Exclusive Costco Shopping Secrets from Employees

Costco is the epitome of what it means to buy in bulk. It is the ultimate theme park for adults. Not to mention, you don’t actually have to buy anything to have some Costco fun.

For years Costco has had the reputation that no one gets in the door without a membership card, but technically a person doesn’t need a membership to shop there.

In addition to cheap in house quality brands the Costco food court menu is a favorite for weekend visitors as well as any companies whose staff works nearby.

Ever heard of secret Hidden Mickeys in Disney? Well Costco’s version is the asterisk on a price tag. This symbol flags that the particular item is on closeout.

Costco items are constantly being moved around. Although employees are paying attention to how well items are sold. If they are doing particularly well then it’s a whole different ball game.  

Although there’s nothing wrong with wandering into Costco to see what’s on sale, it pays to plan ahead. End-of-season sales are a good example. You can pick up some great bargains when Costco clears out stock at the end of a seasonal period. Visit after Christmas for next year’s festive purchases, or at the end of summer for warm-weather steals.

“Chub.” Yes, that’s the secret word to get great deals at Costco’s meat department. As one Redditor (and Costco staff) brought up: “We sell our ordinary ground beef for $3.49/pound.”

If you want to leverage really good deals for non-Costco stuff or services, the gift card section is where to go. Many of these offers are 2 for 1 deals to attractions, movies, amusement parks and venues as well as restaurants.

When you find an item somewhere else and it’s at a cheaper price, Costco will honor its own sale prices on earlier returns.

Next time you’re at Costco, you may want to listen closely for the chiming of the bell. This sound is directly associated with the delicious presence of Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken!

Many retailers mark prices just below the dollar mark because customers respond positively to such marketing. The price seems cheaper and everyone likes to save money. With this in mind, prices ending in 99 cents are indicative of quite the opposite when shopping at Costco. These are standard prices you could find at other stores.

Customers may feel strange or like they’re not being trusted when they have to have an employee check their receipt before exiting.

Yes, it is allowable for you to have more than just one sample offered. You just have to wait your turn behind others instead of grabbing three or four at a time.

Medicine prescriptions are easy to refill without a membership card necessary. The Costco pharmacy works a bit independent from the rest of the store.

While there are discounts at the front of the aisles near the main pathways, the better discounts are buried deeper inside the store.

Yes, it’s called soda. These carbonated products are actually loss leaders in grocery stores but at Costco they are priced at their correct cost.

Typically, the center of the store may offer a wide selection of alcohol and wine. While the wide selection may at times feel overwhelming, we’re here to report that rummaging through the bins is totally worth it for some incredible deals.

It’s true that you need one of Costco’s membership cards to take full advantage of its deals. But did you know that there are several services you can take advantage of without one? For starters, buying alcohol is a membership-free privilege in several states.

Looking to make the most of your budget? Focus on the dry goods like coffee, or frozen goods like breakfast burritos.

Costco proudly sells gas as a loss leader to get people to buy more in the store. That means the fuel sold is intentionally priced below market value as a profit loss for the business.

Pizza at Costco is incredibly popular and for a decent price too. When you order a whole cheese pizza, it might be reassuring to know that you are truly getting your value’s worth. Costco employees have reported that a full cheese pizza comes with half a pound of cheese on top!

If you really like a given item from a roadshow display, ask them how long they will be in town. You wouldn’t want to miss out on their temporary products.

Costco is a popular warehouse store and is known to get quite busy, especially on the weekends. If you hate lines and crowds, Costco traffic tends to be the least busy on Tuesdays and Wednesday in the morning.

With such a lenient returns policy it’s inevitable that Costco receives a bunch of returned purchases. Some shoppers even have reported being able to return dead Christmas trees and even open or half eaten foods.

As we just learned, Costco has one of the best return policies in the business. You can return almost anything with complete ease. You can even cancel your Costco membership at any time you please.

When you walk into Costco, you’re likely to get greeted at the door with a smile and a flyer. These leaflets seem quite handy and offer lots of discount coupons for you to use. You’d be forgiven for thinking you need to hold onto these to get the best bargains.

Have you ever noticed branded products called “Kirkland” around your local Costco? That’s the store’s own manufacturer, but don’t let that fact fool you. Costco prides itself on making products that are just as good as other signature brands, if not better. What’s more, it has the resources to back up this claim.

If you’re in the market for a new piece of technology, Costco has you covered with its customer support. For instance, it offers two years’ warranty rather than the standard one year most other places provide. In addition, the wholesaler has something called concierge services for all its members.

If you have the space in your freezer, it may be worth stocking up on your meats. Costco is known for having very decent meat selections at incredible prices. Buying your meat in bulk from Costco can definitely save you some money.

Costco allows customers to enjoy a price cut if the item they bought then goes on sale within 30 days later. So, if you bought that laptop from them for $899, and two weeks later it’s on sale for $699, you are entitled to a $200 price cut benefit.

If you’re a regular at Costco, you probably are familiar with the pre-cooked food section. For those who aren’t, it’s an awesome section to check out to get ahead on meal-prepping or for eating on the-go.

