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Shop at CostCo without a Membership!

M

MyBuds

Senior member
I have no idea why the mods locked the original posting of this thread the first time, but I will do my best to cleanse it of any material that warrants a lock. This is not an unethical loophole, rather a little known policy of CostCo.

CostCo sells giftcards in their stores that members can give to nonmembers to use. This allows nonmembers access into the store to purchase items. This is great for people who only occasionally shop at Costco and do not need full membership privileges with the $45 dollar price tag. Also this deal is great for families with a membership who have more than 2 people who shop at CostCo. Of course you have to buy the giftcard (minimum $25), but this is good as cash in the store, and you obviously would not buy the giftcard unless you intended to use it. There is no upcharge for nonmembers as with Sams Club. Also CostCo has an extremly liberal return policy. It is a great store to shop at, soif you find yourself going there frequently, BUY A MEMBERSHIP.


From CostCo's website
Members can buy the Costco Cash cards for non-members, though non-members will need to stop by the membership counter to get a one-day pass in order to make purchases. Costco Cash balances may be used toward membership or merchandise.


This is not a Hot Deal

AnandTech Moderator
 
Thanks for posting this deal. I read through your other posting. One poster did have a good point though: Costo is a great warehouse club - and the price of the membership is a small price to pay for what you get and save in return. Having to visit the service desk each time you go to the store might be a big hassle. Often I've visited the store and return line / membership line is usually one in the same. I've frequently seen several people in the returns line - which you would have to wait behind. If you time isn't precious - and you have plenty of it, the this option is a good way to go. However, if you're squeezed for time, then just sign up for a regular membership.

I remember reading in the past that Wal-Mart used to sell gift cards that were valid at both Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. Many people who received these cards could use them at Sam's Club without having a membership. I can't comment on the situation for this year, though. Like with anything else, your mileage may vary.
 
Also, you don't necessarily need a Costco membership to us their gas stations. If you have an American Express credit card, you're good to go! Just insert your AMEX card in place of the membership card, wait for approval, insert your card again (this time for payment), and then fill up.
 
Originally posted by: wje

I remember reading in the past that Wal-Mart used to sell gift cards that were valid at both Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. Many people who received these cards could use them at Sam's Club without having a membership. I can't comment on the situation for this year, though. Like with anything else, your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...

I have heard that too, but I believe there is an upcharge when you purchase the items as a nonmember.
 
Originally posted by: TheBloodguard
Doesn't the one day pass allow you to shop but adds an additional 5% onto the price since you are not a member?
Click to expand...

I think that's Sam's Club.

Anyhow, this is definitely a legit deal if you're willing to take the time and effort to follow it through. I don't know why the mods would lock this thread, Costco's policy on gift cards is quite clear, and this is not an abuse by any means.
 
Originally posted by: benchiu
Originally posted by: TheBloodguard
Doesn't the one day pass allow you to shop but adds an additional 5% onto the price since you are not a member?
Click to expand...

I think that's Sam's Club.

Anyhow, this is definitely a legit deal if you're willing to take the time and effort to follow it through. I don't know why the mods would lock this thread, Costco's policy on gift cards is quite clear, and this is not an abuse by any means.
Click to expand...
Actually, Sam's Club has stopped the 1-day shopping passes - unless you receive a direct invitation in the mail or by another means. You can't just walk into a Sam's Club and ask for a 1-day shopping pass because they will not let you have one. They'll let you walk around the store, but you can't purchase anything.

 
Originally posted by: yellowfiero
lock.
Click to expand...

Why do you have such hate for my deal? CostCo allows nonmembers to use their giftcards to make them more marketable. Its not an accident that CostCo allows this, and I am sure they will welcome the extra business. This is not theft, or even unethical. This just allows nonmembers a sampling of the shopping experience members enjoy. I myself am a member. Instead of my friends dragging me with them to shop, I can buy them a giftcard this Christmas, and they can go themselves. Sounds like a decent deal to me.
 
if it gets locked, i woudlnt try to repost
leave it on the other forum site where they dont care if you want to keep your wallets fat
they dont seem to mind about membership giftcards, and from what ive seen teh discussion doesnt devolve into fraud claims

although i think the best deal is to split the membership w/ a buddy
actually, the best is to have one open up and sign up fro a free membership...the renewal is $35
 
Originally posted by: c627627
Original locked MyBuds' Hardon for Costco thread.

hey Costco - you're so fine,
you're so fine
you blow my mind
hey Costco
(hey Costco)

😀
Click to expand...

WTF?? I reposted it because originally the way I explained it, people could interpret it as ripping off CostCo. If you are so against the store or deal, do not post. you have nothing relevant to say. All your posts have been negative. I do not obsessively praise Costco, although I do think its a great store.
 
I think the question is where is the hot deal? First, your title is totally misleading. I'd change it to something like "shop at Costco without paying for a membership."

Someone has to have a membership for this to work, so who gets stuck with that $$?

There is no hot deal here, just a way to continuosly cheat the system, if you can.

I also agree that you should not keep posting it...good way to take a vacation.
 
Originally posted by: wje
I remember reading in the past that Wal-Mart used to sell gift cards that were valid at both Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. Many people who received these cards could use them at Sam's Club without having a membership.
Click to expand...

