Costco

*mods, not really sure where to put this*

Does anyone have a Costco membership?
Is it worth it?
What are some examples of items that YOU buy there?

TIA

Yes, and it is AWESOME. I bought a heap of meat the other day and some seasonings, and now they're all in big freezer bags ready to chuck in the slow cooker.

There's huge packs of cookie dough :lol: and the cakes are huuuuuge! The free samples on weekdays are fantastic too ;)

It's great if you're having a party, being able to buy in bulk like that...


Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks ;)

Thanks teni.
I wonder if there is anyway to browse before you become a member :think:

I LOVE Costco. We buy most things there. Nappies, wipes, meat, milk, eggs, fruit, vege, sauce, weetbix, dried fruit, yogurt, etc, etc. We have also bought clothes racks, pillows, steam mop.

If you know someone who is a member, you can go in with them (although you cann't buy anything) just to check it out.

We have a Costco membership..I love it! You can go in with a member and browse or if the member is willing, you purchase and they put it through it for you, you just give them the cash.
We buy, baby wipes, tinned tomatoes, passata, tim tams, toilet paper, paper towel, tomato paste, kitchen scourers, dishwashing powder, the blue wipes, foil, glad wrap, sultana's, cat litter, some lollies.
It sells alot of American sweets as well. I saw a lady with a trolley full of butter, she freezes and it and says it's the best quality butter she has had for a long time.
I know of people who share a membership, so they go halves and shop together and split the bill after checking out.
They also sell clothes, Osh Kosh and other brands. If you buy moisturisers like Olay, they have that as well. It's all branded products, unlike Aldi which is there own brands mostly.
I never get out of there without spending at least $200..I have been at the checkout when I heard someone's tally at $1000.
You need to have an empty boot when going there :)
We bought our bar stools there as well...these were two for $90 and I have seen them at furniture places for $90 each.
Basically, anything you purchase at Coles or Safeway, Costco will 9 times out of 10 have it in bulk. A GF of mine bought a tray of lamb cutlets, they worked out at around $1.50 each I think, maybe less, I purchased some at the butcher today for my kids dinner and they were $2.50 each.

I buy non-perishable items such as toilet paper, cling wrap, spray and wipe, washing powder... I don't buy the consumables in bulk as they go off before I have a chance to use it all and I'm not a big one for freezing. I don't have a membership, my mum does and I go with her. To be honest, my local Supa IGA works out to be just as cheap when they have items on sale and so I tend to buy up big on the non-perishables then. Huggies are cheaper (per nappy) at IGA on sale than they are at Costco. Costco is fun just for something different but I do find that I buy a lot of stuff I don't need!

We have one. We don't go that often. When we do go, we buy toilet paper, stain remover, paper towel, dishwashing tablets. I don't usually buy much food but will buy DD those poppa apple juice bottles every 2nd or 3rd trip. They currently have a spin bike I keep considering purchasing. But to be honest, a lot of the stuff there, I can get cheaper in my local supermarket when it's on sale. Last time I bought toilet paper it was only JUST cheaper at Costco... but when you take into account the fuel and parking costs...

They currently have a Kitchen Aide there but we can get it cheaper locally. You really need to know your prices before you go.

Oh, we bought prawns once and they had no taste :( We used to buy some of the bakery items (croissants are THE best!) but no longer eat that sort of stuff.

Hey Em

MIL has a membership... I've been a few times with her. First time I went it was a fact-finding mission for me to see what they had and the price differences.

Have been two or three times since, my "staples" are:
- toilet paper: 60 rolls, cottonelle, works out to 50c a roll
- tissues: I buy an eight pack of normal and aloe Vera for I think $2 or $3 a box
- Bepanthen - about $7 a tube (same tube in coles is about $10)
- Lynx deo for DH, significantly cheaper than supermarket
- Tuna
- Liquid stock
- pasta sauce
- tinned tomatoes
- Paper towel
- washing powder
- Napisan
- Juice (long life)
- Cat litter
- Batteries
- Tuna

Can't recall what else I always try to buy... But I normally buy only shelf goods. I tried some mince, didn't like it. Tasted different.

Their cookies are yum.

The other things I end up buying are special buys. It's a massive warehouse, set up with all the groceries, shelf goods and fresh produce around the edges and then in the middle they have special purchases. These are things that they get in seasonally or the like.

