(Even More) Tips for Shopping at Costco

I am always looking for new Costco tips and tricks for my family and to pass along to others (including on this blog). I have written a few posts suggesting tips (Suggestions for Costco Shoppers); (More Suggestions for Shopping at Costco)). Then, when I see other articles with additional tips, I like to mention them. So here are 17 tips, some of which have been written about previously. 

1. Pre-packaged Rotisserie Chicken Meat

The author points out that, although the whole rotisserie chickens are a great deal, by paying only a little more, one can buy just the meat from the deli counter. This meat is cold and shredded and eliminates the effort of taking the meat off the bone.

I don’t eat the chicken but I can definitely see this tip helping many others. It is certainly more efficient to buy the meat all ready for a sandwich or a salad. However, of course it eliminates the option of the hot dinner. In addition, the two Costco stores to which I go the most do not have deli counters. They have prepared foods but not a counter. Perhaps other locations do? 

2. Parking Hack

The author suggests parking next to cart returns rather than close to the entry/exit to the store. Although it seems that it would be less walking to focus on the door, the article says that parking by the cart returns is more likely to result in less walking, more efficient unloading and leaving, and a safer experience.

I’m mixed on this tip. My first thought was that it is a terrible idea because people can be incredibly reckless with carts. I have definitely seen some carts rolling backwards that could easily damage cars. The cart returns much further from the entrance are likely to be far less full. However, the only people likely to use those returns are the ones who parked back there. This tip is helpful for people actually willing to walk from a farther spot vs. circling around for the closest space. It is a good point about more efficient unloading and leaving. Members can unload the cart, immediately return the cart, and leave rather than unload then walk to return the cart, and walk back to the car.  Finally, I agree that spending less time by the door is safest given the traffic (car and pedestrian) by the entrance. In addition, the walking can be healthy (Exercising in Costco).

3. Skip the Boxes

Another tip in the article is to forego the use of the cartons provided to transport items. The problems raised are that the boxes may be too heavy once filled to the move them upstairs, that they may not keep items cold or frozen, and that members are then stuck with boxes to dispose of. Instead of the boxes, the article suggests that members bring their own reusable bags or coolers.

I definitely agree that the cartons can get heavy. My family generally plans ahead to either make Costco the last stop so that keeping the food cold is not a huge problem or we bring coolers. We do often take the cartons from the store (I’d caution to be sure the box is clean, as some have spilled food or detergent or leftovers from samples). We often use boxes to keep in the car or for other things so I don’t view needing to dispose of them as a large problem. 

4. Food Court First!

Another suggestion is to eat at the food court to stave off the hunger that can make shopping less cost-efficient. Shopping when hungry can result in lower energy, greater tendency towards impulse buys (often sugary snacks), and veering off from the shopping list. For those who will not be eating first, two suggestions are to: order the food before starting shopping to avoid waiting at the end and taking a small carton to put the items in to carry as a to-go order. 

Making sure not to shop while hungry is a common tip. However, the other two tips are a little funny to me. The first saves time at the end, but won’t affect the shopping (although is a good suggestion). The second is a fine idea but the article just suggested *not* to use cartons. (I know they are for very different things but it’s still funny to me).

5. BYOT (Bring Your Own Toppings)

The author points out that, although obviously very popular, people complain that the pizzas only come in cheese or pepperoni. He suggests buying the pizza and then adding additional toppings.

Although a good way to make more creative pizzas, this suggestion does not seem new in any way, especially for the frozen pizzas. My family (and I’m sure many others) has added our own toppings to frozen cheese pizzas for a long time. In addition to being quite expensive, toppings are often too sparse. Therefore, we would often add lots of peppers or mushrooms when heating frozen cheese pizzas. I have to admit that when I first saw this tip, I expected it to suggest bringing one’s own toppings and asking the food court to put them on the pizza before preparing it. Although I’m all for customers getting what they want, there are limits. I know I mentioned in another post that my dad once saw a man being his own olive oil to a Chinese restaurant and asked the chef to use it instead of the oil they usually use. I also remember a friend telling me a story about someone who ordered chocolate chip pancakes at a restaurant. Upon learning that they were not a menu option, he went to the drugstore across the street, bought chocolate chips, and asked the restaurant to use them in his pancakes. I love this story.)

