35 Mistakes You Can Make Shopping at Costco

Joining Costco (NASDAQ: COST) comes with a promise of great savings. You fork over $60 (or $120 for an Executive membership) and that unlocks all sorts of saving.

If only it were that simple. Shopping at the warehouse club can save you money, but it's full of traps that can end up costing you.

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Saving money at Costco requires that you go to its warehouses or at least use its website. You would be shocked at how many people join but never make much use of their membership. Costco is like the gym, it feels proactive to join but you only get an actual benefit if you use your membership.

Most Costco locations offer gas stations. These can be dramatically cheaper than traditional stations which actually have to make money selling you gas. Lines, however, can be long and the service is no frills. Fill up anyway because the savings at the pump alone can pay for your membership.

ALSO READ: Is a Costco Membership Worth It Just for Gas?

Costco has a really low-cost food court where you can eat lunch for a couple of dollars. It makes sense to plan a visit around a meal or at least a snack. You can also fill up on free samples most days (though the haul is usually better on the weekends).

Conversely, don't visit on an empty stomach unless you plan to eat at the store. Bulk shopping can lead to big mistakes and being hungry might have you buying bulk candy or a pallet of cupcakes.

When you enter a Costco, you enter a world of temptation. It's great to buy a canoe if you planned to get one for your partner's birthday. It's less smart to buy one just because the price is good. Know your long-term shopping plans and pounce when a deal comes up.

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Sometimes you go into Costco and you can't believe how cheaply its selling crab legs, lobster tails, or who knows what else. You buy some because the price is right but you have no actual plan to use them.

You're not saving money if you end up throwing what you buy away. Make sure you can make use of whatever you purchase and, if you can't, don't buy it.

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We hear it over and over from investors, “I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by the Motley Fool. I’d be sitting on a gold mine!” And it’s true. And while Amazon and Netflix have had a good run, we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Simply click here to learn how to get your copy of “5 Growth Stocks Under $49” for FREE for a limited time only.

Costco has special deals it offers via email. Its easy to ignore those but you may be missing out on massive savings.

Costco has a travel service. It lets members book trips at prices that are sometimes big deals. The best prices tend to be on vacation packages that involve airfare and hotel stays. You should also look for deals on theme park packages as this is one of the few places that regularly offers them.

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Many Costco locations have attached liquor stores that offer deals on name brands and even better prices on house brands. In many cases, the house brand beverages equal or exceed the quality of better-known (and pricier) choices.

Costco has lots of deals where it sort of acts as a middleman. You can, for example, book home services like flooring or roofing.

Basically, Costco is using the size of its customer base to leverage better deals. As a consumer, this can be huge for you.

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Some Costco locations have full auto centers while others only sell tires or limited selections. The deals can be significant, and it may even be worth driving to a Costco that's not the closest one to you in order to get your car worked on.

ALSO READ: How Much Do Americans Spend on Car Repairs?

Many families that travel make stocking up on groceries and snacks one of their first stops when they arrive at their location. It's possible to do that at a supermarket or a convenience store, but it may be a better idea to visit the local Costco.

Costco has a number of different delivery options including same-day delivery through Instacart. You don't pay extra, and while each option has different limitations, they give you a way to use your membership without leaving the house.

Costco offers deals that can only be found on its website. Make checking it a habit so you can see the best deals and take action before you miss out.

ALSO READ: 3 Potential Risks for Costco Investors

It can be fun to visit Costco without making a purchase. You can eat some samples, look around, and maybe make some plans for future purchases.

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Costco usually has cheaper prices. It does not always have cheaper prices. Make sure you check on bigger-ticket items (which you can easily do on your phone).

Costco sells big packages of candy at very low prices. If you can pace yourself and treat the candy as a treat then you can get a great deal. If you're the type of person who lacks discipline in the face of temptation then you should avoid these types of deals.

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Costco warehouses have pharmacies. These can offer very good prices even if you don't have insurance. It's worth checking to see what your costs would be on any medicine you normally take.

If you love a specific brand of coffee, it may not make sense to buy another just because it's a great deal. Would you really want to compromise on something that's not all that expensive in the first place?

