4 Big Differences Between Shopping at Costco vs. Costco.com

If you want to buy something from Costco, you have two choices for how to do it. You can shop online at Costco.com, or you can visit the warehouse club and make your purchase in-store.

Shopping online versus buying things at your local warehouse club has some important differences, though. Here are four of them you should consider.

1. Online items are typically priced higher

If you want to pay rock-bottom prices for your items, you need to visit the warehouse club and buy them there.

Since there are extra shipping and handling costs incurred by the warehouse club when you shop on the internet instead of in-store, items purchased online are marked up to help offset this added expense.

2. Non-members can still shop online

One of the biggest differences between the warehouse club and the online website is that non-members are allowed to shop online.

While Costco.com charges a 5% surcharge for non-members buying items over the internet, at least those without a membership are allowed to take advantage of its deals if they shop online.

At the warehouse club, on the other hand, you'll either need to go with a member or have a Costco gift card (which only members can buy) to be allowed to buy most items if you aren't a member yourself.

If you're not going to shop often enough to make paying a Costco membership fee worth it, paying this surcharge to shop online and having your items delivered may be your only option.

3. The selection online is better

Costco warehouse clubs are big, but there is a limit to how many products the club can carry. As a result, you'll likely find a better selection online than you would if you visited in person -- especially if you're planning on buying more unusual items.

On the flip side, not every item found at a Costco warehouse can be purchased on the website, so don't wait to buy and assume you'll come home and find your desired item on the internet. If you see something in-store at a good price that you need, you may want to just buy it there.

4. You have more payment options online

When you shop in-store, you can pay only with Visa if you want to use a credit card. Otherwise, you're limited to paying with cash, a check, or a debit card linked to your bank account. If you shop online, though, Mastercards are also accepted methods of payment. So if you're hoping to use your favorite non-Visa card to make Costco purchases, you'll have to go online to do it.

Ultimately, you'll need to consider all four of these factors when you decide where to shop. If you can't get the item in-store, then online shopping is a no-brainer -- and the same is true if you're not a Costco member.

If your item is available in-store, though, you may be better off visiting to buy it in person. While clicking on the website may seem more convenient, the higher prices often aren't worth paying if you can make a quick trip to the warehouse club to get what you need.