Any Costco members - is it worth £30?

[Dimplenose]

I've got the chance to become a Costco member but can't decide if it is worth it. I'm not going to have to drive too far to get to their store but have no idea whether or not I'd make any savings. What sort of items do you get the most savings on?

 

[tennisfan]

I have been a member for a couple of years but my parents have been members longer. When there toilet rolls and kitchen rolls are on offer I find they are a good saving. Cleaning products are usually a good buy and there fresh meat is nice but not always cheap

 

[snowy2]

I work for the local council and I split the cost of the membership with a friend instead of the free card for my partner who never used it. On average I visit every 6 weeks or so, I take my mum or SIL and we sometimes buy things we can split between us. I think if you have a family the food is great, large portions of everything. I do buy the lamb chops for my partner, I just freeze them in two's, approx £10 for 9. My general purchases are Maris Piper Spuds, £4.95 for a mini sack, they are great and last ages, strawberries, large box, £5ish, 12kg bird seed, £6, sometimes the Tassimo drinks are on offer, my partner loves the tools and has bought quite a few things in the past, I've got a scroll heavy duty doormat £6, the softest throw for the sofa £8, another friend loves the dog beds, £22, probably would be £40-£50 elsewhere. Some things are cheaper in the supermarkets, tea, coffee, etc, but you can see all the prices as you walk around so we just say to each other, that's on offer in Asda, etc. We do enjoy a walk around and my friend loves going for lunch at the café! I have bought loads of stuff since I joined 3 years ago, the stock changes every month and once it's gone it's gone, bought some lovely men's shorts for hols and my SIL got some lovely reversible shorts too. The croissants are divine, but a tray of 12 is lethal for the diet! We do enjoy the samples of food as you walk around though, I'm definitely a fan and I'm not a really big shopping type person. Hope this helps with your decision.

 

[Dimplenose]

Thanks for your answers. I'm still not sure, though, as I only have a small freezer and nowhere to store stuff in bulk (attic full of DH's Scout equipment!)

 

[tennisfan]

I have to say its not so much in bulk at Costco as to other cash and carries with the exception of toilet rolls. Most of the stuff is nearly normal sized. Is there any chance you can go and have a look round before deciding to join. If you know anyone who has a membership they could take you along to have a look

 

[loobzuk]

we buy loo roll, kitchen roll and washing powder and small bottles of water and juice for the children's lunch boxes amongst other things. I've also bought Fitflops which were a good saving on normal price. Stamps are another good saving too (I make cards so always seem to have a lot to send).

 

[jon18uk]

You may be able to get a guest pass so you can look around and not buy, go in and ask the membership desk. We had a leaflet from Ideal Home Show with a guest pass, but they might give one anyway.

We did join but the longer we have been members thee less we are buying. Could be because the volume of stuff lasts us for months, like kitchen roll etc. Meat is very good quality and worth buying when on offer, when not on offer I think Costco quality is better than supermarket but price same (eg steak mince at Costco is similar price to regular mince at Tesco).

There are also reasonable good deals on clothing and their bakery department is great too.

Check out what is on offer here http://warehouses.costco.co.uk/offers/ and that may help you decide if it is worthwhile. We shop every three weeks or so, when the offers change over!

 

[Dimplenose]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

A couple of Costco reps came to my workplace yesterday to sign people up for the new store. After chatting with them about driving there (and the dodgy entrance off a slip road) I've decided not to join for now.

 

[florida sun]

I called into a Costco for the first time last week Libby with a friend of mine as a visitor! I loved it but not sure how often I would use it on a day to day basis. I did however really enjoy all the free samples of food and drink they were giving out around the store, I bought a pack of 36 french macaroons for £8 which was a bargain as they are £6 for 8 in M&S lol, I also bought a cooked chicken and a huge red velvet cake for my fathers 80th birthday party.

 

[MarkE83]

Some things from there are great, like packs of cookies, croissants etc. Some things are good to buy in bulk, like 8 2l bottles of Pepsi max for about £7.50 - just easier than waiting for them to be on sale in Tesco. I don't find the alcohol to be any cheaper at all, it's more about buying things in bulk. There are some cool things you'd not get anywhere else, and their pizza is gogeous!