I normally pick up some great bargains like books and clothes (for the kids)... Last time I got this cool play tent for the kids, complete with 100 play balls. For $40! That was awesome.

I also got a massive box of greeting cards for $30... 20 cards!

They had some Little Tikes stuff there last time and a wooden cubby house that DD loved.

MIL took a friend last time and the three of us spent $1400 :redface: :o

We always take the pram out of the car and even with a completely empty boot of my 4wd we struggled to fit everything in!

So I think it's worth it... I mean the tissues and toilet paper I buy you can get from the supermarket for the same price on special but I like buying it in bulk and not having to check the catalogues and run to the supermarket when you see it's on special.

The fresh stuff I don't bother with... The milk and eggs are similar prices to supermarkets... I couldn't handle getting the milk home and you had to buy 18 eggs at a time I think... Too hard.

One of my work friends goes there before she goes up to their holiday house and stocks up on fresh stuff and it works out for them!

HTH!

I was just going to add parking is free as a member and it's pretty easy to get there with citylink!

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I was just going to add parking is free as a member and it's pretty easy to get there with citylink!

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Last time we were there they had changed the parking. You can only get in if you're a member and you get (I think) an hour free then pay after that. We're always there for AAAAGGGGGEEEESSSSS because DD always wants to go to the shops.

Oh wow MG I didn't realize that - was it recently? I knew you had to be a member but you can't shop without being a member so... Kinda moot.

Anyway we're always there ages too... Was the parking changed recently I wonder?

Not sure when it changed but I was there maybe 3 or 4 weeks ago and DH already knew about the change.

I found that most things were the same price that they are at the normal shops when on sale ... and we buy a fair amount of generic products, so for us there wasn't a significant savings for general groceries.

meat on the other hand was super cheap, and the quality was fine. we have a big freezer, and for the amount of meat we bought, we probably saved enough to make the annual fee worthwhile after our first trip :)

the baked goods and plenty of the fresh produce were also really well priced, but we don't eat many baked goods (and certainly not enough to go buying them in bulk!) and while we did buy a bit of fresh produce, we had a lot of wastage by the end of the week unfortunately.

we did however buy a fair amount of "once off" things - there was a really nice set of acrylic tumblers (a transluscent goldy-brown, 8 tall, 8 short, wide mouthed) for about $20 which was perfect for when we host BBQs, etc ... and books and lots of other things like that ...

so while I've only gone once or twice, it was worthwhile for us.

I would go once a month if it wasn't so dang far away!!

We have been heaps, on our 2nd year of membership.

We buy nappies, wipes, chicken nuggets, frozen vegies, freeze dried fruit, sultana packets, bread, maragarine, butter, milk, eggs, books, cheese traingles, umm cant think what else but they are the regular plus always find extras!!

It appears that Costso is finally opening a store in South Australia!

So tell me about them! I know there is a membership fee that needs to be paid, and that's about it!

Do they stock all the ranges a supermarket such as coles or woolies would? How cheap are the prices? Do they do meat and veg as well?

Do you think the membership is worth it?

Haha you read my mind Jaycee! I'm not sure where they're opening but was wondering this too. Aldi is opening somewhere in SA too, what's the difference?

Lol, it's exciting times in SA!

As far as I know, Costco is opening a store at kilburn in November and Aldi is starting to build its first store at Seaton.

I have no idea what the difference is lol

Costco is an American chain store that sells things in bulk, plus tvs, clothes, books etc..
You need a membership to buy from them as well ($60 a year)

Aldi is a supermarket that has things for cheaper than coles or woolworths.
They have different brands to the bigger supermarkets :)

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.

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.

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.

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 :o I'm devo!!!

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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?

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.

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 :)

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!

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

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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.

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.

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!

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.

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 :lol:

What are the prices of pet food like?

They just had a story about Costco on Sunrise and now I really really want one to open in WA :)

I saw that sunrise were doing a story but missed it! Did they have much to say about Costco?

Tinks I've never looked at pet food sorry, my cat doesn't eat what they sell.

Qld just got Costco.. In next suburb from where I live, so not too difficult to visit.

DH and I ventured there tonight and found a few things that suit our day to day shopping. But I have wondered, do they always stock the same goods? So I can know, within reason, that if I need something I have bought in the past, I am likely to still be able to get that item again? Or are they like Aldi where they change stock lines regularly?