Do You Need Your Costco Card To Pay At The Register

If you are not 1 to compromise food quality (like me), simply all the same seek out a skilful deal – the odds are strong that you accept a Costco membership. And, if you don't, you should seriously consider it.

Just check out some of the Costco prices that I highlighted in my all-time warehouse deals post in comparison to the reputably inexpensive Trader Joe's:

Kirkland organic quinoa: 4.v lb., $eleven.99, $2.66/lb. (compared to $3.49/lb. at Trader Joe'southward)
Organic frozen broccoli: 4 lb. bag, $5.99, $ane.49/lb. (compared to $2.49/lb. at Trader Joe'due south)
Kirkland walnuts: 3 lb. pocketbook, $nine.99, $3.33/lb. (compared to $seven.49/lb. at Trader Joe'southward)
Chicken of the Sea canned tuna: 12 – vii oz. cans, $12.99, $0.19/oz (compared to $0.33/oz at Trader Joe's)

I wrote an entire article comparing Costco'due south Kirkland domestic dog nutrient & cat nutrient to similar products from other brands, and establish prices to exist a third to half the price of comparable brands, per pound. Merely every bit i instance of the cracking value that Costco can provide.

Costco prices can commonly be anywhere from xv-50% of the prices found at Trader Joe's – with even larger savings in comparison to other grocery stores. Information technology'south not an apples to apples comparison – Costco does take limited SKUs and the items you lot purchase are often in bulk book (sometimes in quantities that no normal human family can finish before going bad). Nevertheless, there are some great deals to be had.

shop at Costco without a membership

The Cost of a Costco Membership

To get access to that kind of pricing – there's a cost. Costco memberships range from $60 (Standard Gilt Star) to $120 (for Gold Star Executive, which comes with a 2% cashback rebate each year). Those fees are not insignificant. And they just so happen to be how Costco makes a skillful share of its profits. In fact, their 2021 annual report indicates that 78% of Costco's net income comes from its membership fee revenue from over 105 million members worldwide. Costco's markups on nutrient pricing are razor sparse, which benefits its members. The more food essentials you buy and eat from Costco, the more you benefit (but stay away from most of the other stuff).

What if you lot don't desire to commit to a $60 membership and but want to see if a membership will be worth your while? It turns out there are a few under-the-radar means to store and buy from Costco, without a membership. Too, for those interested, I since have published a listing of ways you tin can shop at Sam's Club without a membership too (too, meet my Costco versus Sam's Club review).

Is at that place a Costless Costco Membership or Trial?

At that place is no gratis Costco membership, shopping laissez passer, day pass, trial pass, guest laissez passer, trial membership, or other trial period where you tin walk up to the door, walk in, and purchase whatever yous'd like.

However, if y'all'd simply similar to see what the shop has to offer, you are welcome to enter and walk around and expect. I have never been asked for my membership menu when I enter a Costco, fifty-fifty though they practise have greeters who seemingly are there to encourage you lot to show it. If you're overly concerned about going in to Costco without a membership card, simply know someone who is a member, Costco'southward guest policy states:

Anyone with a card tin can bring up to 2 guests to the Warehouse during each visit. Go along in mind that purchasing items is exclusive to Costco members.

To purchase nearly goods, you must be a member (with a few big exceptions that I'll cover) or take a fellow member brand the purchase on your behalf.

Of course, you lot might not be comfortable request for that and it could get former quick for the member. There is another way…

The Costco return policy states on membership fee refunds:

Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. On Membership: We will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you are dissatisfied.

So, you could pay your membership fee, give it a trial run, and if yous feel you are not getting the value from it that yous'd similar – ask for a refund. You tin can do so at a Costco membership desk any fourth dimension.

Only, what if you but want to arrive the door and walk around to see what Costco has to offer, pricing, and all that expert stuff – only you don't know a member you lot are comfortable tagging along with?

Ownership Booze at Costco without Membership

I was not able to find whatever official Costco messaging on this, but it appears from my research that Costco allows booze sales to non-members (of legal drinking age, of class). In fact, the idea for this postal service was spurred by a conversation from someone who had washed just that and told me about the exception, much to my surprise.

This may vary by state, but as far every bit I tin can tell, it is a national policy. Are in that location alcohol sale regulations effectually this Costco policy? I'chiliad non quite sure. Update: detect out more on this policy in my Costco alcohol toll list post.

Having bought alcohol at Costco – I can vouch for the deals to be had. A 24-pack example of pint-size Guinness cans for $23.99? Yous bet. i.75 liters of Kirkland brand Canadian whiskey for $20? Yes, please.

