4 Costco Rules Every Shopper Should Follow

For many people, the $60 or $120 annual fee for a Costco membership is well worth the money thanks to the savings it results in. If you use your membership often, you might save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year on things like groceries and household essentials.

But if you want to make the most of your Costco membership, then you'll need to commit a few key rules to memory. These four rules could help improve your shopping experience.

1. Don't shop on weekends unless you absolutely have to

Although this isn't necessarily the case universally, in many areas, Costco warehouses become a madhouse on Saturdays and Sundays. It's similar to the way supermarkets tend to be more packed on weekends because people can shop without the constraints of the workday.

The problem with shopping at a packed store is that you might feel more stressed. And if you're rushing to escape those crowds, you might forget items you need or purchase things impulsively because you just want to leave the store as soon as possible.

If your work schedule is such that you can't shop during the daytime on weekdays, consider going to Costco at night after work. Chances are, it won't be nearly as busy as a weekend.

2. Pay attention to seasonal items

There are certain Costco items you won't find year-round. The bakery's famed pumpkin pie and muffins, for example, are generally only available from September through roughly Thanksgiving time. So if there are favorites of yours that you're eager to scoop up, be mindful of the fact that they may not stay on the shelves forever, and buy them when you can.

And if you're not sure how long a given item will be available, ask. If it's baked goods, for instance, just talk to someone in the bakery department. Chances are, they'll have the inside scoop.

Of course, some Costco items -- baked goods in particular -- only have a limited shelf life. But some items also freeze really well, like muffins. Again, if you're not sure, the people producing those goods are the best people to ask.

3. Compare prices for bigger-ticket items

Costco is known for its competitive prices. But that doesn't mean Costco always has the best price on every single thing.

Now, if you're buying something like a gallon of milk, you might as well go with Costco's price. Unless money is extremely tight, it doesn't pay to spend time researching prices to potentially save yourself $0.14. But if you're buying a bigger-ticket item, like a TV, laptop, or piece of furniture, then it does pay to check around at different retailers and see which one has the lowest price.

That said, look at the big picture when deciding whether to make a larger purchase at Costco versus another store. If you have an Executive membership, you get 2% cash back on Costco buys. You also get a second-year warranty on electronics for free, plus free tech support.

So, let's say you're looking at a $900 laptop at Costco that you see available at another store for $875. Before you rush to save that $25, remember that with an Executive membership, you'll get $18 back on your purchase. You may decide that spending an extra $7 at Costco is worth it to get free tech support and the added warranty.

4. Be reasonable with your returns

Costco is big on customer satisfaction, so you shouldn't hesitate to return items that are defective or, in the case of food, spoiled or just plain off. But it's also important to be reasonable with your returns. If you abuse that privilege, Costco does have the right to revoke your membership.

What does being reasonable mean? In the context of clothing, don't return a pair of kids' pants that's been washed and worn many times over. In the context of food, don't return a cake that's 60% eaten based on the taste being odd.

That said, don't sweat it if you need to make a Costco return but can't locate your receipt. A customer service representative can use your membership number to look your purchase up and see what you paid for it.

Shopping at Costco has the potential to be a very positive experience. Stick to these basic rules to make your Costco outings even more productive and cost-effective.