Warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam's Club promise savings on everyday household items including paper goods, bulk food, electronics, and even prescription drugs. But there are also some truly unique, unexpected and off-the-wall items that can be found in warehouse clubs, often for a fraction of the price shoppers would normally pay. As part of Cheapism's continual research on Sam's and Costco, we've stumbled upon some surprising offerings.
There are pool tables, and then there's this pool table that honors a classic Ford Mustang. Designed to look like a 1965 Shelby GT-350, this item will certainly make a statement in your home or office. For a mere $11,000 it could be yours. Delivery and installation are included.
The dream accessory for avid gardeners and those who simply want to extend the growing season, Sam's Club sells a variety of drool-worthy greenhouses. They start for less than $100 and top out at about $3,200.
Yep, you read that right: Costco sells coffins. Starting at about $900 and ranging up to $1,799, coffins can be ordered online from Costco with the option of expedited shipping.
While Sam's Club doesn't spring to mind for fine jewelry, the warehouse store has a surprisingly big selection of engagement rings, including nearly 500 styles online. Prices start around $450 and inch their way to a staggering $79,500.
Hankering for designer sunglasses? Costco sells them. Check the website regularly to spot designer steals. Vera Wang glasses are currently listed for $45, and sunglasses by Balmain (a fashion house constantly sported by the Kardashians) are $60.
While the zombie apocalypse may never come to pass, Sam's Club helps members prepare for anything. Water storage, for instance, is a must-have in case of an emergency and Sam's Club sells a water storage kit designed for just that. Created to serve as a backup during a drought or any other type of emergency, the 55-gallon water barrel (which sells for $133) comes with water treatment drops.
Yet another item that can help a home be more self-sufficient, this solar kit sells for $10,000 and is capable of generating 310 kilowatt hours to 723 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. With that hefty price tag, the good news is the panels may qualify you for 30 percent federal tax credit, local utility rebate, and incentive programs, Costco says.
Sam's Club and Costco sell cheap wedding flower packages. At Costco, the offerings start as low as $99, for wedding party boutonnieres and corsages, and grow to $450 for a 20-piece rose and mini calla wedding collection.
Costco may be better known for refrigerator-size bundles of toilet paper, but members bought more than 520,000 vehicles through the warehouse club's Auto Program in 2017. Shoppers research and select a vehicle through the Costco Auto Program and then they receive information about participating dealerships and the specific salespersons authorized to offer the program's prearranged pricing. Although the process may not always result in the lowest possible price, it appeals to consumers who want a good deal without haggling.
Warehouse clubs provide an impressive array of photo services including canvas prints, metal prints, photo books, mugs, and calendars. Costco also offers business printing services such as brochures, business cards, flyers, and posters.
Both Sam's Club and Costco sell a dizzying variety of outdoor storage sheds, starting with the most basic resin shed for less than $200 all the way up to elaborate wooden sheds that resemble a small home, complete with windows and doors, topping out at nearly $4,000.
For entrepreneurs with growing businesses, Costco and Sam's Club sell far more than desks and chairs. Think entire cubicles, starting with steel-and-fabric panels. Costco also offers custom-installed office solutions. While Sam's Club has fewer options, it does offer HON Basyx office panels for $150.
If you live in a house without a fireplace, it may feel like something is missing. An electric fireplace is a relatively easy and cheap way to add that cozy ambience. The warehouse clubs offer options, some starting at about $400, that look like the real deal and even put out heat.
If a sliding barn door is the style detail that your house has been lacking, Costco has you covered. The warehouse sells an authentic barn door, including the hardware kit needed to install it. The door, which comes pre-stained and features metal cross braces, is designed to help save space in places where a traditional swinging door might otherwise be used.
Raising chickens is not reserved for farmers anymore. Plenty of domestic dwellers are getting in on the act as well. Wherever you happen to live, Costco has a chicken coop to suit your space. Prices start at about $79 for a basic coop and go as high as almost $400 for an elaborate coop duplex with an outdoor run.
Who knew a wedding cake could be made entirely of giant chunks of gourmet cheese? The Sid Wainer & Son Cheese Lover Artisan Wedding Cake ($439) is made up of gourmet cheeses sourced from around the world. Decorating the cake is up to you. The listing suggests using flowers, ribbons, or edible garnishes.
For those who have pricey baubles and other valuables that need to be locked up or perhaps stacks of cash laying around, a safe from Costco may be the solution. They start at about $79, but the more spacious models are as much as $3,200.
The backyard must-have for countless kids, Sam's Club sells all manner of trampolines. Prices start at about $180 for more basic models and go as high as $630 for a trampoline that will accommodate all the kids in your neighborhood with its weight capacity of 500 pounds.
Trampolines are really just the starting point when it comes to the backyard toy possibilities available at warehouse stores. Costco also sells elaborate play sets and jungle gyms, which top out at $13,000 for Mountain Redwood Playset that includes six play decks with four slides, five swing stations, two rock walls, monkey bars, two sandboxes, and a drawbridge.
File this under the item that you never knew you needed. The Victrola suitcase with Bluetooth technology, which sells for $49, allows for streaming music from any Bluetooth enabled device to a three-speed turntable.
If it's a spa that your home needs, both Costco and Sam's Club have plenty of luxurious options. The only real question will be how much you want to spend. Prices start at about $2,000 and can go as high as $9,000 for a seven-person spa at Costco that includes a full-body lounger and three captain chairs with neck and shoulder jets.
Small-business owners may not realize it, but health insurance programs can be purchased through Sam's Club. Hundreds of plans are available — Aetna, United Health, Kaiser Permanente, and more. Medical, dental, and vision plans are among the options. The Sam's Club team will provide recommendations to help you find the best option for your business.
Golf carts are practically an essential accessory in certain parts of Florida. If you're looking for a cart that will wow the neighbors, Costco has a handful of over-the-top options including a Streetrod Vintage Roadster two-passenger electric golf cart, for a mere $18,000. (Yes, as much as some cars).
While we're not talking about Monet or Renoir paintings, Sam's Club does dabble in selling art to decorate your home or office. Their priciest item is a $2,222 Stevie Ray Vaughan autographed business card with concert photograph.
Does your back yard need a makeover? Costco has a variety of artificial grass options for sale ranging from bluegrass to Bermuda. Sam's Club also offers artificial turf and putting greens in a range of prices and dimensions.
For the amateur meteorologist, Costco sells weather stations. The fanciest model sells for about $95 and will provide data about wind speed, rainfall, and relative barometric pressure.
For homes where space is an issue, perhaps a wall bed is the answer. Costco offers a variety of stylish options starting at $800. Roughly double that price ($1,760) and you'll get a cozy set-up that includes doors, a 36-inch storage unit with drawers, and a 25-inch storage unit with drawers flanking the bed.
REI is not the only name to remember if you're an outdoor enthusiast. Both Costco and Sam's Club sell kayaks, surfboards, and paddleboards. Prices range, with surfboards starting at $180 at Costco and youth kayaks at Sam's Club beginning at $87.
Is a vending machine what you've been on the hunt for? Look no further than Costco, where they start at about $2,800.
Not for dispensing tickets, but rather for counting tickets, this item at Sam's Club is designed to provide users with a custom receipt detailing the amount of tickets that were inserted into the machine. (Just in case you operate an arcade or some other type of recreation facility.) The ticket station sells for $7,858.