How to Shop at Costco Free Without a Membership

Guest #341 - 1 year ago

When you go to the cashier at Costco, the first thing they do is scan your membership card. How do you get around that?

Guest #1600 - 1 year ago

I have both Sam's Club & Costco.
Myself and family, go to both often. Because they carry different items. We think it worth having both.

upx1 - 6 years ago

L9 Corporal

PS - Costco (AZ) has Never 'cashed out' my gift card.

upx1 - 6 years ago

L9 Corporal

No one at Costco (AZ) has ever asked me to buy a membership.
But they do call a manager every time to approve my purchase when checking out.

Guest #362 - 6 years ago

' I don't understand why people are attacking the people who benefit from this practice'

because they are paying for a membership that is free to us lol

Guest #633 - 6 years ago

Unfortunately they treat you like second class citizens and tell you to buy a membership. They also cash out the remainder of your balance each visit so don't put too much cash on it. Costco is no better than Trump's Army.

Guest #819 - 6 years ago

Dont forget you can be the ultimate penny pincher cheapskate loser by going to all the free sample carts and stealing all the free samples and putting them in ziploc bags in your pockets.... if you cant afford membership stick to walmart with your food stamps!

upx1 - 6 years ago

L9 Corporal

Still doing this :-)
Thanks for the Price Secrets.

Guest #335 - 7 years ago

can i using costco membership in USA to buy merchandise in Costco at Canada

Guest #495 - 7 years ago

Warning you are a 2ND class customer at costco if you are using a cash card!
I am an active costco member, but did not have my membership card on me. I didn't think I would have a problem because I had costco cash cards with balances. I was so embarrassed by the cashier and her manager at the register because I did not have my membership card on me. First question at the sight of the cash card 'are you a member?' I said yes but I just want to use the balance on my cash card but am unsure of what's on there. At first the cashier made sure to tell me that I can only purchase using what funds are on the card. I said that's fine. I'm making mental note of what items are priority and already feeling this attention on me. And the manager comes over and the cashier explains that I'm going to need the manager to pull up my membership. I was really spoken to without any courtesy. I will be going back to costco to cancel my membership.

Guest #435 - 8 years ago

how do i get another membership card? we have one for our business (gold star) and have not needed another until now……i think we ar eligible for additional cards but am not sure how many

Guest #407 - 8 years ago

Years ago Gemco had membership.
But EVERYONE could shop at the stores.
Members got the discount price shown on each item.

Guest #526 - 8 years ago

I don't understand why people are attacking the people who benefit from this practice. The Costco website seems clear to me that '... non-members may use the cash cards to shop at any Costco location in the United States......Costco Cash balances may be used toward membership or merchandise.' If the practice is deceitful or hurtful toward the company or their members, then shouldn't Costco change the policy? Or at least clarify on the website if that isn't the policy (maybe non-members are only supposed to use it toward a membership?). I'm not convinced everyone is trying to get around the system as opposed to just wanting to buy something in bulk a few times. I actually had the opposite problem, I wanted to purchase a gift card for my sister, who is a member and shops there once a month, only I can't because I'm not a member. So I guess I give her cash with a note that says 'for use at Costco'?

Guest #434 - 8 years ago

In the many years we have belonged to Costco I have never had a rude Costco employee. They all go out of their way to help you. We always get way more monies back each year in December because we have an executive card and I use it for Christmas shopping. Great store, great staff

Guest #312 - 8 years ago

I tried this recently at the Costco in Alhambra. Not with the intent to do this but because I was given a $50 gift card as, well, a gift. They will only allow purchases up to the amount of the gift card. So if I have over $50 and i try to use a $50 gift card, i cannot pay the remaining balance with cash. I can only purchase up to the cost of the gift card.

Guest #520 - 8 years ago

Quit being a cheap ass and pay the 50 dollars to get a membership...

Guest #446 - 8 years ago

Can you use the gas station without a membership card?

