Fun fact: in the United States, the price of Costco’s famous $1.50 hot dog and soda combo has not changed since 1985 and Canadian Costco stores actually lowered their prices to match it back in 2011. Is a Costco Executive Membership Worth the Price? You can also get low-cost immunizations and eye exams membership-free! Another benefit you can get from the Costco pharmacy is standard immunizations. Similarly, most Costco locations have an optical department with on-site optometrists and opticians who can administer eye exams, even if you don’t have a membership. The last time I went with a friend, I would have been allowed to pay myself -- as long as it was cash, and not credit card. Required fields are marked *, 1,true,6,Contact Email,21,false,1,First Name,21,false,1,Last Name,2, $MMT = window.$MMT || {}; $MMT.cmd = $MMT.cmd || [];$MMT.cmd.push(function(){ $MMT.display.slots.push(["4a668d37-e7de-4e43-bb99-71e7f20272c6"]); }). Costco is firmly committed to helping protect the health and safety of our members. I hate gross generalizations. You might be able to save quite a bit of money. In the Toronto area, and surrounding, I've never been asked for my membership if you enter through the exit. However, if you're not loyal to Costco and want a card that doesn't require membership but still earns high rewards, check out our list of the best credit cards for Costco. Do I need a membership to purchase prescription drugs? Only members can buy the card, though, so you’ll need to have a friend pick it up for you. All Rights Reserved. For more info on Costco check out these articles. It’s also important to note that while Costco pharmacies get good ratings on price, they don’t get the best ratings when it comes to service. Copyright © 2000 – 2021 RedFlagDeals.com. 10 Worst Things to Buy in Bulk at Costco 3 of 7 YMMV if your being asked for membership card. RedFlagDeals for iOS and Android makes it easy to stay on top of the latest Canadian deals, flyers and freebies from wherever you are! Your email address will not be published. You can also Your prescriptions will be delivered to your home free of charge through standard shipping from the US postal service, and arrive at you home in around 6 to 14 days. The pharmacy is not part of the Costco membership – anyone can use it. To save time, bring your completed and signed immunization consent form. … Your membership card is valid at any Costco warehouse worldwide and is not transferable. All you need to do is bring a doctor’s slip to the pharmacist to grab whatever medication is needed. Costco Gas Calculator: Will I Save Money Buying a Membership if All I Buy is Fuel? This saves you the cost of driving to Costco, and the time it would take out of your day, while still allowing you to get the good pricing. Age restrictions may apply and vary by state. Costco Gas Calculator: Will I Save Money Buying a Membership if All I Buy is Fuel. Plus, you'll be able to make use of our popular Costco deal roundups every week. Usually they ask you for a membership when you ENTER, the EXIT side they really don't care, then just keep walking to the back where the food court is. All you need to do is ask a friend who’s a member to get a card for you the next time they’re at Costco and fill it with your money. There are also a few ways to renew your membership when it’s close to expiry. Perhaps the most well-known characteristic of Costco is the requirement of a paid membership in order to shop and despite having over 10 million members in Canada, there are many Canadians who don’t own a Costco membership and aren’t familiar with the Costco shopping experience. However, it’s important to note that while prescription medication is available to non-members, you will need a membership to purchase over-the-counter medications like Aspirin or Tylenol. Join the conversation with thousands of savvy shoppers in Canada’s largest online forum. I do have a membership so I’ve always used this service, but if you have never compared their prices, you should. If you’re still on the fence about Costco, here’s how you can still shop or visit any of the more than 500 warehouse club locations across the country — without paying the $60 membership fee to get in the door. You do not need a Costco membership to shop online at Costco.ca, where you can find a wide range of popular products including televisions, video games, Apple products, LEGO and more! The food court is usually located near the exit in most stores, so you're unlikely to meet resistance when visiting, although some stores may be more lenient to non-member visitors than others. How To Shop At Costco Without A Membership. Walk-ins also welcome; wait times may vary. However, some readers have reported that at Costco… “You Don’t Need A Costco Membership To Buy Its Products Anymore.” Today.com. These exams are usually not free, but in some cases it may actually be cheaper than private