Costco has gone to fairly extensive lengths to be able to sell its rotisserie chickens for $4.99. That's a good deal since one can be a meal for a small family or snacks for a few days.

ALSO READ: Costco's Bold Plan to Re-Coop Rotisserie Chicken Losses

This may be the single biggest mistake people make at Costco. They see the great prices and come home with too much of a good thing. Consider storage for non-perishable items and how much you actually eat for food.

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We hear it over and over from investors, “I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by the Motley Fool. I’d be sitting on a gold mine!” And it’s true. And while Amazon and Netflix have had a good run, we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Simply click here to learn how to get your copy of “5 Growth Stocks Under $49” for FREE for a limited time only.

Sometimes electronics aren't what they look like. The same laptop shell can house very different features. The same can be true of televisions. Really look at what you're getting to evaluate how good the deal actually is.

You can buy all sorts of seasonal items at Costco. This includes gifts and decorations for all the major holidays. You may also be able to get great deals for next year if you visit right after a holiday.

You can get your eyeglass prescription filled at Costco. That may not be the first place you look for glasses, but the prices are low and the quality is reasonable.

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Even though a lot of people use e-readers these days, it still makes sense to buy a book for times when you don't have access to chargers or where a physical book makes more sense. Costco has a small selection that often includes recent bestsellers at very reasonable prices.

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We hear it over and over from investors, “I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by the Motley Fool. I’d be sitting on a gold mine!” And it’s true. And while Amazon and Netflix have had a good run, we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Simply click here to learn how to get your copy of “5 Growth Stocks Under $49” for FREE for a limited time only.

It makes sense to shop at Costco when you need a whole shopping cart or big-ticket items. For just an item or two, it may not make sense to go to the warehouse club which is not always located in the most convenient of places.

Sometimes Costco has gift cards at below face value. You may be able to get $100 in value for $75 or something similar. Just be careful to look at the fine print as there may be restrictions.

ALSO READ: Should You Join Costco? Only If You Check Off These 2 Boxes

A mattress store generally has its wares on display where you can lay down and try them out. Costco has its mattresses stacked, meaning you usually can't try them. That seems like a big mistake as even if you return it, delivery and returns on a mattress are not easy.

Sometimes people pass on Costco purchases because the quantity is too much. With meat, however, you can buy freezer bags and portion out your purchase.

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We hear it over and over from investors, “I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by the Motley Fool. I’d be sitting on a gold mine!” And it’s true. And while Amazon and Netflix have had a good run, we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Simply click here to learn how to get your copy of “5 Growth Stocks Under $49” for FREE for a limited time only.

Putting items for later use in your freezer is great if you're the type of person who will later defrost and use them. If they will end up in your crash can, buying bulk meat is clearly a mistake.

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The Costco Anywhere Visa offers added cash back. Cardholders get 4% back on eligible gas purchases (up to $7,000) then 1% thereafter. You also get 3% on restaurants and some travel, 2% on all Costco and Costco.com purchases and 1% back on everything else.

Sometimes Costco sells gift cards that can be redeemed for gym memberships. The deals can vary but they are often a one-year membership paid upfront at a much lower price than if you paid monthly dues.

Costco sometimes sells giant Teddy bears. You have no use for a giant Teddy bear even if it's adorable. It's very easy to fall into this trap. Similarly, if you don't kayak, don't buy a kayak.

Costco sells clothes but does not have dressing rooms. Some things can be tried on, like a jacket, but many cannot. You can return items, but the next size up or down may no longer be available so be careful when buying clothes where size is an issue.

5 Winning Stocks Under $49
We hear it over and over from investors, “I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by the Motley Fool. I’d be sitting on a gold mine!” And it’s true. And while Amazon and Netflix have had a good run, we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Simply click here to learn how to get your copy of “5 Growth Stocks Under $49” for FREE for a limited time only.

Regular Costco members just get access to the club. Executive members, who pay an extra $60 a year, get 2% cash back on most purchases up to $1,000. If you shop there enough to earn back the extra cost and then some, it makes sense to buy the pricier membership.

ALSO READ: Should You Pay for Amazon Prime and a Costco Membership?

Daniel B. Kline has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.