Never Shop at Costco Online? Here's Why That's a Mistake

For some people, shopping at Costco is a chore. For others, it's a fun experience. After all, you get to enjoy free samples, scope out new items on the shelves, and treat yourself to a tasty lunch at the food court afterward.

But while shopping at Costco in person can be a rewarding experience in its own right, you may not want to limit yourself to just your local store. There's a world of inventory to explore on Costco.com. And browsing the warehouse club giant's website is a good way to make the most of your membership.

Why you don't want to miss out on the online experience

When it comes to buying groceries -- especially perishable items -- shopping at your local Costco is generally a better idea than shopping online. You can look at the items you're buying and make sure they meet your standards -- something that might especially come into play if you're buying produce. Also, you'll pay more to purchase fresh groceries online than in the store since you're covering the cost of delivery. 

But when it comes to Costco's broad inventory, the reason it's a mistake to never shop online is simple -- you could end up missing out on a host of products. Although Costco's warehouse club stores are massive, there are only so many items that can be put out on display. But if you visit Costco.com, you might come across a wide range of products you never even knew you could buy through Costco.

Let's say you're shopping for furniture. If you head to your local Costco store, you might see one or two couches out on the floor. After all, couches are big, and there's only room for so many. But if you go to Costco.com, you might find dozens of couches to choose from. That way, you're more likely to find something that meets your needs and budget.

Plus, many of the items you'll find at Costco.com ship for free. So if you want to save yourself the hassle of hauling bulkier items across a parking lot and into your vehicle's trunk, then buying them online could be a better option (and if you have a smaller vehicle, hauling certain items home may not even be an option).

You won't give up your Costco cash back

If you have an Executive membership at Costco, you may be aware that you get 2% cash back on your various purchases. But that extends to orders you place online, too.

Plus, the beauty of shopping at Costco.com is that you use the search bar to see if a given item you're looking for is available. You might wander dozens of aisles at an actual Costco location in search of something specific only to never find it when it's actually there. 

Shopping at Costco in person is an experience that many people enjoy. And to be clear, shopping at Costco online shouldn't take the place of in-store shopping. But it does pay to check out Costco.com every so often, particularly if there's a specific item you've been looking for that you've yet to find at your local warehouse club. You may be surprised at how many choices you have when you open yourself up to Costco's entire inventory.