Marissa Miller| Reviewed
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Whether you’re meal prepping for the week ahead, buying toiletries in bulk or looking for a great deal on a TV, there are plenty of reasons to shop at Costco—and right now, there's an even more compelling one: Cheap gas. The membership-only big box retailer has long been coveted for its massive inventory of groceries, home goods, clothing, personal care itemsand more. It basically has anything else you could ever need to survive a zombie apocalypse—or at least keep a well-stocked pantry, fridge and linen closet). It's also consistently one of the cheapest places to buy gas around, so if you're feeling the pinch at the pump as prices soar, you'll want to check this out.
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Boasting more than 113 million members over 62 million households, Costco operates 828 stores—or warehouses, as they're called—across 14 countries including the U.S., Canada, Japan, Spain, Iceland and France. Unlike a standard grocery or department store, you need a membership to shop there (and even just to get through the front door!). Costco keeps a highly curated 4,000 SKUs in inventory, which it's able to sell at wholesale prices.
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If you're interested in shopping at Costco, here’s how a Costco membership works, including how much it costs and whether or not it's worth it for you and your family.
How much is a Costco membership?
There are two types of Costco membership: the Gold Star membership and the Executive membership. The Gold Star membershipcosts $60 per year andincludes two cards—one for you and one for someone else in your household—thatgrant you access to all locations worldwide along with Costco online.
The Executive membership costs $120 and similarly includes two cards and access to all locations around the world and online. However, you also get an additional 2% savings on all qualifying purchases (with a maximum total of $1,000 in savings per year), along with savings on vacations booked through Costco Travel.
What can you buy at Costco?
The better question is what can’tyou buy at Costco? The retailer offers a wide variety of products. In the grocery section, you'll find produce, fresh bakery goods,shelf-stable pantry items—like granola bars, snacks, spices and coffee—and frozen foods. The rest of the store is a haven ofapparel, name-brand electronics, furniture, cleaning supplies, beauty items, office supplies, plants, sporting goods, fitness equipment, pharmacy staples, bedding and a whole lot more (even caskets).
Keep in mind that the in-store and online shopping experience at Costco may drastically differ—the inventory is usually far greater online than it is in store, but it’ll be cheaper to shop in store thanks to shipping fees.
What are the main benefits of Costco?
Depending on where you live, there are a few key perks to a Costco membership.
Costco gasoline
With gas prices skyrocketing, the draw of Costco gasoline might be a big sell for getting a membership. At the self-serve gas stations—which are located next to the Costco warehouses—you can fuel up with Kirkland Signature gas and diesel for lower prices than you'd pay at other pumps.
Same-day delivery
In most metropolitan areas, you can take advantage of same-day delivery powered by Instacart for purchases of $35 or more.
Concierge services
If you purchase electronics—like a TV, camera, printer or laptop—at Costco, you can take advantage of free concierge services to help set up and operate your new buy.
Free samples
Free samples have long been the cherry on top of shopping at Costco. The in-store shopping experience also includes demos of electronics. Plus, while not free, you cangrab super cheap hot dogs, pizza and other goodies from the Costco food court.
Haul Away
Instead of having to move and discard bulk items like appliances and mattresses yourself, use Costco’s Haul Awayservice, which is available in select locations. Upon delivering your new item, the delivery team will remove your bulk item and recycle it.
Credit card savings
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, which doubles as a membership ID, offers 4%back on eligible gas purchases, 3% back on eligible restaurant and travel purchases and2% back on all in-store and online purchases.
Is a Costco membership worth it?
The brand claims that the $60 fee for the Gold Star membership ends up paying for itselfif you shop at Costco frequently. Of course, this all depends on how much you buy and how often. If you're someone who likes to buy in bulk or who is shopping for a household, a Costco membership is a no-brainer. It's a great way to stock up on things you need—like a 12-pack of deodorant, 30 rolls of toilet paper and a 288-pound tub of macaroni and cheese—and spend a lot less than you would at a traditional grocery store or similar retailer like Target.
Sign up for a Costco membership starting at $60/year.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
