By now, most of us have heard of Costco. Known for its cheap gas to free samples, the Costco brand is all about saving you money. Shoppers enjoy a lower price on most everyday items by buying in bulk, and at the same time can score savings on big purchases like televisions and furniture sets. You can even buy vacation packages through Costco.
The catch? You need a membership to shop there. Anyone who has shopped at Costco is familiar with the moment that you walk through the door and are required to flash your membership card at a staff member before proceeding. For those without a card, the inner workings of the store are a carefully guarded mystery. So, can buying a Costco wholesale membership save you money? We’ll help you puzzle through whether or not the cost of a membership is worth it for you in the long run.
What is Costco?
Before taking a deeper dive into Costco membership details, let’s look briefly at what Costco is.
In 1976, the first membership warehouse club, Price Club, opened in California. At the time, Price Club only served businesses. When Costco Wholesale was founded in 1983, it offered a novel shopping experience: a bulk wholesaler available to the individual consumer. In 1993, Costco Wholesale and Price Club merged. Since then, they have experienced immense growth over the decades and developed a staunchly loyal customer base.
Costco currently has warehouses in 46 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Depending on which state you reside in, you may enjoy your pick of warehouses to shop at, or they may be hard to come by. If the latter applies and you would like to try Costco out without going on a road trip, you can sign up to take advantage of their home delivery options (restrictions apply in AK, HI, and PR).