Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jackmckenzie]

Hey guys

Notice quite a few threads on costco shopping here, just wondering if it's easy to be a member in Korea?

Here (the UK) you have to be of a certain profession to be a member and it's quite limited. From the look of all these threads in Korea it looks as thought most foreigners seem to be members..

Hopefully someone can clue me in on this as I imagine it will be a good place to shop for some western products when I get out to Korea.

Cheers!

[CPT]

Registration is open to anyone with a valid ID, as far as I know. I don't think you even need your ARC. I think your passport is enough.

It's only 30,000 (maybe 35,000) for a year. Well worth it.

[Richard Krainium]

35,000 won for a year, unless you have a business license then it's 30,000.

Important to note. Costco Korea accepts only one credit card, their own Samsung/Costco card.
http://www.costco.co.kr/eng/membership.htm

[uklathemock]

[air76]

All Costco's will only accept one credit card....unless it's changed in the US, they always only accepted Discover. The reason is that the credit card companies charge a 3% (approximately) commission to businesses whenever anyone makes a purchase, but Costco negotiated a deal with Discover to waive this fee (or greatly reduce it)....this is why some places charge a fee when you pay with a credit card, or have two different prices, one for cash and one for credit....but ironically when you choose the credit option they will make more money as this higher price is generally 10% higher, which is more than enough to make up for the commission.

It's definitely worth having a Costco card if you're within a reasonable drive to a Costco...but other than a few things (cheddar cheese, bacon, cream cheese, Spanish olives, Parmesan cheese, peanut butter, feta cheese) the prices aren't necessarily THAT extraordinary. For us it's less a place to save money and more a place to get special treats, like US Beef Jerky, Costco muffins, and so on. If you eat a lot of junk food then Costco is amazing, but 90% of what we buy there is cheese and bacon.

[Milwaukiedave]

It is fairly painless to sign up. As someone already said, just bring your ARC Card and pay the membership fee.

[curiousaboutkorea]

You can sign up with another person (I assume has to be of the oppsoite sex) and claim you're a couple. I've heard sometimes the check the address on the ARC and people get rejected this way. Just use your passport.

[wads]

Costco in the US only accepts American Express, not Discover. They also accept debit card + pin though. I went to Costco and I still have my card from back home and that works too, but it sounds like you don't have one already.

Worth it IMO especially since it's cheaper here.

[bsrosenfeld]

In Korea it's either cash or Samsung credit card. You cannot use any other credit or debit card. However, the cashiers are ready for this and if you run short on cash they will hold your receipt for you while you run to the many ATM's they have on site.

It's also worth mentioning a few online Costco alternatives such as www.CostLove.com and www.EZShopKorea.com. They are both a little more expensive in different ways, but it saves you a trip to Costco. They will deliver right to your door in most cases next day.

[rumdiary]

If your parents have a membership tell them to add you to their account for free and send you the card .

[Xuanzang]

[curiousaboutkorea]