Costco has become a popular destination for shoppers seeking bulk deals and a wide variety of products. This Q&A guide aims to answer some of the most common questions people have about Costco, covering everything from membership options to return policies and product selection. Whether you’re a seasoned Costco member or considering joining for the first time, this information will help you navigate your shopping experience with ease.
Your Burning Costco Questions Answered
Membership
What are the different types of Costco memberships?
Costco offers several membership options to suit various needs and budgets. They have personal memberships (Gold Star and Executive) and business memberships (Business and Business Executive). The Executive memberships offer additional benefits like annual rewards and discounts on services.
Can I shop at Costco without a membership?
While a membership is required for most purchases, there are a few exceptions. You can shop at Costco’s pharmacy without a membership, as it’s open to the public. Some locations also have food courts accessible from the outside. You can also purchase alcohol in states where it’s required by law to be sold to non-members.
Can I share my Costco membership with others?
You can add a free household card to your membership for another person living at the same address. Additionally, you can bring up to two guests with you when shopping, but only members can make purchases.
Returns and Exchanges
What is Costco’s return policy?
Costco has a generous return policy, allowing you to return most items for a full refund, including opened items. Some exceptions apply, such as electronics, which have a 90-day return window.
Can I return items without a receipt?
Costco tracks your purchases, so you can typically return items without a receipt. They can look up your purchase history using your membership card.
Can I return items bought online to a Costco warehouse?
Yes, you can return items purchased online at any Costco warehouse. You can also return them by mail.
Shopping and Products
Does Costco price match?
Costco doesn’t have a formal price-matching policy. However, they strive to offer competitive prices on their products. If you find a lower price elsewhere, you can ask a manager if they’re willing to match it, but there’s no guarantee.
Why are some items only available in limited quantities?
Costco frequently offers special deals on limited-quantity items to entice shoppers. These items are often seasonal or overstock, so they might not be available all the time.
What is Kirkland Signature?
Kirkland Signature is Costco’s private label brand. They offer a wide variety of products under this brand, from food and beverages to household items and clothing. Kirkland Signature products are known for their quality and value.
Table of Costco FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the membership options? | Gold Star, Executive, Business, Business Executive |
| Can I shop without a membership? | Pharmacy (open to public), food courts (some locations), alcohol (in select states) |
| Can I share my membership? | Yes, with one household member and two guests per visit. |
| What is the return policy? | Most items can be returned for a full refund, some exceptions apply. |
| Can I return items without a receipt? | Yes, Costco can usually look up your purchase history. |
| Can I return online purchases to a warehouse? | Yes, or you can return them by mail. |
| Does Costco price match? | No formal policy, but you can ask a manager. |
| Why are some items limited? | They are often special deals or overstock. |
| What is Kirkland Signature? | Costco’s private label brand known for quality and value. |
How You Can Shop and Check Out at Costco
Does Costco Have Scan & Go
No, Costco does NOT have Scan and Go, but Costco does make shopping pretty easy otherwise. You can save money with its warehouse clubs. But there are several ways to check out. This lets you shop how you want.
Using the self-checkout kiosks
Costco has self-checkout kiosks. This is a fast way to check out if you only have a few items. Here’s how it works:
- Scan the barcode on each of your items.
- Place them on the conveyor belt.
- When you’re done, touch the screen.
- Pay using your credit card, debit card, or Costco Shop Card.
Checking out with a cashier
If you prefer a traditional checkout experience, go to the register. A cashier will scan your items. You can then pay.
Using Costco’s digital membership card
Costco offers a digital membership card as part of its app. You can link a credit card to the app. When you’re ready to check out, open the app and show your digital membership card to the cashier. Your credit card information is stored. So your payment will be processed at the same time.
Costco payment options
| Payment method | Accepted at Costco |
|---|---|
| Visa cards | Yes |
| Costco Shop Card | Yes |
| Most major debit or credit cards | Yes |
| Checks | Yes |
| EBT | Yes |
| Apple Pay | Yes |
| Google Pay | Yes |
While Costco doesn’t have a scan-and-go feature, it has streamlined its checkout process for customers.
Scan & Go at Costco
In this section, we explore Costco’s approach to the Scan & Go system, detailing its function and the benefits it could bring to shoppers.
How It Works
Costco, at present, does not offer a Scan & Go mobile app system for its shoppers. The concept of Scan & Go, as adopted by some retailers, allows customers to use their phones to scan items as they shop and pay without having to go through a traditional checkout.
Benefits & Convenience
The lack of a Scan & Go system at Costco means that customers do miss out on the convenience this technology offers. Such a system could potentially reduce long lines at the checkout and streamline the shopping experience, allowing members to manage their purchase directly from their phones for a quick and easy exit from the store.