clinics. Nobody is freeloading. Is a Costco Executive Membership Worth the Price? But there are a few compelling reasons why you may want to make Costco Pharmacy the pharmacy … Shipping fees are included in all pricing, which means online prices will be about 5% more than warehouse prices, but you can often find many products at lower prices compared to other retailers, even with the small surcharge. Costco.ca features a number of product categories and weekly promotions. I have been a Costco member for more I have been a Costco member for more than 20 years, and started shopping from Costco through instacart around a year ago. You don't need a membership to shop at Costco.com.Going this route, however, does have some drawbacks. First, you'll have to pay a 5 percent surcharge as … Only Costco members can buy a Cash Card and non-members must register for a one-day shopping pass to use them in Costco warehouses (non-members can only receive two one-day passes per year). It’s that easy. Please visit our "Membership" page to create an online account and select the “Register Now” tab or you can go directly to the Online Account terms and condition to start registering your online account. I have seen that many customers being refused entry while trying to access the food court. The checkers will tell you it is for members only. Your comment is ignorant. Costco Pharmacy Home Delivery offers an easy and cost-effective way of ordering your prescription medications. There are two ways to do this: Have someone you know with a membership buy you a Costco shop card in whatever amount you need, and you can shop membership-free. if you are going to take advantage of Costoo and its low prices, you should buy a membership. You can see a list of the costs here to compare them to other pharmacies in your area. All rights reserved. Click here to see COVID updates We use essential cookies to make our site work and, if you consent, optional analytics and preferences cookies to understand our website and improve your user experience. However, you do not need to be a member to make an appointment with our in-house optometrist. Although you need a membership to shop at Costco, there are many different items that will single-handedly pay for your Costco […] If you don’t want to buy one, don’t shop there. There are over 90 Costco locations in Canada (with more coming this year), so be sure to try some of these tips if you don't have a membership -- you might find out why so many people love Costco! I always use aeroplan miles to buy my yearly Costco membership if you don't have the ready cash it's handy. This feature lets you quickly set up alerts based on keywords you specify. The second way is to have someone purchase you a Costco shop card with a minimum amount on it (usually $25) and pay for the first part of your purchase with the card, and the rest you can pay for with your debit card. As a result, make sure your friend or relative is alright with paying for whatever it is you want to buy and reimburse them accordingly. Contacts can be purchased online by members for other individuals (including non-members) as long as you provide a valid prescription for this individual. Anyone can use Costco‘s Pharmacy with no membership required. Which is likely the workaround to that law. Due to the way it’s written, Costco must allow you to use the service of their pharmacy even if you don’t have a membership. If you’re one of those Canadians who don’t own a membership but want to shop at Costco, there are a few ways you can do so and we’ve listed them below. Costco is one of Clark’s favorite stores for the savings. You can even join the Costco Member Prescription Program for free—which is something already available to paying Costco members. However, they do not need to let you into their membership based store if you are not a member. It's true you need a membership to buy fast food in the food court. Most Costco warehouses have a pharmacy and you do not need a membership to have your prescription filled, as licensed pharmacists are required by law to serve all patients. After all, the big box membership retailer only marks up its products a maximum of 15%, but most items are much lower than that. (Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Manage Consent Do Not Sell My Data), lowered their prices to match it back in 2011, this thread about their 20-year-old Scotch. You do not need a Costco membership to shop online at Costco.ca, where you can find a wide range of popular products including televisions, video games, Apple products, LEGO and more! Costco Pharmacy: Prices, Prescriptions, Auto Refill and More You Need to Know There’s no shortage of places you could go when you need to fill a prescription. Many customers have found that dispensing fees at Costco pharmacies are much lower than other pharmacies, making it a savvy way to save money on prescription medication. If you