Is paying to join Costco worth it?

[TomVexille]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

What you don't seem to understand is that many people save far more than the $60 membership fee annually. Also the fee is fully refundable if you are not satisfied. I will agree that it is not worth it in your situation, but it does work for many.

 

[barbra]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

I fully understand barbra that you feel the membership isnt worth it for you so maybe this thread isnt something you need to worry about anymore.

Thank you. I bet you if costco was FREE to enter the costco store. The
products would not longer look cheap. Correct ?

The reason why costco make it sound cheap its to bring costumers in and spent.
But the real fact is that they will make things look real cheap inside yes for real. But because costco hates to make things cheap they want MORE money so the trick thing was to make things cheap as in a lie.. and have costumers pay before they enter. That pay to enter that door is virtually your actually not paying anything cheap the price is cut in 50/50% They make the product cheap 50% but you have just enter the doors buy giving them 50% of the registeration so really your not buying anything cheap after all you just pay them in advance first and then you buy your things that looks 50% cheaper. But your actually paying the FULL COST of the product itself or at least close to 90%

Nevermind i just cant understand how companies has tricky ways in ways to trick costumers by making things look and sound separated.

This is the tricky way but like i said if costco was free to enter i bet you that that costco will not dare leave the price cheap. You be paying the full cost the same as coles and woolies for a can of milo or meat. Thats what register is for... your actually paying them in advance on top of the MISSING PRICE by 50% of the product.

Make it simple

I have a giant meat on a tray it cost 100 dollars normal price. Costco will give you that giant meant on a tray for 50.00 dollars correct ? good. Now what you didn't realise is... you have just gave costco to enter that door that other 50 dollars. There for when you pay to enter 50 dollars you went to buy that meat that cost 50 dollars. You came out of that door and how much did you just spent ? 100.00 all up So you didn;t really paid because it looked cheap.

Go to coles. Pay 100 dollars for that giant meat on a tray. spot on your paying 100 dollars for the meat. Because to enter coles its free. If coles also had to make you pay 50.00 dollars to enter. Well the trick play is that coles will make that meat price 50.00 dollars. But its really not virtually cheap. Because you have spended 100 all up.

So this is an example the same for any productivity. Dont trust companies too much this is just a messy trick way to make you believe you have gone to a store because it looked cheap. But at the end of the day you forgot you have also spended cash to enter that door. Maybe Costco catalogue also gives some insights about this at least people can see what's on sale for the members there.

Thanks.

 

[barbra]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

I dont trust companies but companies will act as if they are costumers like me to bush the subjet away by having them companies win and make the costumers beleiving what companies really say.

I would not like to have costumers radicallise by beliving its really cheap.

Like i said if the meat cost 100 dollars as normal price. Costco will give you that meat for 50.00 to make it sound CHEAP. but what you didnt realise is you gave costco 50.00 to enter by register the grocery store. There for by the time you are done you have spent 100.00 normal price everything up. And that the so what (cheap) wasn;t really realistic nor true after all.

 

[Jonova]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

So after multiple essay posts, I can assume you don't like paying $60 to shop at Costco. That's fine but I think the rest of us who do shop there would like to get back on topic about the prices and products available at Costco.

 

[barbra]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

So after multiple essay posts, I can assume you don't like paying $60 to shop at Costco. That's fine but I think the rest of us who do shop there would like to get back on topic about the prices and products available at Costco.

Of course not. Why should we all get excited about costco and pay them. Wouldnt it be happier and cheaper for real if it was FREE to enter and have that tray of meat just 50.00 without having to pay 100 all up? thats an example what i believe and should be.,

A true store that would not charge you to enter and still have the price cheap. There for now you know the reason why your virtually paying to enter that door because at the end of the day when you come out what did you saved? nothing you have paid the full cost of everything stated. What a waste of time and time to register and then this and that.

Not good really.

Anyhow i personally dont like paying money just to enter a grocery store. What sort of business is that!

i personally rather give people advice whats true because i hate to see people radicallise from a store like that belive things are cheap. Because you jsut didnt realise that you gave them the other HALF cash for making those products look cheap. Simple said. I rather not enter costco because its all tactic ways to trick you.

