Costco

[TeniBear]

But not everything different - I get a lot of brand name things from Costco like Huggies, Timtams etc... Their own home brand stuff is pretty awesome though, and buying in bulk is GREAT

Aldo is pretty much all off-brand stuff though.

[LionsandBears]

A friend just bought me some chocolate from Costco. 3x Cadbury family blocks for $10. I'd say the membership is worth it

I prefer Costco to Aldi. They have better deals. We do a Costco shop every 2-3 months. So long as you have room to store stuff, it's good value.

[Ginger]

I love costco! Great for things like paper towel, toilet paper, dishwasher tablets, washing powder, cleaning products, alcohol, nappies, wipes etc. I also get coconut oil and coconut water from there. Excellent cakes and sandwich, cheese platters if you're having a party. Definitely worth the membership.

[OceanPrincess]

Costco have just increased the price of their pure maple syrup... It used to be $8 for 1L, which is awesome. I'd buy three at a time - I use it as a sugar alternative in cooking. But it has gone up to $18.50 I'm devo!!!

But I still love Costco. What can I tell you, what do you want to know? I was just there today

[feeb]

Love costo it is great for toilet rolls, paper towel, dishwasher tablets etc. Meat has been a bit hit and miss. Fruit and veg is good but too big quantaties generally for us. Love lots of things there. Great for books, glad wrap, aluminium foil, baking paper etc.

We go semi regularly lots of good bargains.

[Rouge]

We love it too and being so close I just go when I need something. Doesn't feel so exxy then.

[Amity]

We go about once a month. Now we are feeding six regularly, we find it a lot cheaper. $2.99 a kilo for chicken thighs and legs for example.

[surprised]

I went to Costco a couple of times but when I did the maths it wasn't much cheaper (if at all) for the things I buy. I don't like aldi as I always buy the specials that I don't really need, and I find I can't get things I want (or am happy with the I gradients of) so end up at woolies anyway.

Costco is definitely an experience though - plasma TVs, diamond rings, hearing aids and abalone! You do get some really good specials, but you need to know how much things are elsewhere.

The one near me is always super packed and you're likely to get rammed with someone's trolley!

[Jaycee]

They sell diamond rings?? I thought they were just a bulk supermarket!

With regard to meat, do u have to buy a bulk amount? Is it good quality?

[Khaleesi]

They sell so many different things at costco, its crazy!
You can even get your eyes tested & I cant forget the mechanics & tyre service centre located in the car park.

[OceanPrincess]

Meat is up and down. I buy mince there - $7 a kilo, it is good quality, lean mince, but you have to buy like 2.5kg minimum. It says on it "use within 24 hours or freeze". I break it down into 500g bags and freeze.

Stuff I regularly buy:
- tissues, toilet paper and nappies - they work out the same price usually as on special at the supermarket but I can't be bothered waiting for the specials, knowing where the specials are, and I love having 148 nappies stashed away
- mince, see above, it is good quality and cheap
- bin liners - best quality I've seen and cheap, 10c each
- kitty litter, much cheaper than supermarkets
- snap lock bags, as above
- oats - super cheap
- canned stuff - tomatoes, chick peas, coconut cream and milk, lentils
- tomato paste
- tinned tuna
- coconut oil (heaps cheaper!)
- coconut flour (also heaps cheaper!)
- batteries

Fresh stuff I tend to buy what is cheap at the time. Pink lady apples in the supermarket are $6 or $7 a kg, they were $4 at Costco. But you have to buy 2.5kg. Four avocados for $12 where in the supermarkets they are $6 each.

Ooh another one of my big ones - bakers flour. 12.5kg for $9, supermarket I was paying $10 for 5kg. Cheaper for more than double the amount.

Lamb roasts were a lot cheaper I noticed today - $8/kg!

The only chicken I've bought was some vacuum sealed bags of chicken breast. They didn't seem too much cheaper, I'll need to find the cheap stuff that Divvy mentioned!

Smoked salmon is heaps cheaper, if that's your thing

[dinky]

I'm interested to hear what others think of Costco. I, myself haven't been there as yet! We are considering it when the new one opens up down the road from here near Moorabbin airport! I have heard from others that its great for buying in bulk, if you have the space to store such things, which I will have soon! I don't think that I would buy the fruit and veg though as I am very happy with the market place that I buy from now that is both great quality and a lot cheaper than the supermarkets and last so much longer. I might have to try out the one in Ringwood, just to see what its like, so I know whether its going to be worth it for me, although I have a few friends that have said that they will split some of my purchases with me!

[Cass72]

They sell diamond rings?? I thought they were just a bulk supermarket!

Hahaha! Yes, they sell diamond rings - $30,000+ diamond rings. So pretty to look at.

Just think you could go to Costco, buy that diamond ring plus get your spare ribs and champers to celebrate! Oh and don't forget to buy that new washing machine, snow gear, kids playhouse, lounge suite or, my personal favourite, the really really big box of fish fingers!

Back to the initial question though.

I do think the membership is worth it. But always make sure you know your prices. It is easy to get carried away. I usually check the catalogues and split my shopping up between Costco, Aldi, Woolies and Coles to get the best deal.

[black_rose]

I love Costco especially now it's only a few minutes away from me. I get basics like rice, flour, detergents, loo paper, oils butter etc and go there for party food. We have hit and miss with the meat too one lot of steak was really fatty. But in general if it's not cheaper it saves going to the supermarket all the time. I also stick up on muesli bars and snacks for the kids lunch boxes. You of need room to store stuff I can't get the bigger pantry items like Vegemite, Nutella as the jars are huge.

[nickle730]

I have learnt to only buy non-perishables from Costco - if I buy 15kg of pears I just end up throwing half of them out. Some things are not cheaper than the supermarket so you need to know your prices. It's very easy to fall into the trap of buying things because they are cheap, not because you need them. I have never got out of Costco for less than $800. I have also not bought baking paper in 2 years - and I bake a lot!

[kateo]

I have a few stock standard things I buy at Costco. Rice bran oil, Passata, Maple Syrup (still cheaper even though its gone up) Gluten free muesli bars, dishwasher tabs, and cleaning stuff.I absolutely HAVE to buy their bagels........closest to the ones I liked in NY. I have plenty of storage. I look for bargains when I'm there. I think it's only just worth the membership. Much of what they sell is imported which I don't like and they don't sell much organic stuff. I tend to buy kids books/toys too so I have stuff in the "pressie cupboard".It's not far from where I live and if I had to travel far I reckon it wouldn't be worth the membership.

[OceanPrincess]

Yeah I often buy books and toys that are bargains and have them in the pressie cupboard too.

They are increasing their organic/alternative produce - they now stock coconut oil and coconut flour. I'm waiting for them to start carrying coconut sugar and macadamia oil!!

They also do have some good aussie stuff, eg my sister got a 5L EVOO that was Australian. But yes, lots of imported stuff.

Edit: nickle I'm the same with my baking paper

[Tinks]

What are the prices of pet food like?