Costco in the U.K.--anything unique or same as U.S.?
Apr 9, 2005, 9:40 am
#17
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Originally Posted by ElkeNorEast
I too am a Costco fan and made the trek to the Costco in Reading last time I was in the UK (November).
It was very similar to the US stores, but with differences that made me really sad to live in the States
It was very similar to the US stores, but with differences that made me really sad to live in the States
As far as Costco differences that would engender sadness over living in the U.S... ???
May 13, 2005, 12:23 pm
#18
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Originally Posted by prspad
Nothing against the beauty of much of the UK, but would you rather live in READING in order to shop at the Costco there? I think that if the good Lord was going to give the world an enema, he'd consider inserting the syringe in Reading! I say that because on three separate occasions, when parking in the Railway parking lot there, my rental car was broken into twice and damaged by a hit n' run driver another time. IMHO, Reading is a pit! Tony Blair could give me a house there and I'd refuse it!
As far as Costco differences that would engender sadness over living in the U.S... ???
As far as Costco differences that would engender sadness over living in the U.S... ???
Actually, the sadness over living in the US stems from religious, political and family issues, but I won't go into that here
Apr 14, 2018, 4:18 pm
#19
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Incidently, if you are without automobile and want to go to the Costco Reading, take a non-stop train from Paddington to Reading, exit the station and look at the bus schedule right out front. The buses queue up right there and you can get to the Costco in under 10 minutes
A blast from the past I know
Thanks.
Apr 15, 2018, 12:54 am
#20
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Anyway Costco Reading is nowhere near the best one to visit from London.
If you mean LHR, the 105 bus from Terminal 3 gets you to Costco Hayes in 20 minutes, or you could even take a taxi/minicab/Uber.
From central London, the easiest would be to take a train to East Croydon from Victoria or London Bridge and the 119 bus gets you to Costco Croydon in 20 minutes + 10 minutes walk.
Costco Wembley is the closest to central London but I don't like the industrial area on that side of the stadium.
Apr 15, 2018, 3:34 pm
#22
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Apr 18, 2018, 10:31 am
#23
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Once visited a Costco while on holiday in Vancouver. Purchased a super suitcase as well as maple syrup and coffee.
Apr 18, 2018, 10:40 am
#24
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My take on this is if you truly have the time, then go. Otherwise, no.
Each Costco's offering is different to match up the local need, even with the Costco branches that are only miles away. So while many items will be the same, there will be noticeable difference.
However, the pricing in the U.K. are usually higher than the U.S. With the different safety standard, etc., it is unlikely that you may be able to buy something from there.
While I also appreciate Costco's guarantee on the products, I am not so sure how you can return an item purchased in the U.K. in an U.S. store.
Each Costco's offering is different to match up the local need, even with the Costco branches that are only miles away. So while many items will be the same, there will be noticeable difference.
However, the pricing in the U.K. are usually higher than the U.S. With the different safety standard, etc., it is unlikely that you may be able to buy something from there.
While I also appreciate Costco's guarantee on the products, I am not so sure how you can return an item purchased in the U.K. in an U.S. store.
Apr 19, 2018, 2:35 am
#25
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And Costcos are often difficult to get to unless you are driving, even if you wanted something specific from the UK, it should be available in a regular supermarket and unlikely to be worth the extra time or cost of getting to a Costco in most costs.
I too have been to a Vancouver Costco, as I always stay with family when visiting Canada.
I was being serious about IKEA, case in point, ice creams at Hong Kong IKEA are now cheaper than McDonalds.
Apr 23, 2018, 8:35 am
#26
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I always thought the main idea of Costco was bulk purchasing..i.e. what you most likely won't do on a vacation due to luggage/customs restrictions. If you just want to buy UK products..just go to the closest bigger Tesco/Sainsbury's or Asda. Costco's savings would in my mind be significantly outweighed by the opportunity cost of going out of your way to go there while on vacation.
Had to laugh at the Asda comment though..as it actually is a division of Walmart. It's called Asda because Walmart has a bad reputation in Europe..
Had to laugh at the Asda comment though..as it actually is a division of Walmart. It's called Asda because Walmart has a bad reputation in Europe..
Apr 23, 2018, 4:29 pm
#27
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I always thought the main idea of Costco was bulk purchasing..i.e. what you most likely won't do on a vacation due to luggage/customs restrictions. If you just want to buy UK products..just go to the closest bigger Tesco/Sainsbury's or Asda. Costco's savings would in my mind be significantly outweighed by the opportunity cost of going out of your way to go there while on vacation.
Had to laugh at the Asda comment though..as it actually is a division of Walmart. It's called Asda because Walmart has a bad reputation in Europe..
Had to laugh at the Asda comment though..as it actually is a division of Walmart. It's called Asda because Walmart has a bad reputation in Europe..
Apr 23, 2018, 7:42 pm
#28
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Some of the Burger Kings have the Coke machine that you can make any number of choices and serve yourself.
Five Guys has serve yourself drinks.
Apr 24, 2018, 11:36 am
#29
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Apr 28, 2018, 8:27 pm
#30
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While Walmart may or may not have a bad reputation in Europe, that is not why it is called ASDA: The ASDA story