tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post1982718184073073065..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Have you shopped at Costco?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36732086793149306312014-06-15T10:37:40.720+10:002014-06-15T10:37:40.720+10:00Hi Rhonda. I am very late to this post and pretty ...Hi Rhonda. I am very late to this post and pretty late to your blog, which I am enjoying immensely I must say!<br />I am a member of Costco here in Melbourne and have been for about 2 years. We are a family of of 2 adults, 2 dogs and 3 chooks and I have bought items in bulk - dog food, makeup wipes (for a friend) t-shirts, (same friend), washing powder, food items, razor blades etc<br />I understand the opinion of some who question the need to pay a membership fee to be able to shop there, but I don't buy into that argument. I saved the amount of the membership fee on my first trip there, plus some. And if you shop at one of the large supermarkets then you're probably paying a kind of membership fee without really knowing it by way of higher prices.<br /><br />Costco check your docket as you leave the store because, I was told, people were leaving with a trolley load full of items, then heading back in and filling up the trolley again and leaving without going through the checkout. <br /><br />The items on offer are sourced from Australia and overseas-Kirkland is the their "home" brand and I've found the items I've bought to be excellent.<br /><br />....yes you need storage room at home to stock some of the items, but to be honest, not everything comes in massive amounts. The trick I think is to start your own little neighbourhood co-op and shop divvy the bulk items up between neighbours. Everyone can be a winner.<br />Hope that is a help...even if I'm pretty late to the party<br />Cheers<br />Melbourne Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35500854824122965692014-03-29T04:09:10.832+10:002014-03-29T04:09:10.832+10:00I live in the USA (Florida) and my family loves Co...I live in the USA (Florida) and my family loves Costco. I used to have a big organic garden but due to health issues I can no longer do that. I have found large bags of frozen vegetables, milk, eggs, chicken and ground beef (all these are organic!) that I can stock up on. We also get their dog food, and paper goods. Yes, you have to be careful of the temptations, there are lots of gadgets and things that are enticing, but as a family we have found Costco to be mostly good for saving money. They also have a department where you can get eye exams and eyeglasses. Every family has different needs, but for us we go about once a month and are very satisfied with their products.LANAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05946005009680968861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18909703497456357032014-03-27T16:03:15.526+10:002014-03-27T16:03:15.526+10:00Yaha , you are right about the returns I have retu...Yaha , you are right about the returns I have returned a dyson fan that was very expensive I wasn't satisfied with the item and I got my money refunded, I also had a vacuum cleaner that had a issue and I wanted another but what they do is refund you the money and the you go and buy it againAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85516127056047123292014-03-27T09:36:41.074+10:002014-03-27T09:36:41.074+10:00I also am from Oregon and live about 2 miles from ...I also am from Oregon and live about 2 miles from costco. I only shop for basic items that I know to be a good price. White vinegar, baking soda (aka bi-carb) Coffee, sugar, oats, batteries. I will not buy produce from them. Ours does not buy local and almost all of it goes bad within days. I know that the prices of meat are the same as my butchers, however the meat is not from this area, not organic, and often has recalls. The long lines in check out are such a headache that I only visit 3 times a year just to stock up. I share a membership fee $55(yearly) with 3 friends. We go shopping together and all leave with a need to never go back again. Their return policy is fabulous though, it doesn't matter if you bought it a year ago and you ran it over with the car. They will take it back and return your money.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09582508670793414433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91002959683638251712014-03-26T08:48:08.811+10:002014-03-26T08:48:08.811+10:00Hello Rhonda~Being an Oregonian I consider Costco ...Hello Rhonda~Being an Oregonian I consider Costco a local company, Seattle's just a jaunt up the pike. I caught myself smiling when I read one of your commenters say it was a "foreign company". :-) I always think of you in Australia as being just a few miles away.♥<br /> We have been Costco members for 15 years. It all began for us, as just a better laundry detergent and paper goods store, but we have found several great buys we use regularly. Besides the GAS....always at least 10cents cheaper a gallon than anywhere else in town~!!!<br />We do not shop for ALL our produce at Costco, I am much too particular about pesticides etc. The fact that we choose to eat seasonally, gives us opportunity to support local valley farmers markets and makes us immune to the temptation to buy Chili and Peruvian berries, grapes and melons (sold 12 months of the year). **However, during the winter months the wonderful Power Greens from the Washington State hoop house hydroponic farms is a mainstay for us.<br /><br /> I am confident of any product with a Kirkland brand. Kirkland brand coffee is roasted by Starbuck's, another Seattle-grown world dominating business, which I like!<br />One thing I've noticed about Costco's around the country; they source produce from the neighboring local areas when possible. Other products sold are the Best Possible in their category.