A Costco membership pays for itself when you know the insider tricks that most shoppers miss.
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The key is understanding Costco’s unique pricing system, hidden services and member-only benefits that go far beyond bulk buying. From secret price codes to exclusive online deals, these 21 strategies turn your membership into a serious money-saving tool.
Master Costco’s Secret Price Codes
Costco uses specific price endings to signal different types of deals. Items ending in .97 are clearance discounts while prices ending in .00 or .88 often mean the manager has marked them down.
Knowing these codes helps you spot real bargains and avoid paying full price for items that might go on sale soon. Clearance items won’t be restocked, so stock up when you find favorites at .97 pricing.
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Watch For the Asterisk on Price Tags
An asterisk on Costco price tags means the item won’t be restocked once current inventory sells out. This signals your last chance to buy products you love before they disappear forever.
The asterisk system helps you avoid missing out on discontinued favorites and gives you a heads-up to stock up (and save!) on essentials that might not return.
Buy Discounted Gift Cards for Instant Savings
Costco sells gift cards for restaurants, entertainment and travel at 15% to 20% off face value, sometimes even more. This creates instant savings on spending you’re already planning.
The gift card selection changes regularly but often includes popular chains for dining, movies and activities. Buying these cards essentially gives you a guaranteed return on money you’ll spend anyway.
Use Costco’s Price Adjustment Policy
Costco will refund the difference if an item you purchased goes on sale within 30 days, even for online purchases. Just bring your receipt and they’ll adjust the price without requiring you to return and repurchase the item.
This policy removes the risk of bad timing on purchases and ensures you always get the best available price.
Upgrade To Executive Membership for 2% Back
An Executive membership costs more upfront but provides 2% cash back on most purchases. For families spending $3,000+ annually at Costco, the cash back easily offsets the membership upgrade cost.
The 2% reward applies to most purchases except gas, pharmacy and some services. Heavy Costco shoppers often earn $100 to $500 annually in cash-back rewards.
Fill Up at Costco Gas Stations
Costco gas typically costs 6 to 20 cents less per gallon than nearby stations. The gas stations accept Costco membership cards and offer the same quality fuel as major brands while consistently beating local pricing.
Choose Kirkland Signature Products
Kirkland products often match name-brand quality at lower prices, with some actually manufactured by the same companies that produce major brands. The private label covers everything from food to household items.
Use the Pharmacy Without Full Membership
Costco pharmacies offer very low prescription prices and many generics are available even to non-members in some locations (depending on state). This makes Costco competitive for prescription savings even without a shopping membership.
Pharmacy prices often beat insurance copays for generic medications, making it worthwhile to compare costs.
Book Travel Through Costco Travel
Costco Travel offers discounts on car rentals, cruises, hotels and vacation packages that can be significantly lower than retail rates. The service is available to all Costco members at no additional cost.
Travel packages often include extras like resort credits, room upgrades or free meals that add value beyond just price savings.
Access Costco Next for Online Exclusives
Costco Next provides special online savings on clothing, electronics, furniture and more, with some items offering free shipping. These deals aren’t available in physical stores.
Time Your Free Sample Strategy
Free samples peak around Saturday 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday midday, providing both snacks and opportunities to test new products before buying. This helps avoid food waste and discover new favorites.
Strategic sampling can also serve as a light meal during shopping trips, reducing food costs for the day.
Focus on Freezer-Friendly Bulk Items
Items like meatballs, vegetable blends, potstickers and berries are versatile, affordable and meal-prep friendly. Frozen items typically have long shelf lives and can be portioned for smaller households, making bulk purchases practical even for families of two.
Discover Hidden Kirkland Gems
Lesser-known but high-value Kirkland products include organic maple syrup, Prosecco, aged cheddar and vanilla ice cream. These items often provide restaurant or specialty store quality at fraction of the cost.
Maximize the Return Policy
Costco accepts returns on most items within 90 days, often without requiring original packaging. This generous policy removes purchase risk and ensures satisfaction.
The return policy also applies to online purchases and extends to items that didn’t meet expectations, not just defective products.
Avoid Bulk Buying Perishables That Spoil
Resist impulse purchases on items like nuts, spices and oversized packages that might go unused before expiring. Calculate whether you’ll actually use bulk quantities before they spoil.
This hack prevents waste and ensures bulk buying actually saves money rather than costing more through spoilage.
Price-Check Big-Ticket Items
For electronics and furniture, compare Costco prices against other retailers before committing. Of course, Costco has amazing deals, but it’s not always the best on every item. And make sure to consider total value including warranties, return policies and member services when comparing prices.
Use Trade-In and Tech Support Perks
Costco offers trade-in programs for old devices and free tech support with certain electronic purchases. These services add value beyond the purchase price.
Tech support and extended warranties through Costco often exceed manufacturer offerings, providing additional peace of mind for electronics purchases.
Split Bulk Orders With Friends
Share large quantities of items like toilet paper, cleaning supplies or sauces with friends or neighbors to avoid waste and storage issues. This makes bulk buying easier for smaller households. Coordinate with neighbors to maximize bulk savings while minimizing storage requirements and spoilage risk.
Shop With Gift Cards Without Membership
Non-members can shop at Costco using gift cards, though they can’t pay overages with credit cards. This allows occasional access without annual membership fees.
Gift card shopping works best for specific purchases rather than regular shopping, as the 5% non-member surcharge still applies to many items.
Use Price Tracking Apps
Apps like CostPal notify you when previously purchased items drop in price, allowing you to claim price adjustments. This automates the process of monitoring for savings opportunities.
Automated tracking ensures you don’t miss price adjustment opportunities on items you’ve recently purchased.
Use Clearance Tracking Apps
User-generated apps compile local Costco clearance data, showing items with .97 or .00 pricing before you visit the store. This helps plan shopping trips around available deals.
These apps save time by identifying clearance opportunities at your specific Costco location before making the trip.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 21 Costco Hacks That Can Save Members Thousands Every Year
