Hi All.

Following on from the previous interest in Costco Wholesale, here is a bit more info.

I have been a Costco shopper for many years. There are two types of membership. Trade for businesses etc (£20+vat) and Individual for certain qualifying groups eg Civil servants, emergency services, professional bodies, banking and finance employees and employees of large corporations (£25+vat).

The range is amazing! You can buy tyres, jewellery, electrical goods, fresh meat,bakery,produce and deli products, booze, clothes, office supplies, furniture and the biggest pizzas!

Although you have to pay a membership fee, you can save this in your first couple of shops!

I'm sure as soon as Costco can get on the Parkway site, it will be built in no time. If you can't wait that long, visit the store in Leeds and join there. You will be able use your card in Sheffield as well as the other sites in the UK and the US.

Happy shopping!:clap:

Mmmmmmm....are you being paid for posting here? Wow.....so costco is coming to Sheffield. BUT......we have to pay for the priveledge of shopping there? Yeh......not for me then. Thankyou but NO thankyou.

Sounds a bit like Makro...

I've requested that the user contact me with details of when this 'previous interest' was expressed on this site.

Also, I think I might just contact the parent company and mutter something about spam to them.

Joe

It was discussed here - http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40422&highlight=costco

I think all the info we would need is there too. I can't believe big companies appear to be spamming forums! Unless it really is just a happy customer!

Thanks for your replies guys.

I am just a happy Costco member and passing on my knowledge to the other guys who had comments and questions about Costco.

However if Costco would like to hire me for marketing I will consider it!

Cheers

Originally posted by costcoking
There are two types of membership. Trade for businesses etc (£20+vat) and Individual for certain qualifying groups eg Civil servants, emergency services, professional bodies, banking and finance employees and employees of large corporations (£25+vat).


Why is it restricted to these people? :suspect:

I have no idea. I think it's because it is a membership wholesaler.

I presume though, by your choice of username, that you're not going to be staying around to comment on other posts?

Originally posted by march
It was discussed here - http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40422&highlight=costco

I think all the info we would need is there too. I can't believe big companies appear to be spamming forums! Unless it really is just a happy customer!

Thanks for the help!

To be honest I did think of searching when I was half way around Morrisons this morning but then the ice cream cabinet caught my eye and I was lost.... :)

In that case - share the news about thei glorious emporium of modern commerce....;)

Joe

Hi BoroughGal,

To be honest I came across the Forum by accident. Another Costco member friend had told me she had seen an article about the possibility of the store coming to Sheffield.

I actually live in Barnsley and work in Leeds and use my membership card there and so wanted to find out more. I went to Google and the Forum popped up.

So in answer to your question, now that i'm here I will look forward to reading all messages and maybe make some comments!

I look forward to them, then.... Welcome....! :thumbsup:

YaY!! one of the comforts of home that i miss...


mmmshopping in bulk.....

Talking of cost cutting stores/supermarkets, I did a big shop at Netto's this week - and it was a big shop, it came to £35. I compared prices to Tesco, and to do the same shop with same quality and some same brands, Tesco's came to £50.

Thats a saving of £60 a month!

Thats £780 a year :o

Thats a blummin' holiday!

Just wanted to mention it for anybody who might be interested in saving some dosh :rolleyes:

Originally posted by rothschild
Mmmmmmm....are you being paid for posting here? Wow.....so costco is coming to Sheffield. BUT......we have to pay for the priveledge of <a href='http://consumeralertsystem.com/cas/zx-hclick.php?hid=101' target='_blank'>shopping</a> there? Yeh......not for me then. Thankyou but NO thankyou.

I agree, i won't shop there at all, why should i have to pay THEM to hand over my shopping money to them, also the savings are not what they say, you need a callculator to break down the prices and compare.

You mayfindsome items cheaper, but it's deffinately NOT wholesale prices.

I was also told the fee to join was a one time fee by a salesman, not true it's every year.

Originally posted by Henrietta
Talking of cost cutting stores/supermarkets, I did a big shop at Netto's this week - and it was a big shop, it came to £35. I compared prices to Tesco, and to do the same shop with same quality and some same brands, Tesco's came to £50.

Thats a saving of £60 a month!

Thats £780 a year :o

Thats a blummin' holiday!

Just wanted to mention it for anybody who might be interested in saving some dosh :rolleyes:

did you buy their 8p tin of beans. The bin loves them.

Originally posted by Greenback
Sounds a bit like Makro...

But so long as you belong to a business you don't have to pay to join or shop at Makro.

Originally posted by 1Man&hisBMW did you buy their 8p tin of beans
No, not at all - I go for the more extravagant 12p tin - you skinflint :P

Originally posted by costcoking
...There are two types of membership. Trade for businesses etc (£20+vat) and Individual for certain qualifying groups eg Civil servants, emergency services, professional bodies, banking and finance employees and employees of large corporations (£25+vat).


