Just discovered Costco.....
Discussion
Has anyone sat down and worked out if what they have purchased is available cheaper elsewhere?. I mean in detail by identifying the supplier supplying Costco?. I always had that nagging feeling it was a cash and carry for a certain target group, definately not pure trade. The stuff that is far too good for the price and pushed very hard are loss leaders no doubt, but they get your money back and then some on the membership.
Human nature being what it is most people come out having Bought a load of stuff they probably didn't need or want, and as mentioned in previous posts most things can be found cheaper elsewhere. The pretence of a 'trade' arrangement is probably one of the most amazing marketing bluffs ever, very few trade retailers use them, but it makes the sole trader and punter feel like they are getting something for nothing, and there is never anything for nothing in business.
Human nature being what it is most people come out having Bought a load of stuff they probably didn't need or want, and as mentioned in previous posts most things can be found cheaper elsewhere. The pretence of a 'trade' arrangement is probably one of the most amazing marketing bluffs ever, very few trade retailers use them, but it makes the sole trader and punter feel like they are getting something for nothing, and there is never anything for nothing in business.
TEKNOPUG said:
The trolley’s are much bigger (so easier to stash stuff) and some of the goods are worth many hundreds/thousands, as opposed to mainly food stuffs etc at Tesco’s. You aren’t going to stroll out of Tesco’s with £4ks worth of tellys on a pallet.
You are when the bloke on the security desk isn't looking!You are saving money by buying in bulk. It’s therefore very difficult to compare to other retailers (supermarkets etc) as they don’t stock bulk goods. You are always going to pay less by buying in bulk. So for example, if you buy a 12-pack of toothpaste, it’s going to work out cheaper per unit that buying a single tube from Tesco. If Tesco sold 12-packs, would CostCo be cheaper?
The stuff I tend to buy are all things that I would buy from the supermarket but super-sized. 24 can cases of Beans/drinks, litre bottles of honey, kilo jars of jam etc. They all work out cheaper than the supermarkets by volume/weight. Usually a lot cheaper. I doubt that Costco or similar could possibly match the big supermarkets if they were selling identical goods.
The stuff I tend to buy are all things that I would buy from the supermarket but super-sized. 24 can cases of Beans/drinks, litre bottles of honey, kilo jars of jam etc. They all work out cheaper than the supermarkets by volume/weight. Usually a lot cheaper. I doubt that Costco or similar could possibly match the big supermarkets if they were selling identical goods.
markcoznottz said:
Has anyone sat down and worked out if what they have purchased is available cheaper elsewhere?
Yes, and never has the exact same product been available elsewhere cheaper. E.g TV, washing machine, office chair, Tom tom sat nav, printer/copier/scanner, Castrol edge oil or Mobil 1 oil, Duracell batteries, vaccum cleaner.
That's just a few things of the top of my head, over the past few years I've bought from Costco at substantial savings over buying from another retailer.
Others have mentioned Makro and compared them to Costco, well I find where Makro and Costco sell the same item, Costco are invariably cheaper by a fair margin.
But Makro sell many things that costco don't. And often have a wider selection of similar things.
A we challenge for anyone who wants to try, can you find me the cheapest price for a Dualit 4slice, polished stainless steel toaster.
Costco price is £112.99 + vat, but they are doing it for £13 off (10%) at the moment, so the price to beat is £119.98.
Piglet said:
I doubt you'll be disappointed.
We are now 80 miles away from our nearest Costco so we go every three or four months and fill the big chest freezer. The meat and fish are incredibly good quality and much better priced than supermarket food.
I love the place and we definitely get VFM out of our membership.
We are now 80 miles away from our nearest Costco so we go every three or four months and fill the big chest freezer. The meat and fish are incredibly good quality and much better priced than supermarket food.
I love the place and we definitely get VFM out of our membership.
We go three or four times a year but spend between £500 and £1K on each visit but we stock up on meat and fish which we split into smaller portions in resealable bags in the freezer so we can pull out 2 portions at a time and they take up much less space out of the original packaging. As many have already said the quality of their meat and fish is very good.
Also buy washing tabs, dishwaher tabs, kitcen and toilet rolls by the large packs.
