Are You Taking Advantage of This Lesser-Known Costco Program?

If you're a Costco member, you may be aware that your annual fee gives you access to not just low-cost groceries and household supplies, but also, a host of other services, from travel to tire care. You may even be aware of the fact that you can buy your next car through Costco.

But even seasoned Costco members often overlook one program the warehouse club giant offers. It's called Costco Next, and it's an option you may want to take advantage of.

What is Costco Next?

Costco Next is a program that allows members to buy different items directly from manufacturer websites at a discount. Some of the brands Costco Next currently features include:

• Case Mate
• Dearfoams
• Inspire
• Briggs & Riley
• Cuckoo
• Viking
• Travelpro

Your best bet is to browse the site and see which companies catch your eye.

How exactly does it work?

When you visit Costco Next and click on the name of a manufacturer, you'll be taken to its site to shop directly. But first, you'll need to sign in with Costco by entering your name and Costco membership ID number. From there, you'll be eligible to purchase items at a discount based on the offer that's available at the time you do your shopping. 

Is there a benefit to using Costco Next?

With Costco Next, you may be able to access a wider range of products beyond what you'll find available through Costco online or at your local warehouse club store. And you may end up privy to a nice discount on the items you purchase. 

Remember, too, that Costco Next companies are all Costco suppliers. So you're getting access to a wider range of inventory from brands that Costco already endorses. 

In fact, if you spend a lot of time at your local Costco store, you may occasionally see new vendors set up booths to introduce and peddle their products, only to then disappear. It's those vendors whose sites you may be able to access through Costco Next. So if you missed your chance to pick up that amazing kitchen blender you saw being demonstrated a few months ago, you may be able to find it via Costco Next.

That said, one thing you should know about Costco Next purchases is that they don't qualify for the 2% cash back you get as a Costco executive member. Even though online Costco purchases do render you eligible for 2% back, they have to be made on Costco's site directly -- not a partner site you're redirected to. 

An option worth checking out

If you've never even heard of Costco Next, don't sweat it. There are no doubt plenty of members who have yet to give it a try. 

The good news is that you can browse different manufacturer sites without any obligation to buy anything. So if you have the time, you may want to look around and see what you find. 

But always compare prices before making a purchase. This advice applies to Costco Next purchases, regular Costco purchases, and really all purchases. Unless you're buying a truly inexpensive item, like a $5 pair of socks, it always pays to spend a little time trying to compare prices so you can feel confident you're getting a great deal.