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Given that Costco is a membership club, it’s no surprise that its employees are so careful to check membership cards before allowing you in. However, if you’re planning to do any of the following, explain to the Costco employee at the door why you’re there.
Not only will you be able to enter the warehouse store without a membership, but you may also score a pretty terrific bargain.
Here are four reasons it makes sense to shop at Costco without paying for an annual membership.
If you live alone, don’t spend much on groceries, or simply don’t like the whole warehouse shopping vibe, it makes sense to skip a Costco membership. After all, one of the first rules of personal finance is to avoid spending money needlessly.
That said, there are several money-saving reasons you may want to consider shopping at Costco without a membership. That’s because some Costco departments are open to anyone, member or not.
According to the Costco website, you don’t need to be a member to purchase prescription drugs online or in one of its warehouses. Every Costco pharmacy in the U.S. allows you to make a prescription purchase, with or without a membership.
While non-members can’t take advantage of Costco’s money-saving Member Prescription Program, there are still deep discounts to be found on prescription medications. Before deciding whether buying through a Costco pharmacy is right for you, check the warehouse store’s prices against other pharmacies in your area.
If you have pets, their prescriptions can wreck the household budget. The next time your vet writes a prescription, remember that Costco pharmacies also fill pet medications.
You can pay at the pharmacy counter using cash, a debit/ATM card, a Costco Shop Card, or a credit card that Costco accepts (in-store, it’s only Visa).
If you’re due for an eye exam, you can book one with a Costco optometrist, even without a membership card. So give your local Costco Optical Center a call to learn more about its exam costs. Again, compare it against other local optometrists to see if you’ll save money by going through Costco.
Although it’s possible to book an eye exam through Costco, you can’t buy prescription glasses or contacts without a Costco membership card. However, you’re free to shop around with thousands of eyeglass and contact retailers (brick-and-mortar and online) to find what you need at a price you can afford.
If you’re throwing a party and want to offer your guests adult beverages, Costco offers some pretty great options at a discounted price. If you live in one of the following states, you’re in luck. Your state prevents membership-only clubs from banning alcohol sales to non-members.
ArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareHawaiiIndianaKentuckyMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaNew YorkTexasVermont
To complicate the matter further, not every Costco location offers a full selection of beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. For example, Costco warehouses in Ohio, Texas, and Vermont only offer beer and wine, and the availability of any alcoholic beverage varies by store in other states. The moral of the story is this: Call ahead to make sure your local Costco carries the beverages you’re looking for.
Once you’ve let the cashier know that you aren’t a member, they’ll scan a generic membership number. Don’t be surprised if a supervisor is called over to approve the purchase. It may take a few moments longer, but the savings can be worth it.
The important thing to remember is that you can take advantage of several sweet Costco benefits, even without springing for a membership.
If you’re shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, you’ll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period.
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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Dana George has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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