Is paying to join Costco worth it?

[barbra]

I went to the costco the other day north side of brisbane. I was excited. But then realise short time once i was in it that this is just like any ordinary grocery store you would find in large places like that. First of all i notice things where expensive. And to buy things you end up have to buy 20 cans of beans and 100 rolls of toiletry paper or 5 large bars of chocolate rather then 1. I notice all this is more a production for secondary corner stores or restaurants where they must buy bulk items. I dont see costco as just for 1 person to survive the multiple things they offer.

They dont sell instead things like 1 loaf of bread. 1 sandwich otherwise you end up buying a large tray full of sandwiches which looks more for a large business gathering. Or i cant buy a 1 pack of candy instead you must buy 12 giant large packs of it.
So costco sounds exciting but ones i went in it i quickly notice that costco was mainly design or looked more for coporate business workers and or people who own a shop or restaurant.

I was excited about costco because ive never seen one perhaps its the logo that stands out. But quickly you sort of get bored out of it just like Kmart.

Why would someone like me wishes to buy bulks of multiple items when really no one needs all that. This is more for business people owning a shop and a restaurant and buys bulk things for thier store and or gathering. Costco is defently not for a 1 or 2 pairs living at home. Plus its expensive. The price tricks your mind. You may think its cheap only because you see things as bulk multiple items all the same but you are buying a higher price without notice as you shove things in a large trolly that looks like a american look alike style as well.

So that is my negative side when it comes to costco. It may sound exciting but when i went inside i quickly notice it just looks like any other large giant stores you would see else where other then costo. Plus they do have tv screens on sale. But its not like they have the best branding or variedty branding just like harvey norman stores. Where Harvey norman provides you a variety even better television screens and not just whats inside costco with only a limit of things on display.

When i heard costco coming to australia i thought coles and woolies was going to have a hard time and everyone started to thinks so too. But that didn't even effect coles or woolies or Aldi what so ever... We seem to over think things. Like costco it may sound exciting and all perhaps because the branding and the logo as you see it but ones you enter it... it sort of gives you the idea that its really more for a coporate place for business people who own a store or a business large gathering because you wont just find there single items other then buy the whole BOX full of cans of beans. And who australian would really buy such huge thing. Nothing is cheap. It may look cheap but thats how it tricks you believing on so.

So finally when does the secondary Costco is comming to brisbane ? i hear logan city wants it but why keep it silent when really theres no way to escape about it. Plus the while costco is sort of getting a boring situation. And less excitement like we all used to be.

Also how rude that we people have to PAY to enter because if you dont pay to become a membership you cant enter the grocery store. Why would a business store like costco force people to sign up and pay some what 80 dollars or more to enter and force to register when all you do is want to go in have a look and only perhaps buy 1 thing and not just force to register and pay to enter a bloody store. I think thats very wrong. What sort of rudeness company would force people pay before enter at a grocery store ? Your paying enough inside so why should we pay to enter at the same time. its not a theme park nor a Theme store event. its a normal store just like any hardware stores that reminds me like bunnines other then diferently.

Imagine coles or woolies you cant enter unless you give me 80 dollars to enter the damn store to buy food plus if you enter you must spent MONEY on food as well or no point paying to enter that door in the first place.. I think its discriminate that such costco force you to register and then pay.. a trick way to get your money really and to force you to pay annually and end up still paying sweet bugger all inside in huge bulks when nothing comes cheap. But to you it seems and looks cheap because its in bulk but makes no diferents you have just wasted almost 100 dollars just to enter the bloody doors of costco in the first place. its a trick way to get your money without making you notice much of it. I believe costco should be free to enter. Its not a theme park.