 

[Abdul_A350]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

i hate to see people radicallise from a store like that belive things are cheap..

I am unfortunately already radicalised in the sense that I can do the sums for myself.

<redacted>

 

[cove]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Costco remains my favourite retailer in the world. I just wish they would come to Perth.

 

[drewbles]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Just to negate most of the previous page, you know you don't have to pay the first visit if you simply wish to look around? Go to the service desk, ask for a sign up form but mention you'd like to take a look around before you sign up. You obviously won't be able to purchase anything, but they will happily let you go in and take a look around. If you want to buy something, go provide all your personal details and your $55/60, and Bobs's your Uncle.

The official website says pay and refund, but anecdotal evidence suggests otherwise.

 

[barbra]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

You see people. This is how many people would back off just so no one looses costco just because of the brand (Costco) all amercian look alike in australia.

Like ive stated before. If for example the meat on a tray of meat was 50.00 at costco and coles had it for 100.00 dollars same amount and same meat on a tray. You really didn;t just cost it cheaper at costco even if the meat was just 50.00 while coles has it for 100.00 dollars. You virtually just gave costco to registr and you just gave them more then anough to register 50.00 or more. So really you have just wasted 50.00 to register to enter costco and ANOTHER 50.00 dollars MORE to buy that so what cheap meat loaf.

You walk out of costco and how much did you saved whn you said you only had 100? non you didnt saved nothing you gave costco the other half money and the other half to buy the meat. You didn;t really got the meat cheaper. Because if you went to coles and even though its free to enter they had it for 100 dollars for the meat how much did you just saved ? non you are as equal as coles new world. You have spented 100.00 for that meat and also the same amount you just wasted at costco. Even though costco has it for 50.00 but you do now realise you also gave the other half cash 50 bucks to costco to enter those doors. So what is cheap? nothing.

Its just a tatistic way for costco to trick you in believing your going to find things cheaper. Now im sure many thousands of aussies would know realise the potential that goes on behind secret business talks. Nothing is really cheap what so ever otherwise business loose money quickly. So to make it sound things are cheap they make ways to make the half break price onto something else so that it mess your mind up with everything conclutions.

Like i said i would rather have the tray of meat for ONLY 50.00 dollars and same time PAY nothing else. Pay no to enter the grocery store. And how much did ive just saved ? the other half 50 bucks in my pocket because i didn't had to pay to neter. if life like this was easier costco wouldnt be scambags in trying to trick tatistic ways to make things sound cheap when you not getting it cheap. The reason why they have this register policy to enter costco its so they expect you to pay the other half price on the things that looks like its cheap by 50% when its virtually not. You just paid the full price on things

This is an example when i meant about the 50 vs 50% cheap and not so cheap because you just paid to enter and now they are going to play a game with you inside believing things are CHEAP when its not really.

I am not satisfied how on earth would a grocery store such as costco american company make us pay to enter a grocery store. We are not rich so lets keep things on mind about this please. Not good.

I would rather give costomers free entery and yet get that 50 dollar off the mark price same time so that i am not a lier company just like costco.
Sorry but i also cant believe how families in australia would spent 200 or 300 or more on grocery plus over more then 60 bucks to register or numerious in the familie same time. You would have to be moster to eat all that and someone who should save it up and give the money to the most who needs it not over spent it on groceries.

 

[barbra]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Why not have the tray of meat for 50.00 dollars But not pay to enter the damn doors policy. Why should i give another 50 bucks to enter? so that ive just wasted 100 all up? when i could easily go to coles and buy the same meat for 100 all up without the issues of registration and so on.
Thats not cheap what so ever.

Cheap is when the tray of meat is 50.00 but pay nothing pay nothing to enter the grocery store. Thats what i call true cheap prices. This is why costco has a tatic plan on a way to make it sound things are... cheap but the trick is.. You just paid the other half money before you entered that costco doors. Think about it. Upto you people what you do. I rather save that money rather then over board. I dont understand how most families spent that much on something believing its all cheap as.

