Big, Bigger, Biggest! That's what you get when you go into Costco Wholesale Warehouse. Costco is a chain that originated in the good ol' U. S of A. It has a no frills philosophy. The building is a huge warehouse, with the products piled to the ceiling on shelves. Nothing fancy at all. They carry everything and anything, from groceries to electrical appliances, books to clothes. You name it, they have it! But their stock changes all of the time, so don't get too attached to something. It may not be there next time.

In order to shop at Costco, you need to become a member. There is some criteria on how to become one, but I think if one is determined enough, anyone can find a way to join.

There is trade membership. The annual membership fee is £20, plus VAT for the primary cardholder, which includes a spouse card. After which, you may obtain six additional cards at a fee of £12, plus VAT. Each card thereafter is £20, plus VAT.

You need to provide proof of eligibility. This includes an original copy of a current utility bill (ex. telephone, gas, electricity) from the business address or a business bank statement. Bills and statements must be dated in the last three months. You also must show along with the bills or statements, a VAT registration certificate. In lieu of these documents, you can show, an original copy of a current utility bill from the business address or a business bank statement and two pieces of business ID, such as, business cheque, letterhead or an invoice to the business address.

For individual membership, people over 18 years of age, who meet the necessary requirements may join. This includes current or retired employees of the local government, medical or health services, civil servants, banking/finance, education, fire/rescue, police or post office. You may also join as an individual member if you are a dentist, pharmacist, optician, solicitor/barrister/magistrate or advocate.

Annual fees for individuals are £25, plus VAT, for the primary cardholder, which includes a spouse card. Again, you need to provide proof of eligibility. This includes an employee ID card or payslip, plus an original copy of a utility bill from your home address or a bank statement from home address.

Hours are slightly different for trade versus individual members. For trade members, shopping hours are, Monday through Friday, 10.00 AM to 8.30 PM. Saturday, 9.30 AM to 6.00 PM and Sunday, 11.00 AM to 5.00 PM.

For individual members, shopping hours are, Monday to Friday, 12.00 PM to 8.30 PM. On Saturday from, 9.30 AM to 6.00 PM and on Sunday, 11.00 AM to 5.00 PM.

Costco's goal is to provide members with quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. They offer a wide range of nationally and internationally branded product categories, with only a narrow selection of the most popular items and styles in that particular category. This is done by operating large, no frills, low cost facilities.

Products are displayed, packaged and sold in bulk quantities in a warehouse, on the original shipping pallets. This allows for efficient storing and moving of products to display and sell positions. Warehouses are self-service and the member's purchases are packed into empty product boxes. This enables Costco to lower prices to the consumer.

Costco also offers a double guarantee. On merchandise, they guarantee your satisfaction on every product they sell with a full refund. On membership, they will refund your membership fees in full at any time if you are unhappy with the membership.

Upon entering Costco, you might be overwhelmed at the size and the extent of the products. Me, well, I am just in hog's heaven. Being an American, I feel right at home in this type of atmosphere. The bigger the better, I say. In our store, you enter where the appliances are stored, both small and large. The first time I went into Costco, I had to go up and down every aisle. Once I became familiarised with the store, I can now go to the areas that are of interest to me.

Don't let the appearance of a warehouse put you off. The quality of the products is first class. They have an inhouse bakery that is just wonderful. Their breads, cakes, desserts, everything is delicious. Remember though, everything is sold in bulk. So cakes are big, packages of muffins are large, quantities are bigger than you will get in your local supermarket. I bought a package of 12 freshly baked floured salad baps for £1.25. You will either need to be having a party, have a big family, using this for business or have sufficient place for storage. Or just have a big appetite!

Their butcher section is fantastic. They have the most beautiful meats, fish and chicken. Again, large quantities. Last time I went I purchased 6 gammon steaks for £6.49 and 8 large chicken breasts for £9.64. Much cheaper than the supermarkets and equal or better quality.

They also have their own label pizzas which are delicious. They are 18 inches and taste homemade. A pepperoni pizza is £5.99 and easily serves four people.

Costco also offers a huge drinks section, offering virtually every kind of wine you could hope for. There is a top quality wine section with premiere crus as well as bulk wines, beers and spirits, all at very competitive prices. For example, we tend to look for the cheapest possible red wine, that still is pleasant tasting, without breaking the budget. We bought a 5 litre box of Tempranillo for £14.89, plus VAT. Not a bad deal!

The fruit and vegetable department is amazing! You will find products that are hard to find elsewhere and everything is always so fresh. Again, beware of the sizes. Produce goes bad quicker than other products. Take this into account. If the food spoils, it's not worth the cost, no matter how cheap.

My problem in Costco is that I get very excited! They have American products that I can't find elsewhere. They had saltine crackers that I have never seen anywhere in this country. They have frozen American waffles, very different than the ones you get here. They have ice cream sandwiches and real New York cheesecake. They even have the brand of tinned solid white tuna fish that I used to buy in the states. Needless to say, I can get very carried away and I always get very hungry in Costco. Never good to be hungry in a food store! But, you can eat your way through Costco, because they have several products being sampled every day. Very helpful when everything looks good!

I suppose you should know your prices of products that you buy regularly, to know if you are, in fact, getting a good buy. Watch out for non food items. They carry VAT and the cost before VAT is listed in bigger, bolder writing, than the cost inclusive of VAT. This slips by me frequently. It's fine if you can reclaim the VAT through your business, but we don't all have that luxury. Still, generally, products are cheaper, even with the added VAT.

There are several locations of Costco across the country. There is one in Thurrock, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Watford, Manchester, Haydock, Derby, Glasgow, Leeds and Gateshead. If you have to drive a distance to get to a Costco Warehouse, no need to worry about the state of your tyres - because you can get those changed there as well. Maybe that's why there are so many men shopping at Costco. It's a macho way of shopping, definitely not for the ladies only! Bigger is better!