 

[barbra]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Just remember you have to or paid almost or 100 dollars just to enter. Then they expect you to forget it and costco will automatically charge your credit card a year of half a year later or make you do it. Then you enter. Nothing special about it just a huge place that looks nothing more just like Bunnings store. Then notice food and supplys are all just mainly bulk and it starts to reminds me that all this seems for coporate buinsess people who own stores and or restaurants for buying (multiple items) in bulk boxes of 20 cans of beans... 100 roll toilet papers. 5 large blocks of chocolate inside a box. Or a huge larger tray filth with sandwiches cut into bits for a large business lunch break. Seriously when i see all this i quickly notice i am not a business person and far too old to handle to have all this in my home.

I just dont see the ideal of a normal family to buy boxes of multiple items like that. Its mainly design for business and or copoarates not for a single pair or 2 living in a retirement home by all means. If you get what i meant in my experience.

And nothing is cheap by all means. Only the trick about the price is because you make it believe its cheap only because you see multiple bulks of items in a large box but makes no diferents what so ever. I mean you have just wasted a good yearly over 80 bucks to register and enter the store and then there goes another 80 bucks or more on buying things in the store. You need more then 200 dollars just to enter in total of everything made and do.

Costco does sound exciting only because its new and because its american branding but you also wont find american food supply in there. Its mainly all australian supplies for australia. It would had been nice to see only all american food such as cheese and all but no. Costco is mainly like any other giant building that sales large bulk supplies really. I really got excited about costco but when i enter i quickly end up notice the diferents and got quite bored about it because it felt more like a hardware store where you only buy large boxes of multiple same cans in a giant box and that quickly makes me believe its more for stores or large canteens that people need to buy for tuckshops in schools and canteeens for such things. Just not for a normal home in a small kitchen with 2 pairs living in it.

 

[greenfish]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

While I have some reservations about Costco - and due to Costco dropping Amex I may refund my recently renewed membership, I thought I should reply:

1. Membership is $60 for an individual or $55 for a business - not nearly $100
2. My family of 5 goes through a lot of food. The bulk packs can be significantly cheaper and we get through them.
3. Many of the non-grocery items are substantially cheaper - e.g. Speedo goggles, some kitchenware etc
4. There have been a number of grocery price comparisons where Costco is substantially cheaper than the competitors

Also, at least in Brisbane, some items are better than are available at Coles / Woolworths / Aldi. The bagels and tenderloin (eye filet) come to mind.

So if you don't like it - don't go! Many people do like it, as demonstrated by the huge crowds.

 

[love_the_life]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Don't get sucked in......

(replying I mean - this thread could turn out to be a nightmare as well)

As there are only 2 of us, we don't find Costco a good fit but have been a member and it provides what many shoppers need.

 

[blackcat20]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Don't get sucked in......

(replying I mean - this thread could turn out to be a nightmare as well)

As there are only 2 of us, we don't find Costco a good fit but have been a member and it provides what many shoppers need.

Two of us as well. We are careful to make sure we purchase things we use anyway, where the bulk quantities can be used or stored efficiently.

 

[Natalie_B]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Don't get sucked in......

(replying I mean - this thread could turn out to be a nightmare as well)

+1

I groaned when I got the email notification

 

[Pushka]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

I am enjoying having bulk toilet paper, deodorant, soap, and sesame snaps. No need for more detail than that. We all know the rules, pitfalls, and values. Just wish they sold alcohol in SA.

 

[drewbles]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

While I have some reservations about Costco - and due to Costco dropping Amex I may refund my recently renewed membership, I thought I should reply:

1. Membership is $60 for an individual or $55 for a business - not nearly $100
2. My family of 5 goes through a lot of food. The bulk packs can be significantly cheaper and we get through them.
3. Many of the non-grocery items are substantially cheaper - e.g. Speedo goggles, some kitchenware etc
4. There have been a number of grocery price comparisons where Costco is substantially cheaper than the competitors

Also, at least in Brisbane, some items are better than are available at Coles / Woolworths / Aldi. The bagels and tenderloin (eye filet) come to mind.

So if you don't like it - don't go! Many people do like it, as demonstrated by the huge crowds.

Very well summaried. IMHO, Costco is great for families of 4 or more, or small businesses (we tend to buy bits n pieces there like biscuits or random office supplies). For people who live alone, it holds no value worthwhile of a membership fee.

