Costco warehouses are known for their extensive selection and affordable prices on bulk items, making them a favorite among members. However, if you’re looking for deals on the company’s website, you might be surprised to find that some items are more expensive than expected.
A recent report by House Beautiful revealed that certain products, ranging from furniture to Halloween decorations, have higher prices online compared to in-store, despite Costco’s promotion of free shipping for members.
Related: Costco CEO Raises Hourly Wages for Employees
For instance, the report highlighted a bouclé swivel chair priced at $399.99 online, while it was $249 in stores. This difference in pricing suggests that shipping fees for that item amounted to $150. Additionally, an animatronic werewolf was found to be $339.99 online, despite being priced at $249.99 in the warehouse.
According to Costco’s shipping policy, each product listed on Costco.com has its own shipping fee attached, with some items eligible for free shipping. The shipping fee for a specific item can be found on the product detail page next to the product image.
The report also highlighted the existence of Reddit threads dedicated to understanding these shipping fees, including one with a detailed spreadsheet.
Costco explains that most items are shipped directly by vendors and manufacturers, who determine the shipping charges. As a result, the warehouse chain is unable to waive these fees.
Earlier this month, Costco announced an increase in annual membership fees for all tiers in the U.S. and Canada, effective September 1, 2024.
Related: Costco’s CEO Says This Product Is the ‘Most Important Item We Sell’
This news came following the release of Costco’s fiscal Q3 2024 earnings in May, which included $1.123 million in membership fees, marking a 7.6% increase from the previous year.
Costco’s stock had surged over 44% year over year as of the last trading day.
Entrepreneur has reached out to Costco for further clarification on the pricing discrepancies.
Costco online vs store price for my recent visit
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