If you’ve ever found yourself outside a Costco warehouse, eyeing the bulk items and low prices, you might have wondered, Can you shop in Costco without being a member? Well, the answer is a bit more complicated than a simple “yes” or “no.” While Costco is known for offering incredible deals to its members, there are still ways for non-members to experience shopping at this popular warehouse.
The answer involves exploring specific exceptions, strategies, and workarounds. So, let’s dive in and uncover all the possible routes for non-members to enjoy Costco shopping, including those special opportunities at a Costco Business Center.
What Does Costco Membership Offer?
Before delving into whether one can go there and shop without a membership, it is good to know what benefits come with a Costco membership in the first place. However, there are a number of Costco membership perks for the customers including purchasing items at a low price as well as:
- Gas discounts whenever a member fills up gas at a Costco gas station.
- Special services like booking for vacations and home improvements as well as offering insurance.
- Great products in many different areas including electronics, clothes and food.
It is these benefits that make Costco memberships very much sought after and thus the question, “Can you shop in Costco without being a member?” becomes all the more enticing.
Can You Shop In Costco, If You Are Not A Member?
So, Is it allowed to shop in Costco even without being a member? The answer is very simple- yes, but with a few conditions. Costco operates primarily as a member warehouse and as such most members are the only ones allowed inside but restricted to use. This however has a few loopholes and exceptions which allow non members to some extent utilize the services and products at Costco.
1. Shopping as a Non-Member With a Member
The easiest method to buy Costco items even when you have not subscribed to their services is to tag along with your family or friends who have a subscription with costco. When a Costco member goes shopping, they may invite a guest along. Thus, you only require a member to be able to shop in Costco, you do not need to be a member.
- What do you need: A Costco membership number has to be issued, thanks for making a reservation at Costco.
- Limitations: You get to store and look around, but you cannot make any purchases by yourself. You have to ask the member to do the purchasing.
2. Using the Costco Cash Card
You may also shop at Costco without having a subscription by purchasing a Costco gift card. Non-member customers are however able to shop if they have been given gift cards. They can be purchased from a Costco member only, and once you’ve purchased it, you are free to shop and buy products at any location of Costco without having she subscription.
- What do you need: This can only be done with the assistance of a member, who must first present a Costco gift card.
- Limitations: You can only use the gift card to make purchases, and access to some services encompassing the pharmacy or alcohol sales could vary depending on the state laws.
3. Shopping at a Costco Business Center
In relation to this, you could be asking, “Can you shop in Costco without being a member?” The response in this case is somewhat more complicated. Despite the fact that Costco Business Centers cater mainly to small businesses, they do have some inventory that is not found in ordinary Costco warehouses.
Here, the membership guidelines are about the same: only members are generally permitted to shop. There are exceptions that offer non-members the chance to shop if they possess a valid business ID or order items from the internet and go to pick them up from the store.
- What you need: Some Costco Business Centers allow certain products to be sold to non-members, especially with business license.
- Limitations: You might be limited as to the kind of products you can purchase and may still have to go around the membership requirement towards some products.
4. Purchasing Goods over the Internet
Costco too has consumers who do not wish to become members by providing a facility to purchase goods through its web store. In most situations, individuals who do not maintain membership are permitted to buy items from the Costco website, however they will receive a five percent charge for doing this.
- What you need: Membership of Costco’s online store and a physical shipping address.
- Limitations: One can expect a 5 percent surcharge for each order that he or she makes.
Although this extra payment may not suit everyone, it does allow non-members to order goods from Costco without visiting the building.
5. Going to the Drugstore
When you have a prescription or need to buy medicine calmly, you might be interested to know, “Is it possible to visit Costco without having a membership and still buy medications from the pharmacy?” These members can benefit from a non-member benefit in that Costco’s pharmacy is open to the general public. Yes, even without a membership, it is possible to buy or redeem prescriptions, but such individuals may be restricted in the range of drugs they can obtain.
- What you need: A medication list or any other prescription suitable for the eye.
- Limitations: Only the pharmacy service is available for use, not any other departments within the store.
6. Purchasing Alcohol
Costco is known to have a strict membership only policy, however, in some states alcohol sells are made to non members, this policy applies to California, Washington among other states. Certain states, like California and Washington, have laws allowing sales of alcohol to nonmembers at chain stores like Costco.
- What you need: A driver’s license or any identification proof which contains age.
- Limitations: Membership is required for all other shopping except alcohol, which is the only item available without membership.
7. Shopping With Costco Executive Membership
While considering regular shopping at Costco, some people may question themselves: **Would moving to an Executive Membership change the answer? Upgrading membership allows for more doors to have access to. While this option does not permit non members to shop directly, it can give further benefits to those who are willing to become members of the Costco business club.
- What you need: An upgraded Costco membership which will allow one to become an Executive plan member and offer cashback among other benefits.
- Limitations: People would still be required to become members, but some shoppers might find the benefits to be worth the annual fee.
Alternative Methods to Experience Costco’s Products
So you’re still curious about the question, “Can you shop in Costco without being a member?”, well, there are several alternatives to going for a membership, including:
- Costco’s Travel Services: Booking a vacation through Costco’s Travel services doesn’t require a membership. There are times when vacation packages or cruises are still available to book through them at a discount, so they can be reached.
- Costco’s Optical Department: Some limitations always arise where you require being a member initially to access certain privileges but in such instances, Costco Optical does allow its non-member clients to access its services, such as eye exams or even purchasing glasses.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the question “Can you shop in Costco without being a member?” has multiple answers. While the easiest way to enjoy Costco’s products is through a membership, there are plenty of ways around the membership requirement if you’re willing to get creative.
Whether you shop with a friend, use a gift card, or visit a Costco Business Center, there are plenty of opportunities to experience Costco’s low prices.
