Try this: outline.com/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/inner-south/costco-to-open-its-door-to-melbourne-mums-for-one-day/news-story/690eabb90e901306a2b4be48b4d56c50&memtype=anonymous
Shop at Costco Stores in Melbourne with No Membership Required on Nov 28 Only » All Comments
How will this work? You need to scan your membership card to get into the car park?
I was about to ask the same question.
they will check your membership card at the entrance
For the Docklands store, you’ll probably just have to park at the nearby Harbourtown Car Park.
Or catch the tram to the door.
Did they say docklands store? Or just the one in moorabin?
All 3 Melbourne stores are participating.
They regularly open the gates for extended periods of time.
usually at the entrance, car park can still go in.
They'll lift the boomgates for the day, free parking all day I reckon
i'll be walking in there. tram 89 services melbourne docklands store
Hmm. The Ringwood and Moorabbin stores don't require membership to get to the carpark.
Come on guys. If they open the store for everyone, their car park should be the same too
It’ll be flooded, with a frustrated queue outside. Publicity won’t be flattering.
Any luck with sydney
All of a sudden they can do this! Totally unconnected with Kaufland coming to Australia.
Yes, it's like it just occurred to them that it would be a 'nice' thing to do, lol
I hope Kaufland takes over the Masters warehouse in Scoresby
I had similar hopes for Rutherford NSW. Masters didn't own their venues, while Bunnings prefer to, and so do Kaufland.
Yes! It's just sitting there waiting to be filled! Only people that go in that direction are maccas customers.
Sounds like my wife…
Hey if they think that line works for eBay, it'll work for Costco :-P
costco memberships can be canceled any time for full refund ಠ‿↼
I was about to say the same thing… go in, sign up, get your hamper, do a big shop, take it out to the car, go back inside, membership refund.. hehehe
Seriously though, that would be a scummy thing to do.
But i believe they ban you feom becoming a memeber again for a year or 2.
naah…I have done it for 2 yrs in a row
I signed up once and did the same. To be fair i only shopped there twice since it was a mission both times…
You give me the option, im using it.
Hmmm let me get this right, i have to pay membership to spend money on your store… lol yep great model
Your post is really stupid, I was going to explain why but the fact that you don't know why means I shouldn't bother.
I understand the model. With an MBA from MBSc i assure you its a flawed concept and personally the time wasted is not worth the savings.
Toodaloo
Only 6 months
When I canceled I was not allowed to make a membership again for 2 years, so yes. Unless that has changed recently.
the problem on this is that Costco have an excellent returns and warranty program that goes beyond manufacturers warranty, but it is only valid if you continue membership. like when you ask for a change room to try on clothes they tell you to buy both sizes and bring back the one that doesn't fit. Actually as I wrote this I thought "how can the membership requirement of warranty be legal?"
as far as rejoining pretty sure it is six months. it was when I asked a year or so ago as I let it lapse then.
Manufacturer warranty does not require membership. Whatever extra warranty they offer you, they are doing voluntarily, so they are not locking away any of your entitlements behind a paywall. It's only extras that you'd be missing out on.
Oh this is a great deal. I will deff be going to do some shopping!
You and 2 million others…
Good deal!
Not really a deal.. you can tag along with a friend (or workmate) that has a membership.. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you did it once a year.
And will your friend give you $100 worth of products for free?
RRP of $100
Real value $9
$60 bucks for a year's membership is not much, i am sure lot of people would be wasting much more $$$ elsewhere….saves the tag along, go as much as you like….
I was more meaning if you wanted to check it out. Come to think of it, you CAN check out Costco and then just refund the membership on the same day if you don't plan on returning. So the only thing about this deal is the $100 hamper if they have enough for everyone. Also it will be super busy so enjoy that.
I've had my costco membership fir 2 years now and yes, the $60 is easily worth it.
Just a by the way comment.
I have a hearing problem from industrial machinery or loud music but I purchased some hearing aids from Costco. What a lot of people don’t know is that with your membership you can get a full auditory test once a year for nothing at there hearing centers.
So I keep my membership up mainly for that but visit regularly for toilet paper, kitchen scourers/sponges, Levi’s for $55, etc.
I’m a full on ozbargainer but have no probs forking over the membership $’s.They also sell "Kirkland" (house brand) hearing aides for from $2k/set, which is a very competitive price. Equivalent tech is $4K+/set elsewhere from what I've been told. So that's a decent deal, especially if you have older parents and you're just flat out tired of yelling all the time…..
If a million people paid $60, that right there, is $60,000,000/year.
Nothing to scoff at.
That's true…that's the way their business model is designed. Millions in USA use Costco…
Some of the stuff is good value, especially for families, and here in Australia average family is 4-5 people.
Assuming you know someone with a membership.
To those with Costco membership: any bargains or recommendations?
I find their meat to be very high quality but at the same prices as the local supermarkets (try their lamb cutlets - the best i've ever eaten!)
