3 Things You Should Never Do When Shopping at Costco

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Shop at Costco? Read on for key mistakes to avoid. 

Many people love Costco for its low prices and wide selection of products. And let’s be real — those free samples are pretty sweet, too.

But whether you shop at Costco often or only on occasion, it’s important to do so strategically — especially these days, when the cost of food and so many products is higher thanks to inflation. Here are a few things you should aim to never do at Costco.

1. Buy new grocery products in bulk on a whim

Buying groceries in bulk can often result in a nice amount of savings. And it’s a good idea to load up on items in bulk at Costco that are staples in your pantry and even fridge.

But one thing you don’t want to do is take a chance on a new item with a bulk Costco buy. If you don’t end up liking the item or getting much use out of it, you could easily end up throwing your money away.

So let’s say Costco is passing out samples of a delicious-looking whole grain cracker that you decide is quite tasty. You might pick up a bulk box thinking you’ll bring it home for your family to enjoy. But if your family has never tried those crackers before, they may decide that they’re gross and bland and refuse to eat them. At that point, you may not manage to finish them yourself, leaving you to throw some of that box away.

2. Shop without a list

Costco warehouses are enormous, and they’re loaded with a host of products, from groceries to toiletries to apparel to electronics. That’s why it’s so important to make a shopping list before heading to Costco.

If you don’t make a list and force yourself to stick to it, you might end up making your share of impulse buys. That could result in higher credit card bills you struggle to pay.

3. Forget to use a rewards card

You have options when it comes to paying for your Costco purchases. You can write out a check, use cash, or pay by credit card.

Costco only accepts Visa cards, so if you don’t have one and don’t wish to apply for one, you might have to pay a different way. But if you have a Visa card that offers rewards, it pays to use it at checkout. You may be eligible for a nice amount of cash back for the items you were already planning to buy.

You should also know that if you have a Costco executive membership, which gives you 2% back on all purchases, you can double up with credit card rewards. So if you have a Visa card that gives you 1% back on all purchases and an executive membership, you can walk away with 3% back on the Costco items you’re buying.

Costco can be a great place to shop, but it’s important to do so strategically. That means knowing which items are suitable for bulk purchases, avoiding impulse buys to preserve your budget, and racking up credit card rewards as the opportunity presents itself.

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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 and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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