
10 perks of your Costco membership you probably didn't know about
It's more than just a place to buy toilet paper in bulk.
Updated 9:29 am, Friday, December 29, 2017
Here's a smart reason to buy your next TV at Costco: With all tech purchases at this discount retailer, you get access to an on-call concierge line for free tech support via the phone. No more yelling at the remote the next time your Netflix isn't syncing. less
Here's a smart reason to buy your next TV at Costco: With all tech purchases at this discount retailer, you get access to an on-call concierge line for free tech support via the phone. No more yelling at the ... more
Photo: PAUL SAKUMA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
"You can buy various gift cards at a discount — usually a $100 value for just $79.99," says Matt, the mysterious blogger behind Costco Insider. Look for gift cards for movie theaters, restaurants, entertainment, and more. less
"You can buy various gift cards at a discount — usually a $100 value for just $79.99," says Matt, the mysterious blogger behind Costco Insider. Look for gift cards for movie theaters, restaurants, ... more
Photo: Daniel Acker, Bloomberg
No one enjoys haggling with a car salesman. Since more than 3,000 dealerships are part of the Costco Auto Program, you get a huge selection of new or pre-owned cars (or motorcycles or snowmobiles or side-by-sides) to choose from that the Costco team has already negotiated down for an even better deal. less
No one enjoys haggling with a car salesman. Since more than 3,000 dealerships are part of the Costco Auto Program, you get a huge selection of new or pre-owned cars (or motorcycles or snowmobiles or ... more
Photo: Nati Harnik
Price cuts don't just apply to what's on the shelves in this store. Members also get discounts off of all-inclusive resorts, theme parks, plane flights, car rentals, and cruise ships. Do we hear Mexico calling your name? less
Price cuts don't just apply to what's on the shelves in this store. Members also get discounts off of all-inclusive resorts, theme parks, plane flights, car rentals, and cruise ships. Do we hear Mexico calling ... more
Photo: Nati Harnik
If your insurance doesn't cover all of your medications, you need to investigate Costco's Prescription Program, which has a list of drugs members can get for a fraction of the price — many for just $5.
If your insurance doesn't cover all of your medications, you need to investigate Costco's Prescription Program, which has a list of drugs members can get for a fraction of the price — many for just $5.
Photo: Scott Olson, Getty Images
Anyone who loves going to see the latest blockbuster or catching DiCaprio's most recent Oscar-worthy performance, you know ticket prices add up — fast. At Costco, you can buy discounted cinema tickets in packs of four or 10 that never expire. less
Anyone who loves going to see the latest blockbuster or catching DiCaprio's most recent Oscar-worthy performance, you know ticket prices add up — fast. At Costco, you can buy discounted cinema tickets in ... more
Photo: Vstock LLC, Getty Images
Bypass the co-pay at your ear doctor and head to Costco's Hearing Aid Centers, where they offer free exams for members. Even better: They don't charge for follow-up appointments or cleanings either.
Bypass the co-pay at your ear doctor and head to Costco's Hearing Aid Centers, where they offer free exams for members. Even better: They don't charge for follow-up appointments or cleanings either.