Often have products/brands we'd never see otherwise.
If you like hot sauce, they sell tabasco/tapatio/cholula for much less than the local supermarkets. Cheap very big bottles of Nandos sauce too.
The cakes are well priced if you're having a party, same with a lot of the finger foods.
You need to know your prices though, there are some things no cheaper than woolies.
What about Sriracha?
They have it, but its easy to find in the asian supermarkets at a good price so no need
My local Woolies sells Huy Fong Sriracha for $4 a bottle. Itd cost me significantly more to drive to Costco and back…
1L of nandos sauce for $10 compared to $3.30 for 50mls at colesworth.
Also the Korean bbq jerkey when its $10. Best jerkey Ive had.
buy the nandos sauce everytime I go.. The meats in my opinion are overpriced & going to the Vic Market is roughly the same amount of effort with the parking and the people. It's the prices at the market that crush costco though & the quality is the same if not better at the market
Which brands of jerky have you had out of interest?
@oscarthesausagedog: Only supermarket ones, and the ones from costco. Costco also sells jack links which is like eating cardboard but the korean and costco brand ones are very tender.
$6 hot chooks.
Tenderlion steaks (not a bargain, but best steaks)
Often $50 itunes for $40
And giant chips!
I find that Aldi is just as cheap, if not cheaper. Costco is better for brand names, as you can get brand name products at around Aldi prices, but if you aren’t fussed about brand names then you’re better off sticking to Aldi and their things because that way you don’t need to buy in bulk.
Gillete razors. Their store brand salsa. Obscenely huge cakes / desserts. Toilet paper / tissues.
TP is often brand name at 17c / 100 sheets. Great price!
As good as Quilton u reckon?
Oh yeah, cheap fuel too if you've got a servo. In Adelaide, usually the closest "on the run" or in NSW the closest 7-11 tries to match them though.
Eneloops
Paper towel, tinned pineapple slices, frozen roti, frozen dumplings, frozen fruit, frozen chicken wings, peanut butter, angus beef patties, minced garlic, dog food/treats..
There's a section near the front that zi call the diabetes aisle.. but there are definitely some good prices there if you like bulk choc/candy.
There are a lot of occasional or one-off purchases too. You may spend $200 per visit, or you may spend $500+
I always buy their meat and seafood. Cheaper and much better quality than supermarkets. Their wagyu steak cuts are top notch. I also buy the salmon fillet slabs, so fresh you can eat it raw like sashimi out of the packet, zero smell watsoever.
The only thing is they sell them in packs that weigh mimimum 1kg. So you better have a big appetite or do what I do: cut them up and seal them in vacuum bags so they can last a couple of months.
Petrol
The maple syrup. It's Grade A Canadian Amber. $15 for one litre!
Excellent price.
Oh the spirits section is often great value, the beer sometimes too.
12 tray of muffins from the bakery
catering sized cheesecake
1lt Nandos Perri Perri saucelast time I went, a year or so ago, they had a pallet load of $50 Levis 501s
Meat, i normally get chicken breast, mince, flank, salmon, divide them into 6 portions or so bulk freeze them. I save so much money doing this.
Tissue boxes, i like the Kirkland ones because they come in cube shapes (smaller takes up less space on table).
Kirkland whiskey, apparently it is produced by jack daniels just diff label. Im not a whiskey connoisseur but my bf enjoys it and he has no complaints.
Slightly cheaper by like 5 dollars or so on 1l spirits/liquors than you can find in dan murphys or basically anywhere else. Good range has most of the basic stuff.
Bagels, smoked salmon, cream cheese, id go nuts for this and eat it everyday if my bf ate raw salmon. Unfortunately he does not :(
Toilet paper, larger rolls than i normally find at colsworth.
their petrol seems to always be cheaper than their competitors
$6 chicken (feeds the family for good week)
Bulk Spam + Canned chicken (pretty good for sandwiches)
Their Maryland seasoned chicken thighs (3 packs of 2) is great for a roast every now and again :)
And the Costco Bear (both the 93" [2.5m] and the 53" [1.5m], although they now come smaller) are a sight to behold and house goals :P
Plus their clothing range is great. Jeans are lovely for women and the business shirts for men aren't half bad :)
What does the bear taste like?
I've haven't tried to eat it but, it smells like unattainable house prices
I went there the other day. Some things are cheap, but most of their groceries (the stuff you'd get from a supermarket) are super sized. This is great if you have a family, not so great if you're a single or couple with no kids. My fridge would not fit the giant items they sell, and dry or fresh goods would go off before I could finish them.
You can buy a roast chicken which is bigger than Coles chickens, and they sell for $6 and some change. Coles sells them for $8.80 I believe, and used to be $11. And these are smaller chickens.
The thing that sucks is they don't catalog what they have on their website. You can't search to see if they sell an item you're after and what price. You have to go there. It's very busy too. Carparks are huge, but they fill up quick. I went on Monday. About 30% of it was taken up half an hour before they even opened.
