat can't be cheaper than a local butcher??

If it is you wonder where it is sourced

Danjames90

pelirocco wrote: »

If it is you wonder where it is sourced

Horse meat :(:(:(:(

GwylimT

I got my last set of continetals from there, it worked out at £10 cheaper per corner than anywhere else I had found, so it also covered the cost of my membership and still saved me money.

quidsy

I buy teabags, loo & kitchen roll & black sacks in bulk from there. these are the 4 main things we save a lot of money on. I "could " get cheaper loo & kitchen roll from £land etc but it is terrible quality & end up going through so much of it. The velvet loo roll at Costco is much nicer & at 35p a roll, I can live with the cost. Same with the huge kitchen rolls. I also like just having it in the house & not ever running out mid #2

Anything else I get I use price scanner & see if it is worth it. My son is going through a pot noodle stage atm so I buy 12 for around 35p each, which is cheaper than supermarkets.