Costco v Cash 'n' Carry

[V8mate]

It's many years since I last used a C&C (due to changing business needs) but I'm a reular Costco customer.

How do the two compare, pricewise, on 'normal' stuff? i.e. cases of tinned groceries, soft drinks, beers etc.

[TotalControl]

Costco's is good. But lately (since working there) I've realised that some of their things aren't really value for money. Technology especially. Food is good though. The coupon booklets do offer some savings, but are usually limited to a few of the same item. Depends on what sort of things you purchase.

[Dave^]

As above, stuff on offer is usually quite good...

Foodstuff is (imo) better than Supermarket stuff...

Electrical stuff is expensive, but with a 5yr warrenty it works out the same as the high street prices, but with better warrenties!

Car cleaning stuff and oil is good and cheap too...

[V8mate]

Thanks guys.

Though neither of you answered the question

I'm a regular Costco customer already, so well aware of the score on that account.

I'm just interested in the price difference on regular branded groceries between Costco & C&Cs.

[missdiane]

I have not looked at Costco prices, but for quality the cash and carry appears to be made for caterers at caterers prices, Costco seems to be aimed at Joe public

I much prefer Bookers to Costco ;as a caterer (plus is much less floor space to walk around)

However the cakes and muffins in costco are a real treat

[Piglet]

I can't compare as I only do Costco, but the stuff you mention in the OP is the stuff that I don't buy at Costco as I find it cheaper to buy in Tesco, especially if I bulk buy when something is on offer.

[missdiane]

I'm sorry, that doesn't answer it either

[TotalControl]

I find C&C's cheaper for groceries and lentils. Corner shops for meat and Costco multipack drinks. Depends on which C&C you also go to. Closest one's to me are Dhamika and Bookers.

Edited by TotalControl on Monday 15th March 21:21

[10JH]

No mention of makro yet?

They seem normally cheaper for branded goods. But often the supermarkets are xheaper, especially if on offer. Costco is good for tvs and microfibre cloths only imo!

[jas xjr]

Bet there are not many vans outside costco or makro. When they have things on offer they are ok but the trade on the whole do not buy there.
I had a card for costco but will not be renewing it, too expensive for me.
The trays of pastries are good though

[chris.mapey]

No experience of Costco (too far away from me), but I'm a regular user of Makro & Bookers in Ipswich.

Have to agree with the comments that most stuff is available at a similar rate to your local Asda / Tesco etc, for "retail" sizes of food.

The win for me is that I can nip over there and pick up larger catering containers of stuff, as soon as I need them, aiding cash flow - I have negotiated deals with most delivered suppliers that will beat the C&C prices, but in the main they only deliver once a week...

I suupose to sum up - the glory days of saving shed loads of cash to your usual weekly shop by going to the C&C are over if you are a regular supermarket goer (if you only patronise your local cornershop then you may see some savings ) - booze is OK (but cans / bottles of beers are more often on deals at the supermarkets), fags can be a useful saving as well.

Hope that helps

Chris

[louiebaby]

I was very disappointed with Makro. The food was similar or a bit more than supermarkets.

I won't be back. It was the same in another C&C I went to for work, no incentive to get anything for myself.

[MonkeyBusiness]

louiebaby said:

I was very disappointed with Makro. The food was similar or a bit more than supermarkets.

I won't be back. It was the same in another C&C I went to for work, no incentive to get anything for myself.

I went to Makro last week following the birth of my son and hunt for bumper packs of nappies. Have to agree its not that cheap.

We'll be sticking to the supermarkets.

[TotalControl]

louiebaby said:

I was very disappointed with Makro. The food was similar or a bit more than supermarkets.

I won't be back. It was the same in another C&C I went to for work, no incentive to get anything for myself.

I think Makro is a little confused in not knowing whether it is retail or wholesale sometimes. Only from what I've seen the few times I've been though.

[JB!]

Costco do some great meat and cakes.

and "other" beers that regular supermarkets dont sell cheap (24 corona, peroni etc £18 all in)

[Mr AJ]

JB! said:

Costco do some great meat and cakes.

and "other" beers that regular supermarkets dont sell cheap (24 corona, peroni etc £18 all in)

Desperados! My eyes lit up when i saw they was selling that. Only for it to appear in the local spar a week later as a new product.

But yeah Costco for fags/beer/cakes/giant boxes of sweets. Local supermarket for real shopping. Cash and carries if we fancy making something that you generally cant buy the ingredients for from tesco etc.

[uber]

Makro are currently changing the business model and will soon offer deliveries, lower prices and contract offers. I think Makro now understand that the "tesco" shoppers were driving away traders in a big way and have decided to fight back

[Wings]

Having once been a trader at both outlets, I would now use neither, since I believe one does not save monies, one just lives better.