Costco super-fans share shopping tips for major savings

For this week’s Top Story, we’re looking at the major ways to save at Costco.

Pushing a giant cart through the lot in the rain or snow, lining up with your membership card in hand to snag that week’s coupon deals, sifting through clothing with too-good-to-be-true clearance prices, cursing at the guy who parked his overflowing grocery order and blocked everyone’s path so he could scarf down a hot dog and pop for $1.50—it’s just another battleground day at Costco. But it’s often worth it.

If you know, you know. And so many shoppers do. For Costco’s more than 10 million members—close to half of new members are under 40—finding a great bargain is part treasure hunt and part strategy. Two Costco super-fans offer the insider scoop about what to shop for, when the best deals pop up and whether you can score better prices in store or online.

Understand when the Costco sales start

While many Canadians dread the first work day of the week, Costco shoppers in the know like Nichole Schaubroeck from Domain, Man., await Mondays with anticipatory glee. That’s because of ”Monday Markdowns”—the day when you’re likely to score a deal.

“Costco puts lots of items out on clearance on Mondays, so it’s a great day to go look. You’ll find some right by the door when you walk in or throughout the store. Look for price tags that end in .97 cents; those are usually a good deal,” suggests Schaubroeck, known by her 586,000 followers as the Coupon Cutie. 

She first started posting money-saving videos about six years ago. “I quickly became obsessed with finding deals and new items at Costco; it’s so much fun shopping there. I usually go about once or twice a week. I love the produce section and the meal kits,” says Schaubroeck. 

Schaubroeck also hunts for deeply-discounted items marked with an asterisk in the upper right-hand corner of an item’s tag—Costco fanatics call this the “Death Star” because it means the product has been discontinued and won’t be back on shelves.

Stock up on high-value staples

“Costco has the best quality meat; I always get the rotisserie chicken, because once you’ve eaten the chicken, the next day you can make soup or congee with the rest. I gas up all our vehicles at Costco and also buy my toilet paper, paper towels, spices, pantry items, school snacks for the kids," says Tina Chow, known as The Costco Queen of Calgary.

Chow went to Costco with her parents and grandparents when she was young, and she bought her own membership once she was 16, the age Canadians can get their own membership.

“I go once or twice a week, right when they open on the weekends because they’re ‘showtime ready,’ and then I bang out videos on new items for my social media,” explains Chow, who posts under the handle @yyccostcolovers on Instagram and @costcoloverscanada on TikTok for her more than 370,000 followers.

She also hits Costco to stock up on personal care items like over-the-counter medications and skincare products. “Vitamins and probiotics are way cheaper at Costco than anywhere else. They’ve got Kbeauty in the warehouse, which is great value. And I’ve been buying Pantene shampoo from Costco for over 15 years now.”

When to shop online and in-store for the best prices at Costco

“Prices are usually lower in warehouse, as opposed to on Costco.ca, so I mostly shop in store, but sometimes there are really good deals online; you just have to watch,” says Schaubroeck. And Chow suggests paying attention to learn when merchandise cycles in and out. For example, we had a furniture transition after Christmas, and as camping and sporting gear starts to come in, you’ll see that stuff be discounted,” she explains.

Another pro-shopper tip: Download the Costco app to create digital shopping lists, monitor online-only prices and in-store discounts, and check warehouse inventory and gas prices. You can also use the app to refill prescriptions at Costco’s pharmacy. Chow often finds app-exclusive savings there, too.

“One secret is they have Instagram-specific savings: If you follow @costco_canada, they’ll hint when savings are coming. One time there were five coupons posted; one was for a $20 Mondetta fleece that was $10, just for that weekend.”

Pack your Costco card when you travel

You’ll find deals at local Costco warehouses while travelling, including discounted attractions, movie, spa, and restaurant gift cards. “You can use your Costco membership anywhere in the world; I’ve used it in Japan, in Iceland, and in Hawaii,” says Chow. 

“It’s so cool to see the different things they have, plus you can get local brand items or affordable souvenirs like macadamia nuts in Hawaii. The gift cards are absolutely amazing. When I go to San Diego, we get a $100 gift card for California Pizza Kitchen for $80. I’ve also used Costco car rental, which was so much cheaper—I couldn’t believe it."

Take advantage of great customer service

Schaubroeck notes that consumers also save money thanks to Costco’s generous return policy. “Even if you lose your receipt, they can look it up with your member card,” she says.

Chow cites Costco’s price adjustment policy as another great perk: If you purchase something and the price goes down within 30 days, bring your item back and they’ll refund you the difference. 

Shopping at Costco in Canada

Regardless if you are renovating the yard or just picking up a few things for a barbecue, what ends up in your cart will often be a surprise, and a surprisingly good deal. And as these Costco super-fans can attest, it’s a unique shopping experience.

Read more from this issue of The Get:

1. True or false: Your car is a writeoff if you’re self employed
2. Musician Isis Salam on turning creativity into long-term capital
3. Passive income jobs: Can you make money without a lot of effort?
4. Can I use a credit card to pay for college?