The Big Differences Between Costco and Costco.com

In this brave new world of e-commerce, plenty of stores have tried to make their websites a seamless extension of the bricks-and-mortar shopping experience. But even the biggest Costco fans would probably admit that shopping at Costco.com is nothing like their beloved trips to the warehouse club, and Costco itself has admitted that online retail hasn’t been a focus in the past. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should write off Costco’s website, but there are several quirks you should know before you buy online. Here are the biggies.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

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If you’re a non-member, you can’t shop in store at Costco without jumping through some hoops, like having a member accompany you and make purchases for you, or by obtaining a Costco cash card and using that to gain entry and buy what you need. But you can still shop at Costco.com, no babysitter necessary.

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Seemed a little too good to be true, right? No, you don't have to be a member to shop at Costco.com, but you'll pay for the privilege. You'll get hit with a 5% surcharge upon checkout — and that's often enough to eat up a substantial part of the savings you'll get by choosing Costco in the first place. Shop in person with a member, and there's no such fee.

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Another drawback for non-members who want to shop online: Certain items won't be available at all, as they'll require a member log-in to purchase. This is most often the case with big-ticket electronics (think Apple, Samsung, or Dyson) and popular kitchen brands (Ninja, Calphalon, or Cuisinart) but can also pop up across categories.

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Here's one of the most important differences between Costco and Costco.com: Even if you can find the same item in both places, you may not pay the same price. That's because Costco sometimes rolls shipping and handling fees into the prices of online items, and its business model still largely relies on getting shoppers into the stores for that familiar "treasure hunt" experience. Prices are more likely to be the same on big-ticket purchases like TVs, but smaller items are often a few bucks cheaper in the warehouse. The cost of convenience can definitely add up.   

So just how much can you save by shopping in store? Again, it varies, and many items are priced the same. But here are examples of a few recent price differences:

• Charisma Microfiber Sheet Set, King: Regularly priced $24 online, $20 in store
• Artemis 3-Light Floor Lamp: Regularly priced $110 online, $100 in store
• Spyder Leather Palm Gloves: Regularly priced $24 online, $19 in store
• Snapware Pyrex 18-Piece Glass Food Storage Set: Regularly priced $30 online, $25 in store

Bulk food buys are one of Costco's claims to fame, and they can save shoppers a mint. But think twice before you try to replicate that savings online. Costco.com offers nonperishable food and household supplies through 2-Day Delivery, and while there's no delivery fee for orders of $75 or more, items are often still a buck or two more expensive than in store to cover fulfillment costs, which can add up fast. Savings are also elusive if you need fresh or frozen items, which means you'll have to use same-day delivery, run by Instacart. The program's pricing accounts for service and delivery fees, and the difference can be significant: Consumer Reports found that its bill was 31% higher using same-day delivery compared with shopping in store.

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Stocking up on non-perishables? Here are a few examples of what you'll pay more for online, versus in store.

• Original Donut Shop K-Pods, 100 ct: Regularly priced $43 in store, $46 online
• Kirkland Signature Steak Strips: Regularly priced $10 in store, $12 online
• Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter: Regularly priced $10 in store, $11.49 online
• Crunchmaster Multi-Grain Baked Crackers: Regularly priced $9.79 in store, $10.49 online

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No one can deny the convenience of same-day grocery delivery from Costco, but you'll pay a premium to use this Instacart-run service. (Don't forget the tip, too.) Here are some examples of how prices can differ from buying in store. (You must be a Costco member to view same-day delivery pricing.)

• Tuxedo Bar Cake: Regularly priced $16 in store, $18.71 online
• Bibigo Fully Cooked Mini Wontons: Regularly priced $10 in store, $11.69 online
• Kirkland Signature Meatballs: Regularly priced $17 in store, $19.88 online
• Kirkland Signature Bagels: Regularly priced $6 in store, $8.18 online

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As massive as the typical Costco is, it doesn't carry that many products. In store, you may find around 4,000 items, while the Walmart down the road may have 30 times that number. And while there are select items that can only be found in store, in general, there are more that are exclusive to Costco.com. In fact, most savvy Costco deal hunters know to look for two main sales each month: Warehouse Savings, which apply to items you'll find both in store and online, and Online-Only Savings, which are items exclusive to Costco.com.

After poking around Costco.com more than the average Joe, we've found plenty of things that will probably never pop up at your local warehouse. For instance, you can find caskets online (yes, really), diamond rings that cost tens of thousands of dollars (one for $420,000 during our last check), or enough high-end caviar for 30 people.

Related: Surprisingly Expensive Products From Costco

We're all familiar with Costco's in-store services, which include the pharmacy, photo center, optical department, and tire center. But there's more you can do online, much of which you may not have even realized. Businesses can buy supplies in bulk through the Costco Business Center, plus get discounts on phone services, printing, insurance, and more. Individuals can score discounts on home, auto, and life insurance; get vision or dental benefits; join a prescription savings program; sign up for bottled water delivery, and renovate their home with savings on everything from flooring to HVAC. And then there's the fun stuff: You can buy a shiny new car through Costco Auto Program, or book a cut-rate vacation with Costco Travel.

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In store, Costco is notorious for accepting one credit card and one credit card only: Visa. Otherwise, shoppers are mostly limited to debit, cash, and check. But if you're shopping at Costco.com, the chain isn't quite as discriminating, and you can use your MasterCard or Discover, too (sorry, still no American Express).

Ready to sign up for Costco membership? Apply here.