As a Costco fanatic, the only thing I love more than wandering the aisles is finding ways to save even more money on groceries upon checkout. If you follow me on Flipboard, you know I love reading and sharing all the articles about Costco that are worthy of your time.

Over the years, I’ve encountered a lot of writing about Costco Hacks. Most lists are the same and contain basic ways to save money. If you’ve signed up for our email newsletter, you know how to read the price tags, buy the rotisserie chickens, and shop during weekdays. But some lists contain Costco hacks that just don’t work.

Sometimes, store policies change, making some tips out of date, while others just don’t work. Before your next warehouse run, check out these Costco hacks that don’t work.

12 Costco Hacks That Don’t Work

Using Instacart

This is one of the biggest Costco hacks we disagree with here at Warehouse Wanderer. While using Instacart to shop at Costco will save you time, it will not save you money. Here’s why. Not only is the Instacart price higher than the store’s, but you will also contend with service fees and delivery fees. Since the service involves a worker going into the store to buy the items, Instacart passes the associated costs to you. 

You Can Shop at Costco Without a Card

This TikTok hack made the rounds last year, suggesting you can shop the warehouse without a membership by purchasing a gift card. This Costco hack is 100 percent not true. We’ve asked several associates, who said it does not work. The company also addressed this. Our store even put up a sign to address the issue. 

Overstocking on Death Star Items

We say this often: something is not a deal if it goes to waste. If you throw out an item before you use it, you are throwing your money out. So, while we love to shop in bulk, we are also realistic. Do not buy things you do not need and will not use. Also, and more importantly, we’ve watched the Death Star items for over a year now. While some items are gone for good, others, like Don Pancha Cilantro Lime Sauce, Peach Mango Salsa, and Pineapple Habanero Sauce, are seasonal products that return yearly.

Skipping the Cart

Now, this is unbelievable to me! The idea is that you won’t buy as much if you have to carry it. I’ve used this hack at my local grocery store, but it doesn’t make sense when shopping at Costco, where almost everything is oversized. You are better off making a list beforehand and sticking to it. 

Clip Coupons 

We review every weekly and monthly sale and have never seen a coupon you need to clip in years. Reviewing the sales before you go to the store is worth it, but there haven’t been coupons to clip in years. If you want to maximize your Costco membership, sign up for our newsletter and have the best sales sent directly to your inbox. 

Use the Costco App 

The website is easier to navigate. Period. There’s much chatter about new management leveraging and expanding online shopping, but that has not happened yet. The Costco 2-day grocery shopping program ended last year, and the retailer’s online presence isn’t nearly as robust as Amazon or others. 

So, while some suggest the app is well worth using, the website is easier to navigate, and the app is useful only for two things. It contains your receipts and your membership card. While we wish to add membership cards to our Apple Wallets, that’s not possible now. The Costco app, while clunky, does the trick. Considering how large the app is, there really should be more valuable features, in our opinion. 

Listen for the Bell That The Rotisserie Chickens Are Done

We went to the warehouse and stood in front of the rotisserie chicken ovens, and yes, the bell rang when the chickens finished cooking. A light flashed, too. The warehouse is usually busy, and you will only hear it if you are close to the ovens. It is more straightforward to check the ovens for how much time is left (you can see a timer on each one) and set a reminder on your watch to head back to the counter when they are ready. 

Buy It Even If You Don’t Need It

I could not believe my eyes when I read the heading. Please don’t do this. While lots of Costco products will last for quite some time or forever (parchment paper is a favorite here), shoppers must consider storage space at home and cost. Do not buy an item unless you will use it  — you are just wasting money.

Don’t Wait For Seasonal Pies

While you can freeze a Pumpkin pie to enjoy after the holiday, there’s no need to stock up weeks before. Costco stores now employ AI in their bakery department to help workers estimate product demand. 

Book Deals

We used to love buying books at Costco, as their prices were often better than those of most retailers, including Amazon. However, the company decided in June 2024 to stop selling books year-round starting in January 2025. Since books are hard for associates to stock but shoppers still buy them, the company will only sell them during the holidays. 

Don’t Shop the Center Aisles

The center aisle can be home to excellent deals, from gift cards at 20 percent off to Lego sets and clothes. The notion that the center aisles aren’t home to excellent deals is wrong. 

Shop at Costco On Tuesday Afternoons

Several articles suggest the best time to shop at Costco is from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. We strongly disagree. We’ve gone to the warehouse morning, noon, and night, and the best time to shop at Costco is when the store opens. While you will have to contend with more Instacart shoppers, they move quickly, and overall, the store is much less crowded. The busiest days are Saturdays and Sundays, and during the week, you want to avoid the warehouse from 4 to 6 p.m. as customers stop on their way home from work. If mornings don’t work for your schedule, one hour before closing is a slower time.

What Do You Think?

What are your favorite Costco hacks? Let me know in the comments below.

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