nearly cried in Costco

By the way, Little Chef has online merchandise....

http://www.charlieshop.co.uk/

I think a lot of the perceptions concerning British Cuisine can be blamed on Little Chef, because visitors rent a van and end up dining there thinking it is like Waffle House of IHOP....not knowing its true sinister nature....

These diners on the M11 are great for American style pancakes! http://www.okdiners.com/

These diners on the M11 are great for American style pancakes! http://www.okdiners.com/

Really? We passed one and I was curious... But it looked like just another Ed's Diner type deal.

I make regular stops there for Skippy Super Chunk and Red Vines.  I'm also addicted to the lemon cake in the bakery and every now and again have to do Ghiradelli brownie mix.
 
I can't say I've ever cried over it, but I've been giddy happy on occasion.

I've also cried over Little Chef.  Although, last month we went to the one that Heston Blumenthal overhauled in his show a couple years ago, and it was really good!  As I paid my tab, I commented to the waitress that if the other ones were like that, I'd be willing to go all the time.  It was a really good meal at good family prices.  She kind of rolled her eyes, in a "tell me about it, we hear that all the time" way.  Two years on, and the place was packed still (and it's kind of in the middle of nowhere--we stopped by on the way to Stonehenge).  On the funny side, the toilets still talk and have tiles full of funny cooking tips. I had to laugh that it was fun just checking out the toilet.

How do you become a member or whatever? Do you have to pay for membership? Can anyone join? There is one in Newcastle that might be worth making a trip to now and then, but we wouldn't be going all the time as its pretty far from where we live, so I'm just wondering if its worth it. 

I've also cried over Little Chef.  Although, last month we went to the one that Heston Blumenthal overhauled in his show a couple years ago, and it was really good!  As I paid my tab, I commented to the waitress that if the other ones were like that, I'd be willing to go all the time.  It was a really good meal at good family prices.  She kind of rolled her eyes, in a "tell me about it, we hear that all the time" way.  Two years on, and the place was packed still (and it's kind of in the middle of nowhere--we stopped by on the way to Stonehenge).  On the funny side, the toilets still talk and have tiles full of funny cooking tips. I had to laugh that it was fun just checking out the toilet.

There's one on the A64 near York that they've done as well, it's the East bound one, not the West bound, but not been yet.

How do you become a member or whatever? Do you have to pay for membership? Can anyone join? There is one in Newcastle that might be worth making a trip to now and then, but we wouldn't be going all the time as its pretty far from where we live, so I'm just wondering if its worth it. 

The membership is restricted in the UK. So only people of certain professions can join! I was able to join (I think it's about 30 pounds) because I'm a teacher, but I know some people have just gotten a membership in ths US (for about $50) because anyone can join there. You can use your US card over here!

We went to the Costco in Reading a few weeks ago and were given a hard time about joining for the reason that Princesslemons mentioned (neither of us qualify for membership really).  I was really frustrated, but as soon as the girl heard my American accent make a snappy remark about how anyone can join in America, she found a way around the rules.    Another note: they do need a utility bill of some sort when you sign up.

Non-Costco related, but I teared up a bit in a garden center yesterday when I saw Teddy Grahams of all things!  I'm not even entirely sure these are difficult to find in the UK, but I havent seen them here and they made me feel suddenly home sick.  (oh and they had the clear Karo syrup there too!)

Not the most ethical advice, but:
My friend works in a print shop and he just printed out business cards and letterheads for people, that they used for "business" memberships. They said they ran their business out of their home and used their home utility bills.

Not the most ethical advice, but:
My friend works in a print shop and he just printed out business cards and letterheads for people, that they used for "business" memberships. They said they ran their business out of their home and used their home utility bills.

I'm pretty sure that when we opened our Costco Trade account, we had to show a utility bill/business bank statement and VAT certificate -OR- utility bill/business bank statement and two pieces of business ID (invoice to the business, business cheque, etc).  Simply having business letterhead plus a utility bill wasn't good enough...

It isn't really super hard anyway, if you know anyone with a membership, they can add you on theirs (and it's cheaper that way anyway).  Once you've had that membership for the first year, I think you become eligible yourself.

Do you or your spouse work for any large employers?  I believe most local authorities, the NHS, etc are all on the list.  Lots of companies are.  There are also individual memberships at my local Costco in Cardiff--I'm not sure what the policy is on those, but I think they may be relaxing things a bit.

I had my first one through my mom in the States, but then I got my own because I do have a small business.  It was easy enough to set up as I printed some of my invoices and brought one of my home utility bills as the one from my place of business.  You can use VAT certificates, but lots of small businesses don't deal with VAT.  I was able to set mine up without any VAT stuff.  I may have brought a bank statement--can't remember--but I use my personal account as my business is quite small.

I registered with them via Transpondia, nobody batted an eyelash...

I'm not in a UK Costco approved profession, but my expired US Costco membership card was enough for them to let me take up a new membership here.  As mentioned earlier, you also need to bring a utility bill for proof of address.  

My spouse was not with me at the time so they simply issued a blank card in his name and when he does go in for the first time they'll take his photo and issue a new card for him.

All in all, it was easy and the staff were quite friendly.  US Costco is known for treating their employees well, so I asked the woman helping me whether that was true in the UK, and she said yes, but it's a bad job for her because she can't resist temptation and she ends up spending all her money at Costco.  Her colleagues who were listening laughed and said they have the same problem.

What's their rationale for restricting membership 

Personally, I think Costco is to blame for the obesity epidemic.  Why eat just one Snickers bar when I can get 24 at a bargain price?  Who wants a small muffin when 12 extra large ones are so cheap?     Costco is a dangerous place for me. 
And Costco cakes are DELICIOUS but they're HUGE.  I would love to have just a small one, just a corner piece with a big frosting rose on top.  LOL