If you let the Costco door attendant know that you are there to purchase alcohol, they should let y'all in the door. And once you're in, you lot can walk around and check everything out.

buy Costco alcohol without membership

Buying Prescriptions & Immunizations at Costco Pharmacy without Membership

Prescription drug sales, like booze, are highly regulated. And Costco and other membership stores must offering equal admission and pricing for prescriptions to all consumers, regardless of membership status.

Only let the door attendant know that yous are a not-fellow member who is picking upward a prescription. That should get you in the door.

And past the way, prescriptions at the Costco Pharmacy are very inexpensive. They likewise include pet prescriptions. Our dog's insulin is the cheapest at Costco, and nosotros've looked at over a dozen alternatives. Costco even has the cheapest flu shots for those without insurance (all insurance plans must at present cover flu shots). You can buy immunizations at Costco without a membership.

Alcohol and drugs? What could become wrong.

Costco pharmacy non-member

Free Costco Wellness Screenings without a Membership

Costco pharmacies offer a variety of wellness and wellness screenings for free, to both members and non-members. Here is a agenda of Costco health screenings by location. Notation: these have, at to the lowest degree temporarily, been delayed past COVID-19.

Using Costco Optical Services without a Membership

You tin become an eye exam at Costco Optical without a membership. However, to buy glasses and/or contacts, y'all demand a Costco membership.

Get Food from the Costco Food Court without a Membership

I've seen many sites that give the tip that y'all can get food from the Costco food court eating place without a membership, only only if it is an outdoor food court. This is not true. Since anyone can make it to a Costco, for a variety of reasons, anyone tin can get food from the Costco food courts – outdoors or indoors.

You volition, all the same, demand cash to pay at the Costco Cafe, if you are not a Costco member. And, lately, it seems equally though a number of Costcos accept moved to kiosk payment in their food courts.

The deals at the Costco eating house are very good, simply the options are typically limited to hot dogs/sausages, soda, pizza, rotisserie chicken, sundaes, and frozen yogurt. Information technology's not a wellness spa.

Costco food court without membership

Non-Members Tin can Purchase from Costco.com (with a v% Surcharge)

Non-members can purchase from Costco's website, Costco.com, at any time. In that location is a downside, all the same:

If you are not a member, you will be charged a 5% surcharge over posted prices for members (except for prescription drugs). This is because our ability to offer low prices on brand-name items is due in large office to our membership program, which is designed to reward members for their loyalty.

This excludes Costco "member-only" items, which require a membership to buy.

The food offering on Costco.com is limited likewise, compared to the warehouse. And I tin can confirm that I have seen lower prices on a number of items in the warehouse, versus on Costco.com.

The Costco Store Card (Gift Menu) Tin can be Used by Non-Members

Costco besides has a cash card (fancy name for a gift carte du jour) that they call the "Costco Shop Card". With a Costco Shop Card, any non-member can prove the card to arrive the door and use it to brand a buy.

The trick with the Costco cash carte du jour is that it tin be purchased by a fellow member only. Again, you'll have to rely on a member, which makes you a bit of a moocher, and it raises costs for every membership-ownership member. And, one time the carte is depleted, you'll have to get another fresh one from a member, or a reload by a member. The cards can exist loaded upwards to $2,000 (and every bit low every bit $25).

If yous know someone who is game, i or 2 cards wouldn't hurt. I accept heard (not tested), that the entire purchase does non have to be made with the card. In other words, if you but had $10 left on a card and had $150 worth of purchases, you could use the card for $10 and then use another form of payment for the residue.

Costco Shop card without a membership

Buying Costco Items on Instacart Without a Costco Membership

Instacart Express users can purchase Costco items on Instacart without a Costco membership. Please exist aware that Costco prices on Instacart are higher than they are in a Costco Warehouse (they're going to get those membership fees one style or another!), and so you lot may not save whatsoever money over the long-term if you purchase more than than a few items from Costco on Instacart.

Costco Forms of Payment

While you lot may become in the door and even be able to purchase items, notation that Costco stores do non take Discover, American Express, or MasterCard credit cards as payment. Accepted forms of payment include: cash, check, debit cards, the previously mentioned Costco Shop Cards, and Visa credit cards (including the Costco branded Costco Anywhere Visa Menu, which gets 2% cash back on Costco purchases).

Shopping at Costco With and Without a Membership Discussion:

I recently ran the numbers on if a Costco membership and upgrade is worth the cost. For me, the standard membership is worth the cost, though I did ask Costco for a membership fee refund after a rebate cheque, in 2020. But, I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

Is the Costco membership fee worth it to y'all?
What are your favorite Costco shopping hacks?
Take you constitute other ways to shop at Costco without being a member?
What are your favorite items at Costco?

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