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Costco recently raised its membership prices, so you might be wondering if Costco is still worth it, especially if you don’t live close to a local warehouse. Here’s the thing: at the risk of sounding like an excessively impassioned Costco fanboy — I believe that Costco membership is worth the price, even if you never set foot in a Costco warehouse.
That’s because Costco’s website has so many great deals. You’re likely to save more than enough money from shopping online with Costco to make up for the cost of a $65 (or $130) Costco membership. You might even save hundreds or thousands of dollars per year by using Costco online shopping for major purchases or everyday items, like groceries.
Let’s look at a few ways that Costco online shopping can help you get premium products and valuable services, while leaving more money in your bank account.
1. Special “treasure hunt” deals on Costco.com
Costco is famous for its “treasure hunts” where you can wander through the warehouse aisles and find surprising deals on furniture, appliances, tech gadgets, home goods, and more. But you don’t have to go to a warehouse to get Costco treasure hunts — they’re offered online, too.
As of Aug. 18, 2024, Costco.com was offering the following “treasure hunt” deals:
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Cuisinart Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 5-Piece Skillet Set ($69.99)
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Midea Smart 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump ($179.99)
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DeWalt Circular Saw ($199.99)
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Thomasville Dillard Accent Chair with Storage Ottoman ($599.99)
Costco.com also offers everyday deals on big-ticket items. If you’re in the market for a new fridge, stove, sofa, or TV, check Costco.com and compare prices with other major retailers. You might often find better prices at Costco, and you can get built-in Costco technical support and a two-year warranty.
2. Grocery delivery from Costco Sameday
Costco has great deals on bulk groceries and packaged foods — but what if you don’t have time to visit the warehouse? Luckily, Costco offers online grocery delivery. You can sign up for Costco Sameday and use Instacart to shop at Costco for you.
Using Instacart at Costco will cost more than shopping at the warehouse yourself. But this can be worth it if you’re pressed for time and just want to get those Costco grocery deals into your kitchen and pantry.
You can even use Costco Sameday to bring rotisserie chickens and big boxes of delicious Costco cookies to your house! That’s worth $65 per year already.
3. Extra discounts from Costco Direct
If you buy big-ticket items online from Costco, you might qualify for extra discounts from a special program called Costco Direct. This is a perk that many shoppers might not know about, but it’s great.
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If you buy two qualifying items, you get $100 of extra savings.
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If you buy three qualifying items, you save an extra $200.
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Buy four items, save $300.
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And if you buy five or more qualifying items, you can save an extra $400 on your total bill.
Costco Direct is online only, and it usually applies only to big-ticket items that have to be delivered, like appliances, furniture, or TVs. But if you’re renovating a house, upgrading your living room, or suddenly need to replace multiple appliances at once, Costco Direct can help you save big.
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 use Costco online shopping to get access to great deals on high-end products.
With Costco Next, you use your Costco membership to sign in to the Costco Next portal, and click on the brand you want to buy. Next you get taken to a special online shopping site where you can access special Costco member prices, and then you shop directly with the other brand.
Costco Next brand partners include:
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Body Glove (watersports gear)
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Dearfoams (cozy slippers and footwear)
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Most, Inc. (K-Beauty products from Korea)
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Otterbox (phone cases and screen protection)
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Priority Bicycles (low-maintenance bikes)
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Viking (cookware)
5. Book vacations with Costco Travel
Costco Travel is an online travel agency for Costco members, and it offers surprising deals on cruises, all-inclusive resorts, vacation packages, hotels, and more. If you want to try something totally new for your next vacation and you want the reassurance of Costco’s seal of approval, Costco Travel can be a great way to book your trip.
Bottom line
Even if you live too far from a Costco warehouse to partake of the food court hot dog combo deal, Costco online shopping can be worth the price of membership. Just by shopping online on Costco.com and using Costco’s special programs like Costco Direct and Costco Next, you can maximize your Costco experience without ever going to the warehouse.
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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.The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.