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Costco tips - guide discussion

We want to cut through the hype and check if Costco’s worth it, so this new guide includes tips including how qualify without realising & petrol savings alone can pay for the membership.

We also put Costco to the test, pitting it against the supermarkets for festive faves, from fizz to pigs-in-blankets.

We'd love to hear your must-follow tips please. Is it worth it and, if so, which products do you rate? Have you managed to get into Costco by having RAC or AA membership?
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Comments

  • For those that live in the Cardiff area, please be aware that the Cardiff Costco does not have petrol pumps and also has to comply with the WG law regarding alcohol minimum pricing so not many drinks bargains unless you’re into the expensive brands. We should pay lower subs for a lower level of service!
    I can recommend it for cheap tyres and good optician services though. 
  • I’m surprised by the comment about birthday cakes. They are foul! They’re massively sweet and the sponge is like something concocted in a lab to use minimum real ingredients. Very American. TBF it’s been years as a couple of tastes was enough but it left a - negative - impression which has lasted!
  • Murphybear
    Murphybear Posts: 7,754 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Our nearest Costco is 80 miles return.  The petrol is only 2p cheaper than our local petrol station (just checked) so Costco won’t be for us.


  • There is a lot of focus on the cheap petrol at Costco. While that is great, it is also worth highlighting they offer free EV/Hybrid charging while you shop. Ask a member of staff and they will tell you how it works at that specific shop (sometimes they hand you a card to start ot yourself, some places they start the chargers for you). The free charging is just regular chargers but I found it usually added about 10% charge while I shopped. They also have fairly reasonably priced fast chargers.
  • jon81uk
    jon81uk Posts: 3,869 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    TonySaver said:
    There is a lot of focus on the cheap petrol at Costco. While that is great, it is also worth highlighting they offer free EV/Hybrid charging while you shop. Ask a member of staff and they will tell you how it works at that specific shop (sometimes they hand you a card to start ot yourself, some places they start the chargers for you). The free charging is just regular chargers but I found it usually added about 10% charge while I shopped. They also have fairly reasonably priced fast chargers.
    Any confirmation of this? I've only seen about the paid-for rapid charging EV-charging | Costco UK which at 50p per kWh isn't particularly cheap.
  • I'm new to this so might not be posting in right place! Edinburgh Costco fuel 10p per litre cheaper than elsewhere and for diesel drivers it's more like 20p as it's Premium cleaner diesel. Massive round cakes are excellent for parties but avoid the rectangular ones as icing is very sweet. Great for cushelle loo rolls, Persil non-bio, Comfort softener and Princes multi carton fruit juice. Everything else, get it at Lidl/Aldi.
  • RalphS
    RalphS Posts: 57 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Extra wide parking spaces mean my car had never been dinged.
  • Costco can offer great savings, especially on bulk items. However, it's essential to compare unit prices with local supermarkets to ensure you're getting the best deal. For festive items like pigs-in-blankets and fizz, some supermarkets may have competitive prices without the need to buy in bulk.

    In summary, while Costco offers potential savings, it's crucial to assess whether bulk purchasing aligns with your needs and to compare prices diligently.
  • ic
    ic Posts: 3,338 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I've been a member for well over 25 years. The fuel is cheap, but ever since prices of fuel jumped after covid Costco petrol stations have been indunated, with queues throughout the day. The fuel might be cheaper, but you have to weigh up if it's worth the bother of a 15 minute wait, possibly more at the weekend. I've stopped buying the fuel because of the queues. 
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 15,578 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    martin2 said:
    For those that live in the Cardiff area, please be aware that the Cardiff Costco does not have petrol pumps and also has to comply with the WG law regarding alcohol minimum pricing so not many drinks bargains unless you’re into the expensive brands. We should pay lower subs for a lower level of service!
    Odd that being compliant with all local legislation should be considered a "lower level of service"! Think your complaint should be at politicians that set those local laws rather than companies that abide by it. 

    We use Makro rather than Costco but the principles are very similar. Meat in particular is much better quality for the price than from the supermarkets... some are cheaper and better quality, others are similar price but better quality. Does mean you need a decent size freezer but it's easy enough to break down the boxes of chicken breasts/thighs or side of pork into more sensible portion sizes. 
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