 

[love_the_life]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

I am enjoying having bulk toilet paper, deodorant, soap, and sesame snaps. No need for more detail than that. We all know the rules, pitfalls, and values. Just wish they sold alcohol in SA.

Don't they sell booze? That's a bit poor.

 

[greenfish]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

No booze in QLD either...

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

No booze in QLD either...

In the state of Queensland, only a Pub can sell Take away alcohol, onsite, with a further three outlets permitted as part of the pubs licence within a 10 Km radius of the pub's location.

This is how Both Woolies & Coles get around by having their respective chains in Queensland, by owning Pubs.
The licences for the BWS/ Dan Murphy's ( Woolworths ) or Liquorland/ First Choice ( Coles) are part of the local pub licence.

So for Costco & Aldi unless their is a change in State legislation they will not be able to sell alcohol in the state of Queensland.

 

[love_the_life]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Well that's interesting to read. I remember when we first moved to Canberra over 30 years ago, we were astounded that the local shops (milkbars as they were in Vic) had booze on the shelves. Guess we just assume every else is the same now.

 

[stoneman]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

In the state of Queensland, only a Pub can sell Take away alcohol, onsite, with a further three outlets permitted as part of the pubs licence within a 10 Km radius of the pub's location.

This is how Both Woolies & Coles get around by having their respective chains in Queensland, by owning Pubs.
The licences for the BWS/ Dan Murphy's ( Woolworths ) or Liquorland/ First Choice ( Coles) are part of the local pub licence.

So for Costco & Aldi unless their is a change in State legislation they will not be able to sell alcohol in the state of Queensland.

Very interesting, thanks for that, explains a lot.

 

[barbra]

As costco is a american branding. We alll get excited about something new never seen in australia. But what many people don't realise is the (cost) that goes towards this before you enter the store and when you enter the store. Plus the distance to travel to costco as well.

Don't get me worng big place many things. In my own self experience i went to have a look And before to enter the damn doors i had to pay or they wont let me in. How on earth would someone pay just to enter a grocery store. Thats the most strangest thing ive ever came across in my life. Its day light robbery by all means. Its all statistics and ways for them to gian money from your pocket. Costco sounding very exciting store oh yes lets all pay 60 or so dollars just to enter a grocery store. You have aldi. You have coles and woolies and you have similar stores like costco that are like a giant warehouse sort of to speak out there.

You would need a giant family living in the same 1 roof if you go there and buy all the times. Why go there when you have similarity warehouse giant grocery stores else where other then (costco) ?

Not everything i liked inside costco there wasnt much that interested me. Its not the same as coles or woolies with much diferent items to pick and choose.More variety at woolies and coles instead of Costco all seem to be (bulk) and more bulk items.

For me in my opinion costco seems to be more classified as for big and small business people who owns independent restaurants and needs to supply bulk items.. milk.. paper.. so on. Or for big semester gathering with large sandwich trays. I can simply not see that in my house. You will need a huge family in one roof that constantly eats non stop.

Dont get me wrong its a interesting place but it is well cleared it is all publicity stunt. Its only because before you enter you are force to register and then pay. And that membership pay does not sound cheap. With that money you would had well and truely had gone to woolies or coles or even aldo and have brought your grocerys right there before you did all registerations.

Its all publicity stunt. It is an offence for a warehouse giant place such as costco to pay or you can't enter. Why pay ? so that the company can make big cash out of you and then realise you need another 100 dollars more to just buy things inside costco? i would be broke if i was to do that. Its a waste of time to register and pay and then realise you have to need more money to buy things after you have paid to register entry to costco.

If costco wasn't lame like most young people say know days (lame) costco wouldnt be so evil to make us pay to enter. And it wouldn't just be everything just bulk and bulk.

