I'm into cars, computing, ten-pin bowling, films. Varied musical taste, and I tend to like particul...
I'm into cars, computing, ten-pin bowling, films. Varied musical taste, and I tend to like particular tracks than a particular artist. I live in Durham, UK. Would like to move to the States in the not too distant future if I can wangle it. Have fun.
Member since:24.09.2002
Reviews:47
Members who trust:2
I first come across Costco whilst on a trip to America. I was shocked by the size of the warehouse, and of the size of the packs inside. I found myself wandering around working out how much it would cost in the UK. I'm pleased to say, shortly after I returned, Costco distributed some literature about their site just behind the Metro Centre near Newcastle, to the staff at my workplace.
To become a member as an individual, they asked for some photographic ID from your workplace, and a utility bill from home. Membership is £25 + VAT for a year, but for this, you can get a second card for a spouse or direct relative. Although, this may seem a little unreasonable at first, you will probably save this on your first visit. May I recommend also, that you take a couple of hundred quid with you on your first visit, you may just get carried away.
Entering the warehouse, you are presented with an airy building filled with aisle upon aisle of differing products at extremely reasonable prices. You are also met by a bouncer, who won't allow you to enter without showing your membership card. (you can visit the information desk to join for your first visit). Each product has a label indicating it's excl. VAT price, with a smaller incl. VAT price underneath. Indeed some of the products are also VAT free, these tend to be those considered to be essential living items like milk and bread. In the USA, sales tax does not apply to these items and it would seem Costco have tried to keep to this theme here too.
With regard to the pack sizes, Costco cater more for small businesses, so you'll find catering sizes of cooking oil and condiments. You'll also find trays of buns, and large cakes from the in-house bakery. There is also an in-house butcher, with generous cuts of quality meat. I wasn't exactly impressed with the fruit and veg section, although the portions appear large, the prices seem to reflect this fact.
There are electrical, tool, clothing, toy, entertainment and tobacco departments too, each offering bargains much like the rest of the shop. Costco also provide a tyre fitting service in association with Michellin. Why buy an inferior brand, when you can get a Michellin at a price very close to the budget brands. Amazingly, Costco have also struck a deal with Michellin whereas if a tyre develops a defect during it's lifetime (ie until the tread wears to the legal limit), Costco will replace the defective tyre free of charge.
Each time I have been to Costco, I have spent nearly £200, on about 25 items, admittedly, a great deals of these only need to be bought every so often due to the size of the packs. I would recommend that you make a list of the stuff you definitely don't need, just so that you don't end up stocking up on items that just going to end up being wasted.
There is also a cafe on-site which I haven't sampled yet, always spent too much time in the shop, and meant to be somewhere.
I think the staff are either on a minimum wage, or close to it, as they are few and far between, and don't appear to be truly ecstatic to be there. There are some product demonstrators around the aisles, and don't mind you making a couple of visits to sample the goods.
One thing to note is that there are no carrier bags, they would need to be really big bags. Better to bring a friend along to help, Costco allow you to bring a guest as long as you pay for everything at the till.
So in summary:
Big Trolleys Big Packs Big Savings Big Wallet required (because you can get carried away)
Just while I'm talking of your wallet, Costco don't take credit cards, it's a cost-saving thing as banks charge the retailer for their use. So it's cash, cheque (with a guarantee card), or a debit card.
Finally as you leave the shop, security check your receipt for the pricier items to check that you have the quantity stated. The experience is much the same as it is in the USA.
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