Costco - do you go?

[NorthEastNancy]

Tempted to get a card - I've never been!

We (me, dh and ds 14) shop in Tesco mainly. I love a big shop mooch and feel like it's somewhere I'll go on my own if I ever pass my test (currently having lessons at the grand old age of 48!)

Do you go? Would you recommend it?

Went today - DS (home from uni) still loves a trip there, mainly for the free samples and a giant slice of pizza at the end!

We bought Aperol (fab offer, £11 /litre), chopped tomatoes, frozen peking duck, rack of lamb, salt and chilli belly pork, sushi platter, toilet roll, peanut butter, avocado oil and tissues.

Also usually buy kitchen roll, rinse aid, dishwasher salt and cat litter but didn't need any of these atm.

Huh? It se me mostly branded stuff - you don’t want to pay less for Heinz beans or Nescafé or Jacob’s crackers or John wick tuna etc etc etc

I fancy some John Wick Tuna! 😆😆

I’ve also never had a free sample

they sell multi-packs of gf pasta, but I don't recall seeing any biscuits or bread etc

@Silverbirchleaf if the bridge is busy I just don’t bother 🤣

We love Costco. We have executive membership through OH business which gives 2% cash back on all purchases which is worth it for us as we buy larger items too at times. E.g this year we have purchased a large tv and tumble dryer in addition to usual items - the 5 year warranty on electronics is fab! Have also bought their packs of flooring which are great quality for the price and the clothes and shoes can be great.

We got DD a membership too and she and her uni housemates love to go and do a shop there as one of them has a car. You can also use your card at any Costco in the world which is super handy, we have used it when on Stateside road trips for car snacks etc. Our nearest.store recently got a fuel station which is great as the diesel is miles cheaper.

They have some Hallowe'en Stock in
And some Christmas**

DH and I went two weeks ago-

Petrol
Large fresh pizza
Kirkland loo roll
Bin Bags
Cheddar
Chicken tenders for DS)
Alpro soya milk
Tropicana orange
Ribena
Catfood
Olives
Milkshake mix
Jam (usually Bonne Maman)
Ready to bake french breads

We don't buy meat or the coffee there
DS always insists on a slice of pizza and a soft drink from the cafe

They sell a lot of types of GF nut based and similar snacks, and some of the prepared foods are GF. They don't do much in the way of GF bakery items, but I have been both GF and a Costco member for about 20 years, and I'm never short of things I could buy there!

I’m in Australia and love Costco here. Buy lots of the cleaning/laundry items and love the bagels. We also love the trays of pre-made sandwiches and wraps and the Portuguese tarts.

No but would love to

Do you really have to provide bank statements to join?

Sorry clearly a hilarious predictive text error :)

Nae bother

I dont belong to the relevant occupation groups

There are smaller cost co's where there are a few close. I only realised when they once did deals for only the lessser locations . Oldham, Haydock and i think Chester. Liverpool , leeds and certaily Manchester are the posher ones in that they have diferent stuff ie they had a Verve Cliquot Methusla at Manchester never seen one in Oldham. Also, I belive prices vary between wharhouses as the manager has discression over pricing.

Look out for any price that ends in 97p means it’s been kocked down from the original like I mentioned it’s a lifestyle choice lol

Some food items don't have vat, chickpeas, tinned tomatoes and coconut milk.My foil lasts years, although quality is slightly shady now. Same for greaseproof paper and cling. Branded cleaning products are cheaper than supermarkets and used to get pampers and water wipes for much les, oooh and basmati is also cheaper.

What is blue light membership? Only asking as I’ve recently renewed at full price (blue light card holder) and I’ve just typed Costco in to the blue light app and nothing came up?!

I grew up going to Costco (or Price Club, originally, and Fedmart before that...)

It makes financial sense if you have a household that can benefit from buying in bulk,and get thru a lot of stuff. Or if you like a browse for things that might be a bargain, like a ski jacket. Buying in bulk means estimating future needs and risk you won't need it at all.

It's not THAT much cheaper than just buying as you need from supermarkets or other sources.

Are you entitled to a card? They don't give to just anyone? If you are unsure i would reccomend joining at a fair cis they have quota so are more likely to sign up prople who normally wouldn't accepted. My husbands colleague was told he couldn't join after my husband joined at a wedding fair. My in-laws after ex forces so they both joined. We tend to only go when they come up cos it's very easy to spend too much money.

Use to but then moved into a Victorian terrace with zero storage space so gave it up. It’s not cheap but good go buying in bulk and some of their Kirkland stuff is great quality.

@ToadRage yes, I can get one as I'm a teacher. I need to take out my badge actually so thanks for the reminder!

I've downloaded the app and have a membership number and option to do my photo etc so hoping that means I can use it today!

Very much disagree with this.

Yes, but the state of the stores are becoming abysmal. They don't clean up or re-stock and pack everyone in like sardines but refuse to open tills. Used to be a lovely shopping experience but I can be squashed within dire environments without a membership. Sad for me. I used to love a day out at Costco.

I think it varies on the store. I always think Thurrock feels a bit grubby, whilst Croydon feels cleaner, tidier and calmer.

Thank you! It's good to know not all of them have degraded so I will visit Croydon. 👐

Wow, how bad must Thurrock be if Croydon is nicer?! 😆😆

Thurrock is usually very busy and there doesn’t seem enough room so you get bumped / caught up in jams a lot . Sunbury and Farnborough are both much calmer , quieter and generally seem better laid out and nicer .