Costco, worth it?
Discussion
tangerine_sedge said:
I've never quite understood Costcos business model. If they are in the business of selling stuff, why do they put restrictions on who can and can't join? I understand the psychological impact of restricting membership and making customers feel special (a little like joining the Mickey Mouse club as a 7 year old), but surely they would shift more if they just let any Tom, Dick or Harry buy stuff.
Are there Tax benefits to operating as a 'club' rather than as a normal shop?
When Costco initially expanded into the UK one of the big advantages they had was a quirk in the planning laws. While large supermarkets faced heavy restrictions on new stores, there were no restrictions on "warehouse clubs" with limited membership so it was easier for Costco to open large out of town developments.Are there Tax benefits to operating as a 'club' rather than as a normal shop?
tangerine_sedge said:
I've never quite understood Costcos business model. If they are in the business of selling stuff, why do they put restrictions on who can and can't join? I understand the psychological impact of restricting membership and making customers feel special (a little like joining the Mickey Mouse club as a 7 year old), but surely they would shift more if they just let any Tom, Dick or Harry buy stuff.
Are there Tax benefits to operating as a 'club' rather than as a normal shop?
Incidentally, I am not a Costco customer even though I'm eligible (some of my colleagues are). I have visited several times and I just can't see what the fuss is about, I've never actually found anything there which I am willing to buy. Yes, there are savings, but I have no intention of using my garage as a toilet paper warehouse to save myself £20 a year.
I agree - been there never found anything that i couldn't get cheaper or even just slighty more expensive at supermarket .Even with 6 members in my household Costco goods are too industrial packaged for me.I've got shed in garden and i do tend to hoard shopping but not to Costco levels.Although i admit something like the Castrol oil seems to be cheapest .As i said earlier if they are that good why no prices on website?Are there Tax benefits to operating as a 'club' rather than as a normal shop?
Incidentally, I am not a Costco customer even though I'm eligible (some of my colleagues are). I have visited several times and I just can't see what the fuss is about, I've never actually found anything there which I am willing to buy. Yes, there are savings, but I have no intention of using my garage as a toilet paper warehouse to save myself £20 a year.
Tyrewrecker said:
OzzyR1 said:
You've been in and out of this thread since the beginning so it appears that it's taken you the best part of 48 hours to think up a quite appalling acronym. 
Dan_1981 said:
Anyone a member at Sheffield and fancy making me an associate member?
I can't find any other way to join as neither mine / t'other half have occupations that qualify.
Not that I would endorse fakery but do you have a printer at home?I can't find any other way to join as neither mine / t'other half have occupations that qualify.
Create yourself a qualification certificate in dentistry or as an optician.
Basically, anyone can become a member. Mine was via my "media pass" many years ago... And it was out of date when I joined. Their scrutiny of documents when joining is not exactly thorough.
doogz said:
You know the one thing that pisses me off about Costco.
The car park.
The layout of the car park is incredibly f
king simple. There's a perimeter road, with a series of alternating one way "streets" and angled spaces. So you drive into one of the "streets" and the spaces are angled to make them easy for you to drive into. You go do your shopping, fill the car, reverse back out of the space at a nice shallow angle, and keep going in the same direction until you get to the perimeter again.
I'm pretty sure I could train one of the horses to do it.
But the fkwits that frequent the Glasgow branch of Costco?! This is far too complex for them. You find them trying to reverse out of spaces at 135 degrees to the direction they want to head in, which is of course, the wrong way down a one way road, then they start flapping their hands at you for being in their way.
One advantage of a ten year old 4x4 with a few scrapes on it, is that people tend to get out your way though.
No angled parking at either of the two Costcos I have been to. The Oldham one would probably be closest to you if you ever get fed up with the Glasgow shoppers.The car park.
The layout of the car park is incredibly f
king simple. There's a perimeter road, with a series of alternating one way "streets" and angled spaces. So you drive into one of the "streets" and the spaces are angled to make them easy for you to drive into. You go do your shopping, fill the car, reverse back out of the space at a nice shallow angle, and keep going in the same direction until you get to the perimeter again.I'm pretty sure I could train one of the horses to do it.
But the f
kwits that frequent the Glasgow branch of Costco?! This is far too complex for them. You find them trying to reverse out of spaces at 135 degrees to the direction they want to head in, which is of course, the wrong way down a one way road, then they start flapping their hands at you for being in their way. One advantage of a ten year old 4x4 with a few scrapes on it, is that people tend to get out your way though.
The US Costcos had membership restrictions when I joined. I only qualified as they were doing a special for Amex employees as they had just started accepting the cards there.
No prices on the website as stock changes quite a bit. On more than one occasion I have gone in for something that they no longer carry or they have changed brands, model etc.
I always thought the "plus VAT" pricing was a carry over from the US as all shops over there advertise prices excluding VAT/sales tax.
Never had the hotdog, not fussed about the chicken bakes, but the frozen yoghurt is a must have.
redtwin said:
No angled parking at either of the two Costcos I have been to. The Oldham one would probably be closest to you if you ever get fed up with the Glasgow shoppers.
The US Costcos had membership restrictions when I joined. I only qualified as they were doing a special for Amex employees as they had just started accepting the cards there.
No prices on the website as stock changes quite a bit. On more than one occasion I have gone in for something that they no longer carry or they have changed brands, model etc.
I always thought the "plus VAT" pricing was a carry over from the US as all shops over there advertise prices excluding VAT/sales tax.
Never had the hotdog, not fussed about the chicken bakes, but the frozen yoghurt is a must have.
There's a Costco in Edinburgh too! I used to be a member but found I rarely went and let my subscription lapse. if you have the storage space for large amounts then it can be worth it and the food is great quality but i didn't have the space really so didn't use it that often.The US Costcos had membership restrictions when I joined. I only qualified as they were doing a special for Amex employees as they had just started accepting the cards there.
No prices on the website as stock changes quite a bit. On more than one occasion I have gone in for something that they no longer carry or they have changed brands, model etc.
I always thought the "plus VAT" pricing was a carry over from the US as all shops over there advertise prices excluding VAT/sales tax.
Never had the hotdog, not fussed about the chicken bakes, but the frozen yoghurt is a must have.
Went to the local one to me tonight and the stuff I could be bothered to price check on my iPhone seemed pretty cheap. 21.5 inch iMac for £923 inc VAT (£999 at the Apple store?) and a Brabantia ironing board for £53 inc VAT (£65 on google shopping). Food also seemed keenly priced for the quality, plus of course no VAT. The steaks looked fabulous.
bennyboydurham said:
Went to the local one to me tonight and the stuff I could be bothered to price check on my iPhone seemed pretty cheap. 21.5 inch iMac for £923 inc VAT (£999 at the Apple store?) and a Brabantia ironing board for £53 inc VAT (£65 on google shopping). Food also seemed keenly priced for the quality, plus of course no VAT. The steaks looked fabulous.
The steaks are fabulous!!! So are the pizzas and the cakes Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff