Costco

[LilBus]

Would really like to go to Costco but don’t work in any of the qualifying professions and don’t know anyone who has a card so that’s not an option, we don’t live near one so I don’t know anyone who has a card or wants one but I’m happy to travel to one! Is there any way round it?

I don’t think you need to work in any qualifying professions anymore, I’ve not long had my card but I just went into my nearest one and asked to become a member and then showed proof of id. It was really quick, about 5 mins to take my picture and print my card. You can also become a member online by the looks of it.

What do you actually want from there? The majority of day to day goods are only good if you have storage for them as they're bulk. I'm yet to see anything that's a great deal apart from cake and the heavenly hotdogs.

@Hiddenvoice no you definitely still need to be in particular professions or fit certain criteria. It's due to UK legislation on wholesalers, they are only allowed to sell to people of select business sectors. I know there was a day pass thing you could do ages ago but I'm not sure if that would still need you to be a graduate/ business owner/ nhs staff etc or not. Have you had a look at the criteria on their website? It was quite helpful when I was wanting to join a few years ago.

You can do an online membership I think? So a bit limited but lets you shop with them online just not in store.

Thanks all dont want online only so looks like i will have to get it a miss then. Nothing particular i wanted just always see people getting bargains from there and i think not being able to go has made me want to go!

You do still have to meet the criteria but they are quite broad. Even if you don't buy much it's good for a morning out & cheap & cheerful lunch!

https://customercare.costco.co.uk/app/answers/detail/a_id/85/kw/membership
Membership criteria

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@LilBus do you know anyone who has got a card? Firstly so they could take you in as a guest, but then if you like it you might be able to convince them to let you go on their account as an additional card holder - for which you don't need to be working in an approved profession.

I think there's then a loophole whereby once you an additional card holder on someone else's account, you can upgrade into an account of your own without going into proof of eligibility.

Yeah I’ve had a look and I don’t fit into it just thought (hoped) there would be another way, wishful thinking maybe!

At mine you definitely have to meet the criteria, I didn't know that some were different, I wonder why that is

OP - I think you might be underwhelmed, it's not really a place for cheap things, unless there's an offer on branded food ime is more expensive than the supermarket

Is Costco worth it then?

@AAcridAndStanLee

I go often.
I get loads of food that isn't in large bulk..
Lurpak.
Cheese.
Kievs etc.
Their food is very high quality.
Clothes are great too .
Glasses are excellent value and top of the range.
Electrical items are fabulous.
My laminate is from there . It's got underlay and 25 year guarantee and my handy man says he's never seen any that top quality before.

If someone gives you a costco giftcard can you go in and use that without being a member?

The annoying thing is from googling it looks like it’s only the UK where you have to fit into a certain criteria! In the US anyone can shop there 🙄

The membership is worth it for the petrol if you have one nearby with a petrol station.
I get my eye tests there & used to buy quite a lot but less now we don't have 5 at home. The toilet roll & dishwasher tablets are nowhere near as good as they used to be. I still enjoy going there & it's good for presents & clothes.

It's not Costco's fault, it's UK rules for warehouse clubs, I believe.

Costco is alright for certain things. Their cakes are huge and good value, big packs of danish pastries, personalised birthday cakes etc. It's also good for things like packs of Duracel batteries.

Food wise they also tend to stock things that you wouldn't see elsewhere but they rarely get new products in so the novelty can wear off quite quickly. Everything is in bulk and I honestly wouldn't say it was cheap. As another poster said, it is quite good for a "day out", looking at all the luxury garden furniture and shower units with inbuilt televisions (they go in for that sort of thing) and there are always free samples of food on offer.

Otherwise, you really aren't missing that much.

Do you feel you get a significant saving? I never did. I still go as part of my job so have a regular snoop but nothing yet to make me feel it's worthwhile.

The meat looks good but I have a butcher I prefer.

If I remember rightly the cheese is good quality and price!

Christmas decs, exercise equipment and furniture often catch my eye but still nothing I've actually purchased.

I nearly caved for this last month.

It’s certainly not as cheap as it was, and neither is the petrol

We go every 3/4 weeks , I’d go more but I have to go over the Dartford crossing to get to our current nearest one and it can be a pain with the traffic. For us it’s definitely worth it as I find that their salmon and haddock fillets are the best you can get and we like the loo roll and kitchen roll ( Kirkland brand ) . Apparently they are going to build one nearer so I will be there every week probably . I don’t necessarily think everything is cheaper but it is excellent quality and value for money and you can get some great bargains like Heinz beans , porridge, cereals .

I'm sure I've heard of you but a gift card online you can then go in and use it without a membership - worth looking into as I also want to go for the food for my daughters birthday barbecue

All you need is a business bank account for trade membership. And I opened one of those easy enough for my son's football team and used that to join.

The petrol is so cheap, you will save so much more than the membership cost.