Costco Membership - What Do You Normally Buy There?

BigLeviathan on 15/02/2018 - 13:10
Last edited 13/04/2018 - 14:10 by 1 other user

Last night I subscribed to Costco (as a valentine gift to myself - why not?!) and found their price is not as good as I would have thought.

For you who have been a Costco member for long; what is the thing you normally buy at Cosco?

Update: Thanks everyone for responding my post.
I've collated them into below matrix for my future benefit :)

Descriptions Price
Baking Supplies
Berries
Canned Chilli
Coconut Cream (Ayam)
Coffee Beans
Eggs
Fabric Softener
Flavoured Dog Food
Goat Cheese $15.99/550ml
Green Tea Bag
Hearing Aids
Honey (Capilano)
Hot Dogs
Ingham Free range chicken $5.5/KG
Kirkland toilet paper
Maple Syrup
Meat - Bacon
Meat - Boston Collar Butts $8/KG
Meat - Brisket $9/KG
Meat - Pork Spare
Meat - Ribs $12.99/KG
Medjool Dates
Nuttlex
Paper Towels
Petrol
Pizza
Prosciutto
Q-Tips
Restaurant Gift cards (stack with Entertainment Book)
Salmon
Skippy Peanut Butter
Spinach Tub
Sugar
Tide washing powder
Toilet papers
Toys (junior golf set, laser pegs, penn tennis balls, Batman clock)
Turkey
TV
Vitamin
Watermelons
Zucchini

Food & Grocery

Related Stores

Costco Wholesale
Costco Wholesale

Comments

  • thatonethere on 15/02/2018 - 13:28
    +2

    Most of the prices have increased since they first opened and settled in. Also my local Costco had to compete with Aldi and Woolies next door - so they reduced their prices.

    • akd on 15/02/2018 - 14:44

      Completly agree.Their prices in early days were like Coles/Woolies on sale but in bulk. Now sometimes, I feel robbed when products are cheaper at Coles/Woolies. Aldi has also lifted their game.
      Costco is still good for fuel athough Groceries shopping is compensated by impulse buying things that we don't need.

      • lgacb08 on 19/02/2018 - 19:02

        Nothing beat 7-Eleven and their fuel lock app in terms of fuel nowadays.

  • enzioFirenze on 15/02/2018 - 13:28

    TVs

    • Oz8argain on 15/02/2018 - 14:17
      +4

      thats a lot of tvs

      • enzioFirenze on 15/02/2018 - 14:22
        -2

        they do have a generous return policy so you can actually cycle different TVs

        • BigLeviathan on 15/02/2018 - 21:14

          Even after 1 year? I ask them their "no fit for purpose" return policy is only for 30 days?

      • enzioFirenze on 15/02/2018 - 14:24

        FYI: Before I become a Broden, I don't even have a costco membership, the whole TV comment stemmed from something I've seen in another Costco thread

  • 87percent on 15/02/2018 - 13:29

    the staples in our house from Costco are always
    - Kirkland toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, Fabric softener
    - Q-tips which come in a pack of 3 in a blue box
    - Skippy Peanut Butter
    - Tide washing powder
    - the salmon (or turkey) flavoured dog food (it's got a Husky on the packet and is red)

    • JuryWheel on 15/02/2018 - 13:44

      Similar to us but I often get the essential paper things from Aldi too if I cant be bothered storing the costco stuff.
      We get the same Peanut butter, as well we the 1kg spinach tub ($10), nuttlex, medjool dates and some of our nuts/baking supplies.
      The list of products if probably less then a dozen and I constantly wonder if its worth it - the costco is only about 2k's from home though…

    • mini2 on 15/02/2018 - 14:31

      Those Q-Tips last forever in our household. Bought one case when Auburn opened then that lasted till a year or two ago.

      • 87percent on 15/02/2018 - 15:46
        +1

        once you use those ones though, all others SUCK

    • Cheaplikethebird on 21/02/2018 - 18:35

      I find the flavour of salmon a little more refined than the turkey flavoured, spread it on some miniature french toast with some cream cheese and you almost forget that you're eating dog food.

  • bottletop on 15/02/2018 - 13:34
    +3

    If you're not satisfied with Costco membership, you can get a refund.

