Costco?

[BellsFam]

Can someone tell me how Costco works? Do you need to be a member there to purchase, like BJ's?

Or can you walk in like any store to buy what you want?

 

[gwynne]

Walk to the service desk and join (pay). They take your photo, give you your card on the spot.Your membership is good for a year of shopping.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

You need to have a membership. You have to show your card to enter the store and hand it to the cashier before they start ringing up your items. Memberships are around $50 per year, although there are several levels that give you more perks and cost more.

A tip- you can get some Kirkland (Costco brand) products on Amazon for the same price without a Costco membership. We found we were going to Costco mostly for DH's over-the-counter allergy meds, then buying a bunch of stuff we didn't need. We let our membership lapse and now get the meds from Amazon. It saves us money!

 

[Christine]

You need to have a membership. You have to show your card to enter the store and hand it to the cashier before they start ringing up your items. Memberships are around $50 per year, although there are several levels that give you more perks and cost more.

A tip- you can get some Kirkland (Costco brand) products on Amazon for the same price without a Costco membership. We found we were going to Costco mostly for DH's over-the-counter allergy meds, then buying a bunch of stuff we didn't need. We let our membership lapse and now get the meds from Amazon. It saves us money!

Re: the bolded. I always used to get the regular membership. One day while I was in Costco checking out, a guy came up and scanned my card and told me that based on the amount I purchased in a year, if I upgraded to an Executive Membership, I would end up getting it free. The Executive Membership costs more, but once a year they give you rebate based on the amount you have purchased within the store. That rebate is always enough to cover the cost of my membership.

 

[mnrose]

Re: the bolded. I always used to get the regular membership. One day while I was in Costco checking out, a guy came up and scanned my card and told me that based on the amount I purchased in a year, if I upgraded to an Executive Membership, I would end up getting it free. The Executive Membership costs more, but once a year they give you rebate based on the amount you have purchased within the store. That rebate is always enough to cover the cost of my membership.

Yes, my Costco membership has been "free" for years. I always get back WAY more than it costs, particularly because I have the American Express card (soon to be a Visa) offered to Executive Members. If you shop there once a week (as I do) I make back 6-7 times the amount of the membership fee in rebates. LOL. I freely admit I'm a huge fan of Costco. I get nearly all my groceries and cleaning supplies there. Also, at least one round of tires per year (three cars....it seems one needs new tires in any given year).

 

[RangerPooh]

Love Costco. You have to be careful in what you buy as it's easy to overspend. Some things you need to determine if you can get elsewhere for cheaper, but often a good deal. Plus the free samples aren't too bad

 

[IndyRnRfan]

When is Costco changing to visa? We were going to join last year but you needed an AE and we don't like AE. We will join when they start accepting visa since that's our Disney card.

 

[Christine]

When is Costco changing to visa? We were going to join last year but you needed an AE and we don't like AE. We will join when they start accepting visa since that's our Disney card.

I believe it is February 2016. I will be said to see my AE go. Fabulous customer service if you ever need it.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I love Costco. We use it for our business. I get our dog snacks cheaper.

 

[pryncess527]

I like Costco, but if you have a BJs I prefer that one.

 

[mom2grace]

In Indiana, you can buy alcohol and prescriptions without a membership, state law.

 

[bcla]

If you can get a member to buy a Costco Cash card on your behalf, you can use it to enter and buy stuff. It can't be reloaded without a membership though.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I have the executive membership too, they actually pay me to shop there! love it!

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

I love Costco.

 

[AP1209]

When is Costco changing to visa? We were going to join last year but you needed an AE and we don't like AE. We will join when they start accepting visa since that's our Disney card.

Moot point since they are switching to Visa but you don't need an AE to join Costco.

 

[piglet too]

What I really like about Costco is that our first year, we had the higher membership and only got $30 back. They refunded me the difference, which ended up allowing us to have another year at the $50 rate.

 

[2Kds2K9]

You can save on a lot. Tires, prescriptions, dog prescriptions, photos and if need be, hearing aids. At times I've found great deals on car rentals as well. It is easy to overspend, so be aware. Love getting that Costco rebate check in addition yo the Amex rebate check. I understand that the new Visa issued through Costco will offer rebates as well.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

Moot point since they are switching to Visa but you don't need an AE to join Costco.

True, but we don't use a debit card for any purchase nor do we carry hundreds of dollars in cash to purchase food. We also rely on our Disney card to earn most of our Disney rewards points.

 

[mnrose]

I believe the switch is happening in late Feb or early March. AE is aggressively offering me a "new card" so I think it means my existing one will stop working around that time. I've not yet decided whether to take them up on their offer....it's a "free" $200 bill credit when I spend $1000. Hard to turn down free money.

 

[Meriweather]

Love Costco.....been Executive member for years. Always get a good rebate. I shop there every week.
Best customer service ever!
Been a member for about 30 years.
I have the Costco credit card......I don't think they offer it anymore.