Finding a deal at Costco doesn’t take much work; There are potential bargains in every aisle. But to get these sweet season steals, you’ll need a little more planning. To help you achieve this goal, we’ve put together a few tips on how to find the best seasonal Costco deals.
Shop at the beginning of the season
Costco’s assortment is very carefully balanced to make sure everything is on the go, especially seasonal items. The idea is to have a minimum number of holiday items left over at the end of the season. Implementing this often means seasonal items start selling well before the holidays arrive. (Case in point: How many Halloween items are there at your local Costco store right now? I’m sure it’s not that many.)
Stop by regularly to see new deals
As we noted above, Costco keeps its inventory moving. It also ensures that agreements continue. New products and new discounts are added all the time. If you’re only shopping at Costco once a month to stock up on paper goods, you’ll likely miss out on the many seasonal deals that pop up every week.
If you want to miss the crowds, the best time to go to Costco is mid-week. You’ll encounter minimal shoppers and have the chance to snag sales that will likely be long gone by the end of the week.
Make sure you’re on the mailing list
Every few weeks, Costco mails out its regular Coupon Book, which lists some of the sales you can expect to see. This can be a great way to plan your purchases in advance, especially when it comes to crossing popular or big-ticket items off the Christmas list.
If you don’t like physical mail, you can join the email list instead. Costco will send regular updates about sales and new products.
Browse the gift card rack
Some of the best deals at Costco don’t hang on pallets, but on gift card racks. Costco has a variety of gift cards you can buy for less than face value, like getting two $50 gift cards for just $80. The cards cover brands from restaurants to travel, spas and even golf. But make sure you get the right gift card for the recipient; Poorly selected gift cards go unused and waste money.
Visit more than one place (if possible)
As with most other retailers, some sales you’ll find will be specific to a particular Costco location. This could be discounts on seasonal items that will be on sale, or even discounts on big brand items. If you’re within a reasonable distance of more than one store, it can be helpful to visit a few different locations.
Bring your Visa rewards credit card
A particularly frustrating part of shopping at the Costco warehouse is how you pay — or rather, how you pay. can’t pay. If you want to use a credit card, you will need the Visa logo; You cannot use Amex, Discover, or Mastercard credit cards at Costco stores.
While this limitation is annoying, you can still find some solid rewards card options for Costco purchases. The brand’s Costco Anywhere Visa® Card from Citi is a good option, especially if you like gas rewards. Personally, I like to use my Chase Freedom Unlimited® for 1.5x points per dollar.
Don’t assume everything is stolen
You can find 100% great seasonal sales in any Costco aisle. This doesn’t mean you should assume Each The item is stolen. Despite the rumors, Costco isn’t the be-all and end-all, and sometimes you’ll find something that costs more at Costco than it might elsewhere. Even if you’re buying from Costco, you should always comparison shop a large item before purchasing.
Price compatibility with other stores
If you find something cheaper elsewhere you will have to buy it there. This is because Costco does not price match other stores, citing already low prices.
On the other hand, you may want to consider whether another store would offer the same price as Costco. Sometimes there are benefits to buying elsewhere, like bonus gifts, loyalty programs, or even using a non-Visa credit card (hello, holiday welcome bonuses).
Costco is a great place to find deals, but it’s not the ideal place for every purchase. Shop smart, compare prices often, and make the most of seasonal deals wherever you can find them.
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