Levis 501 $55, savoys, vileda kitchen cloths, scotch brite scourers,.
Things like beer and spirits are the same price as when on sale elsewhere ie 150 lashes $52. But you generally know that you will be buying at a good price, just price check through your phone.Coconut rolls 'hand dipped in dark chocolate' OMG best sweet snack eveeerrrrr.
Giant slabs of all kinds of fizzy drink.
Huge tubs/bagd of spinach and other leafy greens.
Decent size tubs etc of salad, soup, cheese, bacon, fruit juice (ie preshafruit, kombucha and boost juice are a good price).
Some clothes like hats, thongs, packs of underwear and socks.The cakes are disgusting.
I don't renew my Costco membership when it runs out - I renew it when I next need it, which can be up to a few months later.
Holding off is about to pay out!
Lol doesn't make a difference when you do its dated back. It will always be the month that's printed on the card regardless when you renew it. If you're referring to the hamper it's for new sign ups so canceling your membership for the hamper would void any warranty on previous purchases
Not true. Memberships renewed more than 2 months after the expiry date start from the new date, not from the expiry date.
nice to know, thanks
I didn't know this was a thing; guess I've always done it 2+ months in!
Fun fact: card is not checked at food - so expired card still gets you in the door if you're after a cheap feed :D
But you need to be a member to get in the door. Can't get to the food court without going through the door.
Thanks hoping to go
It’s says Mums, but anyone can shop
After today’s vote anyone can be anything ….
Female husband
Male wife
Male mum
Female dadSee how they @&/$-ed it up !
Nobody likes you.
Apparently more than 50% people in my electorate agree with me, maybe you live on a different planet ?
Or maybe your electorate isnt the centre of the universe? Seriously,why bring the SSM into a Costco thread…
@51ngh: you need to get out more, or perhaps just grow up. There are plenty of "unconventional" people who are lightyears ahead of many religious people as far as ethics, morals, honesty, and decency go. Just as religion doesn't make good people, sexual preference doesn't make a man or a woman what they are, despite what your religion tries to tell you.
@51ngh: mate why would you be frustrated that people think that someone else can marry someone they love? If you're against gay people, why don't you just not give a shit.
Don't worry, we're probably neighbours :P I'm thinking of moving somewhere far far away from 'those' people. They're infiltrating my workplace.
@anastasiastarz: plenty of options for you. If you get desperate try somewhere "enlightened" like Russia, Chechyna, or any number of muslim countries.
@anastasiastarz: Good luck with that. Narrow-minded, judgmental, yet apparently perfect-in-every-way people are, thankfully, a rare breed. The human condition cuts across all borders and doesn't respect religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, or occupation. Wrt the latter don't forget to ask your local providers about their sexuality and/or sexual practices - or do you have a special gaydar you rely on? You might get a rude shock about what some heteros get up to behind closed doors, or you might even learn that most gay people aren't the demons you seem to believe they are.
grabs popcorn waits for level EA (Star Wars BattleFront II) downvotes on Abbott Jnr. Tony… is that you?
I betz it's Erica
sad that noone else saw what you did there
What’s in the hamper?
Tampons
Woohoo. Let celebrate my birthday:D
My birthday is then too 😂
Should we celebrate it at costco? Lol
I would if I was in Melbourne!
Mine too :D
Yayyyyyy
Just to be clear because I am sure I must be missing something. For one day we can enter this SHOP? (for free?)
Normally costs $60.
I'm surprised at the number of votes.they have free light refreshments too
Yeah does anyone know what the light refreshments are?? Probably just tea/coffee
Isn't that wonderful? And if we choose to purchase something, they will take our money too! But just for that one day.
The $60 is just psychological lock in, till you need this https://costco.com/funeral.html Each to their own but I'd rather not deal with companies who charge me to shop.
It's not the most consumer friendly, but it works for them. If you're paying membership, you're going to have reasons to go there often to get your money's worth out of that $60. There are savings, and the $60 pays for those savings. But the more you shop, the more you save, even though you end up buying giant bottles of mouthwash instead of normal sized ones, and your house is full of stuff that you can't consume quickly enough to empty it.
Will auburn store match this if they’re not aware of this promotion?
I'm a member, joined purely to flip the bird at Colesworth's control of fuel prices in Canberra which I now avoid like the plague.
My experience:
-Supermarkets, esp when on special, are regularly better value on most products I buy, ALDI in particular.
-Caveat emptor - big quantities (at Costco) don't often equate to cheaper price.
-Costco meat is generally very good, not cheap.
-Veges and fruit are off the scale price wise. In general, don't bother.
-Their farmed Norwegian salmon is cheaper than, but nowhere near as good as the Aussie product. Avoid it.
-Roast chickens are cheap at about $6.50 and much larger than standard supermarket fare. Nice taste, juicy, no stuffing.
