to queue or not to queue......? (Makro)

Member Name: freud

Product:	Makro
Date:	07/12/08 (433 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: some great prices - so many items under 1 roof

Disadvantages: the surroundings & the queue or slow tills

I used to look forward to going to Makro for the occasional 'stock up' trip but, quite frankly, the amount of time it takes to drive there, do the shopping & then queue makes me think twice.

My husband has a Makro card for his business & when our daughters were young we'd sometimes go & shop together as I could get the food & household products whilst our daughters bought stationary, toys & clothes & hubby could buy what he needed for the business plus add to his growing collection of boots!

You have to watch the prices as the VAT isn't displayed & sometimes it's cheaper to buy loo rolls, handwash, soap, stationary etc at the cut-price stores or pound shops.

If you buy in bulk then it's a great place to shop as everything is boxed/ packaged up ready to place on the huge trolleys but this sort of buying doesn't suit everyone as you need space to store stuff.

When I was a student a group of us used to bulk buy essentials for the home & stock up with tinned & packet foods, sauces & tinned vegetables at the beginning of term - this worked well but those were in the good old days of grants which meant there was money leftover for drinks & going out etc.

The Makro store we go to is HUGE & has 2 floors so we really need a few hours when visiting - good job they have a nice cafe & loos!

You can buy almost anything under 1 roof - eg. garden supplies, fresh fruit, meat & veg, cans & packets, sauces, household goods, books, toys, baby stuff, toiletries, clothes, bedlinen, curtains - the list is endless.

There's a lot of walking involved if you want to browse but the shop itself has no frills - it's not tatty - just a bit boring verging on the edge of bleak. However, most people who seem to shop here are there for their businesses - they know what they need & know where to find it so no need to have John Lewis' decor is there?

The worst thing for me is the queuing - we usually end up at a till which suddenly develops problems and, although there are usually 2 staff at each checkout (1 on till & 1 to pack & check) this doesn't help speed things up - everytime I've been to Makro I've had to wait for 30 minutes at least which is annoying when you pick a quiet time of day.

Makro are ideal at selling seasonal good early - so if you want Cadbury's cream eggs now you can probably get them instead of waiting until January! Easter eggs are in stock usually in January, buckets & spades from April & Christmas stuff from August - if you are a forward planner then this is your store?

summary
~
- surroundings aren't the most attractive.
- the mailshots from Makro are good as you know the prices & can shop around or head off to Makro knowing full well what you'll be paying.
- all under 1 roof.
- be prepared to walk & queue.
- good place to buy if you buy in bulk & have the place to store.
- may not suit everyone but worth a look if you know a cardholder?

Summary: def. worth a look especially for seasonal goods