By Gail Marsh
“You should definitely write an article about that!” a fellow RVer recently told me. I’d been telling her about the many Costco tips that can benefit RVers.
Why I love Costco
I’m a Costco junkie. There. I admitted it! What’s to love? Well, there are Costco stores almost everywhere we travel. If there’s not a Costco near our destination, there’s one or two along our route. That makes it easy to stock up as we RV.
Enough about my love for Costco. You’re here for the tips, right? Read on! (Don’t miss the price coding secrets revealed later in the article.)
Membership tips
Not sure you want or need a Costco membership? Take a little time to peruse the website. Don’t miss the “While Supplies Last” and “Treasure Hunt” tabs. Type “camping” into the website’s search bar, too. This will give you a good look at what Costco offers.
Costco memberships are pretty straightforward. However, to get the most from your membership, you should know the following tips.
Upgrade for extras
Stepping up to a Costco Executive Membership nets you 2% back on most purchases. This is ideal for shoppers like RVers who plan to make larger purchases like tires or batteries, in addition to food and other items throughout the year.
Mobile app
If you decide to get a Costco membership, you should definitely download the Costco mobile app. It unlocks member-only promotions, extra savings, and a selection of items not stocked in warehouses.
The Costco app also provides a digital membership card for easy in-store scanning, plus a comprehensive history of past purchases at your fingertips. (No need to keep track of receipts!)
Delivery
Many Costco stores offer free delivery. Just make sure to check your RV campground rules to ensure they allow deliveries on premises.
In-store tips
I learned the following tips from fellow shoppers and some Costco associates.
Off-peak hours
When’s the best time to shop? Costco traffic typically dips Tuesday through Thursday before 11 a.m. and again from 1 to 3 p.m. on those days. Fewer crowds mean you’ll breeze through aisles and snag limited-stock bargains without the weekend rush.
Where are the best bargains?
If you’re looking for the greatest Costco deals, you won’t usually find them at the front of the store. Instead, go to the middle of the store. That’s where you’ll most likely find the very best bargains.
Item code secrets
I knew there were “secret” pricing codes at Costco. A friendly Costco worker shared these “secrets” with me.
In most stores, any price that ends with .99 (e.g., $14.99) signals a sale. But not at Costco. If you see an ending price of .99 it means regular Costco pricing. It may still be a good deal. Just not an awesome one.
Price tags ending with .49, .79, or .89 cents are Costco’s reduced prices. Items with these endings are special deals Costco made with manufacturers and are good buys (if you need the product).
Costco prices ending in .97 denote manager specials. These are special deals and are often the very lowest prices you’ll find anywhere.
If you see an asterisk (*) on a price tag, it means that the item will not be restocked. The price you see will be Costco’s lowest price. If it’s something you need, put it in your cart. You probably won’t see it the next time you shop.
Date code
When you’re looking at an item, check the date code in the bottom right corner of the price tag. (It will be in teeny, tiny print.) This date shows the last time Costco reduced the price of the item.
If it’s been a few weeks since the date shown and there are still plenty of items left in stock, there’s a good chance another price drop is on the way. Sometimes it pays to wait. However, if you really want the item, it’s best to get it before it’s gone.
Food department hints
Beverages
• Java. If coffee is your go-to beverage, Costco has you covered. You can even use their in-store coffee bean grinder. (No need to carry a grinder along in your RV.) The Kirkland brand K-cups are also available at an extremely competitive price.
• Wine. Costco offers a wide range of wines, too. It pays to search through the bottles. You just might find your favorite vintage at a reduced price.
Meat
You can save on ground beef at Costco, too. Call ahead to ask Costco’s butcher for a 10-pound chub of ground beef. Doing so can save you around 50 cents per pound. What’s more, the ground beef will be approximately 92–95% lean.
For the gang
If you’re in charge of a large, informal RV get–together, check out Costco’s pizzas and sheet cakes. Call in your order and relax. The RV crowd will be pleased, and it’s easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy for you, too!
