Here's How to Buy 2 Limited Gold Bars at Costco (They Sell Out Fast)

Regular Americans are no longer limited to buying gold through ETFs or bullion companies -- you can buy the precious metal through Costco, your friendly local wholesaler. All you need is a Costco membership and access to the internet.

Why? Well, the economy is being weird, so gold is a nice hedge. Nothing says stability like a chunk of gold. At the very least, you can use it to bonk the head of would-be pursuers when the apocalypse commences. Jokes aside, Costco is a popular doomsday prepper destination.

Welcome to (almost) 2024, folks.

Less interesting (but potentially more immediately useful), gold can be part of one's investment portfolio. Typically, people don't buy it in person, but you certainly can. And, judging by how often these gold bars sell out, the demand is there.

Interested in buying high-quality gold from a trustworthy source? Read on to learn how to buy gold bars at Costco.

How to buy gold bars at Costco

Follow these steps in order to make your gold bar purchase from Costco:

1. Purchase a $60 yearly Costco Gold Star membership (the basic membership) if you don't have one already.
2. Check if gold bars are available on Costco.com. They may be sold out.
3. Log into Costco.com and purchase up to two bars, the limit set by Costco.
4. Provide your signature upon delivery. Make sure you're at home on delivery day.

Costco sells more than one brand of gold bars. Examples:

• 1 oz Gold Bar PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna Veriscan (New In Assay) (buy it here)
• 1 oz Gold Bar Rand Refinery (New in Assay) (buy it here)

In September, Costco CFO Richard Galanti said they sell out fast. If they're sold out now, you can check back later; Costco may have restocked.

Costco gold bars cost around $2,000

Members who log into Costco can confirm that Costco gold bars sell for about $2,000 each, near the current market price of gold.

Delivery is three to five days, and Costco doesn't offer refunds. On the bright side, reviews are positive, and Costco has a reputation for delivering quality products.

If there are none available on Costco's website, check back later. Chances are, Costco will restock, giving interested buyers the opportunity to buy more gold.

Pros and cons of buying Costco gold bars

Buying gold bars from Costco comes with some upsides, as well as a few downsides.

The pros

Costco is trustworthy, the bars are affordably priced relative to other gold bars, and it's a convenient way to store value without relying on a broker. Once you have it, it's yours to keep, and nothing short of a break-in is going to rob you of your investment.

Gold has historically become more valuable over time, albeit slower than the stock market. Its value is one of five good reasons to invest in gold.

The cons

You must be a Costco member, and there are simpler ways to diversify your portfolio. You can instantly purchase shares of a gold ETF through an online stock brokerage. You can also buy Bitcoin quickly as a hedge against widespread economic instability. Costco's gold bars are not returnable either, so if you change your mind, you're out of luck.

Who should buy gold from Costco?

Costco members who want to purchase gold bars from a trustworthy source should consider buying gold from Costco. It'll probably be quality, and it's an easy way to dip one's toes into precious metals. If you've bought from Costco.com before, it'll be a familiar experience.

But members may want to keep an eye on other online sellers of gold. Sites like JM Bullion may offer better prices, especially when factoring in the $60 annual Costco membership fee. Do a quick side-by-side comparison to ensure you're getting the best rate.

I won't be buying gold from Costco -- I'd rather invest my money in Bitcoin and the stock market -- but neither will I be warning away interested friends and family members. Buying Costco gold is one of many legitimate (if limited) ways to invest in gold.