 

[cove]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Cost plus about 15% to 18% coupled with the members subscription fee has really worked as no one else is within cooee of these numbers. Sometimes it could be 15% sales margin and they are still a stand out winner seeing our largest retailers are about double that number.

 

[Pushka]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Cant see how a once off annual payment adds $60 to the price every tray of meat I buy in a year.

 

[Ogopogo]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Cant see how a once off annual payment adds $60 to the price every tray of meat I buy in a year.

+1. Also the quality of the meat is far superior to Coles or Woolworths

 

[mini2]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

...there's always Aldi I suppose and no annual fee

 

[Natalie_B]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Cant see how a once off annual payment adds $60 to the price every tray of meat I buy in a year.

I don't buy much meat there, but think I've been called fat several times for spending more than seems acceptable there.

I can see my cranky pants on the other side of the room and trying my best not to put them on.

 

[cove]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Because Costco has so many subscribers those annual fees make a large contribution to the Costco profits worldwide.
Costco will need more stores to capture the hearts and minds of the Australian consumer but that won't take too long.

 

[Caito]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

So much emphasis on a '$50 tray of meat' not factoring other things purchased and having a cost of $55/$60 for a year.
Saving you money on other items and fuel (89c per L vs 99c+)
Costco is a membership we don't mind having or paying for. Nobody is putting a gun to anyone's head saying they HAVE to join. Plus you can cancel your membership and get it back at any time (few friends have done this)
Looking forward to using it in the US May

 

[cove]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

Mrscove says we have been members for more than a decade.

 

[Duffa]

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.

I've condensed my thoughts below, Barbra




Joined costco hoping I would save money. After joining and buying products I witnessed prices started to raise to a point where I was better off shopping at coles or woolworths. No shopping isles indicating products another flaw. $60 a year for membership is like a hold up. Will not renewing with dodgeycoCostco does have a limited range, and it's located pretty far away from me. But I have picky cats who refuse to use any other brand of litter. Costco's is ALWAYS $20 or cheaper, the supermarket stuff is regularly $28. You can occasionally get it on sale cheaper than that, but I don't obsessively watch sales.
I use two boxes a month. That's $16 a month saved right there, and membership pays for itself in four months. If I add cat food, that pays for petrol.
Create a spreadsheet of the stuff that you regularly buy and note down prices and get a friend to bring you in as a guest member so you can see if it's worth it for you. It might be.Don't bother. I joined for optical; it's not worth it & the lenses are poor quality. The selection is really limited. They are now always out of the pecans & pine nuts they used to stock. Fruit & veg is outrageously expensive with the possible exception of bulk pre washed mixed lettuce.Short words describe COSTCO: Bulk goods selling on bulk money, trading place: warehouse. Entry fee: $60.
Compare the price and quantity, COSTCO doesn't sell cheaper than other Australian supermarket. There are only two products I always buy: Roaster Chicken and Muffins. But after adding up the membership fees, they are not attractive anymore. So I don't want to renew my membership card. Not worth it.Costco should rename itself Costlyco. Poor quality and uncompetitive pricing. Don't waste your time and effort pushing the oversized, heavy trolley around the warehouse for a bargain as personally I could not find a single one. Fortunately you can get your $60 membership fee back.

I had heard that the meat was good, but looking at the quality and pricing of the meat I do not agree with my friends opinion.

Costco seems to be a very popular destination. I can't understand why, as the customer service is brash, you have to pay a fee and hand over your personal details to have the privilege of entering the store, only to find that you feel unwittingly deceived after you have walked a few kms searching for that needle in a haystack bargain. Then you have your receipt and trolley checked on the way out AFTER you have queued and paid for your goods, so you have to queue twice to make a purchase!! What a rip.
I've been to Costco a few times and have been very satisfied with their service and products. I enjoy shopping there, the space and high ceiling creating a non-claustrophobic atmosphere. The only drawback is the size of their trolleys which I am not able to easily manoeuvre around the store. If Costco could provide smaller trolleys it would be doing people like me a great favour. Thank you Costco, keep up the good work!For quite a while I have been wanting to check out a Costco store. They promise big savings but I find it hard to stomach the concept of paying a $60 yearly membership fee for the privilege of shopping at their store, without knowing whether the savings stack up. After much consideration, I decided to take a leap of faith and sign up for a year to find out what all the fuss was about. So I powered off down Parramatta Road, handed over my cash and added an extra card to my wallet. But the big question is was it all worth it?