If you did decide to purchase a Costco membership though, you might want to consider an upgrade. While the basic joining fee is $60, a “Gold Star Executive” membership is double that. It sounds like a lot, but the upgraded membership offers additional savings of up to $1,000 a year, depending on precisely how much you’re spending across a 12-month period. Needless to say, that’s a huge amount for Costco regulars.

If several people in your household shop at Costco, in theory that sounds like an expensive problem. Specifically, it means that you’ll have to spend more to get a second membership doesn’t it? Actually, the company has already thought of that and provides every member with an additional “spouse card” as a result.

Each Costco has a somewhat different layout. Sometimes it’s due to the building they are in and sometimes due to what inventory they get shipped. Things get moved around and restocked every day, so your local Costco will be different from the next one 30 miles away.

Costco premises are massive and there are so many weird and wonderful things for sale that you could easily get lost in there. With that in mind, trying to work out where to find the best discounts can be confusing. Are those bargains you’re looking for next to the coffee or down by the wine cellars? Actually, there’s a simpler answer.

While Costco of course is famous for their quality hot dogs and their giant pizzas, there are a number of other new selections that are gaining traction.

So you have a lot of shopping to do and you’ve made some great savings. But then it’s time for the worst part of shopping for many: getting your groceries home. You have to cart them through the parking lot and load up the car then unloading all your boxes and goodies to your home

We’ve already mentioned you can get your eyes tested at Costco, but that’s not the only health benefit. Members are also entitled to several other services too, and it’s all completely free. Indeed, the company has a whole schedule running throughout the year for customers who want to drop in.

With seasonal reduced items and bulk buys, who doesn’t want to be a valued customer of Costco? But before you commit yourself to an all-out shopping spree at Costco (and do major damage on your bank account), ensure that you’re equipped with the appropriate credit cards.

While Costco’s food court is a popular place to grab a quick bite once you finish your shopping, their food isn’t solely reserved for day-of shoppers.

Need to go on a thorough Costco shopping binge without a membership? Ask a buddy with a Costco card to take care of you. If they get you a Costco Cash Card (this can be loaded from $25 up to $1,000), then, you can enjoy shopping like any Costco member would and utilize the gift voucher to pay for your selected items.

For non-members and members of Costco, we’re sure most of you know that the store doesn’t keep plastic or paper bags on hand. Your purchases are simply put in cardboard boxes. So except if you need to leave the store with boxes loaded up with your purchased items, especially fresh meat and dairy products, it’s better to bring your reusable bags.

Oftentimes when we shop, we may notice that an item we are looking for is no longer stocked on the shelves, so we ask an employee to check if they have more of a given item “in the back.” However, when it comes to shopping at Costco, don’t even bother asking.

Did you know that a giant retailer like Costco is far beyond your standard supermarket? For members, one of the many astounding services that the company offers is Costco Travel, a markdown travel site that will track down exclusive offers on everything from luxurious vacations to top-quality rental vehicles.

The rumors about Costco’s too-good-to-be-true return membership policy is true. Yep, the giant retail company’s return policy doesn’t end with the items you purchase while shopping at the store (members can return almost any purchased item if they aren’t happy with it).

Once Costco sells or displays all the wine bottles that came from the crate, they simply have no use for the empty box. Oftentimes, these empty boxes will become available to shoppers to take home.

Who doesn’t love a good Costco hot dog? After a long shopping adventure hunting down your favorite items and the best sales, it’s always nice to celebrate with a piping hot hot dog. It’s a tasty and relatively cheap snack to enjoy as you walk out the door.

Indeed, a Costco membership can grant members more fun and satisfaction. One more advantage of being a member of the store is the exclusive access offered to them on auto and home insurance with Ameriprise at marked down rates. 

Costco purposefully floods its floors with hidden security guards keen on shoplifting to stop thieves in their tracks.

Another good news for non-members, shopping for Costco items through Instacart is another smart way around the membership barrier. Simply fill your online grocery cart with the things you need, set a drop-off time, and all of your Costco purchases will be delivered directly to your entryway! Easy like pie, huh.

Try not to let the appeal of low-priced goods stunt you into purchasing things you don’t really need, particularly when they are marked with an expiration date. Except if you have a valid justification to buy 3 pounds of apples and realize that you will eat your favorite fruit before it decays, it’s smarter to simply decide on smaller quantities.

Needless to say, Costco’s popular strategy to success is their competitive pricing. But did you know that they’re not generally the best ones out there? With regards to buying things like furniture and electronic devices, it’s highly recommended to check the costs at different stores like Macy’s or Best Buy.

Why this particular number? Even if Costco doesn’t outright publicize it, they will cut the cost of an item if and when it has been sitting on the shelves for a while—and when this occurs, the price consistently finishes in 0.97.

How do you shop at Costco without really shopping at Costco? For non-members who still need to get those broadly low Costco deals, we’ve got the trick for you!

The Costco wedding registry service via MyRegistry.com, is free for couples and their wedding guests. Now, your loved ones and guests can look over crystalware, home decor items, kitchen appliances and beddings from top-quality brands that will aid you and your partner in your new beginning as a married couple. 