Guest #535 - 8 years ago

call before hand,...the store in Sioux Falls SD says it allows this but the 'greeters'meet you with such hostility and embarrassing remarks and yes the cashiers also make a point of being : put - out,annoyed,confused,etc...managers seem to be the only ones who know with certainty this practice is allowed. At least when I get a 'day pass' from a groupon coupon book or the Sunday paper for SAMS Club they entire staff knows to honor it. But for those of us who are a 2 or 3 person household-must or simply choose to coupon,bargin,thrift shop the gift card route a couple times a year is worth the hassle to all those who can afford the membership fees. please do not assume we are all just --too cheap--as many of us just want to feed our families for the least money possible so we can also afford our rent. sRjD

Guest #289 - 8 years ago

stop it cheapo's!!!

Guest #444 - 8 years ago

This is right up there with the how to get over on Chipotle 'tip'. I thought this site was about sharing deals, not trying to get over on businesses. At least now I don't feel so bad about ad blocking this site...

upx1 - 8 years ago

L9 Corporal

I've been doing this for years now.... thanks to Spoofee !!

Guest #335 - 8 years ago

The savings is not that great, at all. Unless you have a litter of kids and it's mostly for 'status' anyway for the stay-at-home moms who feel they actually deserve it & it's just another thing for them to flash out of their MK wallets. Get a real job.

Guest #639 - 8 years ago

Hi
I have both Costco and Sams Club memberships and I shop at both places enough that the cash back, the gas, etc. outweigh the membership fees at both places. 'Opportunity Cost' : the time spent to get around the system for me at least is more trouble than the membership fees saved.

But for those that need this to save money, it is great. I am not sure why people (Costco people) have to be nasty about it. Besides, Costco members shop there to save money too versus at other places

Guest #428 - 8 years ago

Since I don't have time to visit each store, I visit to this site and have found good deals which stores offer willingly.
Some posts like this one, how to use Apple products and return them, how to use bribe front desk to upgrade a hotel room.... all these are not deals. They may be legal but it is exploiting the weakness of others.

Guest #415 - 8 years ago

TY! You are a genius, there is just one thing I buy here and I hate to buy a membership to do so :)

Guest #414 - 8 years ago

just walk into any costco with your expired membership card eat all the freebies and buy a pizza hotdog etc at the food court.

Guest #631 - 8 years ago

Well, like many said: if you do buy at Costco, frequently, then of course your membership is worth it. However, if you are like me: buy maximum 3 times a year - maximum of $300/year... Then, it is not worth the membership and then having to look for one near your house or drive up too far... Talking about it: their gas prices might be worth the membership too: if you do not need to drive 20 mi to get to a location, that is! I think the one day pass is a good option, however, they add 15% (am I right?) to the cost of merchandise ... Hmm... in that case, unless you are purchasing something that has a huge price difference from other places, it is still not worth it. Also, Costo prices can be very deceiving: some items are cheaper at your local grocery store - like cereal boxes, for instance. However. Costco bakery is probably the best of all! Price is great too! :-) Either way: with or without a membership, Costco is still making money: every one I know, never spend less than $250/purchase every time they go to Costco! I even wished some of their items were not individually wrapped/packed to reduce waste and price.

kvkirk21 - 8 years ago

L4 Member

You'll enjoy everything about being a member with Costco. For $55 or $110 it's worth it. It's so easy to get your money back, people. Don't waste time trying to get around their blessed system - just get the membership or do not.

Guest #352 - 8 years ago

This is actually a good Idea for those tight on money. Good article. Funny to see all the Costco affiliated hating on this article.

Guest #862 - 8 years ago

So lame and wasting of time. Being a Costco member for last 15 years, never had any regret paying the membership fee. Save your cheap idea to use somewhere else

Guest #417 - 8 years ago

if you don't mind being embarrassed, while the cashier calls for management card holder to open access. Everyone else in their mind is saying [removed by mod] holding up the line.

Guest #289 - 8 years ago

Just shut up & stop wasting everyone's time!You're so smart...yes, we can see that you have a great scheme! Enjoy it quietly! The rest of us Costco members hate you!

