5 Reasons Why Online Shopping at Costco Is Worth the Member Price

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Costco recently raised its membership prices, so you may be wondering if Costco is still worth it, especially if you don’t live near a local warehouse. Here’s the thing: At the risk of sounding like an overly passionate Costco fanboy – I believe that Costco membership is worth the price. even if you never enter a Costco warehouse.

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

Let’s look at a few ways you can get top-notch products and valuable services while leaving more money in your bank account when shopping online at Costco.

1. Special “Treasure Hunt” offers on Costco.com

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

As of August 18, 2024, Costco.com offered the following Treasure Hunt deals:

• Cuisinart 5-Piece Triple-Ply Stainless Steel Skillet Set ($69.99)

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

• DeWalt Circular Saw ($199.99)

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

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

2. Same-day grocery delivery from Costco

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

Using Instacart at Costco costs more than shopping at the warehouse yourself, but it can be worth it if you’re pressed for time and just want to get Costco’s grocery offerings into your kitchen and pantry.

You can even use Costco Sameday to get rotisserie chicken and big boxes of delicious Costco cookies delivered to your door! That’s already worth $65 per year.

3. Additional discounts from Costco Direct

When you purchase expensive items online from Costco, you may be eligible for additional discounts through a special program called Costco Direct. This is a benefit that many shoppers may not know about, but it’s a great one.

• If you buy two qualifying items, you will receive 100$ additional savings.

• If you buy three qualifying items, save additional $200.

• Buy four Article, save $300.

• And if you buy five or more qualified items, you can save additional $400 on your total bill.

Costco Direct is only available online and usually only applies to expensive items that need to be delivered, like appliances, furniture or TVs. But if you’re renovating a home, updating your living room or suddenly need to replace several appliances at once, Costco Direct can save you a lot of money.

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 get great deals on high-quality products when shopping online at Costco.

With Costco Next, you log into the Costco Next portal with your Costco membership and click on the brand you want to purchase. This will take you to a special online shopping site where you can access special Costco member prices and then shop directly with the other brand.

Costco Next brand partners include:

• Body Glove (water sports equipment)

• Dearfoams (comfortable slippers and shoes)

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

• Otterbox (phone cases and screen protectors)

• Priority Bicycles (low maintenance bicycles)

• Viking (cookware)

5. Book vacations with Costco Travel

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

Conclusion

Even if you live too far from a Costco warehouse to participate in the hot dog combo deal in the food court, shopping at Costco online can still be worth it for you. By simply shopping online at Costco.com and taking advantage of Costco’s special programs like Costco Direct and Costco Next, you can maximize your Costco experience without ever having to go to the warehouse.

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We strongly believe in the Golden Rule, and editorial opinions are solely our own and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the advertisers involved. The Ascent does not cover all offerings in the market. Editorial content on The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool’s editorial content and is produced by a different team of analysts. The Motley Fool holds positions in Costco Wholesale and recommends the company. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.