<br />Just a couple for example: the vanilla extract is The Best, and Johnny's Garlic Spread seasoning is handy and a good value (even if one could make it yourself). The Northwest-grown berry jam has been known to come home with me too~! Mmmmm.<br />I hardly ever even look in the cooler or freezer sections, (since I 'cook from scratch' regularly) and these are full of more packaging than product. My berries are frozen in my freezer during the season and fresh veg is used at my table. I am NOT fond of 'farmed fish' or 'feed-lot produced' meat sections, because I buy very local here in my valley.<br /><br />Yes, I am picky-picky when it comes to what I buy @Costco. Rarely do I go over $100, plus gas fill-up.<br />I would categorize Costco as a "convenience store" for those fortunate to have unlimited freezer and pantry space. Otherwise, for me it has come in very handy when I've needed large supply of "satisfactory" (not necessarily Gourmet or Home-Made) food for guests when entertaining or a trip to the coast with the 'grands'. Carolynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581024347242760698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49416498130498882662014-03-25T19:26:50.653+10:002014-03-25T19:26:50.653+10:00Wow I wish we had a fuel station at the melbourne ...Wow I wish we had a fuel station at the melbourne docklands one sounds good though<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65770441594381123762014-03-25T14:38:49.602+10:002014-03-25T14:38:49.602+10:00Like many here, we do buy some of our bulk basics ...Like many here, we do buy some of our bulk basics from Costco -- it is only 13km away from where we now live in Melbourne. We try hard not to get tempted by the other items, though at times it can be quite a challenge especially with their books.<br /><br />I do keep a price list of the items we typically buy (and how much we use up in a month or two), so I could easily see if the Costco price is worth stocking up on. I also tend to make everything from scratch, so although we are a family of only three, we usually get back the membership fee on bulk flour alone. I like that I don't have to waste so much packaging on smaller sized retail products, although I realise bulk shopping is not for everyone.<br /><br />From my price list, I normally buy the following: 12.5kg of Manildra Baker's Flour (Australian-made) for $9.79, 3kg of Australian-made white sugar for $2.09, 1kg of dried pitted dates for $5.89, 1.5kg of baking chocolate chips for $9.29, 600g of Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder for $8.69, 1.5kg of Sunbeam sultanas for 5.99, 1.3kg of raw almonds for 15.99, and 2L of Kikkoman soy sauce for $9.99.<br /><br />I also buy their Arm&Hammer bicarb at about $9 for 5.5kg.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-54926614943531554172014-03-25T08:58:21.194+10:002014-03-25T08:58:21.194+10:00Hello Rhonda
I am a Costco shopper and there is o...Hello Rhonda <br />I am a Costco shopper and there is only my husband, myself, 2 cats and 7 chooks, we don't buy a lot of food there but I do like to buy my toilet paper, tissues, washing liquid etc in bulk which works really well for us. If we do buy bulk food it is non perishable like quinoa, rice, flour coffee etc. I do try and buy Australian and the longer Costco is here the more Australian products they get. Everytime we visit we find something else Aussie...<br /><br />Also the new Costco that opened near us at Casula has petrol at a reasonable price, we saved the membership price on a tank of fuel for our Toyota Landcruiser which takes 150 litres to fill. Traciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11118063745443375285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65256468755684475452014-03-25T08:14:58.230+10:002014-03-25T08:14:58.230+10:00Costco is the same as any other large supermarket ...Costco is the same as any other large supermarket type store. The good bits: There are bargains to be had. I love the toilet paper and the meat section. Costco provides opportunities for jobs in the community. Costco provides more competition. Bad bits: It is an O/S company but so is Aldi. The big supermarkets strip our farmers and small private shop owners of profits to drive profits up and costs down. Do you know that over 90% of Australian milk production is owned by 2 companies, one Japanese and one French. My opinion find a balance, shop local when you can and buy at a farmers market if possible. Then enjoy some of the things the big supermarkets provide.Liahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02657009842675748131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71569361504315799062014-03-23T18:14:01.206+10:002014-03-23T18:14:01.206+10:00Hi Rhonda I have a Costco membership and find thei...Hi Rhonda I have a Costco membership and find their products to be of excellent quality (not so much fruit and veg though).You do have to know your prices some things are cheaper elsewhere. I don't think it would be worth it for two though, the quantities are too large. I like to buy their maple syrup, condiments and sauces, cheeses and also their clothing range is usually great quality.They are a bit like Aldi in that they stock their staple products but also have a range of limited goods that are available until they sell out. I have got some excellent deals on stuff like boogie boards, skateboards, clothing, camping goods etc. They have a great return policy for goods as well. I go once every three months or so to stock up on bulk products. They are starting to get a bigger range of organic/whole food products which is good to see. For a larger family some of their prices can be very good. Sure we would all like to support locally grown products but sometimes this is not possible on a budget. I enjoy shopping there.