Costco?
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Discussion

Doofus

Original Poster:

34,604 posts

204 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
I dunno where to put this, so Mods pleas emove as you see fit.

I got a thing from Costco today offering me Trade membership at £20pa, or Executive at £50. I wouldn't use it for any 'trade' stuff, it would just be personal purchases. My question is whether anybody here has either type of membership, and if so, does it pay for itself?

TIA

Defcon5

6,477 posts

222 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
Depends what you buy really, I am a member - primarily for the Mobil1, which is about £22inc VAT.

The meat an pastry products are very nice also.

Doofus

Original Poster:

34,604 posts

204 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
Defcon5 said:
Depends what you buy really
Yeah, it was a bit of a trick question, I know smile I know it's only £50 (and I get cashback), but I don't want to give it to them if I'm not gouing to save much money on owt.

Eggman

1,253 posts

242 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
It should pay for itself even if you only shop there for bogroll and screenwash. Tyres are about internet prices, but you can just roll up without booking, and their car batteries are cheap too. I couldn't see that the £50 membership bought you anything extra worth having though.

bimsb6

8,801 posts

252 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
Eggman said:
It should pay for itself even if you only shop there for bogroll and screenwash. Tyres are about internet prices, but you can just roll up without booking, and their car batteries are cheap too. I couldn't see that the £50 membership bought you anything extra worth having though.
depends on how much you spend there as you get 2% back on all purchases onthe exec membership .

taz turbo

685 posts

281 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
Executive membership gets you in from 10.00, regular membership is only from 12.00.

Executive membership gives you 2% back of you spend (certain items are excluded), if you don't total a cash back equal to the cost of the upgrade, you can get a refund of the upgrade and waive the cash back.

Is Costco worthwhile...... I went to buy some cold meat and spent £260, leaving spending less than £200 is rare their products do tend to be good quality, although some items are cheaper in your local supermarket.

Payment is cash or debit card only, NO credit cards.

Chris.

Fats25

6,260 posts

260 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
taz turbo said:
Executive membership gives you 2% back of you spend (certain items are excluded), if you don't total a cash back equal to the cost of the upgrade, you can get a refund of the upgrade and waive the cash back.

Is Costco worthwhile...... I went to buy some cold meat and spent £260, leaving spending less than £200 is rare their products do tend to be good quality, although some items are cheaper in your local supermarket.

Payment is cash or debit card only, NO credit cards.

Chris.
Agreed with this bit!

taz turbo said:
Executive membership gets you in from 10.00, regular membership is only from 12.00.
Not this bit!

Trade membership also gets you in from 10:00.

The 2% piece was not worthwhile for me, and I probably spend approx £2000 per year in there. I got my additional membership costs refunded last year, as had not spent enough.

As above - is not always cheaper - but quality is excellent on food. If you buy items in bulk is also cost effective. Also one thing to add - their no quibble guarantees are exactly what they say they are for refunds.

tim2100

6,288 posts

288 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
I've got trade membership there. Never bothered with the gold membership.

There is some good stuff & interesting products there. However don't always assume that buying stuff in bulk form there is cheaper than supermarket. Muffins & the cafe are awesome.

For household items like Bog roll, kitchen towel, washing powder & dishwasher tabs will save you more than the membership fee IMO.
On Saturdays they have lots of food bits to sample smile

RemaL

25,103 posts

265 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
been a member for 5 years, upgraded to Executive last June for the extra what £30 or so and got a cheque last month for £140. So worth it my end.

to add the meat is bloody good

Edited by RemaL on Tuesday 6th July 20:35

Ray Singh

3,084 posts

261 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
I joined up for about £30 / year.

Save that per year easily on buying loo rolls, fairy liquid, washing powder, kitchen roll etc all in bulk.

Problem is that i have store it somewhere and it ends up living in the boot of my Porsche.

You could try it for one year and if you dont make the saving dont re-new?


Doofus

Original Poster:

34,604 posts

204 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
Ray Singh said:
You could try it for one year and if you dont make the saving dont re-new?
That sounds like a plan! smile

eightseventhree

2,266 posts

235 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
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We have got BBQ food from there when throwing a party. . . there burgers are quite nice!

Fats25

6,260 posts

260 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
RemaL said:
been a member for 5 years, upgraded to Executive last June for the extra what £30 or so and got a cheque last month for £140. So worth it my end.

to add the meat is bloody good
RemaL - did you really spend £7000 in a year in Costco?!! Nearly £600 a month?

Or is the 2% figure wrong?

RizzoTheRat

29,081 posts

223 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
I made up the last 2 years membership fees just by buying a loft ladder and a digital camera, problem for me is my nearest branch is 40 mile round trip so not worth it unless buying a fair bit. I've just joined Bookers who do a lot less stuff but are just down the road from me so might be letting the Costo membership lapse.

nelly1

5,666 posts

262 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
Bear in mind that Costco have a mind control beam they shoot at you as you enter.

It is physically impossible to spend less than £100, even if you only went in to use the loo!

wink

Kovac

225 posts

199 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
Ive been a trade member at costco for the last few years, I have paid for the membership a fair few times over with the wiper blades and hilarious giant bundles of bog roll.However, You have a snowballs chance in hell of getting in and out quickly if you dare go to the reading one when majeski stadium is in use.

Also don't be deceived by the beer, its normally cheaper to pick it up from a supermarket when they have a special offer.

Egbert Nobacon

2,835 posts

274 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
nelly1 said:
Bear in mind that Costco have a mind control beam they shoot at you as you enter.

It is physically impossible to spend less than £100, even if you only went in to use the loo!

wink
Ha - glad it's not just me ...... smile


Vixpy1

42,699 posts

295 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
Costco is awesome, but beware, some of the electrical goods are cheaper elsewhere

MrV

2,748 posts

259 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
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No one yet has praised their return policy on white goods/Teles ?

2 yr guarantee on white goods ,5 yrs on a Tv and pretty much no quibble if you do have a problem ,just return it and they give you your money back

It must be said I rang them earlier this year about our dishwasher that had died and was told we had had it for 30 months but don't worry bring it back and we will replace it with a new one.That alone would make me stay a member even if I didn't save the membership fee back every year on what we buy.

Eggman

1,253 posts

242 months

Tuesday 6th July 2010
quotequote all
They sell nice trolley jacks too. You need a trolley jack.