  • niknah on 15/02/2018 - 13:35
    +1

    I don't have a membership. But I like the large pizzas from the shop outside the store.

    • capslock janitor on 30/04/2021 - 14:35

      Don't you need member card to buy the Canteen hot/food?

      • niknah on 02/05/2021 - 15:28

        Not at the one in Lidcombe. The hot food shop is outside of the normal shop area.
        If you want to buy the same thing frozen, you'll have to go inside.

  • Archi on 15/02/2018 - 13:55
    +1

    prosciutto

  • salmon123 on 15/02/2018 - 14:11
    • coffee beans
    • restaurant gift cards (eg criniti's) - you can stack with entertainment book or dimmi 50% off, etc

    In the US the food samples are pretty generous and available all week … they're pretty stingy with the samples in Australia.

  • boomramada on 15/02/2018 - 14:12

    Items that cheaper than sale price at woolies, coles or other shops

  • chuneeperformance on 15/02/2018 - 14:22

    Normally the fuel is cheap and very few selected items that are cheaper

    • BigLeviathan on 15/02/2018 - 21:16

      Hm…didn't know they have costco petrol in Victoria, will check this out now

  • Cluster on 15/02/2018 - 14:41
    +3

    Maple syrup. Cheapest anywhere and good quality.

    Green tea bags. Very good quality and I like the taste of the tea.

    Canned chilli. $7.40 for 4 cans, versus $4 per can at Woolworths.

    Sugar. 25kg bags for $18.

    Berries. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc. Cheap and great quality.

    Vitamins. Bilberry extract, valerian, etc.

    Dates. USA grown organic dates.

    Frozen salmon. Norwegian high quality fillets grown without antibiotics.

    I usually hit the store for the above items and bypass everything else. I love pine nuts, but they're cheaper in 300g bags at Woolworths on a per kilo basis.
    The trick with Costco is to not buy the extra sized jars of mayonnaise, bottles of oil, etc. Often they're not cheaper than other stores, or the product goes to waste.
    I used to buy Costco fuel, but recently discovered a neighbouring Caltex station has similar prices for diesel. With a 5% off eGift card the Caltex station is cheaper and doesn't have a 5 car long line up per pump.

    Items I tried at Costco and won't buy again:

    Coffee. Imported from overseas so it's already a few months old. $12 per kilo at Woolworths is good quality and locally roasted.

    Cheese. Coles' $7.50/kg cheese is very good and cheaper than Costco, and Costco doesn't have light block cheese.

    • Illian on 16/02/2018 - 01:14

      This is some good stuff to think about, except the cheese that is. I've never tasted worse cheese than Coles cheese in my entire life. I'll happily pay twice as much for something, anything, else rather than have that in my mouth again! It's like the flavour and texture of fake american cheese except worse and without the self-awareness. Never skimp on dairy, it's not worth it.

      • Cluster on 16/02/2018 - 15:35

        I happen to really like the Coles lite cheese, and find full fat yellow cheeses to be a bit unpleasant. To each their own I guess.

    • barratttc on 16/02/2018 - 07:37

      Why do you think the nearby Caltex/Woolworths petrol is the same?? Price matching. Look at the price when Costco is closed! Id rather give my business to Costco - the only place in Australia which actually charges a reasonable price for fuel!

      • Cluster on 16/02/2018 - 15:34

        There are a few places like X Convenience on Henley beach road (about 10km away) that have similar, but not quite as good, prices as Costco.

        The biggest mystery about Costco Adelaide is why Coles put a petrol station right next door at the same time. Costco has petrol for 117c and diesel for 122c. Coles? 149c and 145c. The pumps are gathering dust.

  • harveyworld on 15/02/2018 - 14:44
    +1

    I joined about 2 years ago, but never ever bought anything. I went several times during my membership period but figured unless you had a big family, throw a lot of parties or specifically wanted something with a discount that would more than cover the cost of the membership fee I couldn't see the point.
    There are only two of us in our household and it also meant driving out of our way to get there so it wasn't really for us.

