Note: Costco Travel is different from other online travel agencies (such as Orbitz or Expedia). 2. Costco’s Executive members receive greater discounts on services like check printing and identity theft protection (which monitors your credit and alerts you to suspicious activity), as well as free roadside assistance for vehicles covered through Costco’s auto insurance offering. Blue Nile is one of our favorite vendors and they have generously offered our readers an exclusive one-time use coupon. But the quantities of perishables are too much for most households. Costco's berry quantities also might be a little more manageable for the average shopper — a pack of blueberries comes in an 18-ounce option, for example. If the discount is off the MSRP then that is not a deal. Don't let yourself get caught in the giant bear trap. You can get everything from conventional to free-range eggs, all at a lower cost than at many other grocery stores. It’s a good deal, but better deals can be found onlin. This is a small price when compared to the cost of a brand-new or even a pre-owned vehicle. And consider this excerpt from a five-star review: "We live in an apartment and he is the dumbest thing we ever bought." You can shop for things like headphones, iPhones, engagement rings, Legos, and plenty of other items. There are a few areas of the store that nonmembers can access: Here are your options for shopping at Costco without an active membership card: Elissa Sanci is a staff writer for Wirecutter, where she covers deals, consumer shopping, and personal finance. Then they drank it. "The downside is you might have to wait," he said, because members line up to save on gas. Costco sells a dazzling array of gift cards at a discount on the face value. So you may prefer to deal with the dealer directly rather than going through an intermediary like Costco. If you live by yourself or don’t personally need things in bulk, you can still take advantage of Costco deals by splitting a membership (and the things you buy in large quantities) with a couple of friends who are also interested in saving a few dollars. Costco even sells Wagyu beef if you're feeling flush. Inventory of wines will vary by market and even by store within a market so at times you can find some low production wines available in an individual store. "Because I wanted to give her something nice while also reducing my financial pain, the decision (at least for me) wasn't hard to make," he wrote. The biggest stories in fast food, shopping, and more. Deals. And unlike your local nightclub, you can get a handle of vodka for $20 at Costco. High-end tailored shirts aside, I think the Kirkland stuff is the best value on the market, just as good quality (sometimes better) as what you get at The Bay or mid-range stores.". In testing the Kirkland balls on the green, Golfalot found that they compared well with premium golf balls, but without the premium price. You could get flowers, like bouquets and full wedding arrangements, to make your day memorable while saving money, at prices up to $449. But if you don’t have the means to store your stuff (or the mouths to feed before the perishable goods go bad), a Costco membership might not be for you. (Related: The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.) What isn’t a good deal: Haggling. Save an extra $3 on Duracell batteries. Learn more. Does Costco Sell Pre-owned Vehicles? 4. To some reviewers, for example, Kirkland's light beer tastes as cheap as it costs, while perishable foods like milk or fresh produce might spoil before you have a chance to use all of it. Some reviews of the grill on Costco's site echo the opinion that it simply doesn't offer enough heat. Costco has incredible deals, for sure. Though some Kirkland Ultra laundry detergent is labeled "free and clear," some people have reported getting contact dermatitis after wearing clothes washed in the Costco-brand product. Filter. In the past, when Costco sold their diamonds with GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certificates, they had legitimately very good prices. Not to say that is what I would get if I sold it, but it is a better cut and clarity than what Costco has. The amateur taste-testers were split 50/50 when deciding which whisky was the real-deal and which was the Costco version, which is a pretty good indicator that when it comes to choosing between the two, you have an either/or situation on hand. Costco is one of the best places for good deals. Big bundles of Kirkland toilet paper or paper towels may be a bargain, but not if you live in a studio apartment where you'll have to use the package as an end table. Hearing aids are a big expense that might not be covered by insurance. Gold Star Executive members get additional benefits, including an annual 2% reward (up to $1,000) on qualifying Costco, Costco.com, and Costco Travel purchases. Costco's pharmacy offers cut-rate prices that are so low, according to Consumer Reports, that you might be able to afford them without insurance.