Costco, aka the Land Of Plenty. This is our go-to for EVERYTHING at a cut-throat, bulk-buy price. But how do you get even more bang for your buck at Australia’s fave warehouse? Let us tell you the ways!
Everything about Costco is BIG. From massive trolleys with boob-height handles to 1kg bags of chocolate chips, but the question is — how do you get the biggest discounts?
Here are 11 top tips from Costco staff and seasoned Costco shoppers that reveal how you can get the most almighty savings!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”1. Avoid Shopping at Costco on a Weekend”]
In truth, nothing brings a community of strangers together quite like a Saturday at Costco. It’s both busy, slow (as you stop and squeal at every bargain price) and downright ruthless. Think LOTS of people who can’t control oversized trolleys with elbows out as a defence mechanism.
However, if you MUST go on a weekend, keep your eye on the prize. The prize being bagging a litre of maple syrup for $16.99 AND an electric lawn mower, naturally. #Saturdaydoneright
Alternatively, Airtasker the job (basically pay someone else to do your dirty work), it doesn’t get much easier than that.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”2. Don’t Forget the Coupons”]
Or do forget them and then kick yourself when you get to the store and realise your blunder.
I love a coupon because finally Aussies can partake in some of that amazing money-saving coupon action the US has been enjoying for, like, EVER! Check out the coupon page for some of the Costco member-only savings you can take advantage of. For example, $175 off a Dyson stick vacuum cleaner? YES PLEASE.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”3. Compare Unit Prices”]
Believe it or not, sometimes Costco doesn’t always have the best price on items. Sometimes the discount purely comes into play when you’re buying 10 of something, not so much when you just want one. Shop around and do your homework on the unit price to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
TIP: Download supermarket apps to your phone, so you can quickly check on the fly.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”4. Buy Kirkland Signature Brand”]
A sure-fire way to stretch your hard-earned dollar further is to buy Costco’s own Kirkland Signature brand. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re buying a substandard product because it’s significantly cheaper and often just as good as the ‘big’ brands. In fact, Kirkland Signature can even be better than the well-known brands. In which case, don’t forget to report back and let us all know!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”5. See it? Like it? JUST BUY IT”]
If you see something and it’s ticking all the boxes – the price is right, the product is spot on but you just don’t need it RIGHT now – consider buying it anyway. (Only if you can really afford it, of course!)
One of the common horror stories I hear from devout Costco shoppers is the tale of buyers remorse. Not all products make a return to the stock room – so grab it now or risk missing out altogether. #FOMO
Heck, the good news is that you CAN always return it if you need to.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”6. Team Up and Shop With a Friend”]
Shop with a friend and save on items you can buy in bulk and then halve between you. It’s a bit of planning with coordinating and syncing your shopping lists but can really pay off at the checkout, plus you don’t have to store all the excess products. Celebrate your teamwork with a giant pizza and a glass of bubbles!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”7. Costco is a Treasure Hunt of Bargain Finds”]
Stay strong in your search and the pot of gold will come! Staple items tend to stay in the same area but there are LOTS of other random products which get moved around. Look to the end of the aisles for brilliant bargains and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, ask a staff member to help you. They don’t hide the Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups on purpose. OR DO THEY?
[mc_block_title custom_title=”8. Affordable Catering at Your Fingertips”]
If you’re holding an event (a birthday party, Christmas-in-July lunch, family get together) which requires food, think Costco FIRST. They have more antipasto, cheese board, charcuterie platter-like things than you can poke a baguette at. Not to mention, the Costco service deli offers affordable crowd-catering packs and platters. Hurrah! All you have to do is transfer it to a nice platter and pretend you made it all yourself! Or just remove the plastic lid, whatever your catering style is. We don’t judge!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”9. Shop for EVERYTHING at Costco”]
As mentioned earlier, Costco offers ALL sorts of wholesale goods. Whatever it is you may need, be sure to check out Costco first for significant savings. Washing machines, outdoor furniture, sneakers, even glasses – Costco sell it all and often at a fraction of the price of department stores.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”10. Take a List and Prepare for Temptation”]
Admittedly, this is my downfall. On my way to finding 25kg of washing powder my sugar-radar spots and scans a 5kg jar of Nutella. My head says no but my heart says “hell yeah”. Next thing you know it’s in my trolley. So in summary, have a backbone of willpower and stick to your list. Costco is not a safe place for the weak-willed.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”11. Finally, Don’t Forget to Fill up on Fuel at Costco”]
Keep an eye on the Costco fuel bowser, fuel is almost always cheaper here than anywhere else! Like seriously, is there nothing they don’t discount?
Of course, it’s important to note if you want to shop at Costco, you MUST have a store membership or be shopping as a guest with someone who has a membership. Costco membership is $60 a year and you can shop at ANY Costco store in Australia.
