There are many reasons why people are so devoted to their Costco memberships—bargain prices, surprisingly good booze sold under the Kirkland house brand, and the doggedly consistent $1.50 hot dog meal combo in the food court, to name just a few. Even at the new higher membership price, many consider it a worthy investment in future savings. But there’s one way to save at Costco that many longtime members don’t even know about: Costco Next.
What is Costco Next, exactly?
To be clear, this service is not new, even if this is the first time many have heard of it. As CNN explains, the program launched in 2017 and first expanded in 2021; it has steadily gained traction among savvy shoppers since then but still isn’t widely known.
Costco Next connects shoppers directly with the suppliers of Costco products and allows customers to buy online directly from those suppliers’ websites. Once there, a Costco-sized discount is applied to the purchases, making these items cheaper than what you’d find at a typical retail outlet.
Costco Next is the wholesaler’s way of meeting consumers where they are. According to CNN, online sales currently comprise a relatively small portion of Costco’s business, and the company wants to be known for its e-commerce as well as its brick-and-mortar warehouses. Finding a way to boost online sales could also result in more members. Knowing that a Costco membership might not require even a single trip through a Costco parking lot could do a lot to convince any holdouts to sign up.
Do I need a membership to order from Costco Next?
Costco Next is indeed a perk only for members. You can’t even navigate the suppliers’ websites without entering your membership info. The price of an annual membership recently increased for both individuals (by $5 per year) and business accounts (by $10 per year). That means you must pay a minimum of $65 to start shopping at Costco.
Still, with 20% off the list price of items purchased through Costco Next, plus the wide variety of in-store sales and discounts, the potential savings is usually more than enough to offset the membership cost, even after just one or two visits.
How does it work?
Costco Next has a pretty simple interface that links to the online stores of nearly 100 brands that sell their products through Costco. Clicking “Shop Now” will make a sign-in window pop up so you can verify your current and active Costco Membership. Once your credentials are supplied, you’ll be directed to the supplier’s website, which is full of Costco-specific discounts.
Anything purchased through one of these supplier websites will be handled by that supplier, meaning they will ship it directly without Costco as the intermediary. That company will also provide customer service and handle any returns you might have to make.
The company specifies on the Costco Next website that “Costco does not carry inventory for Costco Next suppliers; we simply refer members to suppliers’ websites.” That means if you see something on Costco Next and think, “I’ll just grab that the next time I visit the store,” you might be disappointed — it just doesn’t work like that. Instead, consider these suppliers a “sister store” to Costco, and you’re granted entry by way of your membership card.
What kind of things can I buy through Costco Next?
There are many heavy hitters on the Costco Next roster, suppliers whose products are typically sold at a premium: Jacuzzi, Otterbox, Anker, Nordic Ware, and Viking, among many other brands. The products available through the Costco Next interface are just as wide-ranging as those you’ll find in the stores, even if they’re not the exact same ones you see on the shelves. Cookware, vacuum cleaners, and even caskets can all be purchased in a few clicks.
Yes, caskets.
We all know Costco is a good place to buy in bulk, but that obscures the fact that it’s a good hub for big one-time purchases, too. Browsing the Costco Next website, it’s easy to see all the categories of items we forget are available at wholesale rates, from luggage to camping gear to luxury skin care products. You can even furnish your home with a few tasteful Thomas Kinkade paintings on the cheap. The only caveat with Costco Next is that some suppliers have minimum purchase amounts to qualify for the discount, so be sure to throw in a few extra Kinkades just to be safe.
FAQs
Costco Next connects shoppers directly with the suppliers of Costco products and allows customers to buy online directly from those suppliers' websites. Once there, a Costco-sized discount is applied to the purchases, making these items cheaper than what you'd find at a typical retail outlet.
What is Costco next? ›
Costco Next showcases a selection of limited products from some of Costco's most trusted suppliers. Designed to complement both our inventory and quality standards, Costco Next features suppliers and products that have been hand-selected by our buyers for their quality of merchandise and exceptional customer service.