Why would i need half a dozen boxes of rollpaper toiletry ? Why would i need a large tray more then 25 dollars of sandwiches in a tray all into cuts of small slices ? Why would i want a box full of giant candy and multiple boxes of the same ? I dont have a canteen and i dont work for business and i sure dont own a restaurant or a any independent stores. And im not a monster in order to (eat) all that multiple times.

At the end of the day you start to wonder where they get the money to over spent just to get there pay to enter and then PAY to buy bulk of items. I would rather see people keep the money save it up all for a true holiday rather then eat like a monster.

Strangely i was so excited about costco. I went to check it out when its open. But sooner then later i sort of.... back down a little bit because it started to look nothing more then a warehouse similar to other areas across australia for cheap grocery. Then notice everything everything bulk in giant boxes. Clothes there didn't apeal to me in its quality branding and name. The electronic tv's wasn't much of a huge variety only just some simple cheap ends meat. Nothing like a bigger variety such as Harvey norman that alouds you to pick and choose more then 5 or so diferent brands and much more variety displays.

Even though i welcome Costco to australia but i suddently back down after i was really excited about entering costco to see what was all the fuzz. But i quickly became disapointed when i realise things where nothing more then a giant warehouse full of boxes of bulk items and plenty of bulks.

So from there i said well its not exactly what i expected. I thought they would had american grocery supplys in there. But wasn't true... I thought they had lots of variety spencers when it comes to diferent salt and peppers and so on for ingredients. it was only limited items they offer but only in just bulks. I can;t see myself going there and buy 5 giant plastic bottles full of lollies in it. You would need a typical australian who eats like a monster and has grown up children still living with mother and father.

With all due respect. If only costco where more better by not alouding anyone to pay and just walk in freely because its not a theme park. And to get rid of that idea of bulks. If they want bulks to also have separated supplies rather then everything bulk by the dozen.

It all comes to publicity stunt really.

You have aldi. What more would you want. If non of that is good then you are not doing good for australian branding such as coles or woolies. In this case go to america and shop there because of the branding costco.

And disapointed that Dick smith are dying down to its grave.
Just like Ansett australia.

I believe the only thing that people gets on the move about costco. Its because they feel as if people are virtually inside american grocery store... Its mainly the name branding that makes people interest. But when it comes to what they offer inside its always a limited of things and be ready to carry 2 giant trolleys to shove the bulks in it because one won't fit.

With all due respect this is just an indication and theriotical opinion of myself about costco. Great to have it in australia but when its inside its what i dont seem to be satisfaction plus to enter you must register. What sort of grocery store would anyone do that. So please no offence. And nothing to be offensive about it. Im just telling you what i believe. I rather shop in a shop that has plenty of things instead of the same bulkness of things in my trolley. Unless you think the world is going to end.

 

[blackcat20]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Don't get me worng big place many things. In my own self experience i went to have a look And before to enter the damn doors i had to pay or they wont let me in. How on earth would someone pay just to enter a grocery store.

You can pay, go look around, and if you decide you dont like it, get a full refund on the spot....

The membership cost essentially subsidises the products so you get a better price. We probably made the cost worth its while in one or two visits.

 

[barbra]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

You can pay, go look around, and if you decide you dont like it, get a full refund on the spot....

The membership cost essentially subsidises the products so you get a better price. We probably made the cost worth its while in one or two visits.

No problems

But i still think pay to enter those doors is a tricky statistic a way for them to make big cash while they expect you to buy something later inside.

For example i dont not no the proper prices but lets say 60.00 dollars to register/join in and pay on the spot before you enter that doors to costco. Then you buy inside costco and buy a can of tomate kechup 2x times inside a box 1tl each costco price to make it sound very cheap indeed: 5.79 dollars (coles same product same amount: 11.00 dollars) But you sure dont pay to enter to coles just to do your grocery.

This is what is wrong. You see the can of tomatoes 2x for only 5.79 from costco. Cheap isn;t it? but what people didn't realise is... you have just paid to enter 60.00 dollars in the first place

I have just spent 60.00 dollars to enter costco and i have spent that can of tomatoes for 5.79 dollars

Same thing i have just entered coles for free without the hassle of paying to enter a shop. I just brought the same tomatoe for just 11.00 dollars and i walk away with enough change.

