Unveiling the Best Ways to Shop at Costco: In-Store, Same-Day Delivery, or Instacart?
Previously, I’ve explored different methods for shopping at Costco without needing a membership. A standout option is leveraging the services of Instacart. Costco has seriously embraced this partnership, dedicating a subdomain on their website to "Costco Same-Day," clearly branded with the phrase “Powered by Instacart.” Consequently, most of their food items have moved off the primary Costco.com site, which now emphasizes high-margin goods like electronics and furniture.
My Quest to Evaluate Costco Shopping Options
Dissuaded by the typical in-store Costco experience, I explored ways to save on Instacart purchases and considered whether switching solely to Instacart or Costco Same-Day could be viable. Could I even cancel my Costco membership? To find out, I conducted a price comparison study: Costco Same-Day vs. Costco Warehouse vs. Instacart. Here’s what I discovered.
Do You Need a Costco Membership to Shop at Costco Same-Day (Powered by Instacart)?
Yes, a Costco membership is essential for shopping via Costco Same-Day (Powered by Instacart). According to their official statement:
“Costco Same-Day Delivery is only offered to members. If you’re not a member, you can shop directly from Instacart.com, but you’ll pay a higher price than members shopping on Costco Same-Day Delivery.”
Additionally, it’s important to note that Costco Same-Day purchases come at a price premium compared to in-store shopping. For even better deals, link your Instacart+ membership to your Costco Same-Day account and save up to 7% on your orders.
Do You Need a Costco Membership to Shop for Costco Items on Instacart?
No, you don’t need a Costco membership to shop for Costco items on Instacart. However, non-members will face steeper prices compared to in-store or Costco Same-Day purchases. Linking your Costco membership to your Instacart account reduces this price markup.
Comparing Membership Costs: Costco vs. Instacart
Costco Membership Tiers:
- Gold Star: $60/year
- Executive: $120/year (includes a 2% annual reward)
For deeper insight, I’ve evaluated the break-even point for Costco executive membership.
Instacart+ Membership Plans:
- Monthly: $9.99/month
- Annual: $99.99/year ($8.33/month)
Instacart+ members enjoy free delivery for orders over $35 and lower service fees. My experience showed an average saving of $7.68 per order with Instacart+.
Pricing Breakdown: Costco In-Store vs. Costco Same-Day vs. Instacart
Main Findings:
- Costco Same-Day has a 17% markup over in-store prices if no Instacart+ membership is linked.
- With Instacart+ linked, the markup drops to around 9.3%.
- Similarly, Costco items on Instacart are marked up by 9.3% if a Costco membership is linked.
- Without a linked membership, Instacart prices for Costco items average a 23.58% markup.
- Remember to individually link your Instacart+ to Costco Same-Day and your Costco membership to Instacart for discounted pricing.
Promotional Discounts and Gift Cards
Costco frequently offers attractive promotions, like $20 off $50 purchases. I’ve capitalized on these deals multiple times through both platforms. Such promotions significantly offset price markups.
You can also find discounted Instacart gift cards from retailers like Costco itself. For instance, a 20% discount on Instacart gift cards further sweetens the deal.
Conclusions from My Analysis
Here are my key takeaways that will shape my future Costco shopping habits:
1. Five Pricing Tiers for Costco Items:
- Lowest: Costco in-store
- 9.3% Markup: Costco Same-Day with Instacart+ linked or Instacart with both memberships linked
- 17% Markup: Costco Same-Day without Instacart+ linked
- 20-26% Markup: Instacart without a linked Costco membership
- Variable: Limited options on Costco.com
2. Costco.com Isn’t Ideal for Food Purchases:
With limited availability and higher shipping costs, Costco.com isn’t a practical choice for food shopping unless there are no other options.
3. Instacart+ Membership Offers Good Value:
Frequent shoppers should consider Instacart+, particularly those who also shop at other retailers.
4. Costco Membership Remains Essential:
The combination of saved costs and access to exclusive deals makes maintaining a Costco membership worthwhile.
5. Always Link Your Memberships:
For maximum savings, keep your Costco membership linked with both Instacart and Costco Same-Day accounts.
6. Leverage Promotions:
Utilize $20 off $50 deals for additional savings.
7. Stock Up on Discounted Gift Cards:
Keep an eye out for discounted gift cards to stretch your budget further.
8. Non-Membership Shopping Still Has Value:
Strategic use of promotions and discounted gift cards can make Instacart worthwhile even without a Costco membership.
9. Downsides of Skipping In-Store Shopping:
Some perks, like discounted gasoline and food court offerings, aren’t available online. Additionally, prescriptions and certain alcohol beverages are best purchased in-store.
Final Summary
For Costco members, linking Instacart+ and Costco memberships results in a 9.3% price increase over in-store prices. However, with promotional discounts and gift card savings, these platforms can offer flexibility and convenience without significantly higher costs. I’ve decided to integrate Instacart and Costco Same-Day into my routine, balancing between in-store benefits and online convenience based on situational needs.
Related Posts:
