5 Ways Online Shopping at Costco Is Worth the Price of a Membership

Costco recently raised its membership prices, so you may be wondering if Costco is still worth the price, especially if you don’t live near a local warehouse. The thing is, at the risk of sounding like an overly passionate Costco fanboy, I think Costco memberships are worth the price, even if you Never set foot in a Costco warehouse.

That’s because Costco’s website offers so many great deals. You’ll likely save more than enough money by shopping online at Costco to offset the cost of a $65 (or $130) Costco membership. You could even save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year by shopping online at Costco for larger purchases or everyday items like groceries.

Let’s look at some ways that shopping online at Costco can help you get premium products and value-added services while leaving more money in your bank account.

1. Special Treasure Hunt Deals at Costco.com

Costco is known for its “treasure hunts,” where you can wander the warehouse aisles and find surprising deals on furniture, appliances, tech gadgets, housewares, and more. But you don’t have to go to a warehouse to participate in Costco treasure hunts — they’re also offered online.

As of August 18, 2024, Costco.com was offering the following “treasure hunt” deals:

• Cuisinart Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 5-Piece Frying Pan Set ($69.99)

• Midea Smart 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump ($179.99)

• DeWalt Circular Saw ($199.99)

• Thomasville Dillard Accent Chair with Storage Ottoman ($599.99)

Costco.com also offers daily deals on high-priced items. If you’re looking for a new refrigerator, stove, sofa or TV, check out Costco.com and compare prices to other major retailers. You can often find better prices at Costco, and you can also get Costco’s built-in tech support and a two-year warranty.

2. Costco Sameday Grocery Delivery

Costco has great deals on bulk groceries and packaged foods — but what if you don’t have time to visit the warehouse? Luckily, Costco offers online grocery delivery. You can sign up for Costco Sameday and use Instacart to shop Costco for you.

Using Instacart at Costco will cost more than shopping at the warehouse yourself. But it can be worth it if you’re short on time and just want to fit those Costco grocery deals into your kitchen and pantry.

You can even use Costco Sameday to have rotisserie chickens and big boxes of delicious Costco cookies delivered to your home! That’s already worth $65 a year.

3. Additional Discounts from Costco Direct

If you buy expensive items online at Costco, you may qualify for additional discounts through a special program called Costco Direct. This is a benefit that many shoppers may not be aware of, but it’s great.

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• If you buy two eligible items you receive 100 dollars additional savings.

• If you buy Three qualifying items, you save extra 200 dollars.

• To buy four items, save 300 dollars.

• And if you buy five or more eligible items, you can save extra 400 dollars on the total bill.

Costco Direct is online only and usually only deals with expensive items that need to be delivered, like appliances, furniture, or TVs. But if you’re renovating your home, updating your living room, or suddenly need to replace a few appliances at once, Costco Direct can help you save big.

4. Unique Products from Costco Next

Costco has special online partnerships with premium brands through its Costco Next program. This is another little-known way to use online shopping at Costco to access great deals on high-end products.

At Costco Next, you use your Costco membership to log into the Costco Next portal and click on the brand you want to purchase. You’re then taken to a special online shopping site where you can access special pricing for Costco members, and then you shop directly from the other brand.

Costco Next brand partners are:

• Body Glove (water sports equipment)

• Dearfoams (Cozy Slippers & Footwear)

• Most, Inc. (K-Beauty products from Korea)

• Otterbox (Phone Cases & Screen Protectors)

• Priority Bicycles (Low Maintenance Bikes)

• Viking (kitchenware)

5. Book your vacation at Costco Travel

Costco Travel is an online travel agency for Costco members that offers amazing deals on cruises, all-inclusive resorts, vacation packages, hotels and more. If you want to try something completely new for your next vacation and want the confidence of the Costco seal of approval, Costco Travel could be a great way to book your trip.

Summary

Even if you live too far from a Costco warehouse to take advantage of the hot dog combo deal in the food court, shopping online at Costco can be worth the price of a membership. Simply shop online at Costco.com and take advantage of special Costco programs like Costco Direct and Costco Next to maximize your Costco experience without ever visiting the warehouse.

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We are staunch believers in the Golden Rule, so editorial opinions are our own and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the advertisers included. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from that of The Motley Fool and is produced by a different team of analysts. The Motley Fool holds positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

5 Ways Online Shopping at Costco Is Worth the Price of a Membership, article originally published by The Motley Fool