Costco / Makro

digp

Has anyone found one to be better than the other?

I find Costco to not have a wide variety of things (e.g. rice brands I've never heard of!, no Volvic water, no Yorkshire tea etc.)

Makro seems a bit better.

Views invited.

Where to shopkeepers shop?

5and1e

I think it depends on where you live! Pretty obvious really...lol
Used to go to Makro, somewhere in the Black Country with a friend, before I was a member, and it was great, lots of things were good value. Then we stopped going.
I joined Costco, which I like, but it can be a bit hit and miss...well the B'ham one anyway...didn't have jars of Hellmanns mayo last week!!!!
Then our Scout group joined Makro, in Coventry; the place is awful, tatty and cold!!! Went to get toilet rolls, they were cheaper in Tesco!

mdbs

I have a deep resentment of Makro when they declare themselves as cheap, or good value anyway, and yet their prices are, as has been said, often dearer than Tesco/Asda.

They do have good deals, but you have to look for them, and they have nowhere near as many as they did years ago it seems.

Costco, similar situation with prices but I forgive them because their refund/warranty policy is fantiastic, so the "value" is there. But things like books, they used to be cheaper at Costco than anywhere, now they are, IIRC 0.1p cheaper than Tesco. Again, bargains are there but not anywhere near as many as before.

I suppose its the same as everywhere, the "Rip off" Britain syndrome effects us all and we just have to look harder. And with this waste of time government it is going to get worse.

digp

Hmmmmmm, yesss, I see.

cwp500

digp wrote: »

Has anyone found one to be better than the other?

I find Costco to not have a wide variety of things (e.g. rice brands I've never heard of!, no Volvic water, no Yorkshire tea etc.)

Makro seems a bit better.

Views invited.

Where to shopkeepers shop?

Makro are not cheap. alwasys remember they do not include the vat charge on their prices and that racks up to a tidy sum by the time you reach the checkout.

occasionally there are silly bargains there; cameras was once a notably cheap buy in makro, but in general they are not that competitive.

Costco likewise;- shop on the internet for comparable prices first and dont be tempted to impulse buy the huge trays of stuff they sell, whilst it does on occasion work out cheaply how long is it going to take you to eat 100 croissants?

Prudence as always, just shop around.

Miss_Kitty_Fantastico

i havent used costco so i can't comment

but in my experience with makro - things like toilet rolls etc are only a good deal when they are bogof

every month i do my online shop at tesco and book delivery for after my makro visit - then i visit makro with my print out of the list with prices and then i can easily see (when ive added on vat in my head :rotfl: ) whether or not makro is cheaper - i can then amend my online tesco shopping

to be honest i tend to purchase fresh meat, toilet rolls and washing powder as i find personally that they are a bit cheaper

hth

Saint_Nick

Makro is only good if you know your prices!! It has gone seriously downhill over the last 20 years or is it that supermarkets have better deals now on bulk items?(juice and crisps)

It is good for their MakroMail offers on some things if they actually have them in stock, but don't go there thinking that because it is a cash and carry it will be cheap. The majority of things you will be able to get cheaper elsewhere. Although it is still good for the boxes of penny sweets!!

rabbitrabbit

I'd be interested in going to either of these stores, although am not sure if any in SE. But is Jo Public able to join? Are you all traders? I am just interested as I guessed you had to be VAT registered to join - like with Bookers cash and carry. Any advice gratefully appreciated.
I did email Makro to enquire but got no reply, just e-mails occasionally!

ethansmum

Costco only sell quality stuff. (No they don't sell trays of 100 croissants!- its about 24 and with my family of 5 that can dissappear over a weekend). I love costco, meat and fresh produce isn't exactly bargainous but its top 'finest' quality and regular prices.

Checkout the costco thread it gives you an idea of whats been on offer lately.

Enterprise_1701C

rabbitrabbit wrote: »

I'd be interested in going to either of these stores, although am not sure if any in SE. But is Jo Public able to join? Are you all traders? I am just interested as I guessed you had to be VAT registered to join - like with Bookers cash and carry. Any advice gratefully appreciated.
I did email Makro to enquire but got no reply, just e-mails occasionally!

There is all the information you need on the website under "customer info", but basically you do need to be in business for yourself or authorised to buy on behalf of another business.

digp

Can be with Costco as an individual member but you can't buy some things which are marked "TRADE ONLY" . Also reduced opening hours for individuals as opposed to trade.

Wat's this booker thing?