Costco comes to Canberra

[Gob]

On a local forum someone has posted about the exciting (to them) new Costco store which has opened here. (See below) What are our American chums experiences of the place? Do you get genuine bargains, or do you buy tons of guff of which you use half or less, and the rest of it gets binned?

I went to Costco’s opening day because of the lure of free eggs. I figured we’d paid our $60 joining fee so we might as well get a freebie and I was hoping that 8am on Friday would be more manageable then the expected craziness over the weekend. It was great- I was in and out in under an hour and I spent less then $150. I was strong and didn’t buy kilos of Reeces Pieces or anything else we wouldn’t use/didn’t need. I didn’t look at the electrical or homewears or booze etc because by the time we had done the food the bub was ready to go.

I was genuinely surprised at some of the prices. It is cheap. Sometimes seriously cheap. I can’t see how we could do a weekly shop there and get everything we need but for non-perishables and frozen food etc, this will be where I go. One thing that didn’t see much value in was the fresh fruit and veg- I think the Farmers Markets are still unbeatable for that. I didn’t spend much time in the meat and fish area because that’s where my son had a dummy spit but I was impressed at the quality and variety.

Armed with my camera phone I clicked away at the prices so that I could nerd it up and write them down for anyone who is curious. This is just a tiny fraction of what is there- I concentrated on the stuff we eat and use but it gives you a good idea.
!! indicates my perceived bargain finds.

Home stuff
4 pack of Colgate Total toothpaste $9.79 ($2.44 each) !!!
Rexona or Dove deodorant $18.59 for 6 ($3.09 each) !!
48 rolls of Sorbant TP $22.48
Pack of 4 colgate toothbrushes $13.99 ($3.49)
Pack of 3 Olay Total Effects Moisturizer $65.89 ($21.96)
Mega box of Huggies nappies 148 (Toddler size) $57.99
704 Kirklands babywipes $21.99
720 Huggies wipes $31.79

Frozen
6 lunch sized bowls of wonton soup $13.89
Blueberries $6.29kg (!!!!)
6 Salmon Steaks (1.2kg) $17.99 (!!!)

Fridge
Big quiches $8.99
Sliced cheese tray 900grams $10.29 !!
Chicken breasts $8.49kg !!
Diced Beef $9.99kg !!
500grams sliced ham $5.99
18 eggs $2.89 (didn’t realise they were caged eggs until we got home because they were giving them away for free)
1kg bucket of bocconcinni $12.99 (!!!!)
2kg bucket of feta $15.69
1kg Philly cooking cream $7.39
Yoplait 12 pack $5.49 (!!!!)
2kg Greek yoghurt $5.49
1kg Jalna yoghurt $4.19 !!

Pantry
800ml jar of Korma sauce $7.89
3 tins of beans $2.99
1.3kg peanut butter $5.69 !!
2x Abbots bakery loaves of bread $6.59 ($3.29)
3x corn thins $9.49 ($3.16 pack)
1kg Tahini $8.79
1L Maple Syrup $15.89 !!
2.2kg canned tomatos $2.69
1.8kg Quinoa $10.99 (!!!)
10kg rice $29.99
1L Mayo $8.99
Huge jar of pickles $4.69
860g Seeded mustard $8.39
4 bottles of Fountain tomato sauce $7.49 ($1.80each)
Big bottle of Tabasco $5.99 !!
3 jars of pesto $10.49 ($3.49)
1.5kg Reeces pieces $14.99
1kg coffee beans $20

[The Hen]

We are not joining, just in case I wasn't clear earlier.

I will not pay money to go into their warehouse of greed and gluttony for a few "bargains".

[Joe Guy]

Everyone I know who shops at Costco loves it. And quite a few people I know are members. The price of becoming a member is quickly returned in the low prices they have on food and all the other products.

It's great if you have a big family or group of people to feed. They sell a lot of food in large sizes, for example, a gallon jar of pickles or a two pound container of coffee or a fifty pound jar of peanut butter (just wondering if you're still paying attention). They also have a lot of prepared food in large quantities.

The only negative I've heard is that the store doesn't have a lot of variety of choices when it comes to things like computers, televisions, etc. - but the prices for what they sell are hard to beat.

I've gone there a few times and I like it.

[dales]

When I was married with two children, we saved a lot of money on every day items.

Even when I was divorced with one child at home, I still saved on purchases.

Now it is just me, I let my membership lapse.

For some reason I just don't need 24 of the same item.

I liike to keep my weight off and COSTCO is the last place I dare go.

[Lord Jim]

But Dale, think of all the money you could still save on your everyday essentials....

Like prune juice....

[Joe Guy]

And they sell prune juice by the keg!

[dales]

I eat enough fresh fruit daily.

[Miles]

Costco and Sam's are great places to shop if you campare prices and evaluate your needs. We have been shopping at Sam's Club for 20 years and have realized substantual savings.

[Liberty1]

I've been a member of Costco for at least 15 years. I have the executive membership which gives you a , I think 2% rebate. They send you a check each year when your renewal is up, so far it's more than covered my membership fee of about $100.

We buy most Christmas gift there for the family, most food, etc.

[The Hen]

I am still not convinced that this is the kind of shopping therapy I seek.

[Sue U]

I am still not convinced that this is the kind of shopping therapy I seek.

It's probably not; the footwear is pretty low-end.

The fewer people in your household, the less of a deal it is. We have a "BJ's" (same concept) near us, which has good prices (but not a great selection) for cheese and pre-packaged snacks for the kids' lunchbags; wine and beer are literally only a few pennies cheaper than the local liquor store. Detergent and paper goods are usually a good deal, coffee is okay. We did get a good price on a computer and a couple of new monitors, and that more than covered the cost of membership.

[Guinevere]

I am still not convinced that this is the kind of shopping therapy I seek.

Not even close. Come to America and we will shop until we drop. I'm quite good at it!

[Liberty1]

I am still not convinced that this is the kind of shopping therapy I seek.

It's certainly not. It's place to get good prices on stuff you'd buy anyway.

Having been married 29 years, I know that females view shopping as recreation, not a chore like guys. Something to go waste time, and money, comparing this pink tank top, to that identicle pink tank top.

[No Greater Fool]

We are not joining, just in case I wasn't clear earlier.

I will not pay money to go into their warehouse of greed and gluttony for a few "bargains".

How is it "greed and gluttony" to get low prices for staples?

[Liberty1]

How is it "greed and gluttony" to get low prices for staples?

Don't you know? Saving money is the new definition of greed.

[The Hen]

I do not need to buy a trillion of something. I understand that you do.

I do not need to stop purchasing from my small local shopkeep, regardless of his prices being more expensive, as I would rather keep him in business. I understand that you don't.

I do not want my country taken over by large buying conglomerates at the expense of these smaller shopkeeps. I understand that you have.

Looking after my "local" is important to me. I understand that this isn't for you.

[Liberty1]

I do not need to stop purchasing from my small local shopkeep, regardless of his prices being more expensive

They're just greedy.

[The Hen]

No. They just don't have that kind of purchasing power. But I didn't expect you would understand any of my points.

[Crackpot]

I think you're missing what type of store Costco is. Hen For one they probably pay better than your local grocer (one of the few retail chains that pay a middle class salary on one income) two their business model isn't such to crowd out other businesses but to suppliment them.

[The Hen]

if that is the case, good on them.

I'll still be the one not using them .... ever.

I come from a line of local shopkeeps and I guess that will never leave me.

If you don't support your local, one day you will wake up and they won't be there.