MrsRupert
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« on: March 11, 2010, 04:04:18 PM » |
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Hiya, For all the Costco addicts out there, I just wanted to share my experience of getting to Costco without a car. I live in East London, so the closest warehouse is the one in Chingford. We've been to Costco in the car, but I'm really not driving here and I felt desperate for a Costco hotdog! The tfl site ( www.tfl.gov.uk) has a route thing where you put in your post code, and the destination postcode. It tells you which stop to get off on the bus and if you need to change. It may be a bit nerve-wracking at first, but it's an adventure. And it works. Got there and back no problem! The only thing to remember, is that you'll have to carry your purchases home  . So you can't go overboard (a good thing?) Also, Costco only takes Maestro cards or debit cards (cash is okay too). And going during the week is a much less stressful experience (fewer people) than going on the weekend when my hubby can drive us. |
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squirrellypoo
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« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2010, 03:02:24 PM » |
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oh god this reminds me of the time we tried to go to IKEA without a car.  It really makes me annoyed that for 99.9% of the time you can live perfectly happily in London without a car, but then there are a few stores that plop themselves down in the middle of nowhere... (and for that, we joined streetcar. Before we were forced to buy a car for medical reasons, anyway) I think you can also get to Lakeside Costco (and IKEA) via the train from Fenchurch Street and a shuttle bus, too. |
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Summer 97 - first visited friends in London 99-00 - studied at Uni of Sussex on exchange Feb 02 - moved to London on BUNAC Sep 02 - WP granted (IT skills shortage list) Sep 04 - WP renewed Sep 06 - WP renewed again (screwed by 4-5 year ILR change) Sep 07 - ILR granted Oct 08 - Applied for naturalisation Feb 09 - Naturalisation granted March 09 - Citizenship ceremony July 09 - bone marrow transplant July 10 - 10k run for Anthony Nolan!!...Sep 0910 - wedding! |
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Ashley
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« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2010, 04:12:32 PM » |
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I totally love that you went all the way to Costco for a hotdog. That is so something I would do myself.
We don't have a car (yet) and go to Ikea all the time. If we end up buying loads, we just get a taxi, otherwise we bus it. The only inconvenient part in my mind is that these places are so far outside the city centre!
I don't think I could risk a trip to Costco at the moment, though. I'd just cry at the sight of the Kirkland Signature muffins and end up making a total hormonal fool of myself.
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Mrs Robinson
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« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2010, 04:18:41 PM » |
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The only inconvenient part in my mind is that these places are so far outside the city centre!
I don't think I could risk a trip to Costco at the moment, though. I'd just cry at the sight of the Kirkland Signature muffins and end up making a total hormonal fool of myself.
We need to do this sometime during your maternity leave, on one of my days off! I have not yet got up the gumption to go by myself because it's way over - wherever it is, and a bit of a faff to get there. But with my trusty SAT-NAV and moral support, I reckon it could be done. Do you have a membership? We let ours expire because I wanted it, Steve didn't, and we never ended up going (only once!) because he was (at that time) the driver & he hated going so much. |
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I've been saving all my money just to take you there
I smell the garden in your hair
Take the train from Casablanca going south,
blowing smoke rings from the corners of my my my my my mouth.
Colored cottons hang in the air,
charming cobras in the square.
Striped djellebas we can wear at home.
Well, let me hear ya now.
Wouldn't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express...
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Ashley
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« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2010, 04:41:42 PM » |
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We need to do this sometime during your maternity leave, on one of my days off! I have not yet got up the gumption to go by myself because it's way over - wherever it is, and a bit of a faff to get there. But with my trusty SAT-NAV and moral support, I reckon it could be done. Do you have a membership? We let ours expire because I wanted it, Steve didn't, and we never ended up going (only once!) because he was (at that time) the driver & he hated going so much. I had a membership but let it expire too because we never went. Just like you I wanted the membership and Jon didn't. I bugged him about it for years and he finally relented and then we used it like twice that whole year. It's kind of hard to buy in bulk when you don't have the storage for it. |
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They're here!! Abby and Izzie. Born 10/04/10
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« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2010, 05:26:19 PM » |
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I buy 95% of my fuel for the car there because they are close by.
Sometimes I don't like to buy there because our bill comes out too high.
Some of the large supermarket chains are zeroing in on Costco and have become competitive with them on price.
I find somethings are high priced in Costco and like all places you have to compare.
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« Last Edit: March 13, 2010, 12:19:23 AM by Peacemaker »
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Mrs Robinson
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« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2010, 05:35:23 PM » |
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It's kind of hard to buy in bulk when you don't have the storage for it.
Yes, that's true. You might be needing to bulk buy diapers before very long though!  Unless you are using cloth? But still there's those muffins... And the cakes! Oh the cakes! |
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I've been saving all my money just to take you there
I smell the garden in your hair
Take the train from Casablanca going south,
blowing smoke rings from the corners of my my my my my mouth.
Colored cottons hang in the air,
charming cobras in the square.
Striped djellebas we can wear at home.
Well, let me hear ya now.
Wouldn't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express...
- by Graham Nash, Marrakesh Express
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Ashley
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« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2010, 10:10:49 PM » |
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If we can get in without a membership card, then I am so there with you!
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They're here!! Abby and Izzie. Born 10/04/10
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Mrs Robinson
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« Reply #8 on: March 12, 2010, 10:28:32 PM » |
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Yeah, I'm contemplating getting a membership again sometime here, now that I'm driving.
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I've been saving all my money just to take you there
I smell the garden in your hair
Take the train from Casablanca going south,
blowing smoke rings from the corners of my my my my my mouth.
Colored cottons hang in the air,
charming cobras in the square.
Striped djellebas we can wear at home.
Well, let me hear ya now.
Wouldn't you know we're riding on the Marrakesh Express...
- by Graham Nash, Marrakesh Express
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balmerhon
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« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2010, 01:05:02 AM » |
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Ashley, the Costco diapers and wipes are good if you are so inclined. Worth the membership IMHO.
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I took my love, I took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
'til the landslide brought it down
Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Well, I've been afraid of changing cause I've
Built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older, too
Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins
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HG
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« Reply #10 on: March 13, 2010, 05:50:00 PM » |
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If we can get in without a membership card, then I am so there with you!
I think you can get a guest pass...but can't buy anything with it-- but you can still get food at the cafe- they don't check your card so once you get in the door you can have hot dogs- and my favourite Pizza  |
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Cheers
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« Reply #11 on: March 14, 2010, 06:04:13 PM » |
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I think you can get a guest pass...but can't buy anything with it-- but you can still get food at the cafe- they don't check your card so once you get in the door you can have hot dogs- and my favourite Pizza In the US you can use the Pharmacy without being a member. |
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The grass is greener on the other side.
I love rain.
I hate summer heat at over 100 degrees.
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MsB
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« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2010, 06:09:22 PM » |
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In the US you can use the Pharmacy without being a member.
UK Costcos do not have a Pharmacy. And you do have to have a membership card to use the "self-contained" bits of a UK Costco, like the Tyre Centre and the Optician. |
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Not MrsRichUK anymore! :-)
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Ashley
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« Reply #13 on: March 15, 2010, 05:20:55 PM » |
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Yeah, I'm contemplating getting a membership again sometime here, now that I'm driving.
If you do, let me know. I'll be your Costco buddy. |
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They're here!! Abby and Izzie. Born 10/04/10
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onetiger
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« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2010, 07:20:50 PM » |
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If you guys lived closer to me in London I'd take you. LOVE Costco!
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