More than forty years ago, the first Costco store opened in Seattle, and now this affordable warehouse-style chain has expanded to 871 stores worldwide, accumulating over 100 million loyal fans. Members often discuss various discounts on social media and share secrets on how to fully utilize their memberships.
Even if you are a frequent Costco shopper, you may not be aware of some of its secrets, such as a service called “Costco Next” that allows you to purchase a wider range of branded products at Costco prices. However, one of the joys of shopping at Costco is the treasure hunt you go on amid their diverse array of products.
In the current climate of rising prices, Costco has become the go-to choice for many families to buy food and daily groceries. A feature on the recipe website delish introduced some little-known shopping secrets shared by former Costco employees and seasoned members, helping members save money and make the most of their memberships.
The authors of the book “The Joy of Costco: a Treasure Hunt from A to Z,” David and Susan Schwartz, visited more than 200 Costco stores in the United States and 13 other countries. They found that approximately 40% of the products in stores worldwide are sourced locally, such as reindeer sausages in the deli section of Alaska’s Costco, fresh watermelon juice at the food court in Seoul’s Costco, distinctive roux in New Orleans, and leis in Hawaii.
“If postage prices go up, the first thing you should do is go to Costco to buy stamps,” Mrs. Schwartz said. She mentioned that Costco stores will continue selling Forever Stamps from their current inventory at lower prices.
Members can purchase tires at Costco at discounted prices. Mr. Schwartz said that Costco offers tire inflation services, which help maintain proper tire pressure for longer periods, reduce tire wear, extend tire mileage, and help you save costs.
Former Costco employee Caroline Truman stated that if you buy something at Costco and later find the price has dropped, you can go to the membership service desk to request a price adjustment.
Costco offers a 30-day price match policy; you do not need to carry receipts or bring the items with you, as the store can view your shopping history record.
Truman mentioned some clues indicating further price drops on certain items. She explained that items ending in .99 or .00 are at full price. If an item is priced ending in .97 or .98, it has been reduced. You can check the small print next to the price label to find the markdown date. If it has been several weeks and there is ample stock, you might anticipate another price drop.
She recalled seeing clothing priced as low as $2.98 per piece. Truman also worked at the food court and shared that people are surprised to learn that the food is freshly made every day.
“In the morning, staff make hundreds of sandwiches and rotisserie chickens, and sell them the same day,” she said.
In the United States, Costco hot dogs may come topped with ketchup, mustard, and perhaps some relish.
However, hot dog toppings vary around the world; the food court in France offers Dijon mustard and mayonnaise, Iceland pairs hot dogs with crispy fried onions, while Mexico opts for pickled jalapenos as a condiment.
Literally speaking, Costco is a “warehouse-style” store. Besides what customers see on the shelves, Costco has no other storage space.
If something is not on the shelves, there is no need to ask Costco employees to check a “back storage,” as “back storage” simply doesn’t exist.