So as you can see it is a example. That entry membership for costco is a rip off its a tactic day light robbery by all means. You expect that costco will be cheap. They will make things cheap just for all of us. Not a problem. But the tatic about it that since costco is a tricky up thier sleeves they have introduce (pay before you enter the store you must register do this and do that constantly) That register to pay ebfore you enter costco is a way to steal back from you for crabing things that are cheap inside the store.

So in another words the stuff inside costco isn't cheap after cool It does look things are cheap because you are inside and see cheap prices but think again my friend. You have just gave costco 60.00 annually or so to enter.. And then you enter because its cheap. That cheap products you see will cover the cost of the enter that door in the first place. Its only a way to mess your mind a little bit about it

Dont get me wrong.. This is all i believe.

Costco will make things cheap. But costco does not want to be the loosers. So they have a tricky situation for customers.. they have introduce (pay to enter that doors by register and this and that) 60.00 dollars or so lots of money know days. So costco is aware your buying (cheap) price on goods... but then again its not really cheap on the stuff you have brought because you have just simply covered the so what (cheap items) towards the actual register to enter that door in the first place. So that as you enter the shop it may look everything cheaper then coles.. When its virtually not so true. Because you gave costco 60.00 or so to enter costco in the first place.

And sure you may come out now and say i want my money back but to re-enter again you be doing the same old thing pay before you enter.

So its really not cheap what so ever. You gave them 60 dollars first. 60.00 dollars is a lot of money yet. You enter you see cheaper price. Of course they going to show off by saying things are cheap inside costco. Thats the way to do it but people dont realise later you have just paid to cover the virtual cost of the so what (cheap) products inside costco because you just gave them 60 dollars to register/enter that door. The pay before you enter that doors is a secret situation its mainly to cover the so what (cheap) products) for the cost of it. Costco dont want to make things cheap. But now they can by making it look cheap which is true yes. But you have just paid the cost more then you expected for the cost to enter the store.

If costco did not say pay before you enter. And costco was FREE to enter the doors.. Then the actual products will not be as cheap as it is previewsly. It will be the same as coles and or woolies...

I think most people will get my point view at this. Dont get me wrong the register and this and that and then cancel it is a headache really. Plus you have to travel miles to get to costco. When you have everything near you else where. There are already exsisting australian warehouse of supplies that looks like similarity as costco in the first place.

I believ eit is rediculoursly beyond joke to think a grocery store force you to register and pay before you enter the doors. What sort of shop does that do. But of course costco will make the price cheap for real only because you have virtually just paid to enter by covering the lies of the so what (cheap products) on top of that.

Dont get me wrong this is just my opinion really. Costco always welcomes to australia but then again the pay before enter is a way to trick you in believing your going to pay less on products.. You will but you have just paid the cost for the fake cheap products in the first place due to the registration you just paid.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

I think most people will get my point view at this....................I believ eit is rediculoursly beyond joke to think a grocery store force you to register and pay before you enter the doors.

I don't get your point of view - and here is a tip - don't like it? Don't go there - I think most people will get my point of view on this.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

I don't get your point of view - and here is a tip - don't like it? Don't go there - I think most people will get my point of view on this.

I love the fact that Costco are bringing so much needed competition to the Supermarket sector and Australian Consumers are finally provided more choice with the number of participants in the sector.

 

[barbra]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

I don't get your point of view - and here is a tip - don't like it? Don't go there - I think most people will get my point of view on this.

Excusss my language. But this is how business companies
say to costumers like me in a way to let them win while us costumers the loosers by giving more money.

You have just entered costco by registration and pay 60 dollars. Oh yes give all your personal details too.
Now you enter costco. You begin to see things cheap. But remember you have just gave costco 60.00 dollars or so in the first place before you have just entered that doors. The actual cost the reason why they make it cheap inside the store its to cover the actual so what (cheap price) from your actual registration because you just gave them 60 dollars in the first place and what you dont no is that it goes towards the lies about making things look cheap after.