-Frozen Aussie meatballs 1.5kg are good and make a quick, good quality meal - just add your fav sauce and veges.
-Coastal English vintage cheddar is excellent. Not cheap.
-Some deals on wines are okay - know your price before you go.
-The hot dog and soft drink for $2 at the cafe is great value, and tasty.
-Yumi's Classic Hommus 1kg is cheap.Make your own hummus. Easy and virtually free if you start with dried chickpeas.
You could, but it would cost almost as much as Costco charges for a kg tub. Don't like the stuff myself but family members tell me Yumi's is very good. If you have a fav recipe it's a no-brainer I guess, much like home-made mayo.
Another good buy is the 1.5kg banana "bread". Excellent quality, about $15. Solid, don't know how many bananas go into each loaf but they don't skimp.
No way. Chick peas 15c/100g. Additional item cosy: negligible.
Maybe 20-30c per kg. How much in Costco?@tightwad: $1.50kg? You buy by the sack? Garlic, oil, tahini, lemon juice all adds up even before you factor in your time. To save maybe $2? Each to his own but the only reason I'd do it was if I could improve the taste considerably.
I meant per 50g. Chickpeas $3/Kg at Indian grocers.
Boil. Stick in blender. Few minutes.
How much is a kilo at Costco? $3.50?
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/food-wine/chickpea-econ…
I agree just from a casual survey
I like the large "NO" in the heading. Subtle nod? ;)
lol I emphasised it because every other Costco bargain needs the “Membership Required” disclaimer, so people don’t misread it! Nothing to do with the survey.
Does CostCo still sell those mozerella crumbed cheese sticks which are imported from America?
Last time I was there yes, plus the jalapeño poppers too which are quite tasty.
Yeah, they were there a few weeks back.
The poppers are fantastic but they can keep the cheese sticks.
It's already pretty busy most of time time. This will be chaos.
yeah thinking best strategy is go in buy membership, take gift basket, leave and come back the next day to shop. possibly cancel membership for refund.
If you're smart about what you do and don't buy the membership can save you money.
Alot of things are the same price or more expensive, others are way cheaper.
I know for Myer/DJs, in the T&Cs during gift time if you return the stuff, you have to return the gift.
Roast chicken. That is all.
You mean I won't have to pay for the right to spend money in their store? Ha I wouldn't shop there if you paid me.
Who on earth would actually pay to shop at a store?
Thanks for letting us know.
It's not for everyone, but some things there are cheaper. Some of your $60 goes towards those savings. The more you shop the more you save. I figure not everyone gets their $60 worth in savings, and it's those people who fund the ones who get more than $60 in savings.
They sell some lines that Coles/Woolies don't sell due to importing from America.
realistically if you live close enough to the Morabbin store to use the petrol regularly you probably make your $60 just from doing so.
my first year of membership, when they only had the docklands store, I think I saved the $60 on a set of tyres.
The membership fee is a very large component of Costco's profit. Groceries are a highly competitive business, with companies like Costco, Lidl and Aldi in a race to the bottom with 3% margins. Until recently Coles and Woolworths used to enjoy lofty 8% margins in a happy oligopoly that is unheard of in most countries, but they are now having to lower these to try to hold onto market share and try to increase profits to keep shareholders happy, now they are having to compete on an evermore increasing gloabalised market. Costco were smart in establishing a recurring revenue line to do a little better than average in charging the fee because they would otherwise have to sell $2000 worth of extra goods to obtain that $60 of profit. The other benefit to them is that it creates loyalty. Yes, you are paying them for your loyalty. The other thing they did in the US was to partner with Amex and require all customers use that card to make purchases. Mastercard offered them a sweetener in the last year to switch, so they told all their customers to get their new Mastercard and that their Amex would no longer be accepted. I've got nothing against Costco but I just find the mechanics of this industry and where it is headed a bit interesting, as it affects us all. To contrast, Bunnings was always the jewel of the Wesfarmers crown with margins in the high 30's (unheard of overseas), and that's why Woolworths and Lowe's teamed up to try to eat their lunch. The business was gradually progressing towards a profitable situation until some impatient Woolworths shareholders demanded closure, as it also lost market share and margins on its grocery business after a couple of decades of very good growth. It takes time for most new businesses to make a profit as they refine their offering and attract customers but new board members of Woolworths realised they could get some quick runs on the board by shutting it down prematurely and appeasing people with very short term mindsets. It probably suited their longevity and remuneration structure than looking 5, 10 or 20 years out. I gather Lowe's were unhappy with Woolworths' decision and were trying to fight them in the courts, as they had the patience and capital to watch it mature into a company that had robust earnings. Sorry for writing a book - just thought I could add a little perspective for those who might be interested, with this being OzBargain and all.
Many good points there.
You're very eloquent!!
Best post ever on OzB?
Only if it break it down to few paragraphs.
I'm going to use your post to club someone who's giving me trouble right now. Thanks.
