Costco are about to open in Canberra and I'm wondering whether I should sign up. For you Melbournians who shop at Costco down there, is it worthwhile? Does it save you money?

I used to shop at Costco in Canada and the prices were cheaper, but I did find we ended up buying stuff we didn't really need. However, I'm fed up paying rip-off prices in Australian supermarkets.

I wish they'd open one here!

I work nearby.

I use it enough to make it worth while. I hope.

Don't take my word for it....because I have never got around to comparing prices with the supermarkets..I'm lazy...

I like the shop.

The turn offs for me are the $60 annual membership fee and having to buy some food products in bulk. However, I think it will be great for competition and should put the heat on Woolies and Coles. Interestingly, Woolies are opening a super-sized store right next to Costco here in Canberra. Seems like they're trying to tackle them head on. Could get ugly.

We used it all the time in UK. Yes you do sometimes buy things you don't need because they are a bargain. Yes you do sometimes buy in bulk and then need storage. Is $60 worth it? I dunno, all depends if you make enough genuine savings to qualify.
But any competition is good competition. WE even use Aldi here and I would never be seen dead in an Aldi/Lidl in UK.

Yes I think it is. W used it all the time in UK. Bought loo roll, coffee etc in bulk. Bought big trays of meat and split it between family and friends. W bought electrical stuff in there. Some sweets were cheaper. We got pictures printed there.

I love the place!

Costco membership seems to be one of those things that's best organised in a small group. You buy membership between you and all use it for purchases, potentially sharing the bulk buys between you.

Not the way Costco want you to do things, but more practical for most people than stumping up $60 on the possibility you will make it back in savings. They will use photos etc. to try and limit you, which may mean someone has to volunteer to be available for each trip (never used to be an issue in the UK).

$60 annual fee is $5 per month. I would happily pay $5 per month if they would open one here in WA.

I miss Costco. And Wal-Mart. And Crappy Tire.

Just curious but would it not be obvious that it wasnt your membership when the name on your bankcard did not match the one on the membership card? Or do they not check it at the register?

Doesn't matter. My sister and I shared a membership in Canada and our names are different. We just joined as a "couple" and used the same address.

We used ours all of the time in the UK and the membership fee was easily saved on the purchases we made. I just wish we had one here in Brisbane.

it always amazes me folks that complain about the membership fee but fail to recognise the greater benefit of cheaper purchases.

in my opinion it is worth it for the toiletries alone and you dont necessarily need to buy in bulk (ie: crate worth)

12 bars of dove soap $14 - woolworths = $6.20 for 2
12 rolls of viva double ply hand towel = $13 - woolworths = $4 for 2
5.5 litres of tide laundry detergent (dont sell locally but still...) = $24 - woolworths = 3.3litres of Omo = $32
30 rolls of kleenex cottonel loo paper = $14 - woolworths = $13 for 18

dont get me started on the salmon, seafood, chicken/ beef, pork etc... quality shits on coles/woolies and again major savings.

i'd genuinely save $150-200 per shop at costco compared to the local guys and we're only a husband and wife-no kids.

The 3kg jar of peanut butter lasts a while doesnt it

Only one word answer really, YES, and we just picked up our membership card today, we're members in the UK and very glad they have come to Sydney. Even though it takes about an hours drive to get there we will save the cost of the petrol and our $60 membership on the first shopping trip....cant wait.

Not around our house it doesn't. 2 teenagers, a dog whose daily meds get disguised in PB and a husband who loves peanut butter cookies means we go through a lot.