Makro Cash and Carry Review

Overall Rating

Huge variety of wares
Some very cheap
Nice cafe
Plenty of parking
Easy to find

Queues at checkouts (sometimes)
You can't shop there without a card
Some electrical items cannot be returned there if faulty
You have to remember to add the VAT on, as most stuff is marked up without added vat.

I love shopping at our local Makro store. It is easy to get to, situated on Marsh Barton Trading Estate in Exeter, and there are always plenty of parking spaces.

There are a huge variety of things you can buy there - household goods and furniture, ornaments, pictures, picture frames, bedding, kitchen gadgets and utensils, office equipment and furniture, electrical items large and small, toys and games, CD's, DVD's, greetings cards, photographic equipment, phones, garden furniture and tools, general tools, car accessories, watches, perfumes, jewellery, TV and hifi equipment, clothing and footwear for men, women children and babies, baby equipment...
... and of course food - fresh, frozen, tinned and packets. Drinks of all descriptions, including alcohol. Household cleaning products and paper goods... The list goes on and on!

In order to shop here you need to be a registered card holder, and you have to sign in each time you visit. You can apply for a card online at the Makro.com site. Once registered, they will send you flyers of whatever they have on offer, and there are some excellent bargains to be had from time to time.

One thing you must remember is that the prices displayed are without VAT, (not added to food), therefore when comparing prices in other shops, bear that in mind. Not all you see is such a bargain as it could appear!

Beware when purchasing some electrical items too. Unlike Comet or Currys, they will not accept faulty returns, and you are advised to contact the Manufacturer. Ask before you buy.

Some of the foodstuffs I have seen cheaper in Sainsbury's or Tesco's too, so it's good to do a price comparison. Most of their goods you have to buy in bulk, which sometimes works out cheaper, sometimes not!

There is a nice cafe in the store for hot meals and refreshments. You can stop for a break while you are shopping if you choose to, but if you need the loo you have to go out of the shop and come back in again, as the toilets are situated at the entrance before the check-in.

During peak times there are often queues at the check outs. Many business people shop here for bulk purchases, and their trolleys are piled very high!

Makro is an interesting place to shop, but not ALWAYS the best place for a bargain. My advice before you shop there is to look around other stores, compare prices then see if they sell what you are looking for any cheaper. And make plenty of time available to shop there, as the store is very big, and there is loads to choose from. Also, bear in mind you may have to wait to check out at the end.

Members' Comments onHelen of Troy's Review

• taylor9991 on 28th Jan 2007

  Great review Helen. I always seem to find great deals in my local Makro.

• BomBom101 on 28th Jan 2007

  Good review! Makro do a fair bit of stuff!

• Helen of Troy on 29th Jan 2007

  Thank you for your nice comments! Like most people I like to look for bargains, and there are often some great ones to be found at Makro!

• Anonymous101 on 29th Jan 2007

  I like Macro. I too find it very useful for household cleaning items and disposables such as toilet paper, which can be very pricey from the supermarket or local store.

• andyv on 29th Jan 2007

  Absolutely agree on the queues - never seem to be enough open tills. Also, there is nothing to take your stuff away in (bags) - so if you buy lots of small things, they will be rolling around in the boot of the car.
  
  Some of the packages are big - great for parties etc.
  
  Also, good meat and fish variety, and quality and well priced.
  
  Beer and wine varies on value - sometimes much less than others (even after VAT); others it's more expensive.
  
  One of the most weird things is the after checkout process - you pay for your stuff, and 4 foot from the end of the till next to the door is another employee who looks in your trolley, counts the things and then stamps the receipt - after they have just seen you pay!!

• Helen of Troy on 29th Jan 2007

  Hi andyv, I think the same about the guy at the exit! Why do they bother?! He sees you coming through the checkout!
  Makro sell huge strong bags I noticed last week, costing £1.65. I bought a couple, as they are pretty good for the price and hold loads of stuff. I often got caught at the check out like that - no bags! Now I have to remember to put them back in the car after I've unloaded at home!

• andyv on 31st Jan 2007

  Is that £1.65 before VAT?
  
  That reminds me - for the VAT rated items - why not show the VAT price AS WELL? It does not need to be big, but for those of us who need to remember/try and calculate the real price, it would be so useful.

• Helen of Troy on 1st Feb 2007

  £1.65 before VAT! Yes, I agree it would make life easier if each item showed how much it cost including VAT on the receipt. It's not a lot to ask Makro is it?

• Helen of Troy on 6th Mar 2007

  I went into Makro yesterday and bought a phone. Just a single, cordless one. Paid £29.99 plus VAT. When I arrived home and opened the box it appears it has been opened before. The battery had been put into the handset and it had a lot of charge. Plus there were empty polybags and loose wire ties in the box. I was Not Happy.
  
  Anyway, it was too late to take it back same day so thought I would try it out. Plugged in and put on charge. It did not take long for it to be fully charged so it was obvious someone had already charged it. When I picked up the instructions to read it, someone had doodled on them! I was Very Not Happy.
  
  Well, I may as well try it and see what it's like now then. Plugged it into the phone socket. Followed instructions.
  
  Nothing!! The thing didn't work! I am Extremely Not Happy!
  
  Today I am going to take it back and complain. If I get another I think I will check it has not been Used before I leave the Car Park!
  
  Be Warned! Check electrical stuff before you leave the premises. I certainly will in future, that is if I ever buy another electrical item from Makro!
  
  I will let you know what happened after I return it.

• Helen of Troy on 6th Mar 2007

  I returned it, they exchanged it, no problem. Even checked that all the phone pieces were intact before taking it home. Got home, took it all out of box, went to read instructions, NO INSTRUCTIONS in this one!
  So back to the shop again!
  Once again they exchanged it, checked the box, instructions all were fine. Got it home, plugged it in, phone won't connect with base this time!
  Back to Makro again again tomorrow! Think I'll demand a refund this time!