First Trip Ever to Costco? 5 Things You Need to Know

I remember the first time I stepped foot in a Costco store. I was utterly amazed at the size of the store, and slightly intimidated by the vast selection.

These days, Costco is a store I shop at regularly. But if you recently made the decision to invest in a membership, then you may be gearing up to visit Costco for the first time. And if so, here are some key pointers to keep in mind.

1. You'll be bombarded with sale items when you first walk in

Costco is so huge that you could easily spend hours walking the aisles -- even if you're familiar with the store's layout. But if you're not, one thing you should know is that when you first walk into Costco, you'll typically see a series of unrelated seasonal items that are on sale.

It can be tempting to add those items to your oversized shopping cart. But you may want to resist that urge if you don't want your initial Costco trip to result in a massive credit card tab. 

Also, rest assured that you'll generally find additional items on sale throughout the store. It's not as if that's the only area of Costco you can snag a discount. Rather, it's where you'll find certain featured sale items -- one that may lead to impulse buys if you're not careful. 

2. You'll typically face smaller crowds during the week than on weekends

If you're new to Costco, I highly recommend visiting at a time when the store is less likely to be super crowded. That way, you'll be able to do your shopping more calmly and orient yourself more easily. 

Many people find that Costco is at its most crowded on Saturdays and Sundays. That makes sense, since it's when many people aren't at work. But if you have a flexible job, you may want to make your first visit to Costco on a random weekday, and right when the store opens. At that hour, you may be more likely to have a few aisles to yourself.

3. For maximum sample variety, shop mid-day

You may have heard that Costco is famous for its free food samples. But if you're hoping to score a lot of those, your best bet is to visit the store in the middle of the day.

If you show up when Costco first opens, you may end up getting there before those sample stations are fully set up (remember, some of them serve hot food, and that takes time to prepare). And if you shop later in the evening, those sample stations may be all out of goodies.

Trying out different foods at Costco isn't just a fun thing to do for your taste buds. You might also discover new and affordable products that deserve a place in your pantry or fridge. 

4. Be open to Kirkland products -- food or otherwise

When you explore your local Costco, you're likely to find a wide variety of items with the Kirkland logo on them. Kirkland is Costco's signature brand, and buying Kirkland items is basically akin to buying the generic or store brand.

But that doesn't mean you're skimping on quality. Many of Costco's Kirkland food products are as fresh and tasty as their name-brand counterparts -- only they might cost a lot less. Similarly, you may find that Kirkland cleaners get the job done at a fraction of the cost of the brands you commonly see advertised on TV. 

It pays to be open to Kirkland products as a Costco newcomer. You don't necessarily have to only buy Kirkland products your first time in the store, but it's good to try them out gradually. Your personal finances may benefit as a result. 

5. Be prepared to show your receipt -- but not for the reason you think

You may have to wait a minute or two to exit Costco once you've checked out. That's because you'll need to have a store employer look at your receipt before you head out on your way. 

But Costco's practice of checking receipts isn't centered on catching thieves. Rather, it's to make sure you were charged correctly for your purchases, and to help the store keep tabs on inventory.

As such, don't be put off if you're asked to present your Costco receipt before you depart. You may even get a smiley face drawn on yours by the employee who's tasked with reviewing the items in your cart. 

Your first trip to Costco may be something you're pretty excited about, so use these tips to make the most of that visit. But also, do yourself a favor and carve out plenty of time for it. When you don't know your way around the store, an initial shopping trip could easily take a couple of hours. Budget for that so you can make it a good experience from start to finish.