<br />Cheers KaranAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03583733348103056199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22128383507309826602014-03-23T10:07:11.807+10:002014-03-23T10:07:11.807+10:00One thing i haven't seen mentioned is that Cos...One thing i haven't seen mentioned is that Costco has a very generous return policy -- you can return anything for one full year. I'm in the US, but I would expect that it would be the same everywhere.<br /><br />The items I find to be a good deal include: nuts (the package size is large, but we make our own granola, baked goods, trail mix, etc so that's not a problem); olive oil, which has been independently tested and found to be very good; goat cheese (packaged in 2 logs); wine, household & seasonal items. For example a friend joined just to get the surf boards -- apparently a VERY good deal. <br /><br />It is true that those of us striving to live simply will find fewer things there, but between the things that I buy regularly and seasonal deals on things like garden hose, deck furniture, good quality snow shovels, etc -- I've found it to be worthwhile for my household of 3.Lisa Crisseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12284617993676320830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9399846414498913492014-03-23T08:14:32.093+10:002014-03-23T08:14:32.093+10:00Sustainable mum yes just to answer there are Costc...Sustainable mum yes just to answer there are Costco stores in the ukAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47309518409346370792014-03-22T10:02:26.584+10:002014-03-22T10:02:26.584+10:00While Costco is a big box store, they treat their ...While Costco is a big box store, they treat their employees very well. In the US, they get paid a living wage with twice annual bonuses after five years, decent health benefits, and a good retirement package.<br /><br />As for their items, you have to be choosy. If you can't deal with temptation, then you probably shouldn't get a membership. If you are a shop-from-the-list kind of person like I am, it's no problem. We eat local and organic when we can. Today, my family went to Costco and we bought cat litter at a greatly reduced price, organic semi-local cheese, sustainably raised fish, sustainably sourced chocolate chips, dates (my 2 year old is obsessed), and unsalted nuts. We buy their toilet paper in large quantities once or twice a year. We're only a family of three (soon to be four), but we buy in bulk, repackage into mason jars, and fill our pantry by traveling there probably no more than 8 times a year.StrivingSimplyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08171172049027223389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9021217570430165982014-03-22T06:49:19.241+10:002014-03-22T06:49:19.241+10:00We go halves in membership with a friend. We are a...We go halves in membership with a friend. We are a household of three and don't shop there often and only for specific products, so if we has to pay the full membership I don't think we would do it. We enjoy the adventure every three months or so thou. <br /><br />Aldi is usually cheaper and offers better quality meat & veg (and most groceries but here are the things that we buy there:<br /><br />Baking soda: huge bag (5.5kg) that last forever (great for cleaning) ad so much cheaper than buying from woollies/coles.<br />Bacon: the have a smoked bacon from south australia with a German sounding name that is amazing.<br />Nuts: bulk packs of walnuts, pine nuts, slithered almonds and I store them in the freezer to keep them fresh. <br />Quinoa<br />Panko breadcrumbs (for the best schnitzels!) <br />Havarti cheese: presliced, delicious and $11 a kilo. Guilt factor is high though as it is made in the US. They need an Aussie brand for this.<br />Kirkland Garbage bags: thickest and best I have ever found. <br />Commercial sized glad wrap, aluminium foil and baking paper: I try and buy these when costco has them on a coupon special. Even at regular prices they are really good value.<br />Hershey's cocoa (650g).<br /><br />Occasionally they have really good deals on wine but I usually take pic of the price on my iPhone and go to dan Murphy's for a price beat. It is never by much but I like to spread my grocery love around a bit. Jasminehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04038017316392438908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77108466643997011952014-03-22T02:38:59.642+10:002014-03-22T02:38:59.642+10:00Think I saw the same tv. show....and vaguely remem...Think I saw the same tv. show....and vaguely remember Choice magazine doing a review and finding them wanting.Gina E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07532527261977368083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-8881711424628253532014-03-22T02:37:31.164+10:002014-03-22T02:37:31.164+10:00Hear hear Suzie....For a start I cannot understand...Hear hear Suzie....For a start I cannot understand why anyone would even think of paying a membership fee to shop at one store, no matter how many lines they carry! What are shopping centres and strips for, if not to browse and compare prices - with no membership fee!Gina E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07532527261977368083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78113463690096488032014-03-21T20:24:06.917+10:002014-03-21T20:24:06.917+10:00Like Ock Du Spock we don't have one near us, i...Like Ock Du Spock we don't have one near us, in fact I don't think they exist in the UK, but interesting to read the comments!sustainablemumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04099701194160334671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61949696860628912482014-03-21T18:15:15.024+10:002014-03-21T18:15:15.024+10:00I don't and won't shop at costco as it is ...I don't and won't shop at costco as it is foreign owned and profits go straight back overseas, but have a dgtr who loved it, From what i could see she bought a whole lot of junk and impulse purchases which were a waste of money. Large bags of crappy quality chocolates