In a word, I think, yes. But let’s start at the beginning first. For those who haven’t been Costco it is true American shopping experience. Everything is super sized! In terms of the store itself, think Bunnings with food!
But it is not just food you can buy there. They have everything from TVs, to beer, cubby houses, lounge chairs, clothes and you can even buy an $8000 watch if you feel so inclined!

Do you have a spare $8,000?
​

In terms of groceries in most areas the big brands are covered but like most of these things may not have the exact product or brand you are after.
Not only is the store super sized but everything you buy is huge too! Butter comes in 1.5kg blocks, toilet paper in slabs of 60 rolls, you can’t buy one loaf of bread you have to buy two and even Nutella comes in packs of 2×1 kilo tubs! Luckily, the trolleys are tank sized to help you cart your haul. Needless to say good storage space is a must if you are going to be a regular Costco shopper.

Yummmm – but maybe somewhat oversized even for me!
​

So what about the savings? Are they worth it? I think yes. I took a random sample of 10 pretty common household items from my regular shopping list and did a quick price comparison with my local big name store. This was the results:
[TABLE="width: 654"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]Product[/TD]
[TD="width: 58"]Costco Price[/TD]
[TD="width: 68"]Quantity[/TD]
[TD="width: 61"]Local Store Price[/TD]
[TD="width: 66"]Quantity[/TD]
[TD="width: 94"]Costco Unit Price[/TD]
[TD="width: 93"]Local Store Unit Price[/TD]
[TD="width: 59"]%Saving[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]OMO Top Load (5kg)[/TD]
[TD]$54.99[/TD]
[TD]10 kg[/TD]
[TD]$30.00[/TD]
[TD]5 kg[/TD]
[TD]$5.50 per kg[/TD]
[TD]$6.00 per kg[/TD]
[TD]8.33%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]Finish All In One Dish Washer Tabs[/TD]
[TD]$37.69[/TD]
[TD]112 tabs[/TD]
[TD]$21[/TD]
[TD]48 tabs[/TD]
[TD]$0.34 per tab[/TD]
[TD]$0.44 per tab[/TD]
[TD]22.73%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]Cottonelle Toliet Paper[/TD]
[TD]$25.38[/TD]
[TD]60 rolls[/TD]
[TD]$15.99[/TD]
[TD]24 rolls[/TD]
[TD]$0.42 per roll[/TD]
[TD]$0.66 per roll[/TD]
[TD]36.36%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]Colgate Total 360 Toothpaste[/TD]
[TD]$15.99[/TD]
[TD]3 x 220g[/TD]
[TD]$2.94[/TD]
[TD]1 x 110g[/TD]
[TD]$2.42 per 100g[/TD]
[TD]$2.67 per 100g[/TD]
[TD]9.36%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]Radox Oxygen Shower Gel[/TD]
[TD]$11.99[/TD]
[TD]2x 1 litre[/TD]
[TD]$8.89[/TD]
[TD]1 litre[/TD]
[TD]$0.60 per 100ml[/TD]
[TD]$0.89 per 100ml[/TD]
[TD]32.58%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]Heinz Big Red Tomato Sauce[/TD]
[TD]$7.79[/TD]
[TD]2 x 1itre[/TD]
[TD]$3.96[/TD]
[TD]1 litre[/TD]
[TD]$3.89 per litre[/TD]
[TD]$3.96 per litre[/TD]
[TD]1.77%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]Old El Paso Soft Taco Kit[/TD]
[TD]$9.29[/TD]
[TD]785g[/TD]
[TD]$5.00[/TD]
[TD]405g[/TD]
[TD]$1.18 per 100g[/TD]
[TD]$1.23 per 100g[/TD]
[TD]4.07%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]Pine O Clean Multipurpose Spray[/TD]
[TD]$8.59[/TD]
[TD]3 x 500ml[/TD]
[TD]$2.99[/TD]
[TD]1 x 500ml[/TD]
[TD]$0.57 per 100 ml[/TD]
[TD]$0.60 per 100ml[/TD]
[TD]5.00%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]Mortein Fast Knockdown[/TD]
[TD]$15.29[/TD]
[TD]3 x 300g[/TD]
[TD]$6.77[/TD]
[TD]300g[/TD]
[TD]$1.70 per 100g[/TD]
[TD]$2.26 per 100g[/TD]
[TD]24.78%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 155"]Huggies Nappies Walker Girl[/TD]
[TD]$65.99[/TD]
[TD]132 nappies[/TD]
[TD]$33[/TD]
[TD]64 nappies[/TD]
[TD]$0.50 per nappy[/TD]
[TD]$0.52 per nappy[/TD]
[TD]3.85%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Average Saving[/TD]
[TD]14.88%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3"]NB. Prices as per Thursday the 20th of June[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 8"]NB. I used price per unit to measure the cost savings, given the difference in quantities between my local store and Costco[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