Delivery Options at Costco
Yes, Costco offers several delivery options for its members:
- Costco Grocery: This service provides same-day delivery for perishable groceries and 2-day delivery for non-perishable items. Some exclusions and restrictions may apply.
- Instacart Partnership: Costco has partnered with Instacart to offer same-day delivery for a wider range of products, including fresh produce, pantry staples, and household essentials.
- Costco Business Delivery: This service caters specifically to business members, offering delivery of bulk items and business supplies.
Alcohol Sales at Costco Business Centers
Costco Business Centers typically do not sell alcohol. Their focus is primarily on business supplies, bulk food items, and other products geared towards businesses and organizations. However, some Costco Business Centers located in states with specific liquor laws might offer a limited selection of alcohol. It’s best to check with your local Costco Business Center for their specific policy.
Costco Price Matching Policy
Costco does not have an official price matching policy. While they strive to offer competitive prices on their products, they do not typically match prices from other retailers. However, it doesn’t hurt to inquire with a manager if you find a lower price elsewhere. They may be willing to offer a price adjustment or provide additional discounts on a case-by-case basis.
Membership and Payment Integration
Costco is known for its members-only warehouse shopping experience. Upon signing up, members receive a membership card that is essential for making purchases and accessing the store.
Digital Integration:
To streamline their shopping experience, members can convert their traditional membership card into a digital membership card. This can be stored right on a smartphone within the Costco app, available for download at both the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android users. Once set up, the digital card is accepted at all Costco locations, offering a convenient alternative to carrying a physical card.
Linking a Payment Method:
For payment at checkout, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card can be integrated into the digital membership card via the Costco app. Members can link their Visa card directly, which allows for a smooth transaction process without the need for additional cards or cash. Here’s how the digital card integration offers convenience:
- At Register: Members show their digital card and pay with the stored credit card.
- Online: Members can shop at costco.com using their Visa card saved to their Costco.com account.
Payment Diversity:
Apart from the Costco-branded Visa card, various other credit cards and payment methods are accepted, ensuring flexibility for members. While Costco doesn’t offer a “Scan and Go” feature, the integration of payment and membership on a single platform—through the digital card—simplifies the checkout process considerably.
This integration showcases Costco’s commitment to modernizing the shopping experience, with the digital membership card serving as a handy tool for members’ wallets. It eliminates the need to juggle multiple cards and streamlines payment, aligning with customer desires for efficiency and simplicity.
Additional Features and Tips
When shopping at Costco, members can enjoy several features that streamline the checkout process. Although a Scan and Go system, similar to what you might find at Sam’s Club, is not in place, Costco.com offers convenience at your fingertips. For a smooth exit, keep a digital or physical copy of your receipt ready to show at the register.
Food Court Purchases: For those grabbing a quick bite at the food court, just know that it’s possible to pay there without needing to go through the main checkout lines.
Account Information: Make sure your account information is up to date on Costco’s website. This ensures you seize all current promotions and that checkout is as swift as possible. Sometimes, there are exclusive online promotions that you wouldn’t want to miss.
Here are a few practical tips for an even better shopping experience:
- Entrance: Always have your membership card ready for a quick entry.
- Receipts: Save time when leaving by having your QR code receipt on your phone or the paper version in hand.
- Alcohol Purchases: Some regions might require a storefront checkout for alcohol, so plan accordingly.
Utilizing these tips can enhance your shopping experience at Costco, making each visit fuss-free and efficient. Remember to keep an eye on the official Costco app for any potential future updates, such as digital features or payment enhancements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costco shoppers often have questions about the checkout process, particularly regarding the availability and use of a Scan and Go feature.
How can you use the Costco Scan and Go feature?
Currently, Costco does not offer a Scan and Go feature, so customers are unable to use this service in their stores.
Is there a dedicated app for Costco’s Scan and Go service?
No, there is not a dedicated Scan and Go app provided by Costco, as the service itself is not available.
Can you pay for gas using the Scan and Go option at Costco?
Since Costco does not have a Scan and Go option, it is not possible to pay for gas using this method at Costco gas stations.
What are the self-checkout options available at Costco?
Costco provides self-checkout lanes in their stores, which are designed to be fast and streamline the checkout process for customers.
Does Costco offer a mobile price scanner feature within their app?
Costco has a smartphone app that allows users to look up product information, but it does not support the scanning and paying for items.
Are there other stores besides Costco that provide Scan and Go services?
Yes, other retailers such as Sam’s Club offer the Scan and Go service, allowing customers to scan products and pay with their phones while shopping.
