3 Reasons You May End Up Unhappy With Your Costco Membership

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Is joining Costco really a good choice? Read on to see why it may not be. 

For some people, joining Costco is an easy decision. Sure, you’re forking over $60 a year for a basic membership, or $120 a year for an Executive membership that gives you 2% cash back on your purchases. But the savings you’re able to reap on purchases like groceries and household supplies can more than make up for those fees.

That said, a Costco membership is something you should enjoy and benefit from. Here are a few reasons why you might end up unhappy with your decision to purchase a membership.

1. You don’t live anywhere near a Costco

Here’s a lesser-known fact about Costco: You don’t actually have to be a member to shop at Costco online. However, surcharges can apply to non-members, and certain online items are designated as member-only. So having a membership can pay even if you’ll mostly be limited to online shopping.

But let’s face it — a big part of the appeal of Costco is getting to go to the store, roam the aisles, scope out new products, and sample delicious food items. So if you don’t live anywhere close to a Costco store, you may end up feeling that your membership isn’t worth the money.

Also keep in mind that while Costco prices can vary from one region to another, you’re generally going to pay less for a given item at a Costco store than you will online. So if you don’t live close enough to a Costco to get there often, you may not end up getting as much value out of your membership as expected.

2. You don’t have a lot of storage space

Buying items in bulk at Costco could save you a fair amount of money. And that itself might make you happy.

What might make you less happy, however, is bringing home a carton of granola bars, a 12-pack of paper towels, and a case of laundry pods only to realize you have absolutely nowhere to put them. If you don’t have a lot of room for storage in your home, a Costco membership could actually lead to a situation where you’re forced to live among boxes and clutter. That’s hardly fun.

3. You don’t eat at home very often

You can load up on everything from produce to proteins to dairy products on the relative cheap when you go to Costco. But if you don’t eat at home very often, then you may not get as much use out of your membership.

Also, you may be inspired to buy bulk grocery items due to their low price point, only to end up throwing things away when they inevitably spoil before you’ve gotten a chance to use them. That’s not a great situation.

A Costco membership makes sense for a lot of people. But that doesn’t mean signing up for one is the right decision for you. Before you hand over your money, think about whether it’s reasonable to visit Costco on a somewhat regular basis and whether you have the room to store the items you might buy there. And also, keep your dining habits in mind, because those, too, should play a role in your decision.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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