    • Mary Poppins on 16/02/2018 - 21:16

      Same (except there's 4 of us)… I won't be renewing my membership! :-(

  • Sheila Dealer on 15/02/2018 - 14:51
    +1

    Hearing aids along with an annual audiology test.Always receive great service and repairs have been done at no charge. I did note when we went this year that their policy has changed and there is now a 3 year limit on replacement products and servicing.

  • Gronk on 15/02/2018 - 15:21
    +1

    Meat, I'm yet to find a better place to buy cuts for the smoker.

    Boston Collar Butts - Tick
    Brisket (6-8kg) - Tick
    Pork Spare / Baby Back Ribs - Tick

    • alebox on 15/02/2018 - 15:33

      how much per kg are they appox usually?

      • bob smith on 15/02/2018 - 15:43
        +1

        Pork butt $8 per kg.
        Brisket $9 per kg.

      • Gronk on 15/02/2018 - 18:23
        +1

        The ribs usually go for around $12.99/kg, Bob Smith covered off the other 2.

    • chumlee on 16/02/2018 - 10:59

      Yes the meat and fish is good quality and reasonable prices

  • bdl on 15/02/2018 - 15:25
    +1

    Poo Paper, Petrol and other things starting with P

  • nomoneynoproblems on 15/02/2018 - 15:27

    Petrol! Membership pays for itself

  • [Deactivated] on 15/02/2018 - 15:31

    Cherry coke and/or dr pepper and occasionally seafood. Also their Japanese green tea by Ito En, tastes the same from the one Woolworths sells but much cheaper.

  • cuteseal on 15/02/2018 - 15:46

    Everytime I go, I end up with a bucketload of snacks and American chocolates, and enjoy their hot food. Lol.

    Having said that, their meat is awesome - roughly the same price as outside, but the quality is tops.

  • KaTst3R on 15/02/2018 - 16:30
    +2

    Obviously, people purchase the Costco membership for 1 year of cheap pizzas, hotdogs and unlimited drink refills.

    • BigLeviathan on 15/02/2018 - 21:13
      +2

      Plus free obesity? Hahaha

  • BigLeviathan on 15/02/2018 - 21:18
    +1

    Thank you everyone for your replies, I feel overwhelmed that so many people have responded my post :)

    I'll check out the petrol and the items (especially the one starts with P hehe)

    • bdl on 15/02/2018 - 23:11

      Perfect Perspective pto Peruse Pricing!

  • twww on 16/02/2018 - 04:59

    1kg capilano honey.

  • hsk on 16/02/2018 - 07:13

    Joined but found we hardly used it. So after about 6 mths and 3 visits I had membership refunded

    • BigLeviathan on 16/02/2018 - 08:58

      No way! and they accepted it? even after you bought couple of items from them (well obviously they won't get the used paper toilet returned)

  • megadeth on 16/02/2018 - 08:35

    Dry fruit (roasted almonds, dried figs etc).

  • marquise on 16/02/2018 - 08:46

    hot dogs.

  • SlickMick on 16/02/2018 - 10:55

    so is the petrol cheap enough to warrant joining costco and driving out of my way for fuel?

    I'm not a member because I'm just too cheap to pay to join up… but if I knew the ROI…

  • smux on 16/02/2018 - 17:36

    Another question is: what kinds of interesting items have you bought as one-off things? I'm interested in things that you might not find elsewhere, or that are exclusive to Costco. I know that they sell random things like ice hockey goals from time to time… Just wondering if they have interesting things like that would make buying a membership worth it (i.e. access to exclusive products).

    • chumlee on 19/02/2018 - 19:10

      Not sure about interesting but i have bought tghe following as birthday gifts as they were cheaper:

      Junior golf set
      Collapsible pull along cart
      Laser pegs
      Penn tennis balls
      Batman clock and heaps of books and activities not found anywhere else

      I alddo buy wiper blades and various other goodies when on special

  • dna level c on 16/02/2018 - 22:42

    Toilet paper, paper towels, Steggles season frozen chicken breasts, petrol, American bacon, Gotzinger sausages, eggs, bottled water.. so many other things.

  • Melb69 on 17/02/2018 - 00:23

    I go there for the rib racks. Its a Saturday night favorite.

  • Rel63 on 17/02/2018 - 12:57

    I live about 40km from the closest store so only do mthly shops. Get petrol when there so save around 20c a ltr then and do about $200-300 shops in store.

