Is costco really cost efficient? (Costco)

Member Name: aksram

Product:	Costco
Date:	29/05/09 (116 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: branded items are cheaper, organised shop- easy to shop

Disadvantages: only for members, crappy website, still expensive than supermarket own brands

Costco is an American company and it now has 21 branches in the UK It has branches in various other locations including Korea and Japan. Unlike other retail shops, this is a cash and carry shop (more like a wholesale shop). Everything you buy is in large quantities.

To shop in Costco you have to be a member first- they have 2 types of annual membership- trade and individual. The cost of Trade membership is £20.00 per year (plus V.A.T) and includes a spouse card. Trade members may add up to an additional six cards at a cost of £12.00 each per year (plus V.A.T). To get a trade membership you need to prove that you own a business. The cost of individual membership is £25 (plus VAT) and it includes a spouse card too. An additional card can be purchased at a cost of £12 plus VAT. Even to get the individual membership there are some essential criteria (you will have to be in some specific jobs- nhs, architects, solicitors etc). Additional members do not have these criteria. But once you are through these you get your card on the spot in minutes. These cards are non transferable. Before entering Costco a member of staff will check the photo card and allow usually 2 non members to accompany you.

Once you are in it then you will find a huge range of goods in the spacious warehouse. Everything in big packs. They have electrical goods, jewellery, toys, office equipment, CD/dvd, books, toiletries, baby items, veg and non veg, flowers, sweets, even fireplaces and bathroom units. Most of them are branded goods but a lot cheaper. Their own brand named goods is Kirkland and they have breads and cakes, clothes, nappies in their signature. It is very good for businesses- e,g, 5 dozen eggs for £3.65, 24 500ml coke bottles for approx £12. Their quality and quantity of chicken, fish and meat are excellent and turns out pretty cheap.

They have different samples of food usually near each aisle which could be very ideal if you are trying something new. They even make personalised birthday cakes and prepare party food- can be pre ordered.

Their website is pretty useless as they hardly have any info in it- cant see the price of any goods, can't even see what the products in each category are.

If you want to buy good branded products then this could be the place but I've noticed that even with all the cheaper pricing, it still doesn't beat the price of some supermarkets own brand products.

It has some offers and it sends out these vouchers to the members by post.

If you have a big family, a party to cater or a business to run then this could be the right choice.

Summary: If you have a big family, a party to cater or a business to run then this could be the right choice.