Costco are throwing open the doors for non-members to shop at Costco without a membership at their Melbourne stores on Tuesday November 28 only.
Also, if anyone signs up for membership on the day, they will receive a hamper with Costco goods worth over $100 as a bonus! - Only ~100 per store (thanks to yoyo6)
EDIT: Link to flyer. It’s says Mums, but anyone can shop: http://melbourne.kidtown.com.au/images/mmsocialmedia1_1.jpg
@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 lover
Gave 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 7700
So 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 28
Hi
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.
@anastasiastarz: plenty of options for you. If you get desperate try somewhere "enlightened" like Russia, Chechyna, or any number of muslim countries.