Also who on earth would a australian family spent over 200 or 300 dollars just to shop inside costco plus 60.00 plus or more for others to register on top. What sort of family is that. This isn't america.

I can do the very same thing buy grocery once a week as low as 80.00 dollars per week such as coles and or woolies.

Thats what people will not realise people need to know the truth about this behind the tactics about why you have just paid to enter the store. Only to cover the cheap price inside the store by all means.


I bet you 100% that if costco would say it is 100% FREE to enter costco. Im sure you by all means the products inside would not be cheap after all but be the same as equal as coles and woolies prices on product(s)

But because costco has a secret they introduce pay before you enter that door by register. Then they make the price products cheap price shown. but its virtually not cheap. The actual register to enter costco is to cover the lies on top of the (cheap products.

Look at this way: I brought a giant tray full of sandwiches it cost 29.00 dollars at costco. i have just register 60.00 to enter costco. If costco was free to enter. That full of tray full of sandiwches on that tray would not longer be 29.00 but more by looking at another 15.00 or 20.00 on top of the price in this case the tray of sandiwshes would look like 40.00 dollars or 25.00 full of sandwiches in a giant tray.

So lets not forget this.. This is a static way to make it sound tricky. This is why people go beyond beliveing everything is reall cheap when its not because you have just enter to register costco first to virtually cover the so what cheap products.

Again.. Lets say you brought a large can of MILO you pay at costco: 13.00 dollars and COLES same product for 21.50 dollars. (COLES will never charge you to enter the store) Costco will enforce you to enter by paying or no enter.
So Costco sounds cheap on that milo. But to make it cheap the lies goes towards the registration. You virtually just paid to enter the door for the prices on products inside the shop at costco so they make this separated prices by making you register.

You have NOW wasted 60.00 dollars to enter the costco doors. You have just broguht the MILO because it looks cheap indeed. But you have just simply paid the lie that wasn;t really cheap what so ever because the actual pay before you enter the doors is actually to pay for the so what (cheap) products that wasn't true in the first place.

Again if costco was free to enter that MILO would cost the same equal as coles.
But because costco makes you pay to enter the store they make the product look as if its really cheap. Your actually paying the cover lost of the missing price on those products by giving costco money to enter. There for the products would look as if its cheap but your actually paying the same equality or there abouts if you where to go to COLES to buy the can of milo.

Lets make no mistake again who on earth would a family spent so much money to enter costco... what sort of family can people be so like this. This isn't a america so lets make australia australia not american stylish. Thank you.

This is why i do NOT trust companies they always have solutions to tactic costumers by ways to make things that sound cheap by making you pay other diferent things that are register that has nothing to do with the products your buying but it is a way to make the product look cheap. You have just simply paid a product that looked cheap but you have paid vitually the full price because you registered to enter costco. You might as well be smarter by shop locally.

 

[barbra]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Oh yes people will simply try to push you away to make us believe that the companies are been truthful. Just like any mobile provider in which they have tactic ways making it sound its cheap on plans but your actually paying higher for calling numbers during the day for busienss calls in the first place there for the phone provider doesnt really like cheap. But they make it look and sound cheap because you can see it but when you make those calls its not allways covered with your plan there for your now paying MORE then your actual plan. Same with any companies such as costco with the so what (cheap products) Yes they will show you cheap you can see it with your own eyes when you enter. But the trick is that the costco company has this register to pay that door. That register to pay that door at costco is to actually pay the cheap product because after all the product isnt really truely cheap after all.
In this case i might as well plant a farm and grow my own food supply to make it cheap.

Companies will say anything to back me off with what i believe on here right now. I rather not FOOL costumers like us in believing things are truely cheap. I would hate to see companies taking peoples money. And this is why many australian families spent over 300 dollars on things inside costco because they are beleiving everything they see and do. BLame the company. Your brainwashed them.