The cards are valid at both...when I bought a notebook at Sam's, my ATM card wouldn't go through (over the daily purchase limit) and the only credit card they take is Discover. (Why? They ought to take something that more than two people actually have. Costco is no better in this regard...s/Discover/American Express/.) The cashier suggested loading up a gift card at the Wal-Mart around the corner with the purchase amount, then bringing the card back to Sam's Club to pay for the machine. One of my credit cards took the hit initially, but I fired off an online payment to it when I got home.

I doubt they'd take a gift card by itself at Sam's for purchases...it'd be too easy to game the system if they did. The first thing the cashier asks for is your membership card...if you don't have one, things get interesting.
 
Originally posted by: mr-evil
I think the question is where is the hot deal? First, your title is totally misleading. I'd change it to something like "shop at Costco without paying for a membership."

Someone has to have a membership for this to work, so who gets stuck with that $$?

There is no hot deal here, just a way to continuosly cheat the system, if you can.

I also agree that you should not keep posting it...good way to take a vacation.
Click to expand...


Ok, I will change the title, although it is not meant to be misleading.

If you do not think this is good info, that's your opinion. But nonmembers using giftcards is NOT a way to cheat the system. CostCo chose to have the giftcards work for members and non-members for a reason. It makes their giftcards more marketable and it brings people into the store who otherwise would not shop. If someone chooses to use giftcards and cancel their membership, then it is the person who is acting in the wrong. And if more people than CostCo expected do this so that it is no longer the best policy for them, they WILL change their policy.

I obviously will not repost it if its locked again. This shouldn't even be controversial. Threads that should be locked are price mistakes, BVG after PM/Rebate, etc. THAT is taking advantage of companies policies. This is not. It flat out says on the website Members can buy the Costco Cash cards for non-members

Obviously you need to know someone with a membership, but this is a way for a friend or family member to pass on the membership privledges. CostCo MEANT FOR THIS.

Why are you crapping on my thread?

I miss the days where anandtech was not full of such negativity. Maybe this is the reason a competing forum is now much more popular and "hotter", which i used to not even dare look at. And saying that is hard to admit, as this is my startup page and I have been a member of this forum for years, and browsing long before I joined.
 
Now if non-members could buy these cards then their would be a deal, but as it reads now
it's not much different then going with my bud and having him buy the stuff for me.

What happens if your purchase is over the value of the giftcard and you are not a member?

Mark
 
LOCK!!!









Just Kidding. I don't see what the big deal is. This is a good way for Costco to get non-members into the store and see what they're about.
 
OK, yet another negative :Q post coming up:
I don't remember ever being able to make a purchase at Costco without a membership card.

Gift card is just means to make a payment instead of cash.

"Members can buy the Costco Cash cards for non-members, though non-members will need to stop by the membership counter to get a one-day pass in order to make purchases."

You still have to go through hassle to get some kind of membership card to shop - unless of course - you're shopping for douche like your friends at that "competing forum".



 
i have no idea why so many people are being negative about this

and c627627 hehe it was probably smart to edit your post (the one right above mine)
it made you look kinda silly 😀
 
MyBuds...this a good deal..and i dont think it will be lock
Anyway I thank you for this deal..Hey I bought a Samsung A500 phone from them for 200 clams with out signing a sprintpcs contract 😀 (I,m a Sprintpcs customer anyway and I just want this phone at a great price)
At the sprint store it 299.99!! so good deal MyBuds..your a Pal 😀
 
Originally posted by: c627627
OK, yet another negative :Q post coming up:
I don't remember ever being able to make a purchase at Costco without a membership card.

Gift card is just means to make a payment instead of cash.

"Members can buy the Costco Cash cards for non-members, though non-members will need to stop by the membership counter to get a one-day pass in order to make purchases."

You still have to go through hassle to get some kind of membership card to shop - unless of course - you're shopping for douche like your friends at that "competing forum".
Click to expand...

Yes, you do still have to get the "membership card, " actually a one day pass to shop. But having a giftcard lets you in the store to get the free one-time membership. the counter at my costco rarely has a line, and the people are usually friendly because costco has such a liberal return policy that they rarlely get bitched at. This post breaks no rules, but I believe part of your pst does.


markrb Now if non-members could buy these cards then their would be a deal, but as it reads now
it's not much different then going with my bud and having him buy the stuff for me.

What happens if your purchase is over the value of the giftcard and you are not a member?

The reason this is different from just going to CostCo with a friend is that you can go on your own. All you need to do is have a member friend or family member buy you one(or a few) $25 giftcard. And once you go over the giftcard amount you can just pay with cash or amex.

kennyg- i have the a500 too. awesome phone. it cost me $300 but because i exchanged it with a besbuyservice plan, I paid $6 (difference in aftertax price between a500 and my old 5150)
 
This is great information.
You know, when i see some stupid comments or so called thread crapping, i immediately look at the day the poster joined. And i just can't explain the reason why most (not all, some are great) newly joined members (less than a year) can't refrain themselves from making such stupid comments.
 
"and the people are usually friendly because costco has such a liberal return policy that they rarlely get bitched at."

rarely get bitched at.. that's funny.. you should talk to the the cashier's more often. I actually work at costco but i don't work in as a cashier i work in the food court but one of the cashier's the other day told me that she had a total bi@tch she had to deal with. This lady was so retarded she was like i want boxes and in a really mean manner and she told them that they didn't have boxes at the moment and that they were gathering the boxes right now. So this lady get's all pissy and crap it was more than that i know it was but i don't remember all the details.
 
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