How to Shop at Costco WITHOUT a Membership
Do you wish you could take advantage of all the great deals at your local Costco store? Do you feel like you are missing out? Do you wish a Costco membership was in your budget right now, but it just isn’t? If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is no need to fret. There are ways to shop at Costco, no membership required. Take a look below at some helpful tips on how to shop at Costco without a membership, and still get the amazing deals card holding members do. Here is what you need to know!
1. Buy a Costco Cash card.
This is just like a gift card, and a card carrying member can purchase it for you. Once the card is in your hand however, you don’t need to hold a membership to use it! Ask a friend to pick one of these cash cards up for you, in any denomination you choose, then spend it just like cash. This is one of the easiest ways to shop at Costco without a membership and without taking anyone with you. Have someone pick one of these up for you regularly, and it will be just like you are a card carrying member with all the perks, not the price!
2. Shop with a card carrying friend.
This method always seems to be the most obvious. If you have a friend who is a Costco member, then take advantage of shopping with them. As long as they are present with you at checkout, you can take advantage of the deals and specials too. This method is still quite simple, it just requires finding a time that the two of you can meet and shop. You can always bribe them with promises of treating them to a hot dog!
3. Use the pharmacy services.
You don’t need to be a card carrying member in order to use the pharmacy at Costco. Not only can you save money on your prescriptions, but you can also take advantage of the vaccines they offer at the same cost members would enjoy them at. Don’t hesitate to send your current prescriptions over to Costco if you think you can save some cash, and don’t forget to get your flu shot at Costco as well.
4. Buy gift cards online.
You can still buy gift cards to various stores via the Costco website and enjoy the savings that card carrying members do. You can buy other items as well, but you might be charged a 5% fee on top of the sale price. In some cases this might still be a good deal. Compare prices and see if shopping online with the surcharge still saves you money.
5. Buy non-member goods.
So what exactly are non-member goods? Alcohol! It is illegal in most states to prohibit the sale of alcohol with a membership situation. If you want to save money on your beer and wine, just let the door know you are purchasing non-member items, specifically alcohol. You shouldn’t have any problem coming in and getting what you need.
Give these 5 ways to shop at Costco without a membership your consideration and see how easy it can be to enjoy many of the perks without having to pay the price.
Also, don’t miss my post on The Best Deals at Costco where I share all of the best buys you can grab at Costco Warehouse stores.
Photos used under Creative Commons Liscense, Credit to Ted Eytan, Lisa Pinehill, Mike Mozart