What are the incentives for Costco membership? ›
Executive Member benefits include an annual 2% Reward (up to $1,000)* on qualified Costco, Costco.com and Costco Travel purchases. Plus, Executive Members receive additional benefits and greater discounts on many Costco Services, including Costco Travel. *Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
How do I get the most out of my Costco membership? ›
Woroch shared some of her tips for getting the most out of your Costco membership.
- Hone your Costco shopping list and stick to it. ...
- Check your pantry before you shop. ...
- Don't forget Costco deals on large purchases. ...
- Visit the alcohol section. ...
- Get great deals on wedding gifts. ...
- Buy your next sheet cake at Costco.
Costco Direct is an online-only promotion that saves members money when they buy multiple eligible items. The best part is that these savings are in addition to any other programs or offers currently available. Items online are marked with a Costco Direct label and can be mixed and matched for greater savings.
What's the difference between Costco and Costco Next? ›
What is Costco Next? Costco works with top suppliers of great products to bring more value to our Members through Costco Next. Costco only refers current members to Costco Next suppliers. When you transfer to one of our suppliers' sites, you will be able to purchase directly from that Costco supplier.
Why will Costco discontinue a membership? ›
According to Costco's Member Privileges and Conditions, the retailer has the right to cancel a membership at any time. Stealing or committing fraud of any kind may lead to a canceled membership. Any threatening behavior toward an employee may also lead to cancellation.
How to get a $30 Costco membership? ›
When you join as a new member online at costco.com and enroll in auto renewal of your annual membership, you'll receive a free $30 Digital Costco Shop Card.
How to get the $20 Costco membership? ›
How Do I Take Advantage of the $20 Membership Deal? The $20 membership deal is available through StackSocial, a product discovery platform. The website is offering the Gold Star membership plus a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card for $60. The $40 Digital Costco Shop Card is sent via email within two weeks of purchase.
How to get a free Costco membership? ›
Costco doesn't offer free or discounted memberships, but rest assured that the cost of membership can be recovered quickly thanks to massive price savings once you start shopping.
How many people can be on my Costco membership? A total of two people can be on a Gold Star Membership (either regular or Executive): one Primary Member and one free household member who is over 16 and lives at the same address.
How do I lower my Costco membership? ›
Membership Downgrades / Refunds Simply stop by the membership desk of your local Costco or give our Membership Department a call at 1-800-774-2678.
Do you actually save money with a Costco membership? ›
Subtract the $60 membership fee, and you're ahead by $18. Of course, you might save well more than $3 per Costco visit. And your total savings for the year may be much more significant. The point, though, is that the more frequently you expect to shop at Costco, the more money you have the potential to save.
Is it cheaper to buy Costco at the store or online? ›
Costco often builds the cost of shipping and handling into its online prices. For this reason, you'll almost always pay less for the same item if you buy it at a warehouse club store.
Who is Costco direct competitor? ›
Costco Wholesale Corp's (COST) main competitors in the highly competitive retail market of large discount stores are Walmart Inc. (WMT) and Target Corporation (TGT). These companies are also sometimes classified as consumer defensive stocks.
Do all Costcos sell the same stuff? ›
While items like Kirkland-brand bottled water can be found at every warehouse, no two Costco locations sell exactly the same products for the same prices. In fact, stores in the same city or even right next to each other offer different merchandise and often at different prices based on each store's management.
Does Costco Next cost extra? ›
The good thing about Costco Next is that there is no additional cost to use it when you're a Costco member. But that means you do have to be a Costco member to use it. This is a solid perk for those who already utilize Costco frequently in stores and want another way to shop for deals online.
How do I get into Costco next? ›
Once you have selected a Costco Next supplier, you'll be asked to sign in with your Costco.com account or your first name, last name, and Costco membership number.
Does Costco Next have the same return policy as Costco? ›
Costco Next is a Costco program, but it doesn't handle the selling, shipping, or customer service. More importantly, Costco's return policy doesn't apply.
What are the levels of Costco? ›
Costco offers three levels of membership: Gold Star, Business, and Executive.
