when/ where/ how often are there discounts for membership?

What discounts?

I've nver heard of a membership discount- however they do send me coupon book every month or so. A lot of the coupons are for things I would use- like chicken nuggers, 90 calorie packs, etc... they send out a furniture/electronic coupon book once in a while as well.

Oh ok I got 1 thoes today.

I have never seen a discount for the membership itself. There are however several levels of membership.

General membership - this is just a basic membership. regular admission hours, acess to gas station, pharmacy, optrition, etc.

Business - admission 1 hr before other members.

Executive - receive a rebate of either 1% or 2% on most costco purchases, not including gas. You also get coupon books in the mail quite frequently. I remember when they would only send out one or two a year. Now it seems rather constant with some even overlapping each other.

American Express - this is in addition to your executive membership. There isn't an annual fee for the credit card. You also get an annual rebate of 1-3% depending on purchases. Most items are 1%, travel is 2%, dining is 3%. Gas was recently upped to 3%. This rebate program is in addition to the rebate you get with the executive membership.

What you save on your purchases I think more than pays for itself even without the coupons. There are also many items that are specially packaged and priced for Costco members. ie eneloop rechargeable batteries and charger. There is no way you could get that many of them AND a charger for under 20.00

Yes I am a Costco addict. Its the way to live in Alaska...

I have been a member of Costco for abour 6 yrs now.. and trust me its great! The Quality of Costco is soooooo much better than Sams Club and BJs put together! Plus wth the gas prices rising now... Costco is like at least 0.10c cheaper than everyone else..

Costco is so much more upscale and clean. Sam's club is dark and I have to wonder about their meat where as Costco meat is always fresh. My store is high volume so they have fast turnover.

BTW did anyone get their coupons for May yet? Just got mine in the mail today.

I forgot to add that if you want to save on the membership just go halves with a friend or relative. Only the primary card holder will get the coupons though.

Do they have a trial membership? I know with Sam's Club, They sometimes have a one day pass for non members. I am looking for something like that but for Costco.

If someone has a business membership, they can add as many sub member cards and those are only $15. My in-laws own their own biz and we got a card with them for that price. Also, if you just buy milk each week that covers the membership by itself. Milk here is $3.12 at Cub Foods and at Costco it is anywhere from $2.50 to $2.65. I've comparison shopped and most, but not all, are better prices. (except, I just got a coupon for milk at a Holiday gas station for $2.29!)

Not true. We have them at work and each additional card is $ 35.00 and you get 2 members on that - they are suppose to live in the same household - but I know that we have one set of cards that the people do not live in the same household but only the primary gets the coupon books.

As for membership types they also have gold membership cards. I have had one for about 20 years now.

And I LOVE BJ's they take regular manufacturer & internet coupons.

so does costco have one day passes for people to check them out?

When my store first opened they did have one day passes but I don't think they do that anymore.

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?cat=503&eCat=BC|502|503&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Right_Nav2-_-Top_membership&lang=en-US

Sometimes yes sometimes no. The best thing to do would be to call the location nearest you and ask them. Sometimes they will give them out if you ask.

I live far from costco. was thinking of making trip instead of sams club. I looked on line for stuff like antibactrial wipes- they say the cost, but not the quanity. I see they have tide, but no cost or quanity. I called and she said to come in!! I told her i live far and wasnt about to come in for giggles. I have to justify my gas trip, membership fee, and what I buy to make it worth my time and money.

as a single male with limited purchases beyond the most basics, costco isn't an automatic choice for me, but there's a location near my office, and i know that the cost of DVDs and some of those things i buy as gifts once or twice a year offer me huge savings. i figure the lower gas price, the savings on staples, a la toilet paper and milk, would be enough to justify the cost.

i will do some checking on my own when i can, but i have a few questions some of you might know offhand:

it appears that there's no chance to buy a basic membership for a discount. what is the price of that membership? (i'm in minnesota, near the eden prairie location.)

do they sell alcohol at costco. my recollection is yes. (i thought i read you don't need a membership to purchase alcohol.) in eden prairie, however, there may not be a liquor store, for the city has a monopoly on the enterprise. (don't ask -- it has to do with the antiquated notion of municipal liquor sales.)

do they accept my mastercard at the gas pumps? are the pumps 24 hours a day?

i am sure i have more questions. any help you all can provide would be appreciated. it's time to join the costco way of living!

I am not a member of costco mainly because the closest one to me is a 3 hour trip one way! I recieved a e-mail about Costco from a friend of mine telling about geting your RX's from them and how much cheaper they were there. You do not have to be a member to get RX's. Anyway I checked them out and I was truly amazed!!!! I have been getting my meds from wal-mart because that was the cheapest place I could find them. A three month supply (90 pills) for 2 different meds cost me $180.00 dollars at Wal-Mart. Through Costco the same meds are costing me.........a grand total of ......... $24.61.......... A $155.00 dollars savings!!!!!!!!! Plus saving me 3 round trips to Wal-Mart, thats just over 3 hours driving time!!!!!!! There was no tax and no S&H charges!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also Live in MN, I usuallu go to the St. louis park, Or maple Grove Location.
Basic Membership is $50

Yes They do sell Alcohol

And I know they only accept American Express in the Store, But I have never actually filled up at thier gas stations, But I would be interested in knowing if they take any other forms of payment for Gas also.

i haven't had a chance to investigate further.

They don't offer discounts on membership unless it is through your employer - for instance my Mom works for a very large company and part of their "employee week" offers is a discounted membership to Costco and BJ's.

As far as the gas pumps - they usually open at 6:00 am and not sure how late they are open and they DO NOT accept Mastercard, Visa or Discover at the pumps. It is debit card or American Express only - no cash either. You can purchase gas cards in the store to use at a later time but again no Visa, MC or Discover.

For the alcohol purchases - don't drink so I have never ventured over to that part before.

I work at a college in California and last year, there was a $10 off any new membership coupon in the University paper at the beginning of the school year. I'm still kicking myself for not using it! Still not sure I need a Costco membership though and their lines are sooooooooo long to check out.