Guest #564 - 8 years ago

I tried to use the cash card last week but the cashier did not accept it without a valid membership card. The store manager told me to get a membership in order to use the gift card. I get a refund at the end. So I would say it may not work on all Costco store.

Guest #631 - 8 years ago

Talk about being an overly cheap bastard

upx1 - 8 years ago

L9 Corporal

I've probably done this about a dozen times over the past year or so. It's great.
Thanks Spoofee !

Guest #402 - 8 years ago

One of the best benefits of Costco is their infinite return policy. It works very well as a customer, as every purchase is connected to your membership number. If you buy with these cash cards, you may not be as fortunate.

Guest #551 - 9 years ago

Got like a dollar or so left on the card? No prob. Keep it and use it to enter the store, then pig out on the free samples.

Guest #541 - 9 years ago

I used the girft cards 4 times, the first 3 allowed me to use debit card to pay for the remaining balance after the card value. The fourth time at the same store I used the twice with debit card, they told me cash only. I called their corperate and went to the store manager to ask why this was happening, then he allowed me to use debit card. So just so you know you might get some cranky employees trying to make it hard to 'skip' the memebership

Guest #534 - 9 years ago

The only reason you need to show your card when entering Costco is so they know you are able to check out when done shopping without causing a problem at the registers. It is not a requirement to enter the store as much as it is to leave with merchandise. You can say that you're going to the pharmacy, food court or optical (open to non-members) and walk right in, or enter through exit without a problem. This is what Costco management actually told me.

Guest #695 - 9 years ago

So what about just wanting to buy a pizza..still need to show a card right

Guest #419 - 9 years ago

i dlost my cosco ca

Guest #558 - 9 years ago

LOL just pay the $55 and shop for a year you will save major money over any other store. I personally shop BJs but same issue. I would consider Costco but I use Visa for the points and at about 6K per year I am not stopping that to shop Costco.

Guest #304 - 9 years ago

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/costco-profit-up-22-on-revenue-growth-2013-12-11

membership fees were 549 million revenue and total revenue was 25.02 billion. divide it and membership revenue is 2.2% of total revenue.

Jexx - 9 years ago

I killed Ms. Pacman

FYI revenue and profit are two separate things.
If Costco sold a TV for $1000, then $1000 is the revenue. However, their cost of the TV might be $950. Gross profit is $50.
On a $55 membership, revenue is $55, gross profit is $55.
If you compare membership revenue and merchandise revenue, then yes, the membership is 2.2%.
The CEO of Costco said 80% of gross profit comes from membership. So that means their markup (profit) on merchandise is almost ZERO!

spazntwitch - 9 years ago

It's like d�j- vu again

Reply to Guest

They used to provide a one-time pass, but no longer do. If you are interested, see if you can go with someone who already has a membership. We do and really enjoy making our large purchases from them.

Guest #471 - 9 years ago

Can I get a one time pass to see if I want a membership?

spazntwitch - 9 years ago

It's like d�j- vu again

Reply to Guest

You are being scammed.

Guest #483 - 9 years ago

Today, I had received a complement card in the mail indicating that I won a gift certificate from WalMart and Target. So they are giving me $200.00 in gift cards . However, the representative to [redacted] indicated that I had to say okay for 2 offers that totaled $7.94. The offers were on Travel, Gift certificates, Perscription, and ID theft which I have already gotten. So tell me if this company is legal. They are right out of AZ

Guest #385 - 9 years ago

At least Costco treats their employees with respect, fair wages and the chance to move up in the company. Maybe you right wingers should shop SAMs and WALMART .
In fact if you get a job there you'll be eligible for the food stamp program you hate so much.

Guest #385 - 9 years ago

JEEEEEEEZUZZZ. READING COMMENTS of all the crazies on here reminds me why right wing Fox News fans are so very ignorant and pinched off mentally. I ALMOST feel sorry for your stupidity and lack of insight. Go back to Walmart where ignorance is rewarded.