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Dear Cath - April 2016
Hi Cath,
Just wondering what you think of Costco? Whether you think it's worth it?
Michelle Fulcher
Dear Michelle,
I'm not a fan of Costco. If you shop the Cheapskates way, it isn't any cheaper and you certainly don't need to pay $60 a year for the privilege. The only thing I've found cheaper at Costco is flour, at 72c/kg last time I checked (December 2015) compared to 74c/kg at Aldi. Meat is grossly over-priced compared to butchers, fruit and veg is about the same price as supermarkets and more expensive than I can get from my local greengrocers. Toilet paper (the thing most people seem to rave over) is twice the price of the Aldi Confidence toilet paper and you don't need to buy in slabs of 60 rolls.
Everything at Costco is super-sized, but that buying in bulk doesn't necessarily mean cheaper, it just means you're buying more.
By shopping at Aldi, finding a good butcher and greengrocer and following the sales at Coles and Woolworths you can beat Costco prices and you aren't paying $60 a year on top.
There will always be some people who love Costco, the bulk quantities and the prices, and the joining fee. And there will always be people who see it for what it is: a very clever way to part customers from at least $60 a year.
Just wondering what you think of Costco? Whether you think it's worth it?
Michelle Fulcher
Dear Michelle,
I'm not a fan of Costco. If you shop the Cheapskates way, it isn't any cheaper and you certainly don't need to pay $60 a year for the privilege. The only thing I've found cheaper at Costco is flour, at 72c/kg last time I checked (December 2015) compared to 74c/kg at Aldi. Meat is grossly over-priced compared to butchers, fruit and veg is about the same price as supermarkets and more expensive than I can get from my local greengrocers. Toilet paper (the thing most people seem to rave over) is twice the price of the Aldi Confidence toilet paper and you don't need to buy in slabs of 60 rolls.
Everything at Costco is super-sized, but that buying in bulk doesn't necessarily mean cheaper, it just means you're buying more.
By shopping at Aldi, finding a good butcher and greengrocer and following the sales at Coles and Woolworths you can beat Costco prices and you aren't paying $60 a year on top.
There will always be some people who love Costco, the bulk quantities and the prices, and the joining fee. And there will always be people who see it for what it is: a very clever way to part customers from at least $60 a year.