Perhaps you already know of some of the unusual items — from tires to prescription drugs — you can get at Costco. But there are plenty more discoveries to be made at the warehouse store.
We checked out some of the least-known items you can buy at or through Costco. Included were purchases you can make at a Costco store, purchases available on Costco’s website and goods and services that Costco sells in conjunction with third parties.
Just note that with Costco, products can come and go. Also, their availability may depend on where you live or the store’s location.
How many of these items surprise you?
1. Gold bars
If you needed proof a Costco membership is worth its weight in gold, here you go: members can purchase 1-ounce, Swiss-made, 24-carat gold bars. But you have to be quick, and this is one item you won’t be able to buy in bulk.
“I’ve gotten a couple of calls that people have seen online that we’ve been selling one-ounce gold bars, yes, but when we load them on the site, they’re typically gone within a few hours, and we limit two per member,” chief financial officer Richard Galanti tells CNBC.
2. Insurance
Costco has incorporated insurance into its offerings. By linking up with well-established players, the Costco Insurance Agency offers:
- Home and auto insurance through Connect, powered by American Family Insurance
- Pet insurance via Figo
- Life insurance sold in conjunction with the Protective Life Insurance Co.
If you run a business, Costco can even help with employee health insurance plans.
For more options, check out “New Ways to Save Money on Insurance of Every Kind.”
3. Pet medications
Costco pharmacies have low prices on prescription medications — both for people and their pets.
To get started, ask your veterinarian to send your animal’s prescription to a Costco pharmacy. Or get a paper prescription to bring to Costco. Another route: Visit a Costco pharmacy to ask a pharmacist to send a prescription request to your vet.
For more ways to save on pet costs, check out “9 Ways to Get Affordable Vet Care.”
4. Vacations
Costco Travel can book your pre-paid travel. That includes hotels, rental cars, theme parks and cruises, the in-house travel agency says.
Travel packages also can be purchased that include hotel and air travel in locations such as Tahiti, Costa Rica, Fiji, Mexico, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe.
For more ways to cut the cost of your next vacation, check out “18 Ways Save on Every Kind of Travel.”
5. Artificial turf
At Costco, you’ll find artificial grass and turf among the landscaping supplies.
Several varieties are available so you can create a new yard in an instant. And don’t stop there: Carpet a dog run or play area with artificial pet turf.
6. Caskets and urns
Costco has a selection of caskets and urns. Casket prices start just below $1,150 and range to around $1,400.
The Federal Trade Commission requires funeral homes to accept a casket you have purchased from an outside source, Costco says. Even so, Costco asks customers to notify their chosen funeral home of their Costco purchase within a day of ordering.
Costco caskets may be purchased in and shipped to only certain states.
For more ways to save on funeral expenses, check out “11 Ways to Make a Funeral Affordable but Not Cheap.”
7. New and used cars
Shopping for a vehicle? Include Costco in your hunt. The company offers both new cars and certified pre-owned vehicles.
Costco doesn’t actually sell the vehicles. The Costco Auto Program partners with approved dealers who meet certain standards.
Vehicle search engine iSeeCars explains how the auto program works:
“For each dealership selected to be a part of the program, only a few elite salesmen are permitted to work with Costco clientele. The highlight of the program is a pre-negotiated price that cuts out all bickering and haggling. After the sale, a dedicated customer service call center is there to help in the event you’re dissatisfied with any aspect of your new car.”
8. Caviar
Costco is famed for its fresh and frozen meat and fish. Did you know that includes tinned caviar?
Caviar, a prized and usually expensive delicacy, is the salted eggs (roe) of sturgeon, a type of fish. Traditionally, caviar came from the Caspian Sea and Black Sea. It is produced around the world now and harvested from numerous fish.
9. Bottled-water delivery
Costco promises savings on home or office delivery of bottled water. Working with suppliers in most U.S. markets, the big retailer says it offers exclusive prices and options.
10. Recreational vehicles
Before heading out to compare prices and deals on recreational vehicles, members may want to look into the “low, prearranged Costco member pricing on many makes and models” that Costco advertises through the Costco Auto Program.
Authorized dealer contacts are trained to serve Costco buyers, the website says.
11. Musical instruments
Get your musical groove going at Costco.com. The retailer’s website sells enough types of musical instruments to start a band.
For example, you’ll find everything from digital pianos — including a digital grand — to flutes, electronic drum kits, clarinets, keyboards, trumpets and karaoke machines.
12. Wheelchairs and walkers
Costco.com sells several models of wheelchairs, walkers and medical alert devices. Walkers are priced beginning at $115. Wheelchair prices are at $200 or less.
13. Home generators
You can be prepared to supply electricity to your home if the power grid fails. Storms and disasters are less of a threat when you have an emergency home generator.
Costco sells smaller, portable generators and bigger Honeywell standby generators.
14. Custom closets
Ready for a revamp of your closets? Costco offers made-to-order closets and built-ins from Closet Factory.
The service also caters to those who want to design a home office, pantry, laundry room, entertainment center and wall units. Even wall beds are available, and Costco sells both design and installation of the systems.
15. The kitchen sink
When we checked recently, Costco.com was offering around two dozen kitchen and utility sinks. In typical Costco style, products ranged from a simple freestanding, single-bowl stainless under-mount sink to commercial sinks and work stations.
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