Health Freaks will often be particular in regards to their produce—but, they don’t appear to mind the offerings at Costco. Lately, the store has become so notable for its affordable and healthy products that it even outperformed Whole Foods as the greatest retailer of organic food.  Wow.  

While Costco shoppers are familiar with the store’s seemingly infinite in-store inventory, you may be surprised to learn that even more strange and intriguing items can be found online. Costco truly can be a one-stop shop.

Costco has a fun classic if you want to surprise the kids or add some whimsy to your own home. Costco’s famous 93-inch teddy bear is a fun plush toy that has been a long-time favorite for Costco shoppers.

Pharmacy prices within the United States can be unreasonably high at times, but thankfully Costco puts a dent into those high prices. Costco has some of the lowest pharmacy prices around.

Costco has one price point that it has repeatedly stated will never change (thankfully). Costco has made it clear to their customers that the hot dog and soda combo will always stay the same price– $1.50.

If you need a good cake, look no further, Costco has a great saving grace. Costco’s sheet cake is its most famous cake in the bakery and for good reason. The generously portioned cake is easy to snag, affordable, and can feed a large number of people.

Whether you want a bouquet for the home or to bring to a gathering, Costco’s floral department is pretty gorgeous and has a more than decent selection.

Never worry about forgetting your shopping list again. If you download the app, you’ll have everything in the palm of your hand, right there on your phone. The app will share new deals as well as a digital membership card.

Costco has a business center which will provide companies, executives, and employees a chance to stock up on office supplies. These business centers have even earlier hours than traditional warehouse stores.

YES, you read that right. You can get your money back if an item goes on sale after you’ve purchased it. The rules state that if an item goes on sale within 30 days of your purchase, you can get the difference back from Costco!

For those of us who like to keep the noggin stimulated, Costco’s book selection is stellar. Not only that, but they also offer amazing book deals. Even if you’re not looking for a beach read, you’ll also be able to find cookbooks or a gift for your relative who does enjoy reading. 

While buying new tires at Costco can be pretty expensive, you can save a ton of cash on a new set if you are strategic about how you do it.

By paying more with the Costco Executive Membership (aka the Black Card), you can collect a bunch of perks. Though it is more expensive than the Gold Costco memberships, it also comes with the promise of cash back in hand.

Buying frozen items can save you money! While fresh might be more appealing, many of the foods at Costco arrived frozen and were then thawed for sale. 

With so many upsides, Costco is of course bound to have some downsides. You are only able to use cash, Visa debit cards, or the store’s branded Visa credit card to buy your items. However, to get around this you can use prepaid Visa cards.

While we should really be restricting our bottled water use for the environment and the BPA found in plastic, sometimes they are necessary. Costco’s Kirkland brand is a great place to turn. 

We’ve already told you about the birthday cakes you can buy at Costco, but the bakery as a whole is really impressive. Most of the baked goods you see out on the floor are baked in the Kirkland Signature Bakery.

Batteries might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Costco. But this is actually the perfect place to stock up on those pesky necessities that you never seem to have enough of.

With such great deals and with so many products to choose from, Costco can get super busy (no surprise there). So, any expert Costco shopper should know the best times to shop.

Most of us wouldn’t survive without a daily dose of caffeine. So buying coffee in bulk is a great way to make sure you have that tasty morning beverage on hand. It’s also the best way to get the bang for your buck.

As much as the deals are tempting, learn when to exercise restraint on your grocery trip. One product you might want to skip are the avocados. Unless you’re planning on making a giant batch of guacamole for a party, you probably don’t want to purchase these in bulk.

Check out Costco.com to do your research before doing a major shop. There might be discounts and coupons online that will be applicable to your order and you don’t want to miss out on those.

You’ve probably heard this one before, but it is not a good idea to shop on an empty stomach. Your mind will be clouded and you might end up purchasing foods you don’t need or unhealthy foods you’re trying to stay away from.

Costco is good for so many deals, but they do not offer the lowest prices for every single product. If you’re looking for the best deal, download an app like Flipp. This allows you to compare prices while you shop.

If you come across an unbelievable deal on the Costco website or in the app, chances are hundreds of other shoppers have just become aware of the deal as well. We hate to say it, but you’re not the only savvy shopper out there!

All the fresh food is awfully tempting, but if you’re not sure you’re going to get through it, it might go to waste. If you’re not a huge fan of cooking or you find yourself short on time, no worries!

Costco might just be the key to renovating your home. There are far more benefits to this store than the cheap hotdogs and products in bulk. Costco also partners with a lot of third-party vendors to bring it’s members deals on home improvement purchases.

Costco carts are large but some of their products are even larger. Like other stores that carry large products like Home Depot or Lowes, Costco has low-rise carts at the front of the store that you can use to bring large items to the cashier.

Costco has become so popular for their well priced and delicious food court snacks. One of the more popular menu items is the chicken bake which is basically a garlic bread stuffed with chicken and cheese. Yum!

Costco is probably the best place to pick up those everyday cleaning items that you always seem to run out of. A great money saver is the Kirkland Signature Premium Dishwasher Pods.