Okay, so this weekend I'll head off to Northlakes in Brissie to make a pilgrimage to that bastion of overconsumption, Costco. I've been there once each in the USA and Canada, and now I'm keen to see what they offer here in Oz.
Anyone have any hints or tips of what to look out for? Are there any common everyday bargains that are worth seeking out, or is it more a case of 'spot the bargain on the day'?
LOL. When my Dad took me to Costco in the USA we had a 12" hotdog with condiments + the equivalent of a 750ml softdrink for $1.50. So cheap.
Totally agree , AUD 2 for hot dog , soft drinks
Fat people pushing to get to the free samples
and buying those boxes of croissants
This is why I no longer take my mother-in-law to Costco. It takes 3 hours because she keeps going back for free samples. She has absolutely no shame in going up multiple times until she's full.
'She has absolutely no shame in going up multiple times until she's full.'
Awesome. I bet your ma is wise, DTE, and fun to hang out with!… and there is no 'shame' in what she is doing! Give her a high-5 from me!!!
Salad mix or Spinach leaves- 1 KG for $10
Whole oven baked chickens for $6
American lollies, poppycock!
If you have kids books
Ruffles chips!
Anything with extra discount
Lobster tails
Meat's pretty good, they have awesome pork ribs as well as 8kg+ briskets so if you like to BBQ then you'll probably want to take a look at that.
Do they still sell the briskets? I can't find it anymore at the docklands store.
I was at the Moorabbin store a few weeks ago and they still had them, Angus briskets ranging between 5kg and 8.5kg.
Last time I went to Docklands (day before Aus day) they had sold out of ribs and briskets, but I figured that was just a timing issue.
Yep. The perfect passive aggressive gift. Go for the cheap one, two sizes too small.
Petrol. Nappies, if you're in that demographic. LED light bulbs, washing powder, dried figs, iTunes cards. Big ass BBQ chicken pizza at the hot food counter (called that because you end up with a big ass after eating too many of them)
See http://costco.com.au/coupons/ for the specials
Big +1 for the petrol, I saved 23c a litre at Moorabbin last week on 91. Have lunch afterwards and get a hotdog and pizza slice, which is my usual $6 costco lunch.
Try to avoid getting run over by maniacs with trolleys?
Salmon, fresh tasmanian skinless boneless salmon - use it for sashimi.
'use it for sashimi.'
Erm… not advisable.
That is the only way I have eaten it for the last 3 years. Goes down very well.
Buffalo wings!
I usually grab some buffalo wings, Yashida's wing and ribs sauce, Chullora hot sauce, Sweet baby Rays BBQ sauce and Korean BBQ.
Pro tip, enter without a trolley and go straight for the cafe. Grab yourself a hot dog and drink. Eat the dog, enjoy your drink while shopping. Refill the drink on the way out.
The coconut sesame rolls (if you don't know what it looks like, look for big green and white foil snack bag, or just check any asian person's trolley)
The big cans of spray cream (unlike supermarket spray cream, it's like 97% cream, not 30%, and unlike the little plastic jars or cartons of normal cream (not spray) at the supermarket, it lasts for months in the fridge, not days, so you can actually buy it without wasting half)
Kirkland baby wipes (best cleaning product even if you don't have a baby or small kids - and by far the best nappy wipes available, if you do)
The samsonite easy-rolling hard suitcase (travelling is way easier)
Vege chips
Giant Skippy peanut butter
Complete set of Harry Potter or Roald Dahl or Mr Men books, or Dr Seuss classics collection
Big slab cakes are tasty for birthdays. Also Mud and cheese cakes. (Giant pumpkin pie for under $10 is the best, but not out until September or so)
The Kirkland baby wipes are better than the Huggies ones? How do the nappies compare, as well?
Kirkland by a mile. The Huggies wipes are heaps better than any other brand at the supermarket, IMO, but the Kirkland wipes are much better than huggies.
I've heard the Kirkland nappies aren't really better than the Huggies (though the jumbo costco pack of huggies is usually cheapest way to get huggies except when the heaviest discounts are on at coles or woolies).
Kirkland everything. Their toilet paper is far superior to pretty much any other one I've tried, their hand towels are excellent. Skippy Crunchy peanut butter. Pound Cakes that come in 3. Tide washing liquid
Kirkland TP is sadly not nearly as good as Quilton. Still better than most brands, tho.
Salmon , instant noodle
Annie's fruit straps
Sliced ham and cheese
Coconut rolls
Pulled pork from the freezer - great emergency meal ready in 15 mins
Nappies and baby wipes they go on sale about every 3 months
Check out the catalogue for extra discounts
Only when on special - laundry powder and dishwashing powder/tablets
Pro tip - the items they are clearing out get reduced to $xx.97 e.g. $2.97 as they may be close to use by/best before date or not stocking it anymore
Thanks for all the suggestions. Just paid for my membership tonight, I'll see what goodies I can find on Sunday!
Sunday is definately the worst day, try get there early
Some Costcos, like the Lidcombe NSW one, are especially bad.
We're 5 mins closer to Lidcombe than Casula, but we always go to Casula because it's worth it to avoid the crazy overcrowding.
Don't go on a weekend, it's soo busy!
My first visit i spent at least an hour in there.
The best thing is, you have a whole year to test out your membership. You can change your mind about it up to almost the last day of expiry, and still be able to get a full refund on the $60 you paid.
I ended up going Saturday arvo and, yes, it was packed with people. The girl at the checkout counter commented it was a "slow period for a weekend". If possible, I'll time future visits for a weekday.
I felt like the odd one out because I didn't get a giant pack of loo paper (only stocked up last week). But, I did pick up some bargains. My top picks:
Because of the long drive up The Range I didn't get any cold/frozen products. Next time I might bring the big esky and fill it with ice. I ddn't see any devastatingly good bargains in electronics or homewares, or maybe I just didn't feel like there was anything I needed. I did see a heavy-duty shelf in hardware that was excellent for only $109, but I had the wrong vehicle with me - somehow, I think the Qld Police would take a dim view of a Yaris heading down the M3 with a huge box dangling out the back door.
At least now I can say I've been to Costco and actually bought something. Businesses, big families, and farmers from remote properties would benefit the most. It's definitely not aimed at casual shoppers, but it sure was an interesting visit.
1L real Canadian maple syrup @ $14.99 - because everything is better with real Canadian maple syrup!
Can't believe I forgot this, one of their best products. So much cheaper than buying real maple syrup at the supermarket.
prosciutto
3 pack of grand pianos !
Hot dogs.
Get ready for a mouthgasm.