Stamps for Christmas cards in bulk, tinned stuff etc are all good value.
Some friends had a card on the back of ours and we joke with them that there appears to be a £500.00 minimum entrance fee as that's what we speand as a minimum each time we go.
Just need to be “a trading company” from what I remember. I have a company (directorship and powerfully built...) and they wanted to see a sales invoice. I don’t sell anything, so I just knocked one up on Word (took a purchase invoice and swapped the names around).
I’m pretty sure that you can get public membership’s though, they just cost more.
As I said earlier, I originally joined to by a TV which was £400 cheaper than all High St or internet suppliers. So paying £25 membership was irrelevant. I did go for another year and the membership had expired. I went back to by a printer (50% cheaper than online retailers) and got stung with the renewal costs. But I’ve been several times since so I’ve easily saved more than the annual fee.
I’m pretty sure that you can get public membership’s though, they just cost more.
As I said earlier, I originally joined to by a TV which was £400 cheaper than all High St or internet suppliers. So paying £25 membership was irrelevant. I did go for another year and the membership had expired. I went back to by a printer (50% cheaper than online retailers) and got stung with the renewal costs. But I’ve been several times since so I’ve easily saved more than the annual fee.
markcoznottz said:
Has anyone sat down and worked out if what they have purchased is available cheaper elsewhere?. I mean in detail by identifying the supplier supplying Costco?. I always had that nagging feeling it was a cash and carry for a certain target group, definately not pure trade. The stuff that is far too good for the price and pushed very hard are loss leaders no doubt, but they get your money back and then some on the membership.
Human nature being what it is most people come out having Bought a load of stuff they probably didn't need or want, and as mentioned in previous posts most things can be found cheaper elsewhere. The pretence of a 'trade' arrangement is probably one of the most amazing marketing bluffs ever, very few trade retailers use them, but it makes the sole trader and punter feel like they are getting something for nothing, and there is never anything for nothing in business.
only going by my limited experience of two branches and a lifetime in retail. yes , when they have an item on special it is unbeatable , deals are done with the manufacturer or importer. but how many vans do you see in the car park ? to me its just a bit of marketing . having said that i am probably not their target market .Human nature being what it is most people come out having Bought a load of stuff they probably didn't need or want, and as mentioned in previous posts most things can be found cheaper elsewhere. The pretence of a 'trade' arrangement is probably one of the most amazing marketing bluffs ever, very few trade retailers use them, but it makes the sole trader and punter feel like they are getting something for nothing, and there is never anything for nothing in business.
booker are not competitive as a wholesaler , they could be but choose not to.
I'm a big fan of Costco, but I'm having to limit my visits as apparently Barclays don't want to fund them single-handedly.
Last went at the weekend, and managed to come out with "only" a Weber One Touch BBQ and a four pack of steaks. The meat is always good there, and I've got a separate freezer in my garage dedicated to it.
Last went at the weekend, and managed to come out with "only" a Weber One Touch BBQ and a four pack of steaks. The meat is always good there, and I've got a separate freezer in my garage dedicated to it.
doogz said:
http://www.costco.co.uk/membership/#lightbox-indiv
http://www.costco.co.uk/membership/#lightbox-trade
http://www.costco.co.uk/membership/#lightbox-exec
Dunno why 2 are links and 1 is not?
You can also join if the company you work for is listed as a "Gold card company". I'm not sure exactly what it means but that's how I qualify for membership. I emailed and asked if my company was on the list.http://www.costco.co.uk/membership/#lightbox-trade
http://www.costco.co.uk/membership/#lightbox-exec
Dunno why 2 are links and 1 is not?
Output Flange said:
I'm a big fan of Costco, but I'm having to limit my visits as apparently Barclays don't want to fund them single-handedly.
Last went at the weekend, and managed to come out with "only" a Weber One Touch BBQ and a four pack of steaks. The meat is always good there, and I've got a separate freezer in my garage dedicated to it.
Costco minced beef is virtually all topside.Last went at the weekend, and managed to come out with "only" a Weber One Touch BBQ and a four pack of steaks. The meat is always good there, and I've got a separate freezer in my garage dedicated to it.
Makes cracking chilli.
JM said:
Yes, and never has the exact same product been available elsewhere cheaper.