Well fortunatly I fall into the second group so I will be able to visit this establishment when it opens.

I am literally jumping up and down with excitement. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Hi Patchy and Poppins,

Yes Costco is a bit like Makro and yes you don't have to pay a fee at Makro to join.
However I also have a Makro card and find it is cheaper at Costco and the products are a better quality.
For example, I bought a Sony TV saved 75 quid and got a free three year guarantee!- membership paid for!

Poppins, I have never been in a US Costco but in the Leeds store they show the price ex VAT and inc VAT so no need for a calculator.

Cheers guys, I promise I will not mention Costco again!

Gotta stick up for Costco here (i'm not easily impressed by shopping offers)!

We joined Costco in Leeds after going there with a friend. We saved MORE than the annual membership on new car tyres alone.

We travel to Leeds now to stock up every couple of months, the meat from Costco is particularly good quality and to be honest we don't buy meat from anywhere else unless we unexpectedly run out.

Costco is owned by Walmart. Sam's Club too. We have them here and their deli and food section is excellent. You buy larger portions but great if you have a party and need bulk foods like giant cheeses, pates and coleslaws. We even have a wine and beer section. If you prefer to do the "motherload" of shopping, you'll be set for the month. Their petrol is always cheaper too. I think they do that also in the UK right?

They don't have the petrol in Leeds, would be great to be able to get 'cheaper' petrol in Sheffield though, costs a bloomin fortune!

Self-employed would count as 'businesses', right? :suspect:

There is an argument for charging people a membership for discounts.

Basically, if someone pays for the membership, they are more likely to use the shop/service to ensure that they get their money back in the discounts available.

Hotel chain I used to work for used to charge £75 a year for a loyalty card. In return you got a 10% discount off your room so it was really paid for if you stayed more than 15 nights a year. But also for every 10 nights stayed you got a free weekend night stay at any hotel in the world within the whole group. Additionally, you were guaranteed a room so long as you booked more than 48 hours in advance even if the hotel was full.

People (including staff) used to argue about the initial outlay (why should people buy a discount?) but what it did do was create a lot of brand loyalty for those that paid. It also meant you were almost certainly guaranteed their custom if you had a hotel in the location where they were staying.

So long as the discounts are worthwhile and you can recoup your outlay, then it is very very good way of creating loyalty as I think many of the people "who swear by them" have shown.

Originally posted by Funke88
Costco is owned by Walmart. Sam's Club too.

Sam's Club is owned by Walmart, but Costco is its own company.

Sorry, you're right. Apparently arch rivals too.

I agree, i won't shop there at all, why should i have to pay THEM to hand over my shopping money to them, also the savings are not what they say, you need a callculator to break down the prices and compare.

You mayfindsome items cheaper, but it's deffinately NOT wholesale prices.

I was also told the fee to join was a one time fee by a salesman, not true it's every year.

Dont join, its up to you, but you will miss out, their tyres pay for themselves on the first membership.

Also try taking stuff back to them thats 2+ years old, they wont complain.
If you buy a membership and dont like it, well there is an easy solution to that! just take a refund and move on! they refund anything.

We joined the one in Enfield they seamed to have some good stuff

does anyone know when costco will be opening in sheffield? heard it was spring but nothing seems to be happening now.....

They are advertising for staff in todays Telegraph.

its good for buying certain car related stuff. I remember when they were selling Mobil 1 oil (4L) for £20!

Whoop de do, hold me back, I'm so excited I think I'm going to be sick!

An enormous super market where I can buy anything I want!

Like town then. Oh but wait, that's in the open air and it doesn't feel like I'm buying my life from a fake shed.

Still, at least they'll be able to a) undercut local businesses (greengrocers, butchers, bakers) so that they all shut down and there's no choice but to go to places like cost co and b) dictate prices to suppliers in this country and abroad so that they pay farmers all over the globe a pittance.

WHOOOP WHOOP. I can buy my whole life from one company! All my money goes to one group of shareholders! Maybe they'll build some houses round the back and I can LIVE in cost co.

A couple of freinds have used the one in leeds for years & swear by it, for both personal & business. So as soon as they open they can have my £20. Makro will have to up there game if they want my custom back!

Whoop de do, hold me back, I'm so excited I think I'm going to be sick!

An enormous super market where I can buy anything I want!

Like town then. Oh but wait, that's in the open air and it doesn't feel like I'm buying my life from a fake shed.

