12 Super Useful Secrets Behind the Shelves That Costco Employees Haven’t Told You

American well-known warehouse chain store Costco has attracted over one hundred million registered members globally due to its affordable and high-quality products. Although members often share shopping tips and experiences on social media, there are many little-known secrets and unwritten rules at Costco that only employees are privy to.

At Costco stores, tall shelves are filled with a variety of goods ranging from groceries to electronics at reasonable prices. For instance, with egg prices soaring in the United States, Costco’s eggs are often quickly sold out due to their discounted prices. Therefore, families and savvy consumers consider it one of their top choices for daily shopping. But behind the towering shelves and diverse products, what secrets and unwritten rules are hidden?

Here are 12 secrets that Costco employees won’t reveal, as compiled from articles in Reader’s Digest.

Wondering whether to buy now or wait? Most items in Costco stores eventually go on sale, so it might be worth the wait if you’re patient.

Looking to inquire about meat products but can’t find a deli department employee nearby? It’s simple – just knock on the department’s door, and Costco employees will be happy to answer any questions.

While Costco doesn’t price match with other retailers, it does offer members the opportunity to get promotions they missed out on. If you purchase an item on costco.com and it drops in price within 30 days of purchase, you can submit a request online for a price adjustment.

Some stores also offer the same benefits for in-store purchases, so be sure to visit the member services counter to see if you can receive assistance.

Costco has maintained its famous $4.99 roasted chicken at a low price without reducing the size of the chicken or adding any weird fillers.

In fact, Costco’s signature roasted chicken may weigh twice as much as its competitors. While seasoning such as sugar, salt, and modified corn starch (like many other stores’ roasted chickens) is added during roasting, it does not contain preservatives, MSG, artificial colors, or flavors.

On busy Fridays, customers may have to wait 20 to 25 minutes to get fresh pizza. Therefore, before starting your shopping trip at Costco, place an order first. By the time you’re done shopping, the pizza will be ready, saving you time.

To make a profit, stores markup prices above what they pay suppliers. For example, most grocery stores raise meat prices by at least 30%.

However, at Costco, the markup for members does not exceed 15% over what the store pays the supplier, with an average markup of only 10.6% on Costco products.

A common criticism of Costco is that the company only accepts a few payment methods. Critics point out that carrying cash may be inconvenient, and Costco’s policy may make it difficult for consumers to earn points or discounts from their preferred credit card provider.

But what many people don’t know is that any credit card can be used when shopping on Costco.com. Of course, not all items can be bought online, and sometimes shopping in-store is more cost-effective.

Just like in real estate, knowing where you stand in a Costco store is key to getting the most value for your money. As is often the case, the best deals are usually hidden deep within Costco stores.

Especially important is finding the core area of the store layout, which Costco employees often refer to as the “center court.” Start from this central point and work your way back to do your shopping. Only go to the front of the store to buy something if you really need or want it, as items there often have the highest markup.

Costco’s soda prices are not always the cheapest, as local supermarkets or discount stores may offer better deals on soda when it’s on sale. Many supermarkets sell soda at a loss to attract customers with below-cost prices.

The best soda discounts are typically around summer holidays like Independence Day or Memorial Day. You can stock up during these promotions and save money in the long run.

An interesting tip is that you can ask for a “chub” of beef at the Costco counter.

Many people are unfamiliar with this packaging term for meat – a “chub” is a tube of minced beef sealed in plastic, resembling an oversized hot dog sausage, filled with minced beef and cheaper to package than traditional foam trays with a clear plastic cover.

Costco’s deli counter can package beef in “chub” form based on your request, and beef sold in “chubs” is often discounted.

Costco has many loyal employees who have worked in one place for years, sometimes with entire families working there. Therefore, it’s not surprising that some former employees and insiders are willing to share their knowledge.

Websites like Reddit and CostcoInsider collect shopping tips and tricks shared by Costco employees. Utilizing these sites can help you receive notifications of special promotions and understand how to maximize Costco’s benefits policy promptly.

Even with Costco’s everyday low prices, buying new tires remains a significant expense. However, what most members don’t know is that Costco’s tire promotions have a rotation schedule, with different brands on sale each month.

Therefore, if you can wait a month or two, you can purchase your favorite brand of tires at a steep discount.

Additionally, Costco’s service department offers tire repairs, tire pressure checks, tire rotation, and other services to extend the lifespan of tires. This is a significant benefit that many Costco members have not fully taken advantage of.