wonderful warehouse shopping (Costco)

Member Name: moodyjudy

Product:	Costco
Date:	09/07/00 (2447 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good selection and cheap

Disadvantages: you have to buy large quantities

I joined Costco many years ago and have paid up my twenty-four odd pounds each time it is due for renewal, so that is the best recommendation. I go to the one at Lakeside,Thurrock, just near to Ikea and make a day of buying in bulk and bargain hunting.

You learn over the years that however cheap some things are, it is not a bargain if it ends up going mouldy or is stuffed at the back of some cupboard. Capers spring to mind; giant size tins of tomato puree. The bread and cakes look nice but can be a bit boring to eat, and keep eating. Milk is cheap, and the advantage, as with other fresh food, is that the sell-by dates give you some leeway for storage as Costco supplies shops and businesses who sell on.

I always buy a giant size box of cheap detergent, loads of J cloths; that sort of thing. And a huge box of those plastic gloves that proctologists wear. Look out for bargain jeans and shoes. Levis Dockers were phenomenally cheap for a while. But don't count on them being there when you come back. Video tapes, rewritable cds, camera film - all can be very good value.

The cafe is basic and there can be long queues, but sometimes you can fill up on the little samples that are offered as you go around, if your tastes are eclectic.

Summary: