11 Tasty Tips for Getting the Most of Out of Costco’s Free Samples

Free samples might be one of the main reasons many shoppers like browsing the aisles at Costco, but it can also be one of the best Costco hacks that is worth taking advantage of.

But are you really getting all you can out of the free samples at your favorite warehouse retailer? Check out some of these tips to make sure you're taking advantage of the best tasty treats along the aisles of Costco.

The back of the sample tray isn't where the really good stuff is hiding. So just grab a sample from the front of the red tray. 

You'll be happy to get a good sample that was prepared for you while allowing the sample table runner to keep the samples running smoothly.

A good way to get a good sample? Be a good sample taker.

Be polite to the sample makers and move out of the way once you get a taste of something. They may be nice back to you and might even give you a little something extra. 

And make sure you listen to their sales pitches and give the product some thought instead of simply grabbing off the tray.

Pro tip: Using the best cash back credit cards when you buy at Costco can help you earn money on the extra purchases you end up wanting from the samples you enjoy.

You don't have to worry about the sample tables not being hygienic even with people moving around. 

Costco's sample preparers have strict rules about keeping their spaces clean for customers and will make sure samples are properly handled before they get to you.

Want to maximize your sample intake? Try to go at the right times to get the most out of Costco's samples.

You may want to check out Costco on the weekends when the warehouse retailer is likely to have more samples available. 

But you'll also want to try and get there early to beat the weekend crowd. Another good time may be during the weekdays when you have less competition but might not have as much to sample.

You may think Costco samples are a great thing for your kids to enjoy to keep them occupied during a trip to Costco – and you may be right.

But you should also know that Costco sample workers won't let kids grab their own samples if they're too young due to possible food allergies or kids not understanding what the sample is. 

So it's a good idea to help your little ones out if you want your kids to enjoy samples with you.

Those samples may look super tasty when they come out of that little sample oven or as they're being prepared by a sample chef.

But have some patience and wait until the sampler puts them on that red tray before you start grabbing them. You don't want to get cut, burned, or have an issue by sticking your hand in before those samples are ready.

One of the problems with Costco samples is all the paper cups or napkins that come with grabbing a sample from the tray.

But make sure you throw out the papers when you're done. The stores should have trash cans at each station, making it easy to dispose of your papers.

Pro tip: Trying before you buy through samples can help you save money on groceries on top of the money you're saving by shopping at Costco.

Samples are tasty, but they aren't there just to give you something to chew on at the store.

The samples are specifically used to build your interest in a product in order to boost sales of that little sample you tried. That may be why sample carts include the actual product for sale or have it stocked near the sample table.

Samples are a great way to try something new and maybe find your favorite new products from Costco. You may be surprised by what you enjoy when you grab a sample.

But what happens if you take it home and realize you don't actually like it? That's okay. Costco has a good return policy, which allows you to return most products even if it's already been opened and sampled a little.

Is there something that you were particularly impressed with or a sample you need a second bite of to see if you like it?

It's generally okay to take more than one sample, but you should also follow some unwritten etiquette when doing so.

An extra few is fine, but don't take the whole tray. And try to limit your samples if there are people waiting or it's a busy weekend.

It's good to keep an eye out for samples to get the most out of the experience. Remember to watch for samples at the end of the food aisles in particular to take advantage of some tasty bites.

But remember that you also don't want to be one of those people who are hovering while waiting for the samples to come out. 

Just keep moving if they aren't ready when you arrive at the sample table; you'll get them the next time around.

Costco's free samples are great for trying new items, and even for getting you through your shopping after a long day. But it's a good idea to create a shopping list before you go into Costco if you don't want to be sucked in by those free samples. 

They can make you buy more than you intended, and we're all trying to avoid wasting money. Samples are just one more thing to love about shopping at Costco.