4 Things New Costco Members Need to Know

Did you just join Costco? If you did, you'll want to make the most of your membership -- and avoid costly mistakes -- by reading these four crucial tips. 

1. You'll have to show your card (and maybe your ID) when shopping

Costco memberships come with one card for you, as well as a card for one household member. The cards aren't transferable and the membership is not shareable. You cannot allow your friends to go shopping with your card without you there or give a card to someone who lives at a different address. 

To make sure you're not sharing your card inappropriately, you will have to show it when you enter the warehouse club and when you check out. Your card either needs to have an unobstructed full face photo on it or you must show a passport or ID issued by the U.S. government in order to be able to shop with it. 

Costco has been cracking down recently on unauthorized membership sharing, so it's really important to follow these requirements. 

2. Shopping online may come at a higher cost

Online shopping is pretty convenient, but it's not necessarily a good idea if you're trying to get the most value from your Costco membership in order to keep more money in your checking account.

If you buy Costco products online, you'll typically pay a higher price. This added cost is justified since the company has to make up for the shipping and handling expenses. The good news is, you'll get a warning if you're about to overspend as items available both online and in store will display a message on their product page indicating, "Item may be available in your local warehouse for a lower, non-delivered price."

Just be aware that it's not necessarily guaranteed that every item sold on the site will be sold in the warehouse. So if there's something you've fallen in love with online, you might have to bite the bullet and pay extra if you can't find it at a brick-and-mortar location.

3. You can't use manufacturer coupons 

If you're a fan of clipping coupons from the Sunday paper or printing them out online, you may find yourself disappointed on your Costco visit. The store doesn't accept manufacturer coupons.

The good news, though, is that Costco distributes its own discounts both via mail and in-store at several points during the year. Be sure to watch the mailers the store sends you if you want to get the best discounts. 

You can also download the Costco app and redeem the warehouse club's coupons directly from it. Once you do, click the "Savings Panel" to see the current promotions.

4. Costco deals go beyond what you see in store

You can get better bargains than you might think at Costco because the warehouse club offers discounts on things you might not expect. For example, discounted home insurance and discounted auto insurance are available for Costco members, with the warehouse club promising that the typical member saves an average of $595.80 on their auto coverage in the first year they switch. 

Costco Pharmacy also provides low prices on generic meds and discounts on both human and pet medication. You can even work with a Costco partner to complete certain home improvement projects (like installing solar power or a generator) and get a 10% Costco shop card. 

To find about all of the different unique benefits Costco membership comes with, be sure to check out Costco's list of perks. 

Now that you know these four key tips, you can make sure you're shopping wisely, using your membership card within the rules, and are taking full advantage of the great deals Costco has to offer.