Costco

[EcclesCake]

I've just got back from a trip to CostCo where I have bagged some incredible bargains. What always baffles me is that they can be so competitive on products such as dishwasher tablets and washing powder but offer really bad deals on other items, e.g. quality loo roll.

It's the same with food products, tuna is half the price of Waitrose but pine nuts are more than twice the price.

Does anyone else use CostCo and if so do you find these anomalies?

[mazie]

Talking of Costco. I haven't seen Jogger Jayne for a while. Hope she's OK

I go once a month and love it. It's the quality of their fresh food that I like so much. Their Meat, fruit, cheese and fish are second to none....Oh and their muffins are exceptional

[EcclesCake]

Agree about their cheese, really good value and some of it is fabulous. I do buy meat from time to time. Was tempted by some sea bass today but the eyes were cloudy so I passed on that. If I was having a childrens party then their cakes and/or muffins would definitely be on the list.

[cazzz1975]

isnt this a place you can only shop in with a business card?

[society]

LOL Mazie are you thinking about tomatoes, tinned tomatoes to be specific? :-)

JJ was on earlier

[EcclesCake]

It's membership based, to be eligible you must be in one of a number of professions , including Civil Service, teacher, have Chartered status or own a business.

[cazzz1975]

ah, so the savings are only for a selected few unfortunately..

[EcclesCake]

I'm not sure I would describe the Civil Service, teaching profession, NHS (I think) and numerous other professions as a ' selected few'. I accept that for some reason they have a rather eclectic membership criteria but as teachers and nurses are classed as key workers I would suggest CostCo are trying to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

[snags]

I'll ask on behalf of cazzz as I know she's shy... what's their meat like?

[4getmenot]

dont think we even have a costco round here

[steg]

costco sounds like a brand of cheap coffee

[cazzz1975]

lol doc ;)

[ethandron]

we go regularly. when the booklet of special offers comes through, i go through it and buy anything on offer than we actually use, even if sometimes we don't actually need it right then eg. loo rolls, oxywhite powder, kleenex tissues. i buy all my meat from there as i think it's far better quality than any supermarket, trays of baked beans and tinned tomatoes, huge rolls of bin liners, catering packs of chicken thighs, roast ham, roast beef, whole sides of salmon, scones (all of which i split and freeze in portions).
you do have to be a bit careful with some things though i would agree. due to personal taste i prefer asda's own brand tuna, so never buy tins of john west from costco. when we first joined, a long time ago, i used to go mad and buy loads of stuff, some of which would get thrown out eventually. these days i'm a lot more selective and it really does save me money.
if you're a trade member you can claim the VAT back which makes it even cheaper, but even as an ordinary member i reckon you save money.....providing you're choosy about what you buy. the criteria for being a member is pretty wide, i'd advise anyone thinking of it to go along and make enquiries.

[EcclesCake]

I think their meat is good. I don't buy it very often as I prefer to eat fresh meat and as there is only two of us I would invariably have to freeze some of what I had bought. When I have had their meat I have not been disappointed. From memory all beef, venison and lamb is British, presume pork and chicken are too. It is well butchered, nicely trimmed and well presented.

[EcclesCake]

Doc, it's OK you can sleep easy - I was mistaken they were only 20% more expensive ;-)

[boxtops]

We haven't got one, as an NHS person I would use one if I could!

[ethandron]

there's only the two of us eccles, and that's exactly what i do with the meat - freeze it. last week i bought a ton of scottish minced beef which was on special offer, brought it home, split it up and froze it. i have lamb steaks, bought in a 12 pack, all inividually frozen now, same with pork steaks, and chicken thighs. and the sides of salmon cut up into lovely fillets and freeze beautifully.
the thing is, you need to be prepared to spend a fair bit when you go as you buy in bulk. but in the long run, you defo save.

[annie0000]

Membership is also open to anyone in Financial Services and loads of other places. I love their steaks - I find that even when the price on goods is not much less, the quality is far superior - you get Taste the Difference quality for standard price. I love the danish pastrys as well. The kirkland toilet paper is really good as well.

[society]

I find Costco's own Kirkland Signature is of excellent quality.

[mazie]

No Cazzz....It's basically a cash and carry for businesses, that's how they started, so to open it up to the public would give them problems. However you can have extra cards to give to friends and family, they'll serve anyone so you should be OK (I'm joking xxx)...So if you wanted a card I could put you on mine but you have to pay £12.50 annually for the pleasure of it....not to me but to Costco. It's like everywhere, some things are great value, others aren't.