Is It Worth It to Shop at Costco Online?

Costco is one of my favorite stores, and I shop there so frequently that it's worth it to me to pay up for an executive membership. While the cost is double the price of a basic membership ($120 versus $60), with an executive membership, you get 2% back on all purchases you make at Costco -- and that extends to those made online.

While I do the bulk of my Costco shopping in person, I know a lot of people who spend more time on the retail giant's website. But is shopping at Costco online worth it? Well, it depends.

The upside of shopping at Costco online

I shop at Costco on a weekly basis, and there are certain grocery items and household staples I can find pretty much all the time. But when it comes to things like apparel, electronics, and furniture, my local warehouse club store's selection can be hit or miss.

The upside of shopping at Costco online is that you'll generally get a wider selection of products to choose from. And often, the cost of those products will have your shipping fees already baked in, so you won't face an extra charge on your credit card.

Another perk of shopping at Costco online? Not having to haul heavy items across a parking lot and into your trunk. Costco items tend to be larger in nature -- you know, because of the whole bulk-buying deal. So you might prefer to have a massive pack of paper towels delivered to your door than to have to lug it home yourself.

The downside of shopping at Costco online

You might find a host of great deals on things like electronics and household gadgets when shopping at Costco online. But if you're looking for fresh food, you're almost always going to pay a lower price when you shop in stores.

Take cucumbers, for example. At my local Costco, they're $6 for a pack of three. Online, that same three-pack costs a dollar more.

To me, the whole point of buying groceries at Costco is to spend less and have more money to add to my savings account. I prefer not to negate that savings by paying a premium to buy my groceries online and have them delivered.

Also, when you buy groceries online, you take a risk on the freshness front. Granted, this holds for any store, not just Costco. But I prefer to actually pick up and look at my produce before buying it. When you buy fresh food online, you don't get that choice.

Should you shop at Costco online?

If you don't have a car or a warehouse club location nearby, then it could pay to shop for groceries at Costco online, even if it means paying more. Otherwise, buying food at the store might be a better bet (and that way, you can also sample new items to see if you like them).

But when it comes to things like apparel, household goods, and other non-food items, it certainly pays to shop at Costco online and see what deals you can find. The great thing about Costco is that it runs monthly specials on top of its already low prices, which means you might manage to reap a lot of savings in the course of your shopping.