Note: Costco’s bakery items are fresh because they are (mostly) made in the store’s own Kirkland Signature bakery. We love their huge (in season) pumpkin pies for only $5.99!
Medical services tips
Costco offers a range of basic medical services. Health and wellness screenings, flu vaccinations, and eye exams are available to both members and nonmembers.
While you can walk in for immunizations or vision tests without a membership, any purchases tied to optical or hearing products (contact lenses, prescription glasses, or hearing aids) require active membership status to access Costco’s discounted pricing.
These community health services are staffed by licensed professionals and operate under the same quality standards you’d expect from Costco’s pharmacy and optical departments.
The pharmacy
You need not be a Costco member to get your prescriptions refilled at Costco. As you enter the store, tell the associate at the card scanner that you’re getting a prescription refilled and you’ll be allowed to enter. Costco’s drug prices are often the lowest when compared to other retailers.
Other departments
Electronics
You can expect good buys, but Costco also offers standout tech support for the electronics they sell. (Think TVs, laptops, and more for your RV.) Unlike the typical one-year coverage, Costco extends its warranty to two full years on many products.
In addition, every member can tap into the free Concierge Services hotline—a dedicated tech-support line that runs daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (excluding holidays) in both English and Spanish. The tech support is good for as long as you own the product!
Tires and batteries
Costco rotates its featured tire rebates. One month you’ll find Bridgestone tires on sale. The next month it’s Michelin. Each sale carries approximately a $70 discount per set. Once your new tires are installed (complimentary with purchase), Costco’s Tire Center provides lifetime care. Yep, that includes regular rotations, inflation checks, and flat repairs—for as long as you own those tires. All tires purchased from Costco are covered by the Costco Road Hazard Warranty.
Costco’s battery deals—complete with free installation—are also RV-friendly.
Fuel
RVers who get gasoline from Costco save. I know the lines can be long, but it’s worth the wait. Our local Costco prices its gasoline for five to ten cents less than its competitors.
Insurance
Don’t forget to check out Costco’s auto and home insurance rates, too.
RV interiors
Costco carries area rugs, pillows, towels, and more. You can check online for even more helpful products and a discount, like vinyl planking and furniture. A membership can really help cut costs when remodeling your RV interior.
Gift cards
Did you know that you can purchase gift cards at Costco? You can get great deals on restaurant cards, movie theater tickets, and more. These gift cards are some of the best bargains in the entire store. Be sure to check them out.
Customer service
Costco is committed to exceptional customer service. Here are some perks:
Spouse card
Costco won’t charge extra for adding your spouse to your membership. A second family card comes with your membership, as long as the card carrier is over 18 and lives with you.
30-day grace
Costco will refund the difference if a purchased item drops in price within 30 days of your original purchase. For example, if you pay $899 for a laptop and it goes on sale for $699 two weeks later, you can go to the membership counter or submit an online request to claim that $200 back. (The 30-day price grace period is good beyond electronics, too.)
Membership refunds
If you decide that your Executive Membership isn’t everything you’d hoped for, you can downgrade your membership or cancel it for a refund.
Product refunds
Costco will happily refund your money if you get buyer’s remorse or have second thoughts about your purchase. In fact, Costco’s return policy is good for years—with a few exceptions. Just don’t take advantage of their goodwill!
Here is a list of Costco items that can usually be returned with no questions asked: clothing, food/groceries, eyeglasses/contacts, mattresses, furniture, some electronics and most jewelry. Check with your local Costco store for more information.
Two last hints
To keep up with special deals, new products and more, follow the Instagram account: @CostcoDoesItAgain or similar social media outlets. You might discover even more tips from Costco shoppers.
Stepping into Costco, for me, is like Disneyland—in a good way! You can find batteries to blue jeans—all in one store! I’ve discovered, however, that you still need to check that you’re really getting a bargain. An app like ShopSavvy or a website like PriceGrabber will help you do just that!
Do you have additional Costco tips for RVers? Please share them in the comments below.
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