Still, at least they'll be able to a) undercut local businesses (greengrocers, butchers, bakers) so that they all shut down and there's no choice but to go to places like cost co and b) dictate prices to suppliers in this country and abroad so that they pay farmers all over the globe a pittance.

WHOOOP WHOOP. I can buy my whole life from one company! All my money goes to one group of shareholders! Maybe they'll build some houses round the back and I can LIVE in cost co.

I think you are gettin the wrong idea here. Costco is a wholesalers so they supply these 'local businesses'. Also they will probably get a better deal as Makro are overpriced in certain items that businesses buy.

I agree with Tintsexpert, Makro will have to up their game. I know for a fact the management are stewing over this, hehe.

I think you are gettin the wrong idea here. Costco is a wholesalers so they supply these 'local businesses'. Also they will probably get a better deal as Makro are overpriced in certain items that businesses buy.

I agree with Tintsexpert, Makro will have to up their game. I know for a fact the management are stewing over this, hehe.

They also sell electronic goods at low prices (tvs, dvd players, washing machines, fridges, computers etc). I bought my laptop from there and saved about £300 compared to if I had gone to a normal computer shop (including online).

The only bad thing about CostCo is how busy they get, especially at Xmas time when people get quite crazy. Went to Costco last week (a big one down south) to get a couple of things for my parents, it took me half an hour simply because I could not get past people who had stopped with their trolley and would not budge.

If they stick to their "traders only" times then I will definately be visiting.

Whoop de do, hold me back, I'm so excited I think I'm going to be sick!

An enormous super market where I can buy anything I want!

Like town then. Oh but wait, that's in the open air and it doesn't feel like I'm buying my life from a fake shed.

Still, at least they'll be able to a) undercut local businesses (greengrocers, butchers, bakers) so that they all shut down and there's no choice but to go to places like cost co and b) dictate prices to suppliers in this country and abroad so that they pay farmers all over the globe a pittance.

WHOOOP WHOOP. I can buy my whole life from one company! All my money goes to one group of shareholders! Maybe they'll build some houses round the back and I can LIVE in cost co.

Jeez, what is it with some of you guys in this forum?
If they undercut them, give me one good reason I should be paying more?

They are advertising for staff in todays Telegraph.

Good promotion prospects too, after a year they give you a brush.:loopy:

Is it legal to charge shoppers membership fees? I heard that Matalan got in to hot water about their one pound membership fee - coz in theory it gives them too much of a head start, ie what they make in membership fees from sheffielders in the first few weeks would probably buy them another store somewhere. Anyone heard about this? Seems a bit unfair to me.

COSTCO is coming to town!

blinking eck, this is Breaking News! i cant believe i didnt hear about this before!

Today Costco, tomorrow.............IKEA !!!!!!

Today Costco, tomorrow.............IKEA !!!!!!

Only if the Ikea owners want a peerage and donate enough money to Labour!

Are you feeling ok? why not use ur membership and buy a costco playmate while you type your joyful news.

We don't need a costco - we need an IKEA! How unfair

We don't need a costco - we need an IKEA! How unfair

I'd rather have cheap food than cheap furniture.

I'd rather have cheap food than cheap furniture.

Cheap food is just that - cheap.

I'd rather pay more for something that actually has a taste rather than water pumped chickens from a Supermarket.

Cheap food is just that - cheap.

I'd rather pay more for something that actually has a taste rather than water pumped chickens from a Supermarket.
try costco food, its anything but cheap/

I'd rather have cheap food than cheap furniture.

they both do ,,, both, except in varying amounts.
Costco do lots of cheap food but less cheap furniture,
Ikea do lots of cheap furniture and some cheap food.
The ikea restaurant does full breakfast for £1 andd those kiddies meals for £1, which I usually buy 2of instead of an adult meal at twice the price.

Is it legal to charge shoppers membership fees?

Yes.

It said my message was too short but I have nothing else to say.

Oh no! yet another place masquerading as a "warehouse" so that people can go there and buy things at more than wholesale but less than cheap retail ...

... and then come to their local shops and say "How much? Really? it's only xx at blah, blah, blah ... in fact it's so cheap that they're almost paying us to take it away. But I don't know what we'd do without little shops like yours"

But I'm not bitter ... bring it on!

I will be joining costco but doubt if it saves me as much as my every 3 month shoppin trip to france-£20 for ferry-£70 petrol-i save £50 on 10 cases of stella and over £100 on wifes cigs-plus i get better wine at a quarter of uk cost-and almost all consumer goods and furniture are 50 - 75 % of uk price and auchan will deliver to any uk address.
owls

I'd join if I could, but I can't, as I'm not self-employed.

i am not self employed but my sister works for Rotherham council and she can get any number of cards but you still have to pay the annual fee yourself-

I'd join if I could, but I can't, as I'm not self-employed.
You don't have to be self employed, as long as you are employed that should be enough.