    Ayam coconut cream and get it in a box of 6x 400ml from costco cheaper than woolies sell the 270ml (I go through about 3 boxes a mth).

    Inghams free range chickens for $5.50kg (in a twin pack of around $15-$18, so 3-3 1/2kg).

    Goats cheese in 550ml for $15.99 where woolies is 330ml for $12.99.

    Various items from produce 1kg box of lettuce mix (was great but started to go off sooner so now get the smaller bag instead, zucchini, cucumber are usually good value. I bought 2 watermelons on one visit and 1 of them was fine the other was not, so called and they said to just come to customer desk next visit which was about 6wks later and still got a full refund. So even if something in not great, let them know.

    • godofpizza on 13/04/2018 - 12:35

      if you don't mind me asking, is this whole chicken? frozen or fresh?

      the stuff from the local butcher (no idea what brad/farm it from) the lowest i've seen it go for it 6.99 kg for chicken breast with skin on

      • Rel63 on 13/04/2018 - 13:03

        Whole(free range)fresh chickens . I said Inghams in post but I think they might be lilydale actually. I think the roast chickens are inghams of course not free range. I also get Woolies Macro free range chicken when on special at $5.5-$6kg.

  • CacheHunter on 18/02/2018 - 23:35
    +1

    I've found their tyres to be good value when I last replaced them on my X-trail, but there was a promo on at the time, so don't just assume that they're always cheaper.
    In general, brand name stuff is cheaper than everyday supermarket prices, but not as good as 50% off deals that supermarkets have from time to time if you can wait. Most of the Kirkland stuff is pretty good value. I like their business shirts (just watch the cuts vary from month to month, so find the one that suits you) and, when you can get them, their deals on business shoes.
    Electrical items (eg printers, kitchen appliances etc) can be slightly more expensive, but are covered by a satisfaction guarantee. Its nice to have the option of returning an item for a refund instead of driving all over town to drop stuff off to a manufacturer's service agent for warranty service if something breaks within a reasonable period.

  • Diesmile on 13/04/2018 - 11:58
    Merged from What Do You Buy at Costco?

    my annual renew is coming up at costco, but i fail to find anything at costco interests me.

    there are odd items which i can see a bit cheaper, but usually they are just 1 or 2 dollars at most cheaper compare to supermarket, but you can to buy bulk amount.

    the only thing i can see if their fuel is saving me money, but i have to drive extra 10km to get to it.

    what items do you guys buy from costco to warrant constant renewal?

    also i use to believe they offer life time warranty, but it seems not the case in australia, so there goes the value as well.

    • Hybroid on 13/04/2018 - 12:02

      In the UK it's popular with large families as you do save quite a bit when purchasing items in bulk. More than that though, the quality of fruit/veg and ready food products is significantly better than local Tesco/Asda supermarkets. Haven't tried it here yet though so will be interested to hear people's comments.

      • Diesmile on 13/04/2018 - 12:20

        we are a family of 4, but i don't let my kids eat chips or unhealthy food like chocolate, icecreams etc. just can't seem to find something you have to get at costco, otherwise you are missing out etc

    • 87percent on 13/04/2018 - 12:20
      +2

      this has been discussed before

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/361415

    • CyberMurning on 13/04/2018 - 12:35
      +3

      never buy stuffs.

      just went there with friends' membership card, eat the demo cooking foods they have, then walk around isle, wear hat, come back take more, repeats (and change to wear glasses, tie, etc), until full then go home sleep.

    • pantsparty on 13/04/2018 - 12:35

      I think the best thing they sell is their fresh salmon. Fantastic for sashimi. Other than that toilet paper, cleaning products, fruit etc.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/04/2018 - 12:38
      -4

      Nothing
      It’s too big and I get lost and my GPS doesn’t work instore

    • Roofus on 13/04/2018 - 13:00

      If you need baby products such as nappies or wipes I would recommend going there as you normally buy them in bulk anyway. Eggs and hot chickens are really worthwhile. I wanted to buy the automatic opening bin that you wave over but my wife wouldn't let me :(

    • sparkles on 13/04/2018 - 13:27
      +1

      Can you still call yourself an OzBargainer if you have never set foot in a Costco store? Because I've never. I dunno, I feel like I'd end up spending money on stuff I never needed, like Aldi Special Buys but on a much larger scale.