Crap deal for the members. A day to avoid going to Costco
They've got a couple of weeks to plan it, so most will probably survive.
Is costco fuel only available at Gas station in Moorabbin Airport, Victoria? Or do they have a station at every warehouse in VIC?
Moorabbin only (at the moment)
It's a very busy gas station for a 4c saving. If you have a fuel docket you can get that price at Caltex/Shell.
It’s regularly 20-30c/L cheaper than the going rate at other servos
It says Melbourne Mums..doesnt that mean they will only let women in?
It would be absolutely dreadful if it said Dads instead. That would be so wrong.
… dads who identify as mums.
So the question is, can only mums go?
So trans-phobic…
It's a trap!
Just like that first free shot of heroin…Going to be hard to find a car park that day I'm guessing. Going to be packed.
I would advise if people are going on the 28th, to go to the Ringwood or Moorabbin store, simply for the better parking.
Just went to Syd Costcos after 1 year, ended up spending a grand on things I didn't need but were absolute bargains… looking forward to our visit to Brissy next month, when I expect to spend another grand… I bet more than half the people making it on the day will end up being a member… great move on Costco's behalf!
I have never got a membership with them. Any good vegan products or just like other supermarkets? Cheers
They have an excellent selection of vegan stuff in the fruit and vegetable section. It goes great with their veal.
Carmans muesli bars 24 pack circa $15.
I'm curious what the lines to get in/move around will be like. Peak hour but with trolleys?
I'm a Costco newbie. Does anyone recommend any amazing must haves from here if I go on their free day? I tried some bulk nut health bite things once and they were supposedly from Costco, any other hidden gems?
That's the unfortunate thing about costco. They don't let you search their site to see what's available and prices.
Yeah that would be a great idea opposed to searching their shop forever, but I guess that's what they want you to do so you'll buy other things wandering around the store.
The best bargains I found where -
1kg smoked salmon - around $30kg
I usually get the SS at back of the shelf, which are still mostly frozen & re-freeze at home
- place in trolley last, when heading to the check out.1kg of Bocconcini cheese tub - around $13
absolutely delicious as I am a cheese loverGave them a call to inquire about something else and the customer service person said that it was $100 worth of coupons, not a hamper, that was being given out on the day - might be worth checking if you are only signing up for the hamper.
Oh rly? So its a bunch of vouchers like $20 off $100 spend in bakery, that kind of thing? OK thanks for telling us.
I just called them and they said it was an actual hamper
I suggest calling yourselves to double check -
Docklands - 8602 0300
Ringwood - 8873 6700
Moorabbin - 9552 7700So gave Ringwood a call, and they are saying it is a hamper but it is one targetted towards mums and "bubs" so most of the products in the hamper will be targetted to parents with young kids.
does this include fuel?
My guess would be no. I would also assume the Tyre Centre and Optical Services is not included either.
Can everyone enter on this day ?
The flyer specifically says mum's etc.- but no age limit ?
It aimed at mums, but anyone can take advantage.
how sure are you ?
if a bundle of senior citizens walked in, would they say - no entry, mothers only
i think i shall call & check
I highly doubt they will be asking for proof of being a mother at the door. The staff will have their hands full with more important things than that!
The invitation is badly worded and there are no T&C's. But if you're happy to ring and check, that would be helpful, to get some clarification.Is there a reason senior women couldn't be mums? I'd have thought a lot would be.
Don't know if now's a good time to spruik a national gem. Have been to the Queen Victoria Market a couple of times recently to buy fruit and veg and I've got to say the fresh food is so much cheaper and OMG it actually has flavour too. I'd forgotten fruit and veg actually tasted good. Anyway it's cheap just the opening hours suck, but if enough people start going there maybe they'd extend the hours to at least 8-9pm one night of the week?? It's open all weekend though.
this is handy has a picture of the hamper
Are you sure that's the hamper?
That’s a Costco sized trolley with Costco sized products inside. Definitely not the hamper as these items would be well over $100 at Costco
yes Ringwood Costco is open free that day to mothers (mainly) or fathers (reluctantly).
the carpark is free too.https://www.fairdinks.com.au/ this website has a fair few things that costco sell if u want some ideas about whats there
Sorry to burst your bubble people but I asked in store and was told they will only have around 100 hampers per store so they will sell out in the first minute. As was suggested earlier, pop in there if you want to shop, pay the $60 and then refund it if you don't want to stay a member. I shop there every two weeks and love it. Petrol is 124.7 today at Moorabbin.
A friend rang up Costco and they told him that this is a targeted offer and only those with "invitation" are eligible.
i emailed all 3 costco stores & docklands emailed me this reply…
plus as Costco is not a franchise, the below applies to all stores.From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of W05101 Membership
Sent: Wednesday, 22 November 2017 5:58 PM
Subject: Melbourne Open Day without membership - November 28Hi
Thank you for your email regarding the VIP day.
