Wholesale shopping as an individual?

terobi

Hi all,

So I'm looking at the weather and it's starting to get sunnier - and that means BBQ season is coming up.

I like throwing BBQ gatherings, and I'm wondering if I can save a fair bit of money by buying meat, charcoal and vegetables from a wholesaler rather than Aldi/Lidl and the various Asian cash and carry places nearby.

But I've never bought anything wholesale as a private individual before - and the online ones I've used for various retail businesses tended to require proof that you were a business rather than a private individual. I'm not entirely sure of The Rules in that sense.

I've heard of various non-business groups of people who club together and shop wholesale, but I'm not entirely sure how to go about that, what is required, and where might be a good place to look (near Manchester).

Any advice from anyone who's done this kind of thing before?

DigForVictory

It's worth seeing if you can get a Costco card - the individual membership requirements are here and there are warehouses in Trafford and Oldham.

They have a really good reputation for quality meat, which is always a good start for a BBQ.

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

I work for bookers and I know we only allow businesses to have a membership card but a lot if customers seem to give their cards to friends and family to borrow. I think makro and Costco are easier to shop at if you don't have a business but I could be wrong.

suki1964

Mummy2cheekymonkeys wrote: »

I work for bookers and I know we only allow businesses to have a membership card but a lot if customers seem to give their cards to friends and family to borrow. I think makro and Costco are easier to shop at if you don't have a business but I could be wrong.

Makro is business only

But

I just faked a letter head, used a B&Q receipt for the boiler we had just bought , applied and got a card

Well DH is self employed and does have business cards

MysteryMe

I am a member of Costco and like the meat as I have always found it to be good quality but it is not particularly cheap. You also have to buy a yearly membership which is around £30.

dlusman

terobi wrote: »

I like throwing BBQ gatherings, and I'm wondering if I can save a fair bit of money by buying meat, charcoal and vegetables from a wholesaler rather than Aldi/Lidl and the various Asian cash and carry places nearby.

Depending on how much you are wanting to buy - may be worth asking the Aldi/Lidl manager if they will do you a deal

DCFC79

Check out great British meat, they sometimes have deals on meat as for example the original buyer didn't buy the meat.

There's also muscle food.

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

I would also point out that even getting a staff discount I still do the majority of my shopping at Aldi and Lidl. I think people think the wholesalers are a lot cheaper then they actually are. Yes something's are cheaper but not always.