6. GiftCards

The article points out that in addition to being purchased as gifts, gift cards can also be bought for the discount and then used by members themselves. By using the gift card, members then save money when they go to the places for which they bought the cards.  Furthermore, using a credit card enables points to add up, contributing even more savings 

I have written about the benefits of the gift cards (Good deals on gift cards). My family often buys gift cards at stores to use for ourselves. For example, we go to Target a lot and make very good use of their savings on gift cards. We don’t go to many of the places for which Costco sells gift cards. However, if we did, we would certainly buy them for ourselves. My only caution is that, because of the savings, it can be tempting to buy them and then potentially spend money that one would not normally spend. Nevertheless, if it enables savings on a place or experience for which one would not normally treat themselves, the savings can help with that. 

7. SkiptheCart

The author suggests not using shopping carts when there are only a couple of items on the shopping list. Without the big cart, members are more likely to stick to the list vs adding additional treats.

I have written about this tip before. It definitely helps with very few items but I have definitely overestimated the number of items I can carry, leading to some drops.

8. Decode the Discounts

The article draws attention to the importance of the price endings at Costco. Regular prices end in .99, clearance items end in .97, and special manager markdowns (items that are unlikely to be on sale again soon) end in .88 or .00.

I have written about the meaning behind the price endings before (Price endings are not random).

9. Get a Vacuum Sealer

The author acknowledges both benefits and problems of buying food in large quantities. Although it can save a lot of money, it can be hard to eat it all before it goes bad. Therefore, he suggests investing in a vacuum sealer to preserve items and therefore make buying bulk worth it. He lists many items that can be sealed, including raw meats, cooked meats, baked goods, berries, vegetables, cheese, soup, and stocks.

I have written about the benefits of vacuum sealers in the past (Best Costco Items to Freeze). I actually don’t have one.

10. Use the Whole Bird!

Another tip related to the rotisserie chickens is to buy the whole chicken, making sure to use all of it. Apparently, this can be done by removing the bones, shredding the breast meat and dark meat for one to three meals, using the remainders in soup, and then using the bones for stock.

Again, I don’t eat the chickens but this tip is certainly a way to get the most out of that $4.99! 

11. Car-buying Program

The article points out the wide variety of items that Costco sells. It discusses the benefits of buying cars at Costco, including lower costs than at dealerships, avoidance of having to negotiate at dealerships, and being able to buy pre-owned used cars. 

I wrote about my family’s experience buying a car from Costco (Costco Services).

12. The Last Purchase You Will Ever Make

The author recommends buying caskets at Costco, as they are sold at wholesale price, include delivery and shipping, are good quality, and meet federal laws. 

I really think that caskets are one of the weirdest items sold at Costco. I appreciate what the author wrote but I guess I think of caskets as something one buys when absolutely necessary in the most convenient way possible.

13. Don’t Sleep on Costco Travel

The article acknowledges that Costco Travel may not be the best deals. However, it still suggests looking at their prices on rental cars, all-inclusive resorts, airline flights, and hotels. 

I have written about my family’s experiences with aspects of Costco Travel (Costco Services).

14. The Limit Does Not Exist

Another suggestion for shopping at Costco is to get full use of the samples. As the sample givers are not permitted to deny members samples, one can have as many as desired.

I have joked about trying to “sneak” samples (What kind of “sampler” are you?) and written more seriously about being permitted to have multiple samples. (Information From Costco’s “Sample Givers”) I think it is helpful to know that there is no official limit on samples but to be careful not to take advantage of the lack of a limit.

15. Snack Delivery

The author highlights the ability to order items from Costco.com or the app and get free delivery. These deliveries save time and money and enable the purchasing of items not sold in the store.

With the exception of furniture or appliances, I actually never think about getting items delivered from Costco. I tend not to order much for delivery anyway (even clothing or other items but especially not food). Furthermore, I like trips to Costco, so I more often would want to go to the store and look around for new items as well as items on sale (Price endings are not random).

16. You Can Return Anything

The article provides the reminder of the generous return policy at Costco. It mentions that one can buy an item and return it years later.

I have written about the return policy several times. I definitely think that companies should stand by their products and accept (reasonable) returns, it is important that members do not take advantage of the policy.

17. Shop With Friends

The author suggests that sharing memberships can be helpful. He mentions that benefits include the ability to buy smaller amounts, share costs, and develop relationships (e.g., college students; single adults; apartment dwellers; people wanting friends). Items suggested for sharing include produce, over-the-counter medication and supplements, bulk kitchen items/electronics, canned goods, and frozen meat. 

I think that sharing memberships is a great idea, enabling people to benefit from Costco when they otherwise would not get a membership. However, I imagine that the sharing occurs between people who know each other rather than as a potential social networking tool! I suppose one could post a sign in a building advertising for a “Costco buddy” but I can’t imagine it would happen much. 

What do you think about this most recent list of tips? Any new to you? Any others you’d share?