All Costco warehouse in Melbourne will be hosting a VIP day on
Tuesday November 28th from 10am till 8:30pm.
This VIP day is open for all non members to shop 1 time (not just for mums)
Non members arriving on the day will receive a VIP flier to be used as their membership card.
There will be a table set up near the entrance door.
Kind regards,
Costco Membership Team
Docklands
Will be going to Ringwood store tomorrow. Does anyone know if you need to be a member to enter the carpark? I went years ago and dont remember. Im hoping to park on the street nevertheless as I reckon the car park will be chockers.
Only Docklands has controlled parking for members only. No restrictions of any kind at Ringwood or Moorabbin.
If you have trouble parking at Costco Ringwood, you can park inside Eastland (note that you can only park there for 3 hours for free), or you can park at Ringwood Square (where the Bunnings / ALDI / Coles is). The undercover car park there has heaps of spots and never gets full. Both options are about a 10 min walk away though.
Thanks. I guess we will see tomorrow
I have to imagine that parking will open up at Docklands for non-members. Otherwise, where will the "invited guests" park??
I plan to get to the Docklands around 9:45am or so tomorrow. I used to be a member, and will shop a lot and see if I want to rejoin again.
U.S. Costco sell the Vitamix blender (model 5200) for a good price (US$500). Anyone know if Costco AUS sell the same blender and at what price?
Thanks
I’ve seen them there but not sure on price
not sure what model but spotted a model for sale around $700
On facebook, a person confirmed with the Ringwood store that is is free for MUMS ONLY today.
Just identify as a woman. Problem solved.
just take a copy of the docklands email above that states its open for everyone and if they dont let you in complain
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of W05101 Membership
Sent: Wednesday, 22 November 2017 5:58 PM
Subject: Melbourne Open Day without membership - November 28Hi
Thank you for your email regarding the VIP day.
All Costco warehouse in Melbourne will be hosting a VIP day on
Tuesday November 28th from 10am till 8:30pm.
This VIP day is open for all non members to shop 1 time (not just for mums)
Non members arriving on the day will receive a VIP flier to be used as their membership card.
There will be a table set up near the entrance door.
Kind regards,
Costco Membership Team
DocklandsThat's not proof. They can say you made it up.
If you tell them what sex you identify as though, they're not going to ask for proof. They have to respect that.
Just identify as a woman
Apparently that's not enough either, you need to have given birth… Not sure if they have a doctor there to check…
It was still packed
I think I saw you there.
That's weird because I drove past
Anyone know what is in the hamper? Pls post details if you have
Total waste of Time. Line not moving and about 200m long.
Hahaha…Go back to work mate. Its not worth your time to stand in those queue and fight with other shoppers…
Which store are you in? And it seems the event is not exclusive to mums?
Has anyone gotten a hamper? It seems like the queue is ridiculous
No one can confirm whether they're gender biased for entry?
Anyone can get in at Docklands, can confirm.
gender biased? why would this ever be a thing???
It was advertised as an event for "mums".
Ended up leaving the Moorabbin store after waiting in line for an hour. Too many people not knowing where the end of the queue was so just started their own line in the carpark which just pushed into the middle of the actual queue. Staff did nothing to stop it. A staff member told me if I wanted to join for the free hamper then there was a 'much shorter queue' up the front. Went there and another staff member didn't know where the end of that queue was and it would be a 3-4 hour wait to join up. Gave up after that :(
Really poorly organised. They needed to have staff directing people or even just rope off a passage so it would be obvious where you need to queue.Wow sounds like a real mess
Gees, I only wanna go to Moorabbin store to fill up the petrol in the afternoon. Do I get a chance there?
Not worth your time. Petrol is cheap, but queues are long even on a normal day.
The servo is still only for members today.
Thanks. You saved me hours.
Yeah it wasn't very well thought out.
That many people cramming into the store on one day as way above the capacity Costco can handle. Even on the weekends you won't find a car park or even a trolley.
They've oversold their subscriptions already. This was a marketing attempt to convert more non-members into members, but there's no way they can handle the load.
If they were to do this properly, it would have to be a whole week that the public can get access.
What slowed the line down is that they can't just let people in the door. They have to take details of every freeloader and issue a temporary membership. If they skipped that process it would be much quicker, although the inside of the warehouse will be overloaded with people.
It's still a few months away, but when Epping opens it will reduce the pressure on the Ringwood and Docklands stores, which will be good. Now we just need Ringwood and Docklands to get servos and all will be good!
So wifey needed me to go to BCF today so I figured as it's on the way to Costco Ringwood that I'd do my bi-monthly shop.
Completely forgot about today's promo.
Driving up to it there were freakin cars everywhere, and I could see the entrance which was just packed with people with trolleys. What a mess.
Given I had the toddler with me and it was approaching 11, it would have been a nightmare for me, a member, to shop at the store I am rarely able to get to.
I'll be popping in later this week or next week for a quiet shop and then cancel my membership once I'm done.
