10 Dos and Don'ts of Shopping at Costco

For many people, the decision to join Costco is an easy one. And if you're someone who likes saving money in the course of your shopping, then a Costco membership is likely worth paying for. This especially holds true if you have at least one warehouse club store close to your home.

But if you're going to shop at Costco, it's important to do so strategically. Here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind, whether you're new to Costco or have been shopping there for years.

1. Do see if an executive membership is right for you

A basic Costco membership costs $60 a year, while an executive membership costs $120. You might assume that a basic membership is your best bet since it's cheaper. But an executive membership could make more sense financially. That's because you'll be rewarded with 2% cash back on all Costco purchases you make.

In fact, if you spend $3,000 a year at Costco, an executive membership will pay for itself. And if you spend more than that, you'll benefit financially from the higher membership tier. You should also know that online purchases are eligible for cash back with your executive membership, as are travel packages you buy through Costco.

2. Do compare prices between what's listed online and your local warehouse club store

Not only do Costco prices vary by region, but they also vary between what you'll see online versus in stores. If you're making a larger purchase -- say, an appliance or laptop -- then it's especially important to compare the price you're seeing online versus the prices at your local warehouse club store

You should also know that grocery items in particular tend to be more expensive online. And perishable items can be notably more expensive when purchased online, because they need to be delivered to you right away.

3. Do try the free samples

Some Costco members are shy when it comes to snagging free samples. But rest assured that Costco wants you to grab those samples while you're roaming the store. That way, you can try new products and have a better sense of whether you ought to be buying them.

If you have kids who are picky eaters, it's an especially good idea to bring them to Costco with you and have them sample different foods. That way, you'll be less likely to buy something everyone in your family hates.

4. Do familiarize yourself with the store's return policy

You can generally return items to Costco without a hassle and get a full refund. This holds true even if, for example, you started eating a food product, noticed a quality issue, and returned the item when it was already 25% consumed.

That said, Costco is stricter with some product categories when it comes to returns. Electronics, for example, must be returned within 90 days if you want a refund. And you should also know that Costco will not accept returns for cigarettes and alcohol specifically.

5. Do buy Kirkland products

Kirkland is Costco's signature brand, and you'll find it on everything from baked goods to baby formula. You may be inclined to skip over the Kirkland products you see at Costco and opt for the brands you know and trust. But actually, loading up on Kirkland products could result in a world of savings.

Not only that, but a number of Kirkland products are actually made by well-known brands and are simply relabeled for Costco. Kirkland Signature House Blend Coffee, for example, is actually made by Starbucks -- and it says so right on the label.

6. Don't buy too many perishables in bulk

Buying groceries in bulk is a great way to keep your costs down. But be careful when buying things like produce, meat, and dairy products in bulk.

Unless you have a larger family and do the majority of your cooking and eating at home, you may end up throwing some of your haul away if you buy bulk perishables. And that's just wasting money rather than saving it.

7. Don't take a chance on bulk food items you've never tried

It's one thing to buy cases of your kids' favorite popcorn and granola bars in bulk. But be careful when you're buying an item in bulk that no one has tried before.

You might think onion garlic pretzels sound delicious. But if your kids end up rejecting that purchase, you'll risk getting stuck with a product you don't want. Of course, at that point, you may be able to take it back to Costco -- but that's something you'll still have to deal with.

8. Don't bring the wrong credit card with you

You can pay for Costco purchases with a credit card if you have a Visa. If not, you're out of luck, since that's the only type of credit card Costco accepts. Of course, if you don't have a Visa card, Costco will accept cash or a personal check. You can also swipe your debit card to pay for your purchases.

9. Don't give in to too many impulse buys

It might be hard to keep your spending in check at a store like Costco. Not only is it massive, but it tends to introduce new products regularly, from food to toys to apparel. And so the more you roam those aisles, the more tempted you might be to purchase things that are wants more so than needs.

Impulse buys at Costco, however, have the potential to upend your finances. So a better bet is to come to Costco with a shopping list in hand and only visit the aisles that contain items you're planning to buy. That might minimize your chances of going overboard.

10. Don't shop on the weekends if you can avoid it

Like many stores, Costco tends to be most crowded on weekends, since that's when many people aren't working. But if you do your shopping on the weekend, you might end up feeling stressed and rushed. That might lead you to buy things you don't really need or miss out on deals that can benefit you.

Shopping at Costco can be a great experience that saves you money. But keep these tips in mind so you can really maximize those savings.