Five ways to turbocharge your Costco membership

A few weeks ago I shared some reflections on my family’s first seven months with a Costco membership. The overall take-away was that it was well worth it – even though we didn’t significantly cut our monthly grocery spend.

Since then, readers have been enthusiastically chiming in with bits of Costco wisdom. Most concurred the annual price of admission to the jumbo superstore pays off, whether that shows up as lower spending or, as with me, in the ability to stretch your grocery buck further.

But quite a few of you quibbled with my equivocal stance on whether my family should upgrade to an executive membership, which costs $130 a year, or twice as much as our current, basic one.

You shared a lot of good ideas about how to squeeze even more value out of those jumbo grocery runs. Here are some of my favourite tips:

Prescriptions for people and pets

Several of you pointed to cheaper prices for prescription drugs, courtesy of Costco’s low fees for filling or refilling medications.

Strictly speaking, this isn’t a membership perk, because anyone can walk into a Costco pharmacy to fill a prescription. In practice, though, I’m not sure how many people are prepared to drive to a Costco and brave the crowds just to pick up prescriptions.

Some readers also said they save big on vet prescriptions at Costco pharmacies. “Pet medicine is a fraction of the cost at the vet,” wrote one pet parent.

I can confirm. Here in Toronto, eye drops for our puppy at our neighbourhood vet would have cost us around $70. At Costco? Less than $20.

Big-ticket items – from appliances to Apple watches

Several happy customers wrote in to sing the praises of Costco’s prices, free delivery and easy returns when it comes to appliances and furniture.

Others said buying consumer electronics at Costco is a way to ensure the premium membership, which comes with 2-per-cent cash back, pays off.

“I bought my Apple Watch and iPhone at Costco. It was just slightly cheaper than from the Apple Store in my neighbourhood, plus I got the 2 per cent added to my annual check. It all adds up!!”

Car maintenance and tires, plus gasoline…

A Costco gas station, if there is one close to you, seems another way to put your membership to good use. Several people wrote in saying their gas-price comparison apps invariably lead them to fill up at Costco.

Others mentioned the advantages of buying tires at Costco. According to the company’s website, drivers are entitled to free pressure checks, tire balancing, tire rotations and flat repairs for the lifetime of the tire. (I should note the page also mentions “limits” to this policy, though I couldn’t find the fine print online.)

Here’s what one electric vehicle driver had to say: “Regular rotation of tires on my EV is essential because of the weight of the vehicle; if I took it to the dealer it would cost me $80, plus tax. I have the service done for free at Costco three times a year, saving me $240. The Costco tire shop takes appointments and completes the service in 45 minutes; just enough time for me to do my shopping and have a $1.50 hot dog for lunch.”

… Not to mention, rental cars

A few people raved about the rental car service.

“I myself use Costco Travel for booking rental cars when I am away travelling. Not only are their quoted rates excellent but you get an automatic upgrade to a better car plus a second driver is always at no extra charge, whether or not that driver is your spouse.”

Hearing aids

Several readers wrote about low prices for hearing aids, with one saying they’ve saved thousands of dollars on that alone thanks to their Costco membership. Still, one couple reported that a local retailer now matches Costco prices on hearing aids, which spares them a long drive to the warehouse.

Bonus: Patriotic shopping

Yes, Costco is a U.S. chain, and some readers wrote in to say they’ve been avoiding it for that reason. Yet, others said they appreciate the wide availability of Canadian-origin produce and products at warehouses north of the border.

Personally, fruits and vegetables are where I try my hardest to avoid U.S. imports. Produce has a simpler supply chain, which gives me more confidence that my patriotic shopping isn’t punishing Canadian suppliers and subsidiaries. I’ve been finding it much easier to avoid U.S. produce at Costco than at our local (Canadian) grocery store.

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