We studied the math and concluded the $60 membership cost is the better deal

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Why should you pay to become a member of Costco when you can enter so many other places for free? After reading about how to purchase at the major retailer without a membership via Instacart and Costco.com, you may find the idea of purchasing a Costco membership equally absurd.

However, employing these services incurs additional fees, and you may save money in the long run by purchasing a Costco membership. We will explain how to shop without becoming a member and when it may be more advantageous to join.

Using Instacart, you may shop at Costco without a membership.
The Instacart product selection reflects the items available at the nearest Costco location.
Instacart

Non-members can order from Costco via Instacart if a store is within their delivery radius. The assortment consists of over 2,000 items, including electronics, home items, nonperishable foods, health and beauty, alcohol, fresh and frozen meals, as well as beds and office chairs.

While membership is not required to utilize this service, rates are discounted if you submit your membership number. Whether or whether you have an Instacart membership, you will still be required to pay service and delivery fees, but the items can be delivered to you in as little as two hours.

Costco.com is accessible without a membership.
Costco.com features a section for groceries, but its selection is more limited than Instacart’s.

Costco

Costco.com is also accessible to non-members, although a 5% extra will be added to your order. Additionally, there are some goods that are exclusive to members, so non-members cannot access anything. This includes vacuums and other large home appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and HVAC systems.

Costco.com charges members and non-members a shipping and handling fee for many items, although in-store members do not pay this fee. Some of the things on the website that entail a delivery fee include beverages, vacuum cleaners, and paper products.

The selection on Costco.com differs from that of Instacart. For instance, popular fresh items such as eggs, rotisserie chicken, and steaks are not accessible on Costco.com, but they are on Instacart. Larger items, such as entertainment centers, sofas, and generators, are available on Costco.com but not on Instacart.

Non-members who get a Costco gift card (also known as the Costco Shop Card) can shop in-store and online without enrolling.

Comparisons of prices for popular Costco items
At Costco, we stocked up on all the products utilized in our price comparison.

James Brains/Informant

I surveyed members of two sizable Costco-related Facebook groups regarding their favorite products. Using Instacart, Costco.com, and in-store member prices, I compared the prices of the products for non-members and members.

This is the cost of each item in my region (Lansing/East Lansing, Michigan) as of this writing (October 2022):

The non-member prices of Instacart were lower than those of Costco. And with a Costco membership, Instacart is $22.79 less expensive than Costco.com. After three such Instacart orders per year, a Costco membership would be self-sustaining. However, if you are a member, you would save an additional $11.71 by traveling to the shop instead of utilizing Instacart.

Membership costs at Costco begin at $60
Signing up for a Costco membership in-store is simple, but you can also sign up online.

James Brains/Informant

Considering the higher prices paid by non-members for Costco products, you may wish to pay the $60 annual charge for a Gold Star membership. This membership enables discounts on Instacart and Costco.com, as well as in-store shopping. I make Costco shopping a family affair. We leisurely go up and down the aisles, devouring the abundant food samples.

Costco now offers an Executive membership for $120 a year that includes a 2% in-store refund on eligible purchases as well as other perks.

Regardless of the membership plan you select, you may cancel at any time and receive a full refund if you are unsatisfied.

The conclusion
Our author receives the finest deals when he shops in-store.

James Brains/Informant

Using Instacart and Costco.com to shop at Costco without a membership tends to be more expensive. If there are specific things you desire from Costco, examine how much extra they cost without a membership. You may find you actually save more if you just join.

William Brains

Home & Kitchen Reporter, Insider Reviews

James is an Insider Reviews Home & Kitchen Reporter specializing in sleep, HVAC, and kitchen appliances. He has tested more than 30 mattresses from startups like Casper and heritage brands like Tempur-Pedic, utilizing his experience in experimental psychology to construct objective tests and evaluate comfort, support, motion transfer, and more. Our guide to the finest mattresses is written by him.

In addition to being the mattress specialist for Insider Reviews, James has written extensively about robot vacuums, air conditioners, air purifiers, and other HVAC products. Over the years, he has tested more than 20 robot vacuums from brands such as iRobot and Roborock, and he is no stranger to keeping his home at 60 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks in order to test air conditioners.

He has written about a wide range of topics, from health and fitness to consumer technology. His objective is to assist consumers maximize their financial returns by guiding them to make informed purchasing decisions. James resides with his wife, two sons, two cats, and a hyperactive rat terrier in “The Barn Mansion,” a three-story Dutch colonial mansion, in Lansing, Michigan. James manages a popular local Facebook group called Lansing Foodies when he is not testing things or writing for Insider. See examples of his work below:

According to our exhaustive research, the finest mattress for every type of sleeper in 2021. The six most effective robot vacuums tested in 2021 The six most effective air conditioners tested in 2021 The most effective Instant Pots and electric pressure cookers that we evaluated in 2021 10 grilling necessities that pitmasters and chefs swear on for the best barbecue.

The five finest mattress pads we evaluated in 2021 Contact information: jbrains@insider.com Learn more about how Insider’s team of experts evaluates and assesses items here. Find out how we evaluate kitchen products.