With Kaufland coming soon, and the fact Ringwood is 30 mins away, Costco is too difficult for me.. especially when I make mistakes like I did today.
tl;dr: RIP Costco membership
If you have a membership you can skip the queue. That queue is only for the people trying it out.
Still would have to fight past the line and then fight through the non members in-store and then line up at the checkouts with them.. unless they had member-only checkouts? It should really have been conveyed better to members via email. The email that came in two days ago had no mention of it whatsoever.
Here's a reply via Costco Facebook msg regarding filling up petrol today at their petrol station. Hopefully it helps.
Unfortunately no, as at the petrol station you are required to insert your membership card. This event is only in the warehouse.
I dont care about the hamper. Is it possible just to go shopping as I know exactly what I want (Nandos sauce)?
Yes, but the queue to get in is massive. They only have mild sauce too that I could see.
Mild is fine.
I went to the Moorabbin store at 9.30 just in case there was a queue to get the hamper and membership, then rush of to work. I did not have to wait too long luckily, just 20 minutes. Apparently they opened the membership sign up at 9 am. By the time i left the queue was massive (as expected). So for those wondering whats in the hamper:
Exchange vouchers to redeem item for free:
1. 1.5 kg Battered Whiting Fillets
2. 1.5 kg Chicken Breast Nuggets
3. 500 g Sliced Ham
4. 1 kg Swiss Cheese Slices
5. 1.8 kg Blueberries (Frozen)
6. 360g Cheese
7. 12 Pack Croissant
8. Iced Coffee or Mango Smoothie
9. $50 off 4 Tyres
10. $50 off OpticalActual items (In the box):
1. Paper Towels
2. Some Chocolate Kisses
3. 2 x Moisturising Lotion (~100 ml)
4. 2 x Laundry Detergent (samples)
5. Toothpaste
6. 100 pack of Baby Wipes
9. Strawberries (Fresh)Plus some morning tea - few miniature pastries and biscuits
So all in all not bad but sucks for those who turned up around 10 am (stated opening time).
Just got back from Ringwood, got the "hamper". There was no gender checking, although I did bring my mother in law with me, lol.
There were two lines, one for those that want to sign up, the other for those that just want to take advantage of the free day.
It was very confusing, people didn't know what to do. You had to grab a form first from the tent set up outside the entrance, two different forms depending on what you want to do, one to sign up, the other just for the free entry today.
Those that want to sign up also had to get a number at the entrance if they want the hamper. I started lining up at 9:40, was already a huge line ahead all the way to the car park, so I didn't think I would have a chance. But lots of people were there just to get the free day pass (some members too), not too sign up. My number was 53.
The hamper is a coupon sheet with about 8 free fresh/frozen items, and once you check out, you get the other items that are part of the hamper, like strawberries, Colgate toothpaste, etc… You have to collect the coupon items yourself, which is a nightmare today with all the people, and the coupons expire today.
Car park also full by at the time I left.
Horrible
Yeah, it was. Feel sorry for the members who didn't know what was happening today. The staff were all very good trying to organize the mess.
The 100 hampers long gone by now, but still tons of people lining up to sign up, don't know why, can just come back another day to do it.
Talked to a staff member at checkout, apparently this was the busiest the store has ever been, even compared to the launch. The VIP day was actually supposed to be a limited offer (the whole "Mums" thing), but apparently, it was made public by the media and certain unnamed websites (ahem), and so they had to honour the deal even though this wasn't what they were prepared for. This might explain the disorganisation a bit.
@DVDGuy:
Went to the Ringwood store- no queue but constant flow of people. Had a good browse of the whole store but gave up buying anything when the queue at the checkout was ridiculously long around 7.30pm.There was an announcement up the front that this open day will "never happen again".
So is it worth driving down to Docklands from Bendigo? I was planning to leave at 2.30.
Well they will still be open til 830 so - yea you can do some shopping, but think about the after-work crowd, you will be squeezing by the aisles.
Be prepared for it to be packed especially in the carpark getting in - if you have 2 people and someone drops one person out to shop it might be better .
For a drive that far just go on another day and spend the $65 for a membership. I got there at 10am today and left because it was too busy, with cars lining out around the block.
Thanks for the update. Let's see how crazy it will be later tonight after work…..
You have to collect the coupon items yourself, which is a nightmare today with all the people, and the coupons expire today.
Oh wow. That is bad. That's a big amount of perishables that someone like me couldn't possibly go through in time.
I've always wondered with events like this, how come SO many people go? What about work etc? I know there's a lot of people that do shift work etc, but not at the amount that you see at these events.
Do people literally pull a sickie just to go to these? Insane. I would never take a day off work for this unless there's a very big incentive to go.I always wondered why I could never get a car park at my local shopping center (Chadstone) even during business hours. Looks like not many people work these days.
Maybe most of them work at the shopping center..
Have you been to chaddy? There's no way that all the cars in those big carparks are employees at the centre. It's definitely shoppers.
