Suggestions for Costco Shoppers

Writing this blog is a lot of fun for me. I also hope that it provides other Costco members/lovers with helpful information about the store and its services and products. Therefore, when I come across suggestions for customers, I want to pass them on. I recently came across these four suggestions for members.

1. Avoid shopping on weekends unless absolutely necessary

Is is big news that stores tend to be busier on weekends? No. Are there many people who can only shop on weekends due to work and other scheduling constraints? Yes. Therefore, most are not likely to find this a new suggestion . However, the article mentions a few things that I don’t typically think about (although of course they make sense). I tend to mostly think about the extra time to wait on lines. This article mentions that people may experience more stress in crowded stores. In addition, people may rush to get out, making it more likely to forget items or to buy things on impulse  that they not would not buy. The authors of this article are obviously aware that many people are restricted to shopping on weekends. They suggest that these people could benefit from going to Costco at night after work, when it may be less busy than on weekends.

I have been to Costco many times on Sundays and have a few things to add from these experiences. Due to my work schedule , I actually can go to stores during the week. However, sometimes I go Sunday on the way to or from another activity, because it is the only time the entire family can go together, or because we want certain foods to be freshest at the beginning of the week. These weekend trips raise a few additional concerns I want to mention about shopping when the store is very busy. Costco does a very good job at restocking and straightening out the products. Nevertheless, inevitably, with more customers, stores tend to be messier (especially the clothing!) and more likely to run out of items.  Another limitation is that stores close earlier on Sundays (6 pm vs. 8 pm).

2. Be aware of seasonal items

Many stores carry seasonal items, both food and not. This article focuses on food. It mentions some of the fall pumpkin items that are only in stores between September and November.  Therefore, it suggests buying them when you see them rather than waiting. In addition, depending on the item, the article recommends buying extra (e.g., extra muffins to freeze). The article also suggests that you can ask employees how long items are likely to remain in the store.I have written before about my disappointment when my favorite items are discontinued (It’s Gone? Discontinued Products).

However, when these items are not longer available, it has little to do with being seasonal. Therefore, it is harder to predict and buy extra (unless the sign makes it clear it is being discounted (Price endings are not random)). Many times I have been unable to buy extras of seasonal items (or which appear to be seasonal) due to their relatively short shelf life (e.g., cole slaw (Product Review: Golden Taste Cole Slaw); cold baked salmon (Product Review: Foppen Hot Smoked Salmon); watermelon (Product Review: Watermelons)). Other times, because the items can be frozen, it is easy to buy extras (within reason…we have an extra freezer but it gets filled quickly!) For example, knowing that they will only be available for about a month in the spring but that we like them even after the holiday, we often purchase extra Passover items, including kugels (Product Review: Golden Taste Broccoli Kugel) and cakes (Product Review: World of Chantilly Passover 7-layer cake). Another thing to consider with respect to non-food seasonal items is that they generally appear ahead of the season in which they are used and may go on sale during the actual season (e.g., clothing; outdoor furniture).

3. Compare prices for more expensive items

According to this article, although Costco is known for good prices, there are times when other stores sell the same items for less. It suggests going with Costco for less expensive items, as it is not worth spending too much (or any) time comparing prices to save a very small amount of money. In contrast, when planning to purchase a one-time, more expensive item, the article suggests doing comparison shopping. Sometimes the item may be less expensive elsewhere, with savings large enough that it makes sense to purchase it elsewhere. However, the article points out that, even if less expensive elsewhere, because Costco has additional perks on some items, it may make sense to buy it at Costco. These perks include 2% cash back on Costco purchases with an Executive membership (Costco Executives), a second-year warranty on electronics for free, and free technological support. The article gives the example of buying a laptop. If $900 at Costco and $875 at another store, buying it at the latter store saves $25. However, the Executive membership, provides $18 back. The article says that, taking the warranty and the technological support into consideration, it may be worth buying the laptop at Costco, despite it costing $7 more at Costco than at the other store.  I tend to assume that the prices at Costco will generally be better than, or as good as, prices elsewhere. With respect to smaller items, I  agree that it is not worth spending too much time comparing prices. I would add that, even if you know you see that these items are cheaper elsewhere, it is probably not worth the extra time and gas money to go from store to store. For example, if you are buying a bunch of items at Costco, it likely does not make sense to go to a different store just to buy milk or bread because slightly less expensive.

4. Be reasonable with your returns

I have written before about returns at Costco ((Returning at Costco); (Ridiculous Returns)). This article highlights the importance that Costco places on customer satisfaction. Therefore, it suggests returning items when there are problems (e.g., defective items, spoiled food). However, it also provides examples of unreasonable returns that take advantage of the policy  (e.g.; clothing that has been worn and washed several times; food that has been largely eaten). As I have mentioned in a prior post, (Secrets of Costco Employees (Part 2 of 2), Costco does have the right to revoke memberships if people abuse the return policy.

 I have already written about this policy and don’t have more to add here.

Certainly not the most earth shattering suggestions but hopefully they help at least a few people out.

Do you have any additional shopping suggestions for me and other readers?