Costco

[marki]

This may be from left field a bit. Has anyone an opinion as to Costco is it in fact cheaper to buy goods there? Any special benefits of membership!

Thank you for The replies 


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[jdlover23]

I have just got a membership in Melbourne. I have only been once with my room mate. First time around it's quite overwhelming etc didn't know what to expect. I didn't end up buying a lot of food etc as got there late on a Sunday. I did end up buying a tennis racquet for $65 that I found elsewhere online for $150, so membership already paid for itself.

I'm looking forward to going back with more time and being more prepared. I can see it being valuable if you had a large family etc there are a number of large items like 2l of mayo etc which I could never use, but if you were in catering or ran a cafe I'm sure there would be good savings

The meat isn't any cheaper than woolies but the quality is excellent

Also their cafe at the end is fun and great value

Hope this helps a little

Cheers

 

[straitman]

This may be from left field a bit. Has anyone an opinion as to Costco is it in fact cheaper to buy goods there? Any special benefits of membership!

Thank you for The replies 


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

We joined Costco in the US a couple of years ago. Over there they were really great with some excellent savings. I feel the store in Melbourne is good but nothing like the bargains that you get in the US and Canada.

 

[oz_mark]

I took a look around when it first opened. For household products, I guess it was cheap in the way that buying in bulk is often cheaper.

If I joined I expect that I could save the joining fee each year, but have chosen not to for now. If they open a few more stores around the metro area then I may revisit that choice.

 

[nlagalle]

I took a look around when it first opened. For household products, I guess it was cheap in the way that buying in bulk is often cheaper.

I think it is mandatory to purchase the 60 rolls of toilet paper on your first visit!!

I've been there once and if you are buying in bulk then yes you will save. so if i am taking a group camping then it pays to shop there as an example.

If you are on your on like me, i think ALDI is better value.

 

[cove]

Costco membership works worldwide and it is still a sensation to all our visitors seeing we have one in our suburb in California and the Docklands Melbourne one is quite convenient too.I think the 1.75 Litre bottle of Jack Daniel was $17 and Dockers trousers are around $20 in Los Angeles. Good French champagne starts at $27 as a guide.

 

[mini2]

I haven't visited a store yet but have bought the membership in anticipation for their Sydney store to be open when they came to my work to promote it

The chocolates (Hershey's and Reese's) alone have convinced me that I'll need the membership as buying these chocolates from the likes of USA Foods have sent me broke

 

[mini2]

Oh yeah I've also been told they will accept Amex (not sure with or without surcharge) so my card will cop a pounding when they open in little less than 2 weeks

 

[UP4014]

While it's cheap, beware some of the products are lesser quality. Some brands have separate lines (eg Levi's) which are made cheaper and sold in Costco only, Wal Mart does the same. So it would appear you're buying a brand name product but they not of the same quality.

A good book to get up to speed on this type of retailing - The Wal Mart Effect. The Wal-Mart Effect | Charles Fishman

Matt

 

[cove]

We supply Costco in Australia and they are really good at what they do. There is no quality difference from us.Shirts and trousers from Costco are equal to Ross Dress For Less and Macy's quality in California. High turnover and a low gross margin makes some pricing look to good to be true.

 

[mini2]

We supply Costco in Australia and they are really good at what they do. There is no quality difference from us.Shirts and trousers from Costco are equal to Ross Dress For Less and Macy's quality in California. High turnover and a low gross margin makes some pricing look to good to be true.

Does this translate to they've twisted your arms more than the usual retailers?

Certainly good news for the buyers though.

 

[Maca44]

And, when in the USA you can buy gas at the Costco service station with some good savings. I don't know if an Australian Costco card would be accepted for fuel, but like others in this thread I have my US card which I am told I can use here in any event. Unfortunately, there are no Costco service stations downunder thus far.

 

[Hvr]

And there have been advertisements here in CBR for people to take up a Costco membership with a store due to open here soon.

 

[UP4014]

And there have been advertisements here in CBR for people to take up a Costco membership with a store due to open here soon.

And I believe planespotting can be done from the carpark !

 

[cove]

This is exciting stuff for Canberra and Sydney. I heard that the Melbourne store did about 170 million first year which is as good as a US store. Apparently England has been a huge success and everyone doubted that could happen.The alcohol deals may be the last items to get competitive as with one store here they lack the buying power but that will change as new stores open.

 

[Sprucegoose]

This is exciting stuff for Canberra and Sydney. I heard that the Melbourne store did about 170 million first year which is as good as a US store. Apparently England has been a huge success and everyone doubted that could happen.The alcohol deals may be the last items to get competitive as with one store here they lack the buying power but that will change as new stores open.

I have no problem with the alcohol deals from my local Costco, except that I wish Dan Murphys would keep up!!

 

[Sprucegoose]

We supply Costco in Australia and they are really good at what they do. There is no quality difference from us.Shirts and trousers from Costco are equal to Ross Dress For Less and Macy's quality in California. High turnover and a low gross margin makes some pricing look to good to be true.

Well their model is based on membership $$ to support their margins.

 

[djfuzz]

And I believe planespotting can be done from the carpark !

Not if they charge the same as Costco does here for member parking - may as well save yourself the trouble and park at the airport!

 

[ma1trix]

Costco is great, and it's the only place I have ever seen Dom Perignon being sold off the pallet

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

I have been a member since it opened. The way I explain it to people is that you get twice as much for the same price. So you need a large family or a shed (I have the latter) and a freezer. The lack of some products is frustrating (eg brown sugar, pork fillet) and the deli area can be a little volatile depending on what their buyers find - I bought a fantastic salsa one week and have never seen it again.

The best savings to cover your membership?

First, any Kirkland stuff (their homebrand) - always well priced and excellent quality.

Second, my biggest savings are on dishwasher tablets, laundry powder, cat litter and cat food (the Signature cat kibble is as good as Iams and a quarter of the price) and 36 month aged parmesan (or padana if I'm broke). I am led to believe by Mrs_G that feminine hygiene products are also keenly priced. Favourite other items are Echire butter, french and spanish cheese, the hot dogs and ALligator gnocchi (the brand, not made from)

Oddly, fruit and veg is really expensive. Electronics are OK but you can usually do better if you haggle at a Good Guys - but if you are the kind of person who pays the sticker price, its a good buy.