      • Oz8argain on 13/04/2018 - 13:35
        +1

        you must go in with the mindset that you're not buying anything and don't look at the prices. just eat all the sample food and leave. maybe grab some $1 hotdogs+drink on the way

      • boomramada on 13/04/2018 - 13:45

        Not everything cheap in Costco.
        Most case, WOW or Coles discount specials are better than Costco.
        But most high end brands are cheaper. Still need to shop around.

    • DemocracyManifest on 13/04/2018 - 13:50

      Bought a tonne of pest control ive just finished using up a few years ago, clothes used to be cheap and we had a few gatherings where most of the cooked food came from. Bakery products were good too, dont really remember how cheap veges and fruit were, i think meat was well priced too

    • Quantumcat on 13/04/2018 - 13:57

      I don't think it is cheap enough to justify buying a membership. There's loads of stuff that's always on special on colesworth so usually going to be more expensive at Costco.

  • Rel63 on 14/04/2018 - 13:31

    I started making my own bread and the flour i got from Woolies was $10 for 5kg but found at Costco a 12kg bag for same price.
    Some meat and cheese deals but you have to be picky (lamb is way too expensive).
    It took me some years after the local one opened to even consider them an option but now go 4-6wkly (it is 40mins away) and get stuff in bulk. My (adult) son loves buying chocolate bars by the box.
    Best way is to go have a look, costs nothing but you can't buy unless you get the membership.

  • dane45 on 24/04/2018 - 10:22

    I usually go for:
    - Frozen berries (1.81kg for $12.99)
    - Tofu (900g for $3.19)
    - Almonds (1.36kg for $16.99)
    - Quinoa (don't have the price handy, but much cheaper than Coles)
    - Eco Organics Organic Bean Pasta Variety Pack (again, don't have the price handy but Costco is the only place I can find it)

    I used to get spinach (1kg for $9.99) until I saw that the unit price was identical at my local fruit and veg shop in Footscray and I didn't need to buy in bulk.

  • Rel63 on 25/04/2018 - 22:27

    Went to Costco yesterday and they had Rolled Pork Leg on a real bargain -I think it goes till may but not sure. They are usually $5.99kg and vary from 5.5kg to around 7.5kg which is good but for now they are taking $10off per piece. I bought 3 (to be shared with family) and they were 5.6, 5.8 & 5.95kg and went from $104.40 down to $74.40 for just over 17kg of pork leg. They are Australian SunPork and it's delicious. Make several roasts and many leg steaks or dice.

  • baldur on 01/05/2018 - 17:53

    Mixed berries
    Almond butter
    Klondike ice cream bars.

  • mgsydney on 08/05/2018 - 17:58

    Sorry late to the party, their salsa and bagels are great value and quality

  • GourmetFoodie on 12/05/2018 - 12:56

    I swear by the Kirkland brand paper towels and tin foil. Best quality ever.

  • mkapadia on 10/09/2018 - 17:45
    Merged from Costco: What Do You Buy and Why?

    Hi all,

    As you might be aware Costco Epping (Vic) has just opened up and I got the membership. Wanted to check with Ozb community on what are the things that ppl normally get from Costco and why. Currently I see the savings in petrol so can say will cover the cost of membership but what else do ppl think is better value/quality than colesworth/aldi.

    Thanks
    MK

    • Godric on 10/09/2018 - 17:54

      Food, to eat

    • kerfuffle on 10/09/2018 - 17:59
      +1

      KB's Prawn Gyoza

  • rinnnn on 12/09/2018 - 15:58

    Has anyone seen the Ito-en green tea bags at their local costco?

    I looked in Auburn but they only had a massive bag of green tea powder instead….

  • Shazarella on 09/05/2021 - 19:10

    Bagels
    meats (not chicken as supermarket quality is the same for cheaper) - mince, steak, bacon
    cheeses
    eggs
    milk
    pre made pizzas - the chicken chorizo one is v good
    muffins
    toilet paper - kirkland brand
    paper towel
    maple syrup
    and get a hot dog on the way out, it's very good

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