Have just heard they are opening a warehouse in Milton Keynes.  Has anyone ever been to one?  Are they much more cheaper than supermarkets etc?  They're doing annual membership for £25 a year and I'm wondering if its worth signing up....  :-)

We have one in Liverpool
some of the furniture and those types of items are ok (pricewise) but I dont think the food/alcohol is cheap at all

Thanks lel - I might go to the open day that they're having and have a bit of a nose about!!

I have shopped at Costco in the United States many moons ago, and they were very good value, some real bargains ;) Not sure what the UK shops will be like tho.

We have one locally - and I go occassionally!

You have to pay the initial £25, but "public" are not allowed in until after 12 noon at our local depot - there are some good bargains, but often it can be so irritating to go for one specific item and then find that it is out of stock.

Sounds snobby, I know, but I HATE going there on a Sunday - its full of chavs, all gold bling and no manners :(

Margot

Thanks Lokis mum - I'll be sure to avoid the Sunday Chav's (they're everywhere these days)!!!  ;-)

I also try to avoid 'public' times as it is just SO crowded down at Watford. Thye do have some bargains, but you have to buy it when you see it. I have signed up for MK and it will be interesting to see the level of competition with Tesco next door!

I buy my dog food at the Costco in Reading - £10.50 for 15 kg, bargain !  I mainly go to use the optitians, I only pay £25 for 6 months worth of contact lenses.  I dont think alot of the stuff is that cheap there though, and whatever you do dont look at the cakes if you are on a diet, they do trays of HUGE muffins and danish pastries and the big boxes of giant cookies are yummy :)

Ooh yes - I forgot about the Muffins - they are ENORMOUS (about the size of tennis balls ) - they used to be £2.99 for a tray of 12 which was really good, but they're now gone up to £4.50-ish - we have to have those when we are on long-hauls to Champ shows, so I do generally try & get a couple of trays of those to put in the freezer.   Their croissants and danish pastries, at about £2.99 for croissants & £3.29 for danish are also very very yummy!

Their own brand (kirkland) cat food is extremely good value at £8- somthing for 10 kg - but you have to remember to add on the VAT - prices shown are all ex VAT!

Margot

Mmmm Muffins and Croissants  :-)  Maybe its not such a good idea me going afterall - I am not known for my willpower at the best of times!!  ;-)

Dog food would be a good thing to pick up there - I'll have a look and see what they've got.  Was thinking  it might be good to go to once a month on a freezer stock up of meat etc etc.

Have just mentioned the place to work and they've agreed to set up a trade account with me as primary cardholder and I'll be able to use that for personal stuff (obviously paying myself).  That will save me the £25 membership and I'll be able to go shopping in the hours before its open to the public  :D

The meat is really good too. I always stock up with mince, chickens etc All prices should now be shown including vat so that makes life a bit easier. Also good for kids and sometimes adults clothes. A friend got some really good electircal bargains as well, it just depends if they happen to have what you are looking for.  

>>I also try to avoid 'public' times

I have just had a look at their website and under membership it says this
Quote

>>Coscto is an exclusive wholesale cash and carry membership warehouse club and is not open to the general public. Membership is required. You are eligible for trade membership if you are a bonafide business owner/manager who can provide evidence of trading. Follow our Trade membership tab above for further details

would someone care to enlighten me please? :)

You can become either a trade or general public member. Trade is cheeper and you get your own opening times.

Thanks Bluebell....so how come theres no mention of being allowed to be a general public member on their website then, very strange just keeps saying trade this and trade that
Any ideas on whats involved and what you need to join? our nearest is about an hour and a half away so cant exactly pop along and ask them :D
and cant seem to read the address deatils etc on the site as they are all jumbled up and on top of each other ..... the words that is :D

They always used to be trade only but when the compteition hotted up a bit they decided to allow the public in as well. I have just taken out trade membership, which was I think £37 for 3 cards for the year. They sell everything from tyres to contact lenses, freexers to fish fingers. However they often only have what is on the shelf as especially things like electrical tend to be ends of lines and last years model. However if you are lucky you can get some great bargains. It is also good if you have the space to stock pile certain items. I tend to go only when there is a big party to cater for because until the beginning of November it was about an hours drive away, however with one opening in MK it is only about 25 mins so I will be a more frequent visitor :)

I tend to check out the items that Im likley to buy before I go and if what they have on offer fits the bill I buy it, otherwise I will wait until I need it or someone else has it in a sale. My friend has just informed me that the tyres are normally a great buy from them and I have to say that their cafe is excelent value.

ok now i am getting seriously confused lol

>>they decided to allow the public in as well

Bluebell

>>so its not open to the general public

ClaireyS

So who's right ... or does it depend on individual stores?

think im off for another lie down :rolleyes: :D

You have to be in a certain profession to join, so its not open to the general public, but just those on a list of professions.

thats exactly what i thought and have read on their website. Its just with folk on here saying about avoiding "public open times" etc didnt make sense if its not open to the public. So do they mean that "public times" are for those listed professions as oppose to other times when its just business owners/managers?

sorry for the dumb questions I think im having one or those months here :D

And you do have to pay "membership" fees and get a pass - which has to be shown every time you go through the doors.    Members are allowed to take in 2 (I think its 2, not just 1) guests.   Cost per year is £23 + VAT!

"General public" members are different from "Trade" members, who have the longer opening hours.

Margot

There are certainly times that are only open to trade members :) Im not sure what is required to become a 'public' member, but the impression that I got was if you wanted to hand over the £20 odd they would have you as a member. I certainly have neighbours who are members, dont own a business and probably use it far more than I do because they have big families.

I guess that the thing to do is find a friend who uses the Aberdeen one and go along and have a nose round, if you like what you see ask to join. THe worst they can say is no.

I like our Costco .............. they do the BIGGEST chocolate fudge cakes in the world!!!

NOoo Bad Girl!

You should see the Pizza's :D

My mother-in-law put me on her trade card, being trade you can go in earlier & sample foods/drinks on promotion.
You have to be really careful & only go in & buy the things you went in to get as you can get carried away.
I personally don't think its that good value, I initially wanted to go on the card to buy nappies in bulk(I had 3 in nappies at the time)but I worked out travelling to Trafford m'cr & the price of the nappies plus where to store them did'nt work out that much different to Tesco.
My m-i-l seems to get quite abit of stuff from there & buys the meat in bulk which she says is nice & good value.

I love Costco - I've bought absolutely LOADS of bargains from there.  You get your membership money back in savings quite quickly :)