Oh gosh your local shopping centre is Chaddy? My deepest sympathies are with you, vicky88.
I avoid that place like the plague, terrible to find parking and the crowds are too much. I prefer a more quiet relaxed shopping experience.That's why I only go to Chaddie after 6.30pm- fuss free and I get to do what I want. Only applies to the majors that open late (i.e. groceries).
Imagine if they did this on a weekend..
it's already packed on weekends. You won't find a place to park (unless you stalk someone leaving) or a trolley.
You haven't noticed the population explosion in Melbourne lately? The rate of immigration from overseas and interstate into Victoria?
Yes, I agree, I've thought about that, but still, shouldn't most of the population be working during these hours?
White collar workers will be concentrated in the city
Teachers and students at schools
Doctors, nurses, and health care workers at hospitals or private practices
Thinking about it, most jobs are 9-5 on weekdays so either all these people contributing to weekday crowds must be one of:
Unemployed
Have the day off work (part time etc)
Pulling a sickie
Have a VERY generours employer who doesn't care when they come into work / not come into work
The population is much bigger than we can handle, if 'handling' means there's enough car parks and the place isn't overcrowded to the point it's hard to get around.
If there's this many people on a non-work day, imagine the weekends.. the only thing stopping it from being even worse than it is, is insufficient car parking.
Yes, I agree, I've thought about that, but still, shouldn't most of the population be working during these hours?
When there's that many total people, even the minority who aren't working that day is a large number of people. As mentioned above, more people migrated to VIC, but we didn't build new shopping centers or roads for them or expand enough car parks because there is limited space to expand to.
The people working on a weekday far exceed the ones going shopping. You just don't see how much worse it is because there are limiters (i.e. car parking spaces).
Try going to Apple during xmas time. Hah.
Its most likely number two. Welcome to the gig economy.
I’ve noticed it. I could previously get a seat on the train at my station, then a standing spot, now I can’t even get on sometimes (within a 2 year period) they have increased trains to run every 3 mins from 7 mins originally during peak but it’s not enough.
Yeah my partner catches the train to work everyday, from Cranbourne (end of the line), and most times gets a seat. But she says that the next station people are already in standing mode, that's a looonngggg journey to be standing all the way!
Which station do you get on at?
@MathNerd:
Clayton so yes the same line. They are building over 6000 apartments (former factory site) next to the station before mine. I wonder what will happen then!!!@vicky88: yeah back when I was in school (2004-2008) I caught the train from Clayton and the train was already full then… Can't imagine what it is like now!
Just a bit of warning, it can get VERY crowded especially with the xmas shopping rush and also this "open to all" day. I bought a big bag of cheetos puffs for $3.59 and they're excellent. Also try the squid jerky - very well seasoned. In the freezer look for the Noodles with shrimp dumplings 6 bowls in a box for $18. They are selling for $5 per bowl at colesworth and very tasty and fast to cook. They have a house brand Kirkland paper towels for $31 but they are much wider than regular paper towels and also have small "select a size" perforations, so it actually lasts longer since you use less every time.
They have proper Cheetos :D I may have to renew my membership.
DO THEY HAVE MUCH GLUTEN FREE STUFF?
No idea; but they do have keyboards with working caps lock keys
Ive been to docklands a few times before but never seen every trolley taken from the front carousel so its super packed - there was a pretty big line of cars trying to drive in too so be prepared to wait or if you have more than one person get them to jump out and start shopping while you wait for a park.
Does anyone have live updates? Have they already been today? What was the crowd and parking like?
A news article about today's event had these pics attached of the Moorabbin store queue:
http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/152953c2d12533aea8e47cedf…
http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/bdcf622ad7ce05f6eb3714196…That is bonkers. High heat plus crowds makes a smelly, throbbing, dense situation that is not very pleasant. So glad I don't work in the city!
They would have got 5 digit new customers today, easily, across 3 stores. If 10% of them got memberships, that's a nice haul.
Thanks to those who took the time to post their experiences at Costco here today.
Glad I decided to give it a miss. Looking at how they struggle on a busy day I thought it would get messy pretty quick. Not worth the stress/waiting time unless planning to spend big in which case you could probably justify the membership and shop on another day anyway to avoid the crowd of visitors today!
Funny enough I wonder whether the parking hassle/crowds would convert more people to shop online when Amazon ramps up their offerings.
i wonder if the massive turn out may make them consider lowering or removing the membership?
You can only keep dreaming
Arrived at Docklands around 12 25 PM, pretty short entry lines, ridiculous checkout lines however. Aisles weren't that packed at that time. Really enjoyed the $2 hot dog + unlimited drink.
Wonder if they caught non-member shoplifters today??
nah, pretty hard unless those managed to open a can of lollies, pick a few and stash into pockets. Most items are bulky and the security guys out the door check every person and receipt (not literally every items but enough to deter theft.
rip the link is to a paywall :(