Can you buy online from costco without a membership

When it comes to savings on household goods, groceries, and more, Costco has always been a winning solution in terms of slashing costs. Shopping at warehouse clubs is often cheaper than elsewhere, and Sam's Club, Costco, and the like provide exceptional membership benefits. But what if you don't have a membership? There are still ways to land discounts at Costco without paying the annual fee.

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Is it possible? Yes, it is! Here's how to shop online at Costco without paying that $60 membership fee.

By Lindsay Tigar

Published on January 31, 2020 | 11:59 AM

Running a household of any size requires strategic saving and budget-planning for most people. This is why so many Americans are always looking for the latest-and-greatest sale and clip coupons to make their dollar work harder. Some decide to opt-in for a Costco membership, starting at $60 per year, so they have the ability to buy in bulk and take advantage of great deals. For others though, that price tag isn't within the scope of their cash flow, or there isn't a Costco Wholesale within a reasonable distance of their home. Even so, they want to reap the benefits of this shopping destination, sans membership. Is it possible? Sure is!

Here are the strategic ways to do some Costco online shopping without becoming a member.

Shop deals online.

When you walk through the doors of a Costco store, you'll be asked to whip out your card, proving you have a membership. However, there is no digital security guard keeping track of who browses the web, via Costco.com. Members and non-members can scour through thousands of products—including electronics, pantry items and more. There is a bit of fine print to remember, however, those without a membership have to pay an extra 5 percent on all purchases. Membership-free folks don't receive the perk of free two-day shipping for orders more than $75 like members, either. Instead, you can expect your goods to be delivered within three to five business days when doing some Costco online shopping. And if you're hoping to score on Costco produce as a non-member, it's unlikely since most fresh groceries are unavailable online.

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Buy a Costco shop card.

Or otherwise known as a gift card, simply purchase any amount online. You can refill as often as you'd like, and purchase a wide selection of products at Costco.com. As a bonus for those who fill up their tank frequently, it also works for all of the Costco gas stations. Regardless if you're a member or not, there is no limit to how many Costco Shop Cards you can purchase, or how often you can refill them, since it only takes a quick toll-free call to adjust the balance.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

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A membership with Costco is not free, but here’s a little secret: It turns out you can enjoy some aspects of Costco without paying for a membership.

Consider some of these methods that allow anyone to shop at Costco:

1. Shop online

Anyone can shop Costco.com, although there are two hitches for nonmembers:

• You will be charged a 5% surcharge, so you’ll pay 5% more than the product prices you see on Costco’s website. Generally, the only exception is for prescription drugs.
• You cannot redeem offers designated as “Member-Only Savings.”

Additionally, some items sold in Costco clubs — like many foods — are unavailable on Costco’s website.

Still, if you prefer to shop online or you spend less than $1,200 a year at Costco, paying the nonmember surcharge might make more sense than buying a membership. As long as you spend less than $1,200 a year on Costco’s site, the 5% surcharge would amount to less than the cost of a $60 annual Gold Star membership.

2. Use a gift card

Costco gift cards are known as Costco Shop Cards. They have no expiration date and are available in amounts from $25 to $2,000.

Only members can buy Costco Shop Cards or add money to them, but anyone can use them as payment.

Specifically, according to the card terms, this means the following:

“Nonmembers, as well as members, may use Costco Shop Cards to shop at any Costco location in the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico, as well as online at Costco.com and Costco.ca.”

As we have pointed out, nonmembers who have a Costco Shop Card can even buy gas at Costco.

If you don’t shop at Costco often, a Costco Shop Card might make more sense than a membership card. So consider asking a friend or relative who is a Costco member if they’d buy you a card and let you pay them back or pay them upfront for it. You may also be able to find these in online gift card marketplaces like Raise.

3. Go as a guest

Here’s another option for folks who want to shop at a Costco club but won’t do so often.

Costco allows members to bring up to two guests every time they visit a club. Only members can purchase items, but you could offer to pay back the member you accompany for anything you pick out.

4. Use a Household Card

If you live with a Costco member, you might be able to get a free membership card in the form of what Costco calls a “Household Card.”

Costco’s individual membership comes with one membership card for the primary member as well as one free Household Card. The latter card can be used by anyone who is over the age of 18 and lives at the same address as the primary member.

Costco’s Business Membership also comes with one free Household Card for every paying member, meaning the primary member and any add-on members (aka affiliates).

5. Use a delivery service

Some third-party delivery services, such as Instacart and Shipt, will pick up what you want from Costco and bring it to your home. There’s no waiting in line and no membership necessary on your part.

These services aren’t available in every city and generally aren’t free, though. On top of the cost of your purchases, you’ll usually pay a delivery fee, presumably a tip and possibly an additional fee if you are not a Costco member.

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6. See the optometrist

In need of an eye exam? Nonmembers can see on-site optometrists at Costco clubs.

Nonmembers cannot purchase optical items, however. So it might be wise to first check out “Lookin’ Good! How to Get a Killer Deal on Eyeglasses.”

Not all Costco clubs have optical departments. Visit the “Find a Warehouse” page to look up specific locations, and click on “Store Details” to find out whether a location has an optical department.

7. Buy prescription drugs

Prescription drugs are the one exception to Costco’s 5% surcharge for nonmembers who order online.

Additionally, nonmembers can use the pharmacies in Costco clubs. According to Costco:

“You don’t need to be a Costco member to purchase Costco Pharmacy prescriptions online or at our warehouses. Our Pharmacy counter will accept several different forms of payment, including cash, debit/ATM cards, Costco Shop Cards, and Visa.”

Not all Costco locations have pharmacies. So nonmembers might want to call ahead before using a brick-and-mortar Costco pharmacy for the first time. Again, visit the “Find a Warehouse” page to find out whether a location has a pharmacy.

If your prescription drug costs are limited to copays, and you don’t frequent Costco, you’re probably better off using your nearest pharmacy. But if you pay out of pocket for prescriptions, compare what you currently pay with what Costco charges for your medications.

Do you need membership for Costco Online?

Do you need a Costco membership to buy?