Update: Last day to take advantage of this offer (ends 12/31).
Groupon offers
New Costco Members:
1-Year Costco Gold Star Membership +
$40 Digital Costco Shop Card for
$60. Must purchase this promotion by December 31, 2023 to qualify for the Costco Shop Card.
Thanks to community member
tunabreath for finding this deal.
- Note: Offer only valid for New Costco Members. Limit 1 membership and Costco Shop Card per household.
You Will Receive:
- A membership card for the Primary Cardholder and one additional Household Card for anyone living at the same address, over the age of 16
- A $40 Digital Costco Shop Card (valid for use to purchase eligible product at Costco locations and Costco.com. Shop Cards are not accepted at Costco Gas Stations, Car Washes, or Food Court Kiosks.
Offer Details:- Valid only for new members and those whose previous memberships (Primary and Household) have been expired for at least 18 months or more.
- Promotional $40 Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed within 2 weeks after sign-up to qualifying members. The Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed to the email address provided by the Primary Member at time of sign-up.
- The 1-year membership period will begin immediately upon purchase
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I have been surviving on Costco Shop/gift cards and shopping at Costco as a non-member. I've got it down to a science now:
When it's just about your turn to check out, you just directly request the cashier to get a manager with the following reason: "I want to use a Costco gift/shop card as a non-member". This direct request shortens the amount of time they feign about not being able to check you out as a non-member.
I have a printout of this page [costco.com]. Click the second FAQ item, print it & take a highlighter to the 2nd to last sentence if they play dumb.
Here's why I won't, and why this annoys me. First, it's a high-pressure blitz when I just want to go home. Leave me alone. Second, and most importantly, Costco uses gift certificates like it's 2003. They do this on purpose though. They make make killer money on membership upgrades because they're counting on people forgetting their gift certificate (not allowed to use it online), people losing their gift certificate and not realizing they can ask for a new one, or people just not caring until it's expired. Load it onto my membership card where it can be applied to my next purchase, and I'd do it. They won't do that though because it would hurt their profits. I am too stubborn to participate in that hustle even if it might benefit me because I'm only out ~$5-$15/yr at most.
I continue to patronize them because I'll occasionally drive the 30 minutes to the brick and mortar store (in-person shopping there is still fun until I get to the checkout), but I mostly get in on bundles of discounted clothes for work each year. The convenience and savings on that alone is what pays for my membership.
tl;dr if you're buying this and not upgrading, expect to be harassed and have someone condescend to your math skills at the checkout lane more times than not
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I am Canadian and don't have US ID. Can I get in on this deal?
Here's why I won't, and why this annoys me. First, it's a high-pressure blitz when I just want to go home. Leave me alone. Second, and most importantly, Costco uses gift certificates like it's 2003. They do this on purpose though. They make make killer money on membership upgrades because they're counting on people forgetting their gift certificate (not allowed to use it online), people losing their gift certificate and not realizing they can ask for a new one, or people just not caring until it's expired. Load it onto my membership card where it can be applied to my next purchase, and I'd do it. They won't do that though because it would hurt their profits. I am too stubborn to participate in that hustle even if it might benefit me because I'm only out ~$5-$15/yr at most.
I continue to patronize them because I'll occasionally drive the 30 minutes to the brick and mortar store (in-person shopping there is still fun until I get to the checkout), but I mostly get in on bundles of discounted clothes for work each year. The convenience and savings on that alone is what pays for my membership.
tl;dr if you're buying this and not upgrading, expect to be harassed and have someone condescend to your math skills at the checkout lane more times than not
The integrity of the company means everything to them. That's why for the most part, some people can return LIVE Christmas trees after the month of December with a smile, sadly. They don't make money on the rotisserie chickens either. It's just a service they provide for their members. Membership service is key. Yet, there are members that take advantage of Costco in more ways than they think.
Just think about this…when you have unexpected company or last minute forgot to cater for your kids soccer team, where are you going to go to get quality pizza for cheap? They may be pushy at times, but man you still get a good deals at times.
Anyways, this is the best deal I've seen in a long time, even before Covid. I've seen deals for $20 shop cards only, or ones where you refer a friend and you and your friend get a free pizza. I remember years back, they had a deal where you could get a certain percentage off any item, if you applied and got approved for their credit card. I remember my grandmother-in-law getting her first smart tv like that.
I have been surviving on Costco Shop/gift cards and shopping at Costco as a non-member. I've got it down to a science now:
When it's just about your turn to check out, you just directly request the cashier to get a manager with the following reason: "I want to use a Costco gift/shop card as a non-member". This direct request shortens the amount of time they feign about not being able to check you out as a non-member.
I have a printout of this page [costco.com]. Click the second FAQ item, print it & take a highlighter to the 2nd to last sentence if they play dumb.
Either way, costco loves you for interest free loans.
Either way, costco loves you for interest free loans.
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Here's why I won't, and why this annoys me. First, it's a high-pressure blitz when I just want to go home. Leave me alone. Second, and most importantly, Costco uses gift certificates like it's 2003. They do this on purpose though. They make make killer money on membership upgrades because they're counting on people forgetting their gift certificate (not allowed to use it online), people losing their gift certificate and not realizing they can ask for a new one, or people just not caring until it's expired. Load it onto my membership card where it can be applied to my next purchase, and I'd do it. They won't do that though because it would hurt their profits. I am too stubborn to participate in that hustle even if it might benefit me because I'm only out ~$5-$15/yr at most.
I continue to patronize them because I'll occasionally drive the 30 minutes to the brick and mortar store (in-person shopping there is still fun until I get to the checkout), but I mostly get in on bundles of discounted clothes for work each year. The convenience and savings on that alone is what pays for my membership.
tl;dr if you're buying this and not upgrading, expect to be harassed and have someone condescend to your math skills at the checkout lane more times than not
The integrity of the company means everything to them. That's why for the most part, some people can return LIVE Christmas trees after the month of December with a smile, sadly. They don't make money on the rotisserie chickens either. It's just a service they provide for their members. Membership service is key. Yet, there are members that take advantage of Costco in more ways than they think.
Just think about this…when you have unexpected company or last minute forgot to cater for your kids soccer team, where are you going to go to get quality pizza for cheap? They may be pushy at times, but man you still get a good deals at times.
Anyways, this is the best deal I've seen in a long time, even before Covid. I've seen deals for $20 shop cards only, or ones where you refer a friend and you and your friend get a free pizza. I remember years back, they had a deal where you could get a certain percentage off any item, if you applied and got approved for their credit card. I remember my grandmother-in-law getting her first smart tv like that.
Costco cheated me on Day 1
Got the membership through this deal so I could book cruise today for my vacation. Walked into the store to get the physical card. They sold me upgrade for additional $60 + Citi visa card with $50 GC and also 3% on my cruise booking. I thought good deal if I can book it using new card today. They told yes it will work. Anyways any travel you book through Costco, you pay only after you start the actual travel. So I can always change the card at last moment.
They gave me temporary credit card which does not work for purchasing online as it does not come with CVV. Also my card gets charged right away. So the deal for which I purchased everything is waste. Called Citi credit card, they told the membership people do this often by lying just to get more memberships and so their commission.
Bad experience with Costco, no idea why people like Costco.
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