and other things of dubious value. How bout we all buy LESS, not huge amounts of MORE. You can tell I'm not impressed. If we wnat that type of shoppping, we are going the right way about it.I say Boycott costco!jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09287494641855278679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84532628145601978012014-03-21T10:19:24.368+10:002014-03-21T10:19:24.368+10:00Thanks to everyone for all the comments and the li...Thanks to everyone for all the comments and the links, it is so helpful. Ethical shopping takes time and energy and in this we all differ and therefore make different choices. I spend a lot of time and energy balancing local versus organic, local store over local IGA and then Coles or Woollies, all in an effort to balance ethics, values and $$$. I can see that I am not alone. I don't think Costco is for me. I live in the northern burbs of Melbourne and we have a lot of options for bulk buying within a short car, train or tram trip. But I will check it out next time my friend goes just to make sure. ;-)<br />kateRapunzels Wild Gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04273047547787107088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-51177475643435371572014-03-21T09:43:02.905+10:002014-03-21T09:43:02.905+10:00No costco near us Rhonda! But reading all these co...No costco near us Rhonda! But reading all these comments with much interest!Ockduspockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13472291767747357704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79498725105043539922014-03-21T07:00:26.964+10:002014-03-21T07:00:26.964+10:00I joined Costco purely for the zombie apocalypse a...I joined Costco purely for the zombie apocalypse aisle. Tins and jars of things.<br />I knew I could save money here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-83081513757531725702014-03-21T06:54:17.654+10:002014-03-21T06:54:17.654+10:00What if said small local trader gets there goods f...What if said small local trader gets there goods from costo , also I live melbourne and the small,local trader eg chefs hat could not give a a good price on the kitchen aid like costo could its great to support local but not when my bank balance goes into, negative, but seriously,I applaud your food for though and noble efforts is just not everyone can shop locally for whatever reason .. I don't discourage local shopping or shopping at Costco. For many, Costco is the best option for those on a tight or limited budget. I would never want someone to feel bad for shopping at Costco, especially when it's their only choice. Also Costco does actually partner with a lot of local farmers and producers. Also ironically, Costco is sometimes the only local choice if you live in the suburbs. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-23617682734268091612014-03-21T03:42:16.127+10:002014-03-21T03:42:16.127+10:00I like Cosco. There is only my husband and myself,...I like Cosco. There is only my husband and myself, but I do shop there once in a while. However, it takes a bit of willpower. I always have a list, I buy only the things I know I will use, and I comparison shop with the circulars prior to going. Sometimes, it's cheaper to buy things on sale at your local store than it is to buy them in bulk at Cosco. As our children have grown and gone, it is not the savings that it once was. katiemedarlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17586227244750342166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-32401122315052985052014-03-21T02:25:46.780+10:002014-03-21T02:25:46.780+10:00We used to have a Costco membership but not anymor...We used to have a Costco membership but not anymore. For two of us the numbers just did not work. I prefer to buy my produce fresh, I'm not a big fan of buying enough of anything to last me for 6 months in one hit. I think the consumerism can be witnessed when you get to the checkout and you see most trolleys are full of frozen crap. It was enough to put me off ever stepping foot in the store again. I had a friend who shopped there, said it was cheaper to just buy the fresh produce there and throw out the leftovers rather than shop at a regular grocery store. Once again not a practice that I enjoy.Toulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14229566086401568728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20145668398115237582014-03-21T01:21:39.198+10:002014-03-21T01:21:39.198+10:00Rhonda, Our experience with Costco has been a posi...Rhonda, Our experience with Costco has been a positive one. But we are very careful what we buy there. We limit ourselves to the basics. The money we save on milk and toilet paper each month pays for our annual fee, then any other savings are a bonus. On any given month we will usually buy Milk, Eggs, cheese, flour, whole wheat (buckets of un-ground wheat), salt, raw nuts, honey, bar soap, baking soda (for cleaning), vinegar (for cleaning), toilet paper, Butter, eye care products (for my contacts). Then we add when needed other canned goods, etc. At least here in the US Costco offers a pretty good selection of organic items and we will buy canned beans, tomatoes, apple sauce and few other items depending on what we have left from the garden stores. We do buy fresh produce there every once in a while but only organic items that have a longer shelf life (like carrots & potatoes). And we will buy meat there but very rarely as we are not really big meat eaters so it doesn't make a lot of sense for us to buy bulk meat. Over all though we really like Costco and have had a membership there for 15 years. You have to be really careful though, I know folks that just can't say no to a good deal and leave Costco every month with over $1000.00 worth of stuff! We usually budget about $175 for Costco items every month.Stoney Acreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08436236175480982661noreply@blogger.com