11 Ways To Get the Most Out of Your Next Costco Trip (Don’t Forget #4)

Costco has over 128 million club members worldwide, and it’s easy to see why. 

But while millions of people are taking advantage of their unique offerings and Costco membership perks, they might not know how to maximize their shopping experience.

Here are 11 things you should know before stepping into Costco.

In case you missed it, you can bring people in with you when you are shopping at Costco, and you don’t need a membership to shop there alone, either.

Ask someone you know who is a member to secure you a Costco Shop Card, and you can use it as an alternate ID to shop there.

Even if you don’t have a Costco Shop Card or Costco membership, you can still shop their wine and spirits section as a non-member in certain states, so be sure to ask.

Communicate to the attendant at the entrance that you are just there to make an alcohol purchase, you will be allowed in the building to shop.

If you weren’t already aware, Costco’s in-house Kirkland brand products are incredibly affordable. The brand constantly releases dupes of popular name-brand products, like their version of Grey Goose vodka and KIND bars, that are usually significantly cheaper.

Costco has a really generous pricing policy. If something you purchased at the store goes on sale within 30 days of purchase, you can head into Costco with your receipt, and they will refund the price difference.

Just note Costco does not have an official price-matching policy, so you’ll have to go in and ask.

Costco is such a great option for purchasing items at lower prices than other stores. But even a store that’s always a good deal runs discounts.

To find clearance items, limited releases, and anything that’s marked down, head closer to the back of the store. You can usually find some good deals in the middle areas as well.

Costco’s return policy for members is famously generous. Unlike other retailers, there isn’t a deadline or window of time to return most items.

As long as it’s brought back with the original receipt, most products (food or otherwise) will be accepted. The only exceptions to this are electronics and major appliances, which are under a 90-day return policy.

You can even cancel your membership and get a full refund on unused months.

Costco doesn’t supply single-use plastic bags for bagging items. Since many items at Costco are available in bulk sizes and wouldn’t fit in a bag anyway, they’re expected to be carted out to your vehicle.

In the rare instance that you need a vessel to carry your purchases in, the store provides the more sustainable option of boxes for your convenience.

Next time you step into the store for some ground beef or choice steak, consider purchasing in bulk (usually available at Costco Business locations) and saving some in your freezer for later.

You can also ask the butcher for ground beef instead of buying the pre-packaged ones to save money. The greater the volume you buy from them, the lower the price.

Did you know you can score an entire rotisserie chicken from Costco for just $4.99? If you hear a bell ring while you are shopping in the meat and deli area, then you know there is a fresh batch of chicken ready to be purchased.

Fully prepared and ready to serve, dinner or meal prep has never been easier.

The prices on bulk items at Costco really can’t be beat. But if you’re single or have a home with fewer people, then you might not need that 60 rolls of toilet paper or have space in your freezer for a 12-pack of chicken pot pies.

Instead, confer with friends and split bulk items to keep the wholesale price on your items and get a better deal than you might at another grocer.

While the prices are great at Costco, it can be easy to overspend to save long-term. Don't head to the big box retailer until you have a shopping plan or budget to stick to.

Keep a little wiggle room in your budget for snacks you may sample while wandering the aisles.

Even at big-box retailers, there are things to note to help you save time and money. Avoid wasting your money by knowing the ins and outs of shopping at Costco, and never buy more than you can realistically freeze and eat.