Huge Mistakes Everyone Makes Shopping At Costco

Shopping for groceries and household items isn’t that much of a mystery. All anyone needs to do is head to your nearest store, grab a cart, load up, pay, and head home. Whether you choose to make a list or not is entirely up to you, though.

However, such basic steps to Shopping 101 don’t really apply to the colossal giant that is Costco. Even members of the labyrinthian store haven’t truly figured out the rules of this land of towering produce and merchandise.

To make the most of your membership and all that it offers, here are the mistakes everyone makes when shopping at Costco and how to avoid them.

#Costco #Wholesale #Tips

Not upgrading your membership | 0:00
Getting confused by the layout | 1:15
Missing the price adjustment policy | 2:17
Ignoring the gift cards | 2:55
Not considering the shelf life | 3:41
Ignoring the concierge services | 5:22
Skipping the Kirkland products | 6:01
Ignoring the pricing details | 6:58
Not price-checking online | 7:52
Non-members aren't taking advantage of benefits | 8:48

[MashedFood]

What other Costco shopping tips can you offer up?

[therollsroycetrent]

Actually the best way to save #Money is QUIT SPENDING. Only buy what you need.

[caryhuff]

The only mistake I made at Costco is that I didn't bring a big enough vehicle to haul all my stuff home.

[rachelcunningham]

I actually work at Costco. The store is actually set up in sections for a reason. It’s easier to stock later at night and it’s not meant to be confusing. Normally the store is the same at every location. Most of the time the stuff marked with a .79 or .99 is not going away but if it has an “*” then that means it’s an item that once the stock they have is gone it’s gone unless costumers request it. Costco is super customer friendly and if they don’t have it they will try to make it come in. And they have long expirations dates on their food because it comes in bulk to them like it’s going out to smaller bulk for the consumer. With membership cards if you go and you have a cash card more often then not if they employee doesn’t already know they also still have to see a member ship card and that card holder has to make the purchase to count for the 2% back or really to purchase the items. Also along with that at membership services you can have an item for 10 years and if you still have the receipt then you can still return it, doesn’t matter if it’s out of stock or not they bring it to local shelters in the area if the item isn’t in stock in the stores but if it is then its going to go out when it gets discounted. And the food in the food court looks good but definitely shouldn’t eat it because it’s prepackaged and frozen then brought out to the food court and stays on the merchandise shelf for possibly months. I started in the food court and wouldn’t recommend getting the food even for the super good price it’s at. Because the food could be sitting there for hours even though it has an hour life after being brought to 165. But Costco is a super great company to work for because they have so many resources that will help families. I work with a lady that knew no English when coming to America and they helped her with getting a house and her daughters schooling and now is helping her with English studies and getting her on the very best health care plan, everyone gets healthcare with full dental and vision. They also pay for vacation and sick leave and after a couple years of working there they’ll just give you $3000 every 6 months for being an employee. It’s an amazing company to work for, to shop at for small businesses or big families!!

[sammysam]

As a single guy who works in construction, being able to buy specific products either in bulk or increased size, Costco is perfect for me particularly for prices compared to other grocery stores. The annual fee if no issue. I bought my sister a membership for her family and now her kids have lunch for school everyday instead of her stressing out if she'll have enough to buy food and lunch for the kids

[francismajor]

My grocery bill used to be almost $600 a month for just myself. Since doing all my shopping at Costco I brought it down to $200 a month while still enjoying a healthy, high-protein diet.

[MikeTXBC]

The #1 tip for shopping at Costco (or any place where they sell food) is don't go when you're hungry.

[violetsvalley]

how to be a pro costco shopper:
eat the free samples

[MFM]

Always shop with a list; you may find and buy items not on it, but a shopping list gives you an additional discipline in avoiding irrational purchases.

[ashleymarie]

Tip: Purchase an Executive Membership. You can put two persons on the membership. Give the second membership to a friend who will spend a bunch of money there. You get the rebate of his spending!

[tomtrask_YT]

Joke's on you, Costco, I just go to a different store every week. I never remember where stuff is even if you leave it in the same spot.

[jeffreygirod]

If the price ends in $.88, it is one of the last in the store and may be as low as 75% off its original price.

[aarondrpdead]

Actually using the cash card without a membership causes a lot of headaches for people at the register, look forward to three employees and probably a manager trying to help you through the line.

[yashyelwatkar]

This video is secretly sponsored by Costco.

[ONI.]

2:05 - ok so are we all going to ignore the fact that we just saw Louie Anderson dressed up as a woman??

[rubystewart]

For my family of 5, we found that when the kids were younger, the Executive membership was worth the price. Now that the kids are older and we're looking at an empty nest, the Gold membership suits us best. We still shop Costco, but not as often.


Produce is great only if you actually plan on eating it with a specific amount of time, otherwise, you're best getting it from your local grocery store. As mentioned in the video, the frozen section is your friend, but even frozen foods have a shelf life as well. If you love beef, pork, and/or seafood, then splurging for steaks, loin, and fish/shellfish while fresh can be a great buy because you can always separate or cut up the meat, freeze it, and have it all year round. For that, the Ziploc freezer bags are a great buy.


Costco is great for feminine products (especially with more than one female over 10 in the home), diapers, some OTC medications, and other household items.


When it comes to electronics and appliances, you might be getting the best deal, but just know that many of the models will not be the most current model available from the manufacturer.

[joewoodchuck]

i stopped shopping at these places when regular stores started to equal or even undercut the clubs. Less hassle too. To me club stores have always been just a gimmick.

[gemz]

I stopped shopping at Costco and switched over to BJs because I was sick of wasting so much time wandering around trying to find what I needed or them not having items I liked. BJs is consistent and reliable, I don't have time for Costco's mindphuckery.

[snowstormiv]

Costco when you steal: 😐

Costco when kid gets a sample without a parent: 😡😡😡😤😤😤😤😡😤😤😱😱😱😱😱🤨🤨🤨

[Roccofan]

The worst mistake I made at Costco was not buying every single one of their AMC movie passes during the height of the pandemic. They were about $3.50 a ticket. :(