Photo: SUZANNE DECHILLO
Running out of checks is a pain, because it's costly to replace them. But the warehouse club offers the same service for half of the price as your bank — and you can pick up business checks, ink stamps, and tax forms while you're there. less
Running out of checks is a pain, because it's costly to replace them. But the warehouse club offers the same service for half of the price as your bank — and you can pick up business checks, ink stamps, and ... more
Photo: Mayra Beltran, Staff
Instead of constantly refilling your Brita, let Costco bring water to you. You can choose from Spring, purified, and artesian water and have it delivered directly to your door or office for just $6 for a large bottle. Or rent a dispense for between $1 and $3 every month — depending on you level of membership. less
Instead of constantly refilling your Brita, let Costco bring water to you. You can choose from Spring, purified, and artesian water and have it delivered directly to your door or office for just $6 for a large ... more
Costco doesn't accept general manufacturer coupons, but you can use rebate apps to save. "With cash back apps — like Ibotta, Mobisave, and Checkout51 — you can submit your Costco receipts and anywhere from $0.20 to $3 will be deposited into your account," says Melody Hansen, the blogger behind This Beautiful Frugal Life. "Once you hit a certain amount, you can redeem for cash or gift cards." less
Costco doesn't accept general manufacturer coupons, but you can use rebate apps to save. "With cash back apps — like Ibotta, Mobisave, and Checkout51 — you can submit your Costco receipts and anywhere from ... more
Photo: Ap/getty
Toilet paper
Amazon: 53 cents per roll (Quilted Northern)
Costco: 53 cents per roll (Kirkland)
Toilet paper
Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle
Amazon: 53 cents per roll (Quilted Northern)
Costco: 53 cents per roll (Kirkland)
Cup Noodles, chicken flavor, 24 count
Amazon: $9.63 (but not prime)
Costco: $8.09
Cup Noodles, chicken flavor, 24 count
Amazon: $9.63 (but not prime)
Costco: $8.09
Peet’s Coffee House Blend K Cups
Amazon: 86 cents each
Costco: 62 cents each
Peet’s Coffee House Blend K Cups
Amazon: 86 cents each
Costco: 62 cents each
Extra virgin olive oil, 2 liters
Amazon: $22.71 (Pompeian)
Costco: $11.99 (Kirkland)
Extra virgin olive oil, 2 liters
Photo: Chris Preovolos
Amazon: $22.71 (Pompeian)
Costco: $11.99 (Kirkland)
Austin Cookie and Cracker Variety Pack, 45 count
Amazon: $11.83
Costco: $9.99
Austin Cookie and Cracker Variety Pack, 45 count
Amazon: $11.83
Costco: $9.99
Goldfish, 58 oz
Amazon: $16.06
Costco: $10.49
Goldfish, 58 oz
Amazon: $16.06
Costco: $10.49
Advil Ibuprofen, 360 tablets
Amazon: $22.49
Costco: $18.99
Advil Ibuprofen, 360 tablets
Amazon: $22.49
Costco: $18.99
Green tea
Amazon: $17.64 (240 tea bags, Bigelow)
Costco: $34.99 (200 tea bags, Kirkland Signature)
Green tea
Amazon: $17.64 (240 tea bags, Bigelow)
Costco: $34.99 (200 tea bags, Kirkland Signature)
Chex Mix traditional flavor, 36 count
Amazon: $15.15 (not prime)
Costco: $12.69
Chex Mix traditional flavor, 36 count
Amazon: $15.15 (not prime)
Costco: $12.69
Seventh Generation laundry detergent, 150 oz
Amazon: $32.28
Costco: $28.99
Seventh Generation laundry detergent, 150 oz
Amazon: $32.28
Costco: $28.99
Planters Nuts, 24-count variety pack
Amazon: $9.48
Costco: $12.99
Planters Nuts, 24-count variety pack
Amazon: $9.48
Costco: $12.99
Muscle Milk Protein Powder, 4.94 lbs
Amazon: $42.99
Costco: $42.99
Muscle Milk Protein Powder, 4.94 lbs
Amazon: $42.99
Costco: $42.99
Red Vines, 5.5 lbs
Amazon: $12.44
Costco: $10.39
Red Vines, 5.5 lbs
Amazon: $12.44
Costco: $10.39
Animal crackers, 4 lbs
Amazon: $13.81 (Stauffer's Original)
Costco: $15.00 (Kirkland Signature)
Animal crackers, 4 lbs
Amazon: $13.81 (Stauffer's Original)
Costco: $15.00 (Kirkland Signature)
Umpqua Oats all-natural oatmeal, 12 pack
Amazon: $29.00
Costco: $28.99
Umpqua Oats all-natural oatmeal, 12 pack
Amazon: $29.00
Costco: $28.99
One A Day multivitamin, men’s and women’s, 300 tablets
Amazon: $22.95
Costco: $17.99
One A Day multivitamin, men’s and women’s, 300 tablets
Amazon: $22.95
Costco: $17.99
Bounce dryer sheets, 320 sheets
Amazon: $16.75
Costco: $12.99
Bounce dryer sheets, 320 sheets
Amazon: $16.75
Costco: $12.99
Seventh Generation dish liquid
Amazon: $17.07 (six pack)
Costco: $23.94
Seventh Generation dish liquid
Amazon: $17.07 (six pack)
Costco: $23.94
If you shop at Costco, you know part of the appeal is exploring all the wacky things on the shelves (like a giant teddy bear).
Of course, there's also the discounts that are impossible to beat.
But what if we told you those price tags are only the beginning?
These are all of the other services you get out from a Costco membership.
Originally published on Good Housekeeping.
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