are not a current Costco member, then you would need to purchase a membership before enrolling in the prescription program. It’s important to note that while Costco pharmacies have good overall prices for prescriptions, they don’t always have the best prices. For more memberships plans click here for details. If you have a friend or family member who’s a current Costco member, you can have them buy you a Costco shop card which can be used to buy all items in the warehouse. Costco members are permitted to bring up to two guests with them when they shop, so tagging along with a friend or relative who is a Costco member is another way for non-members to shop at Costco. buy anything from Costco without a membership. Costco Cash Cards have no expiry date and are available in denominations up to $1000.00. You do not need to present a card when using the discount card. In addition, they offer immunizations for Hepatitis A and B, HPV, Meningitis, Pneumonia, Shingles, Tetanus/Whooping Cough, and Twinrix. "When a fellow says it ain't about the money but the principle of the thing, it's the money." In addition, non-members cannot have a remaining balance on the Cash Card after shopping -- any remaining balance on the card will be refunded with cash, while excess balances can be paid with cash, debit or MasterCard. We called the corporate Debbie, quit being a hater. 1.Register Now Once you have collected your card from our Membership counter at a warehouse, you are then able to register for an online account. Find out more about how to use a Costco Cash Card without a membership . Things you can do at Costco without a membership. Copyright © 2021 SavingAdvice.com. If you need a large number of stamps, Costco is one of the few places where they are a bit cheaper than the post office. You’ll need a membership to shop at Costco. While the exams are open to non-members, you’ll need a membership if you want to purchase glasses or hearing aids from Costco, so remember to ask for a prescription after your exam. It’s worthwhile to compare with other alternatives in your area to make sure there isn’t someplace you can find your prescriptions for less. I’ve always been a fan of Costco and had a membership for many years. Costco is known for its bulk products and huge savings, but it's a members-only store that costs at least $60 a year to join. So, it’s opposite to what the author said…more than LIKELY to meet with resistance trying to access the food court from Exit. A great option is to order your prescription online through Costco.com. Make great savings with Costco membership subscription starting from £15. Soroka, Anna. Satisfaction guaranteed. To say you don't is like saying you can bring hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of non grocery goods at the border because you never had to go inside and pay tax/duty. For those who don’t have access to free immunizations through their healthcare, or simply find it more convenient to get them done at a store nearby, Costco has some of the best pricing on immunizations around. Get over yourself. I cover 8 under-the-radar ways that you can get in the door, shop, & buy at Costco without a membership in 2020: alcohol, pharmacy, cash cards, & more. To gain access to the Costco pharmacy without a membership, you simple need to tell the card checker at the door you are their to visit the pharmacy and they should let you right in. It sounds risk free but it’s not hassle free. My main option for getting any gift card is to buy them online through a third-party network. Our Pharmacy counter will accept several different forms of payment, including cash, debit/ATM cards, Costco Shop Cards, and Visa®. You don't need to be a Costco member to purchase Costco Pharmacy prescriptions online or at our warehouses. Only Costco Canada and Costco US members with a valid membership card can shop on Costco.ca. It’s Federal law and everyone has a right to take advantage of it. Raechel Conover worked on this story. You need neither a Costco membership card, nor a Costco cash card, just cash or a debit card. You can also buy alcohol at Costcos in Quebec. This feature lets you determine how good a deal you are getting on toilet paper purchases. Although you can shop Costco without a membership, the $55 fee for a basic Costco membership may be worth the money if you expect to shop at the warehouse club regularly. This means you can take advantage of their inexpensive prices on prescription drugs and immunizations without shelling out $55 for a membership. You will need to call your local Costco warehouse to confirm they have the immunization you want in stock before heading over to get it. Here’s a big secret Costco probably doesn’t want you to know: You can shop without a membership as long as you have a Costco Cash Card. Yes, you need to be a member to purchase glasses or contacts at Costco Optical centers. That said, you can actually