Just get the required documents from your employer and sign up as a member.

I did this a few days before it opened and yesterday a group of Costco employees came to our office to sign up another member following an enquiry call to see if we could add more members.

As long as you're employed or one of their listed types of people you can join.

I joined costco today-as I said before I didnt think it would save me as much as I can save by going to France and it dosent-case of 24 25cl bottles of stella are £9.80 at Costco and I can get them for £3.79 in France so 15 cases pay for my trip and most other things are cheaper from meat to tv`s in France.

I joined costco today-as I said before I didnt think it would save me as much as I can save by going to France and it dosent-case of 24 25cl bottles of stella are £9.80 at Costco and I can get them for £3.79 in France so 15 cases pay for my trip and most other things are cheaper from meat to tv`s in France.
Dont TVs run on secam or something like that in France? Rather than PAL?

I joined costco today-as I said before I didnt think it would save me as much as I can save by going to France and it dosent-case of 24 25cl bottles of stella are £9.80 at Costco and I can get them for £3.79 in France so 15 cases pay for my trip and most other things are cheaper from meat to tv`s in France.
I guess it comes down to how much you value your time and what you have to do with it etc.

I couldn't go to France as often as I go to Costco for the items that I buy there.

I can imagine that a trip to France is nice, but I have a lot going on in my life and this wouldn't fit in.

I guess some things work for some and not for others.

Just curiously, do you have any taxes to pay or limits on what you can bring back when shopping in France?

The only limits are on tobacco products which are 3200 cigs and 3kg rolling tobacco also I think its 10 litres of spirits which are cheap over there.
no theres no taxes to pay
we go over and back in the day but sometimes stop overnight in dunkirk.
If you ever get chance I would go over just for the experience-we have just been to Italy for 3 weeks and we drove there which gives you the benefit of having the car to get around in without having to hire a car.

I may be interested in driving to France just for the fun of it one weekend, how much does it normally cost and which method or route do you use?

Can you buy cheaper cigarettes at Costco??

I drive down to dover and have been going on the tunnel recently which is £54 return but the ferry is cheaper-sea france is a bit faster than p&o but both have bargain perfumes and beer/wine/sprit offers on where as the tunnel shops are more exspensive.
if you do inttend to buy tobbaco products I recomend you drive upto belguim (about 30 mins from Ferry) as they are a lot cheaper than france.
if you want any info on directions ect pm me

I think I will start a new thread on shopping in france

Costco rocks! Although I overspent quite severely last time I went to one. I turned up to pick up about £100 worth of stuff but ended up spending £400 (and that was after I put a few things back). Oops!

Thanks Owls123. I may give it a try. I have a nice new Garmin satnav with full European maps, so that can guide me directly to the shops over there :D

hmmm interesting

hmmm interesting
What is?...

Yeh lalaland i got tom tom and it works great over there-but try this site for any more info you need http://www.day-tripper.net/ its got all the info you need

Hi :),
I was wondering if anyone knows how to get to Costco from town using public transportation

Hi :),
I was wondering if anyone knows how to get to Costco from town using public transportation

OK, and this might sound a little harsh, but why would you want to go to Costco on a bus ? I can't really think of a more daft idea.

Sorry.

Owl 123, Tom Tom usually great but whenever i'm in London it can be a bit flakey. Tends to drop out if there's lots of tall buildings

It depends on what your using tom tom with NPB! I use a 32 sat bt gps unit with either my hp pda or nokia 6260 phone and I havnt had any probs even in central london or in the swiss alps-

Ours is with the works van, not sure what model it is TBH. But getting used to the routes now, even the roulette wheel that is Marble Arch roundabout lol

OK, and this might sound a little harsh, but why would you want to go to Costco on a bus ? I can't really think of a more daft idea.

Sorry.

well if you dont have a car you may want to buy something and have it delivered or like my sister who went and payed £822 for a lalique glass bowl and went on public transport for it and saved about £250 on it.
so it may be just you who is daft 4colour

Dont TVs run on secam or something like that in France? Rather than PAL?

Nowdays nearly every tv is multi standard and will do both but some of your bigger screen tvs dont even have a tuner in them and you have to have a seperate tuner so it dosnt matter where you buy your tv-

well if you dont have a car you may want to buy something and have it delivered or like my sister who went and payed £822 for a lalique glass bowl and went on public transport for it and saved about £250 on it.
so it may be just you who is daft 4colour

Surely the money would be better spent on driving lessons and a car ?

For most of us normal beings foodstuffs / booze are 90 percent of purchases and they require a car to get them home. If you are paying for delivery on such goods going to costco on the bus is foolish.