Q about entering and buying from Costco

[mingcourt]

I dont have a membership from Costco but I am interested in seeing some of the things inside to see whether or not I'd like to buy one.

However, if i am only going to make 1 purchase, can i just borrow someone else's pass or something?

How much does it cost for a membership? Is it possible to just pay a fee for just 1 purchase and, would it be worth it?

Do they even check for membership when you enter? or only when you make a purchase?

Thanks all.

[rafiki]

They check membership when entering.

I think you can do this...

Get a someone who has a membership to buy you a gift card. You can use the gift card to enter the store and to purchase. Any difference in price (between items bought and the gift card is paid by you with cash or credit)

[1226]

I dont have a membership from Costco but I am interested in seeing some of the things inside to see whether or not I'd like to buy one.

However, if i am only going to make 1 purchase, can i just borrow someone else's pass or something?

That would get you in, but unless that person's with you, you wouldn't be able to buy anything.

How much does it cost for a membership?

$50/yr I think?

Is it possible to just pay a fee for just 1 purchase and, would it be worth it?

No, but you can get a member to buy you a gift card. You can then use it to enter and buy something.

Do they even check for membership when you enter? or only when you make a purchase?

Both. You flash your card at the door (could be anybody's) but they make sure it's yours when you're at the cashier.

[mingcourt]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Can I go into Costco saying I am going in to get a membership but just look around at the prices? (I want to know how much I am going to save on this 1 purchase before possibly buying a membership)

If I DO get a gift card, i can just show them that when entering right?

[cil254]

Can I go into Costco saying I am going in to get a membership but just look around at the prices? (I want to know how much I am going to save on this 1 purchase before possibly buying a membership)

Yes, just tell them you're going to customer service.

[intx]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Can I go into Costco saying I am going in to get a membership but just look around at the prices? (I want to know how much I am going to save on this 1 purchase before possibly buying a membership)

If I DO get a gift card, i can just show them that when entering right?

I've tried this gift card method, basically you have to show your gift card at the registration desk, and they'll assign you a temporary pass/membership.

Kind of annoying, but I think that's the point. So people who go there often have a need to purchase a membership.

[Rosico]

to my knowledge, Costco has a 100% money back membership offer. Buy a membership, buy the stuff you want, and then if you decide you don't want/nede the membership - tell them you want your money back. Though, once you take a look around and start getting 4% back on purchases there (2% AMEX + 2 Exec Membership) you might want to make it your store of choice

[GYR8]

Hello Everyone

< Begin Sales Pitch>

I will say the same thing I have said before:
$50 @ 1 / month = $4.16 per visit. And believe me, you will visit there more than once per month, however I am just painting a worst-case scenario.

If there is anyone who believes they *Can't* recoup this amount over the course of one year, then everytime there is a hot deal (and it's not gonna happen all the time... but you never know), you will say "I wish I could shop there".

And if you believe that you just can't come to terms to "pay to shop there", then fine... Drive all over hell's half acre to save $.25 on those bags of milk or that special on Tropicana, only to get POUNDED on the other groceries you buy while you are there.

And as mentioned, if you think you aren't getting your $4.16 worth in savings, get a refund on the membership. And then next time you see that hot deal on something, you can sign up again and drive yourself bonkers knowing that, maybe, $50 wasn't really that bad after all

< end of sales pitch>

And yes the Cash Card idea works... usually once or twice. But I am pretty certain they wrangle you up to try and get you to sign up for a membership or at least have information on you on file that allows them to pester you for all eternity :P

GYR8

[Kevin T]

I don't get it... sign up for AMEX Platinum Costco Cash-Rebate, you get back 0.5-1% on all purchases toward Costco, and you get free membership as a valid cardholder.

Or you can just go through the Exit... walk towards the Cashier and enter. Or what I always do, just walk in, no need to show anything.

[GYR8]

I don't get it... sign up for AMEX Platinum Costco Cash-Rebate, you get back 0.5-1% on all purchases toward Costco, and you get free membership as a valid cardholder.

Or you can just go through the Exit... walk towards the Cashier and enter. Or what I always do, just walk in, no need to show anything.

And what happens when you get to the cashier with your cart load of goodies? "Oh it's *you*! Go right ahead and purchase your groceries... nevermind that pesky membership!"

RRRRRRRRight.

GYR8

[intx]

Hello Everyone

< Begin Sales Pitch>

I will say the same thing I have said before:
$50 @ 1 / month = $4.16 per visit. And believe me, you will visit there more than once per month, however I am just painting a worst-case scenario.

If there is anyone who believes they *Can't* recoup this amount over the course of one year, then everytime there is a hot deal (and it's not gonna happen all the time... but you never know), you will say "I wish I could shop there".

And if you believe that you just can't come to terms to "pay to shop there", then fine... Drive all over hell's half acre to save $.25 on those bags of milk or that special on Tropicana, only to get POUNDED on the other groceries you buy while you are there.

And as mentioned, if you think you aren't getting your $4.16 worth in savings, get a refund on the membership. And then next time you see that hot deal on something, you can sign up again and drive yourself bonkers knowing that, maybe, $50 wasn't really that bad after all

< end of sales pitch>

And yes the Cash Card idea works... usually once or twice. But I am pretty certain they wrangle you up to try and get you to sign up for a membership or at least have information on you on file that allows them to pester you for all eternity :P

GYR8

I think Costco makes more sense depending on the area you live in. For my area, compared to the grocery stores, you don't get much savings in average. It is only the occasional sale item in Costco (which isn't that often for me) that makes me want a membership. And $4.16 a visit isn't exactly pocket change.

However, my aunt finds it's decent to shop there, not everything is the lowest price, but everything is competitively priced and it reduces the need to shop around. She does live out in an area where it's less populated, though, and the only grocery stories there aren't very competitive.

So the bottom line in my opinion is YMMV. If you can use a membership to save your time (and therefore money), get one, otherwise don't.

For those that asked, I believe regular membership is $50, there was a promotion a long while ago where you'd get a $25 gift card (no longer valid, search RFD if you want to see it). And I'm not sure about this, but I think business membership is $40, which you can use for personal purchases.

[Keelie]

at the costco here you dont have to show anything when you go in through the exit, which is how you get to membership/returns. after i'm done, instead of going out and back in the entrance, i just slip through the cashiers... so this is a way to go in if you really are only trying to check on some prices.

a month or so ago when i was shopping i didnt have my card with me, i didnt realise this until i was at the checkout.... the cashier said it was fine and used ???? cant recall what she called it, but it allowed me to purchase and i showed nothing.

but i do believe if you went to the membership desk and explained that you would like to look around first to see if it will be worth it to purchase a membership, they will give you a day pass for that day. they used to do this anyways.

BUT, why would anyone NOT want a membership?

[Agent_J]

Don't forget, to be an executive member, it's $100/year for the 2% reward up to a maximum of $500 per year.

[sfu_lifer]

Costco makes sense for families (or if you got lots of roommates).
If you want a quick snack, their hot dog + pop deal can't be beat or if you are really cheap, hang around the demos

[tmpz]

I was think about this and I was wondering how long it takes for the registration setup. If you show up @ CS, do you get the card right away and start using or something?