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Original poster

Why is Costco so expensive?!

140 replies

MooFroo · 09/05/2025 21:31

I know I probably am BU but went to Costco after ages, and it’s insanely expensive 😳

I was walking around and comparing the prices to Aldi, Lidl and B+M bargains where I normally shop and didn’t find anything cheaper! And because everything is larger sizes or multipacks, it costs even more!

The tills all had queues and lots of people with full trollies - what am I missing??

Is there a hack to Costco shopping for normal households and families or are people happy to pay more for convenience of bulk buying/larger packaging? I know their electrics etc have longer warranties and they have some cool random stuff, but I am talking about every day food, drink and household stuff like cleaning items and pet food.

thanks!

OP posts:
Laiste · 09/05/2025 22:05

I was dead exited to get my card apx 18 months ago.

I did not renew it.

Seemed to spend a bloody fortune in there for mostly stuff which either -

a) we never used up before the sell by date
b) we really didn't need to be scoffing (trays of victoria sponges)
c) was so big we didn't really have room for in the freezer.
or, frankly
d) didn't need at all and wouldn't have bought it if we hadn't have seen it in there 😂

The thing i think i miss is the children's books.
And the bakery ..... but i would put on half a stone just looking at it all!

MaryGreenhill · 09/05/2025 21:59

We always buy the 1kg of Werther's fory Mum. Boxes of crisps and quavers etc are much cheaper. Anchor butter, juice, bacon , jams,
cheese ,sausages , eggs all cheaper . Their bottles of water are fabulous value. Their extra virgin olive oil is excellent. Tubs of OXOs , Cereals .
You do have to be careful and know the prices of things in the shops but you can save quite a bit if you are careful.
Also there is the cheap cafe 😋

Eldermillennialmum · 09/05/2025 21:58

I think people assume it should be cheap as it's a cash and carry type place but for me the draw is everything is really good quality. I go every 6 months or so usually around Christmas and then for DC birthdays as their birthday cakes are cheap, general cakes and bakery delicious, they do bags of crisps and snacks cheaply and also books. Their toilet paper, bin bags, foil, laundry detergent all really good quality.

B1indEye · 09/05/2025 21:56

Ineedpeaceandquiet · 09/05/2025 21:43

Costco is primarily for Trade customers who will then sell the goods in a retail environment for a mark up.

It's not really that cheap for your regular shopper.

Maybe different branches have different customers but the ones I've been to aren't full of people buying to resell, it would be too expensive, theyd go to an actual cash and carry or whatever the modern term is.

If the prices are too high in Coatco how would anyone make money by selling them at even higher prices in their own shops? It's rare to see a branded item cheaper than a regular supermarket

ExitPursuedByABare · 09/05/2025 21:53

Always spent a bloody fortune at Costco on stuff I didn’t need. No longer have a card thank goodness.

MereNoelle · 09/05/2025 21:50

Ah yes, the Cushelle toilet roll is also much cheaper than I’ve found it elsewhere.

Pomegranatecarnage · 09/05/2025 21:46

The fruit and vegetables in Costco are really high quality, and certain items (toilet rolls, sweetcorn, baked beans, coffee) are quite a bit cheaper.

lostinthesunshine · 09/05/2025 21:44

I’ve never really understood it. In America the warehouse clubs are cheaper, here they are more expensive.

The original idea is that people can get over the warehouse vibe if they were getting things cheap.

ExtraOnions · 09/05/2025 21:43

You can get good deals.. just have to look for them. We get them on tinned beans, tomatoes, passata, pasta, tea bags etc. Not everything is an offer at all times - and the shortbread is amazing

Ineedpeaceandquiet · 09/05/2025 21:43

Costco is primarily for Trade customers who will then sell the goods in a retail environment for a mark up.

It's not really that cheap for your regular shopper.

MereNoelle · 09/05/2025 21:40

We don’t go for cheap stuff, we go to buy the things we like that they sell. Their bin bags for example are brilliant, the best quality I’ve ever found, but they’re not cheap.

Londonrach1 · 09/05/2025 21:40

Yanbu. Couldn't understand it either...

Overthebow · 09/05/2025 21:37

It’s not as cheap as some shops but it’s good quality. We go there for certain things like the bakery, seasonal fruit, pizzas, prepackaged meals.

Gundogday · 09/05/2025 21:34

It may not be as cheap as ‘value’ prices but branded products are definitely cheaper. Also, often the pack sizes are larger, or better quality than cheaper products.

WhineAndWine1 · 09/05/2025 21:33

No one has ever said that Costco is cheap. Even Costco haven’t said they are cheaper, it’s just bulk buy place that has better quality meats etc.