topic Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever??? in Community Chat

Costco - Free Membership - ever???

RinaRina — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 01:27:20 GMT

I need to buy something at Costco. Do they ever have a free memberships? I already looked online but what I want requires a membership. Sometimes you can buy stuff on Costco.com without a membership, but this particular item requires a membership. BTW, the item I want is a Nest doorbell that comes with a Google mini.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

scatcat — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 01:31:04 GMT

I’ve never seen it and I’ve been a member for a looong time. I’ve heard of a non member up charge but have never seen or experienced it, so not even sure that exists.

Frankly as a paying member I wouldn’t be too happy if someone got a totally free membership

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

CAcableGirl2 — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 01:33:12 GMT

@RinaRina I read somewhere that if you have a Costco gift card, you can purchase items (with a surcharge) from Costco without a membership. Also I heard that you can get prescriptions filled without a membership.

However, there is a surcharge, not sure what, but probably 10%.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 01:33:55 GMT

No, they don't offer any kind of free membership.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

coffee drinker — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 01:35:07 GMT

A good many years ago, Costco offered free passes, but no more. If you know someone with a membership, perhaps they could buy a Costco gift card. Buy what you want, but if it's on sale, you won't get the sale price. I think you may be able to purchase a gift card yourself, but I'm not positive. Check Costco on line for their phone number, call and ask. If we were neighbors, I'd purchase it for you.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

DiAnne — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 01:38:56 GMT

I think you can use the pharmacy without a membership and I have heard at Costco.com you can purchase some items. I was just there today turning a $300+ rebate check into a gift card.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

gizmogal — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 02:04:51 GMT

The pharmacy does not require a membership by federal law. They cannot restrict access to prescription drugs by forcing membership purchase. So you can do business with their pharmacy with no affiliation to Costco from you.

Those Costco locations with an optometry section allow you to purchase glasses and get an eye exam without having a Costco membership. The optometrists are outside contractors paying Costco to do business on the premises. Though they ask for your Costco card when you place an order for prescription optometry products, they will sell them no matter what.

In every other relationship to Costco within the stores, you must have membership. Online, some items are members only, as you have discovered. Find a friend with a membership to order for you. You probably already know more than one friend/family with a card. Ask around.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

NicksmomESQ — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 02:05:57 GMT

I doubt Costco will ever offer free membership. My cousin isn’t a member. I take her shopping there a couple of times a year.Do you know anybody who could buy it for you?

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

lovesrecess — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 02:28:28 GMT

You can sometimes go to the front service desk and ask for a pass to shop if you are considering purchasing a membership. Not sure how much or if you can buy anything you want doing this... it I can tell you the cost of a membership quickly pays for itself with the low prices they have.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

Love my grandkids — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 02:58:51 GMT

Ask your friends and family to take you if they have a membership.

Our whole family does and I, too, would be p.o.'d if someone could get a freebie when we all paid for ours.

I had a friend I'd take to our Costco to pick up a couple of things. Ask around.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

Kachina624 — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 03:12:28 GMT

@RinaRina. Aren't there other places from which you can purchase a Nest Doorbell?

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

qbetzforreal — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 03:32:24 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@RinaRina. Aren't there other places from which you can purchase a Nest Doorbell?

@Kachina624- she wants it from Costco because it comes with a Google mini.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

homedecor1 — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 03:43:04 GMT

In janueary i got a 3 month temp pass since i only wanted to buy 2 things.

If i don't havecard for Costco i just getin line and ask person infron of me to borrow there's. nobody ever says no!

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

Wsmom — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 04:20:30 GMT

@homedecor1 wrote:

In janueary i got a 3 month temp pass since i only wanted to buy 2 things.

If i don't havecard for Costco i just getin line and ask person infron of me to borrow there's. nobody ever says no!

Wow, you are very lucky somebody would let a total stranger use their card.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

phoenixbrd — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 04:29:43 GMT

Even if you were able to obtain a temporary pass, I doubt you would be allowed to purchase a member's only price item.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

NYC Susan — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 04:39:16 GMT

@homedecor1 wrote:

In janueary i got a 3 month temp pass since i only wanted to buy 2 things.

If i don't havecard for Costco i just getin line and ask person infron of me to borrow there's. nobody ever says no!

I've never been to a Costco where we didn't have to show our cards as we entered the store.

And I would never ask a stranger if I could use their card. That seems really wrong to me.

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

Kachina624 — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 05:42:32 GMT

I wouldn't have the nerve to ask a stranger to use their card

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

hckynut — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 06:01:14 GMT

@RinaRina

We just pay for membership because it saves us a lot of money, same with Amazon prime. Joining doesn't work for everyone.

hckynut

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

Desertdi — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 09:34:29 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I wouldn't have the nerve to ask a stranger to use their card

@Kachina624 I wouldn't either..........but I have had neighbors ask me to call AAA to start their cars on MY membership (and depending on the state where you are a member, there's a limit of 3 or 4 calls you can make per year). I don't even know HOW they knew I was a member...........

Re: Costco - Free Membership - ever???

jackthebear — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 10:19:04 GMT

@homedecor1 wrote:

In janueary i got a 3 month temp pass since i only wanted to buy 2 things.

If i don't havecard for Costco i just getin line and ask person infron of me to borrow there's. nobody ever says no!

don't get in line with me, because i said no to someone this weekend.

how do you get in without showing your card