Lotte Wholesale? Similar to Costco?

[sumyunggai]

Lotte's membership is now free, as the model of prepaid membership just doesn't fly in Indonesia.

They are pretty good for things you buy in bulk, like 330ml cans of pop end up being under Rp 5000, when retail they are closer to Rp 6000. But you have to buy the case of 24.

I get mine from the local Coca Cola sales agent for under 5,000rp, and they deliver directly to me.

 

[scouser59]

lotte is not so interesting , limited range and expensive .

 

[Davita]

lotte is not so interesting , limited range and expensive .

The one concern I have going to those stores is check-out takes so long because there are so many retailers checking-out with so much stuff . Clearly the store appeals to those retailers, and a single family like ours, with few products in our trolley, have to wait. I suggested they have an express lane for people with us but haven't yet observed that...therefore we don't go often.
Costco in N. America has a special time for those registered retailers, so that issue isn't such a problem, although there are still line-ups as Costco is very popular.

 

[Jaime C]

Most Costcos don't have any earlier hours for business members, any longer.

They do have business centers which do open very early on some days. Most Costco's open at 9:30-10am, the business centers (open to all members) open as early as 7am.

 

[Davita]

Most Costcos don't have any earlier hours for business members, any longer.

They do have business centers which do open very early on some days. Most Costco's open at 9:30-10am, the business centers (open to all members) open as early as 7am.

Thanks for the update Jaime...I haven't been in a while and policies do change. Last time was over a year ago and they wouldn't allow me to use a friend's card without her being there. They never bothered about that on previous trips.

 

[steveandpenny]

Thats why they have a pic of you on membership card so that person has to be there. Its alwas been that way. But on a busy day they might not look at it close.

 

[Davita]

Thats why they have a pic of you on membership card so that person has to be there. Its alwas been that way. But on a busy day they might not look at it close.

That may be but I have often lent my card and, as I let it lapse and have borrowed others on visits, the first time that rule has been applied was last year. A lady behind me in line offered to use her card so I could purchase..... but that was also rejected.

hehehe...I just pulled out my old card issued August 1990 and if anyone could recognise me from that picture they deserve a beer. My goodness....I was a handsome devil in 1990...what happened?

 

[steveandpenny]

Lol i rember how bad those black and white digetal pics were. We joined a water park one year and anyone could use my card cause the pic was so bad.

 

[Jaime C]

Costco used to have a business card that you could have any person use, but it's been a long time since I recall seeing it.

One workaround to a membership is to have a Costco gift card. I think they may charge 5% extra, but can save you a hassle.

 

[Banana72]

Lotte Wholesale is okay. I've been to the one in Kelapa Gading, next to the Lotte Mart (retail). Aside from the no $1.50 hotdog/soda, no churros, no chicken bake, etc. No nice free samples, no wines, no good bakery etc. It's definitely not Costco. I like that they don't play any loud music though..no announcements, no electronic sections, so no multiple stereos playing music and 100 TVs all playing different channels.

 

[Asun]

Aside from the no $1.50 hotdog/soda, no churros, no chicken bake, etc. No nice free samples, no wines, no good bakery etc. It's definitely not Costco. I like that they don't play any loud music though..no announcements, no electronic sections, so no multiple stereos playing music and 100 TVs all playing different channels.

Don't diss the TV's. It's the only consolation when the spouse drags you to Costco on Sundays when football is playing. Plus, with all the free food samples, you'll be full by the time you get to the grocery section and thus not going to overbuy. Win-win.

 

[Davita]

Lotte, across the toll from Puri Indah, has a warung that sells bakso.
In Bali on the by-pass, down in a corner of the store, they sell alcohol.

 

[waarmstrong]

The one concern I have going to those stores is check-out takes so long because there are so many retailers checking-out with so much stuff . Clearly the store appeals to those retailers, and a single family like ours, with few products in our trolley, have to wait. I suggested they have an express lane for people with us but haven't yet observed that...therefore we don't go often.
Costco in N. America has a special time for those registered retailers, so that issue isn't such a problem, although there are still line-ups as Costco is very popular.

Same experience, but come to think of it, the wait time is not much longer than Carrefour on a busy day/time. We try to limit our Lotte shopping to those times when the retail buyers are not present in abundance, but if we do get the timing wrong, it's usually faster to cue up behind the retailers who tend to buy a lot, but a lot of a few items. Their time at the register is often much less than the household shoppers with one or two of everything.

 

[macvert]

Me & the wife went to LotteMart Wholesale Bali this morning, we usually go there maybe once a month when we're in town just to have a bit of a sniff around & see what they've got but we have found that their prices tend to fluctuate due to what I think is stock levels.

They now charge for parking but on the up side they've now got a bulk spice counter with a good range where they will weigh out as little or as much as you like & the prices are good.

I also noticed my wife's membership card has no name on it, only a number & they've got 2 checkouts for people with 10 items or less.

 

[Zavia]

A new smart club opened in KTC, kelapa gading, opposite both lotte retail and lotte wholesale (both lotte types in same building)
Seems cheaper, a wider selection and OMG 8KG ICECREAM TUBS FOR ~200+K!!!

I never knew theres a trade center in KG till then... wow.

 

[atlantis]

Seems cheaper, a wider selection and OMG 8KG ICECREAM TUBS FOR ~200+K!!!

I am always amazed at how consumers perceive prices and estimate having a good deal.

I retail this kind of 8 kg ember of Ice Cream in Manado. They come from Jakarta from very certainly the same supplier providing it to your smart club.

The difference with them is that I have the shipment cost in reefer containers for these 8 kg tubs of Ice Cream that your smart club doesn't have.

Yet, we retail them at under Rp 180.000 per tub, which still leaves us after shipment and all associated cost paid over 20% profit. Selling them at over Rp 200K in JKT? Your smart club is indeed pretty smart.

 

[waarmstrong]

I like the 8 liter buckets of Diamond Ice Cream. They seem to be less often crystallized by thawing and refreezing common in smaller sizes. My extended family can go through one in a couple of weeks or less.

 

[Jaime C]

Amazon Now is open in Singapore. This is the free 2 hour delivery service for Amazon Prime members, although currently open to everyone in Singapore. S$40 min order. S$20 off deal for using visa on your first order.

I use it a fair amount when I'm in the US. 75% food items, but plenty of technology, kitchen and other stuff.

Of course some items may be overpriced. I often find Ben and Jerry's for $2.50-$3 a container in the US. S$10 in Singapore.

I someday hope that Indonesia could have a real Costco, or Amazon Now service.

Drone delivery in Indonesia?

 

[waarmstrong]

Do you think that the Singapore Ben & Jerry's price has anything to do with the stories announcing that Jeff Besos is the richest guy in the world?

 

[snpark]

Was