Millions of Americans have a Costco membership. Although a Costco membership is designed to get you more for less, you may not be getting the best deal. Learn how to make the most of your Costco deals.
If you have a Costco membership, you might think that you’re getting the best deal every time you visit the membership-only warehouse store. Most of the time you probably are getting great deals, but here are some tips to get the most out of your membership and making sure that you’re getting the most of your Costco deals.
USE YOUR MEMBERSHIP OFTEN
One of the most important steps of getting the most out of your Costco deals is to use your membership on a regular basis. While the membership itself is reasonable, starting at $60, it may not be worth your time or money if you only use it a few times a year.
The more you go to Costco, the more you will familiarize yourself with the store and can see what items are good deals for you and other things that you should just pass on. If you’re a new shopper to Costco, it may take you a while to get used to the store, its deals, and sometimes it’s trial and error (which often translates to wasting some product).
The best way to understand your Costco deals is to visit the store often and use that card, even if it’s just for a few things.
PLAN BEFORE YOU GO
Walking into Costco without a list can be a rookie mistake. Most Costco deals are appealing, and for impulsive shoppers who don’t have a plan, it can be a costly nightmare.
Not only can you end up with an endless supply of office supplies, but you might get tired of that bulk pack of frozen veggies. If you take too many spontaneous trips to Costco, you might decide that it’s not the place for you.
Buying in bulk isn’t bad, and when you do it right it helps households become more efficient, but it only really works when you have a plan.
TAKE ADVANTAGES OF COSTCO’S OTHER SERVICES
You can buy toilet paper in bulk, and even get a good deal on household appliances, but if you’re a Costco member it’s worth checking out the other services that they offer.
The Costco Optical and Pharmacy is a great option for families who are already shopping for other necessities at the store. Whether you need an eye exam, new contact lenses, or a new pair of prescription glasses the Optical Center can save you the hassle of shopping elsewhere and making separate appointments; they also accept most insurance plans
The Costco Pharmacy has a variety of services from home delivery and auto-refill to prescriptions for your pets. Some Costco stores even host health and wellness clinics on-site or offer immunizations.
As a Costco member, you can also take advantage of special travel deals as well as insurance plans, and auto programs. Learn more about these services when you sign up for your Costco membership.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE PRICING
If you want to make sure that you’re getting the best deal at Costco, pay attention to the pricing. Standard Costco pricing typically ends in .49 or .99. When your browsing the aisles of Costco and notice a price that ends in .00 or .88, it means that the product is likely in “closeout” and it’s the best price you’ll get on that particular item.
Learning how to “decode” the price tag can help you get a better understanding of the product. An asterisk means that something is seasonal and a plus sign refers to a discontinued item. In addition to .00 and .88, a price that ends in .97 means that it’s a clearance item and other prices ending in .-9 (such as .59 or .79) means that it’s a manufacturer’s special.
LOOK FOR PRICE DROPS
One plus of going to Costco on a regular basis is that you’re more likely to notice when prices drop on certain items. If you’re good about keeping your receipts and adhere to the return policy, you might be able to get cash back on an item that you purchased (typically within 30 days) after the price has dropped.
PURCHASE THE KIRKLAND BRAND
Costco has great deals on name brand items, but if you’re looking for the best deal with your Costco membership, you should stick with buying the Kirkland brand, which is Costco’s store brand.
Like many other store brands, Kirkland is comparable in quality, and the price is more reasonable than other well-known brands.
USE COSTCO AS YOUR “GO-TO” FOR GIFTING
Whether you’re on a mission to get all your holiday shopping done in one place or you are looking the perfect wedding gift, Costco probably has nearly everything you need for all your gift giving.
Small kitchen appliances and electronic devices are typically considerably cheaper than other stores like Target or Best Buy. If you’re looking for gift cards, Costco sells a variety to popular restaurants, movie theaters, and services or sites like iTunes. When you buy a bundle of cards, you can save up to 20 percent.
If you’re looking for a little gift for someone who’s hard to shop for, you may want to consider buying a Costco Cash Card so they can try out Costco or buy something from the store that they will like; a Costco Cash Card is available for members and non-members.
CLEARANCE AND SEASONAL SECTIONS
You might not think that store like Costco would have a clearance section, but every Costco has a section where items are returned but are still in good condition; the plus is that they have reduced price tag.
Seasonal sections are popular, so if you see an asterisk by the price, it means that the item is seasonal and will likely not be restocked. If you see something in a seasonal section and you want to buy it, it’s best to go ahead and purchase it because you may lose your chance.
CONSIDER A COSTCO CARD FOR MORE SAVINGS
If you have good credit and are a responsible credit card user, a Costco Anywhere Visa card can help you get an extra two percent off of a majority of your purchases. The Costco credit card can also help you save more on gas (including Costco gas), restaurants, travel, and other purchases.
BUMP UP YOUR MEMBERSHIP STATUS
The standard Costco membership is good enough for most Costco shoppers, but if you’re a frequent shopper and you’re looking for even more savings, consider upgrading to the Executive membership. The annual membership costs $120, but you can save an additional two percent on your purchases; if you shop a lot, you’re likely to pay off your membership upgrade.
Keep in mind that the best way to get the most out of the deals from Costco, you’ll need to shop often to make up for the extra $60 a month.
SHOP WITH FRIENDS
As we already mentioned, buying in bulk can be overwhelming and wasteful, but if you shop with someone else who has similar shopping preferences, you might be able to split your purchases up.
Don’t want 24 rolls of paper towel or ten pounds of flour? Share with a friend and split the cost.
CHECK OUT THE COUPONS AND YOUR EMAIL
Many Costco shoppers assume that they are getting the lowest price possible, but occasionally Costco will send an email to its members with exclusive or limited offers on certain items.
Checking out the Costco coupons are another great way to get the most out of your deals, especially if you’re a Costco credit card owner; many coupons are designed to benefit card holders only.
GET FREE TECHNICAL SUPPORT ON ELECTRONIC PURCHASES
Not only can you get a great deal on electronics when you shop at Costco, but you will also get free technical support. Whether you buy a laptop or security camera system, as long as you have your Costco membership number, and relevant info about the item, you can receive free technical support over the phone.
FILL UP WITH COSTCO GAS
Many Costco regulars fill up with Costo gas because it’s typically cheaper than competitors and it’s well-known as high-quality gasoline; it’s received good ratings from Consumer Reports as a Top Tier gas.
One perk is that if you’re a Costco member, but forgot your card; you can still get gas as long as you can pay with a debit or credit card and prove that you’re a member.
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