A we challenge for anyone who wants to try, can you find me the cheapest price for a Dualit 4slice, polished stainless steel toaster.
Costco price is £112.99 + vat, but they are doing it for £13 off (10%) at the moment, so the price to beat is £119.98.
Costco has top of the range, and nothing at the bottom, so when I wanted a toaster for a room I rent 4 nights a week, I went to asda and shelled out £4.97 (or something like that) A we challenge for anyone who wants to try, can you find me the cheapest price for a Dualit 4slice, polished stainless steel toaster.
Costco price is £112.99 + vat, but they are doing it for £13 off (10%) at the moment, so the price to beat is £119.98.
I bought a Really nice (and I can't remember the brand) 2 slice toaster from Lewis's in Stainless and red paint, for home for about £25, but I think they did a 4 slicer for about £40.
Blue62 said:
Life Saab Itch said:
What is the qualifying criteria for membership?
Sorry old man, but it's one of those 'if you have to ask the question...' situations I'm afraid.Similar to Makro, business letterhead/reference with an annual fee.
Costco is a compelte waste of time and energy. Not to mention the "membership" fee. I had a membership for a year, but I have let it lapse.
So far as food/non-food groceries are concerned, they have nothing I need that can't get in Lidl or Aldi in much smaller quantities for the same or better price.
The clothing and electronics is no better value than shopping on the internet.
It's massive, takes a bloody age to get around, and the trollies are rubbish.
The tyres/fitting are dearer than my local indie garage.
Pointless place.
So far as food/non-food groceries are concerned, they have nothing I need that can't get in Lidl or Aldi in much smaller quantities for the same or better price.
The clothing and electronics is no better value than shopping on the internet.
It's massive, takes a bloody age to get around, and the trollies are rubbish.
The tyres/fitting are dearer than my local indie garage.
Pointless place.
VoziKaoFangio said:
Costco is a compelte waste of time and energy. Not to mention the "membership" fee. I had a membership for a year, but I have let it lapse.
So far as food/non-food groceries are concerned, they have nothing I need that can't get in Lidl or Aldi in much smaller quantities for the same or better price.
The clothing and electronics is no better value than shopping on the internet.
It's massive, takes a bloody age to get around, and the trollies are rubbish.
The tyres/fitting are dearer than my local indie garage.
Pointless place.
Thought the whole point of it is that its cash and carry... aka buy lots and save money, not treat the thing like a supermarket and buy normal amounts of things.So far as food/non-food groceries are concerned, they have nothing I need that can't get in Lidl or Aldi in much smaller quantities for the same or better price.
The clothing and electronics is no better value than shopping on the internet.
It's massive, takes a bloody age to get around, and the trollies are rubbish.
The tyres/fitting are dearer than my local indie garage.
Pointless place.
My parents use the Makro equivalent and if they buy 2+ months supply everything is cheaper, so unless you can prove those statements with examples as everyone else is saying it different.
Electronic/clothing I always inspect first then try an buy online next, but its the food items Im querying.
Du1point8 said:
VoziKaoFangio said:
Costco is a compelte waste of time and energy. Not to mention the "membership" fee. I had a membership for a year, but I have let it lapse.
So far as food/non-food groceries are concerned, they have nothing I need that can't get in Lidl or Aldi in much smaller quantities for the same or better price.
The clothing and electronics is no better value than shopping on the internet.
It's massive, takes a bloody age to get around, and the trollies are rubbish.
The tyres/fitting are dearer than my local indie garage.
Pointless place.
Thought the whole point of it is that its cash and carry... aka buy lots and save money, not treat the thing like a supermarket and buy normal amounts of things.So far as food/non-food groceries are concerned, they have nothing I need that can't get in Lidl or Aldi in much smaller quantities for the same or better price.
The clothing and electronics is no better value than shopping on the internet.
It's massive, takes a bloody age to get around, and the trollies are rubbish.
The tyres/fitting are dearer than my local indie garage.
Pointless place.
My parents use the Makro equivalent and if they buy 2+ months supply everything is cheaper, so unless you can prove those statements with examples as everyone else is saying it different.
Electronic/clothing I always inspect first then try an buy online next, but its the food items Im querying.
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