access Costco’s pharmacy without a membership — your right to do so is protected by state law. You need to insert the Costco Cash Card to activate the pump, but once you do you can opt to pay with a regular debit card or credit card. However, that doesn't mean every location in Canada does the same. Gold Star Business Everyday Value Gold Star Executive Business Executive 2% Annual Reward Annual 2% Reward (up to $1,000) on Eligible Costco 28 June 2017. It’s not normally “our deal” to post any medically-related savings or promos, but we found a “secret” we just couldn’t keep to ourselves. Filed Under: Frugal, Medical, Personal Finance, Saving Money Tagged With: cheap immunizations, cheap prescription drugs, Costco membership, Costco pharmacy, federal law, flu shot, inexpensive immunizations, inexpensive prescription drugs, no membership needed, online pharmacy. Your email address will not be published. Costco is one of the most popular stores in the world with an extensive product selection and ultra-competitive prices, so it should come as no surprise that it’s also one of RFD’s favourite retailers. - Kin Hubbard, Bridging the gap between saving money and investing, February 2, 2015 By Jeffrey Strain 4 Comments. We have two membership types, Gold Star and Business, which both include a free household card. I had a Costco membership for a year, but decided it’s not really worth until I move, there’s not enough space! Costco Liquor Stores typically carry a huge variety of liquor at competitive prices -- this report from 2010 found that liquor from Costco was consistently priced lower than competing stores. This is a great option if you’re a college student or just want to test out the savings the warehouse can provide before diving in with an annual membership. (See our article on whether a Costco membership is worth the cost.) This is especially true at US Costcos. I think it depends - the downtown Vancouver Costco has the food court in a separate annex outside of the warehouse, and there's nobody checking memberships at the entrances or exits of the annex, which are separate from the entrance and exit of the warehouse itself. Please correct the marked field(s) below. I can freely enter from the exit side for the food court without any issue many times. Costco knew the rules before they opened their pharmacy and were OK with it. Today I found out that when you purchase from Costco directly through the instacart app, YOU DO NOT GET YOUR 2% CASHBACK FOR EXECUTIVE MEMBERSHIP FROM COSTCO. To gain access to the Costco pharmacy without a membership, you simple need to tell the card checker at the door you are their to visit the pharmacy and they should let you … They always check for membership if you want to enter from exit to Food Court. Those who haven't are the lucky ones, just like those who tend to bend the rules or play Russian roulette. Join Costco Quality items. Costco Cash Cards can be used by non-members both online and in Costco warehouses, but with a few caveats. You don't need to have a membership to make use of some of Costco… But for over-the-counter stuff like antacids, you’ll have to buy a membership. Stop by your local Costco Pharmacy today! Slawek, Emily. If you have a friend who is a Costco member you can have them load a card for you, but that will become a pain for them over time and they may eventually tell you to just buy a membership. Freeloaders! However, guests do not have purchasing privileges and only Costco members are allowed to pay for purchases. Costco generally has good prices if you’re buying in quantity, they have excellent customer service and treat their employees extremely well. You can check out our articles for Target as well. The food court is actually not available to non-members. If you drive to your local Costco’s pharmacy, you will be able to fill, refill and transfer your prescriptions, but you don’t have to actually go to a physical location to take advantage of their prescription prices. Costco’s member I find that my local Costco prices are significantly less than CVS or Walgreens in my area. You do need a membership for non prescribed medication which is fine under the law. Costco pharmacies also hold seasonal immunization clinics, which are open to non-members. You are limited to making purchases from the pharmacy (and in some states, alcohol), although there is an easy way to buy anything from Costco without a membership. Federal law is your friend in this case. Not doing so is cheating everyone who does buy a membership. The person who enrolls for a Gold If service is more important to you than price, you may want to check out other options as well. Plus, you'll often find rave reviews about hidden treasures from the Kirkland Signature brand, including this thread about their XO Cognac and this thread about their 20-year-old Scotch. Unexpected savings. 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