On every product, Costco performed better than my local store. On some products the savings were substantially better than others, but I think an overall average saving of 15% makes the membership fee and 30 minute drive worth it for me. I think the savings would have been even bigger, if I had included fresh meat or vegetables but we have a small family and do not have enough room in our fridge to freeze the excess. For example, lean mince is substantially cheaper than my local store at $6.99 per kilo but I would have to buy 3 kilos at a time, rather than the 500g that I buy now. If you have a big family then I think the savings over time should be worth it and I will be planning a trip to Costco for Miss Money’s 3rd birthday party supplies.
A word of warning though! Costco is the land of temptation and you can walk out of there with things that you do not need. Yes, I am talking from experience. I will admit that on a whim, I brought a packet of 100 Chupa Chups. I only have one child! What was I thinking?

Chupa Chup…anyone?
​

So, yes Costco I will be back. Once a quarter or so, for household items, like toilet paper, tissues, cleaning products that have long storage lives, oh and maybe a couple more Chupa Chups

 

[Renato1]

Re: Costco - Products, Prices and Deals

I have a giant meat on a tray it cost 100 dollars normal price. Costco will give you that giant meant on a tray for 50.00 dollars correct ? good. Now what you didn't realise is... you have just gave costco to enter that door that other 50 dollars. There for when you pay to enter 50 dollars you went to buy that meat that cost 50 dollars. You came out of that door and how much did you just spent ? 100.00 all up So you didn;t really paid because it looked cheap.

Go to coles. Pay 100 dollars for that giant meat on a tray. spot on your paying 100 dollars for the meat. Because to enter coles its free. If coles also had to make you pay 50.00 dollars to enter. Well the trick play is that coles will make that meat price 50.00 dollars. But its really not virtually cheap. Because you have spended 100 all up.

Your example really doesn't make any sense.

The first time you go to Costco and buy the $50 meat tray that is worth $100 at Coles, you spend $50 plus $60 membership.
So you are $10 behind having bought at Coles.

Three months later you buy another meat tray, and pay $50. You are now $50-$10=$40 ahead of having bought it at Coles.

Three months later you buy another meat tray, and pay $50. You are now $50+$40=$90 ahead of having bought it at Coles.

Then you buy another meat tray before your membership expires. You are now $90+$50= $140 ahead of having bought it at Coles.

In summary, you have spent $260 for the cost of membership plus the four meat trays at Costco, versus having spent $400 at Coles.

If one actually made use of four meat trays a year, and had the freezer space for them, then using your example, one would be irrational or arithmetically challenged to not join Costco and buy the meat trays from it.
Regards,
Renato