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The Costco perks hiding in plain sight for non-members

• Costco lets non-members use the pharmacy nationwide and get eye exams from independent optometrists no card required.

• Shop without a membership (with limits) - Non-members can buy alcohol in certain states and shop Costco.com with a 5% surcharge, which can still make sense for big-ticket items.

• Shop like a member (workarounds) - Use a Costco Shop Card bought by a member to enter and shop, or try a membership risk-free since its fully refundable.

Maybe youre on the fence about dropping the $65 for a Costco membership, or maybe your situation has changed and you dont think you need a membership any longer.

In either case, there are many things you can do at Costco with no membership required. So, if you wanted to let your membership go, or maybe you want to get in and take a look at the potential savings before joining, these tips are for you.

Below are the things that non-members can actually do at Costco, what to expect, and when it makes financial sense to take advantage of these perks.

Buy alcohol without a membership (in certain states)

In many states, laws prohibit for-profit companies from requiring a paid membership to purchase alcohol.

Specifically, non-members can purchase beer, wine, or spirits without paying for a membership in the following 14 states:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New York
• Texas
• Vermont

How it works:

When entering the store, just tell the card checker at the door that youre there to purchase alcohol. Theyll direct you to the customer service desk where youll be given a temporary pass for alcohol sales.

Why it matters:

Costcos alcohol pricing, especially on Kirkland Signature wine and spirits, is often significantly lower than traditional liquor stores.

In many cases, the savings on a single purchase can rival or exceed what youd save elsewhere over several trips.

If youre stocking up for a wedding or event, and live in one of these 14 states, this little caveat is a no-brainer way to save.

Pro tip: The same alcohol rules apply at Sams Club and BJs Wholesale Club as they both also require an annual membership fee.

Use the Costco pharmacy without a membership

Many shoppers dont realize that Costcos pharmacy is legally required to be open to the public in all 50 states.

You can walk in, head straight to the pharmacy counter, and never be required to show a membership card.

Non-members can:

• Fill and refill prescription medications
• Get common vaccinations (flu, COVID, shingles, etc.)
• Ask medication questions and consult with a licensed pharmacist

This can be an especially valuable service for consumers paying cash or managing high-deductible insurance plans.

How to save the most:

• Ask for the cash price even if you have insurance. Sometimes the insured price is higher than just paying cash. Dont always assume insurance automatically wins.
• Compare Costcos price to GoodRx but dont stop there. Costco often beats GoodRx on certain generics, especially for larger quantities. Always compare both before you make a buying decision.
• Ask about 90-day supplies. In many cases, a 90-day supply will costs less per dose than monthly refills which will save you repeat trips to the pharmacy.
• Ask if a different manufacturer is cheaper. Same medication, different manufacturer can sometimes mean a lower price.
• Confirm pricing before filling. Pharmacies can quote prices upfront so be sure to ask before you give them the green light to fill a prescription. By doing so, youll avoid any surprises at pickup.

One more under-the-radar perk

Costco pharmacists are salaried, not commission-based employees, this means theres less pressure to rush transactions or upsell you on stuff you dont need.

Because of this, many customers report longer consultations with pharmacists and more willingness to explain medication alternatives, which is especially useful if youre managing multiple prescriptions.

Get an eye exam without joining

Costco also allows non-members to get eye exams because optometrists operating inside the warehouse are actually independent providers.

So if you schedule an eye exam at Costco, you can just tell the card checker and theyll direct you where to go.

Non-members can:

• Schedule and complete an eye exam.
• Receive a written prescription for glasses or contacts.
• Ask questions about your eye health, vision changes, or contact lens options.

What you cant do without a membership:

• You cannot buy glasses or contacts from Costco Optical without a membership.
• You cannot access member-only pricing on frames or lenses.

But if your plan is to buy glasses online or from another retailer anyway, these limitations dont really matter.

How to save the most on the exam:

• Call the optometrist directly, not Costco. The optical department and the optometrists office are separate. Ask for exam pricing upfront.
• Ask whats included. Some exams include retinal imaging or contact lens fittings, others charge separately.
• Request your prescription before leaving. Theyre required to give it to you dont wait or assume it will be emailed later.
• Ask for your pupillary distance (PD). This measurement isnt always printed automatically, but its crucial for ordering glasses online.
• Compare contact lens exam fees. Contact exams often cost more than glasses-only exams. If you dont wear contacts, skip the extra fitting.

Shop online with a 5% non-member surcharge

An easyway to buy general merchandise at Costco without a membership is to shop their website at Costco.com.

Its 100% open to non-members BUT you will be hit by a 5% non-member surcharge when checking out. But in many cases, paying the extra 5% will still get you a better price compared to other stores.

Items where paying the extra 5% makes sense include:

• Appliances
• Mattresses
• Furniture
• Large electronics with delivery included

When the math usually doesnt work:

When buying everyday household items and groceries items, paying the surcharge is often not worth it.

The reason is because these products already operate on thin margins and there often isnt enough price cushion to absorb the 5% markup and still come out ahead.

Use a Costco Shop Card for near-full access

Perhaps the best way to shop at Costco without a membership is to have a member buy you a Costco Shop Card (gift card) and then just repay them for it.

Keep in mind that the most a member can buy you is four $500 cards at once, for a max value of $2,000.

Once you have a Shop Card in hand, you can do the following:

• You can enter the warehouse without a membership.
• You can buy most items in the store.
• If your total exceeds the card balance, you can pay the difference with cash or debit.

The nice thing about this is that the member does not need to be present, and the card does not need to cover the full purchase which is super handy.

This option works best for the following:

• Infrequent shoppers
• College-aged children who need to stock-up occasionally
• Large, planned purchases
• Testing whether a Costco membership would pay off long-term

Use Costcos refundable membership as a trial

One of the least advertised perks of Costco is its risk-free membership policy.

If youre not satisfied for any reason, Costco will refund your annual membership fee at any point during the year.

Because the membership is refundable, consumers can:

• Join Costco
• Shop for weeks or even months
• Cancel and receive a full refund if the membership doesnt pay for itself

You dont have to decide in 30 days whether its worth it. You can actually test-drive the membership for up to 364 days and see if the savings it provides is worth the annual cost.

The Costco food court no longer makes the list

For years, you did not have to be a Costco member to use their food court.

When my daughter was in high school, her and some friends would often head to Costco at lunchtime for a $1.50 hot dog meal or slice of pizza, sans membership.

But unfortunatelythose days are now over. Costco recently put in new food court ordering kiosks at most locations that require you to scan your membership card before ordering.

Scan, stroll, and go: how the Dash Cart changes checkout

• See your total as you shop: The redesigned Dash Cart shows your running total in real time, making it easier to stay on budget and undo impulse buys instantly.

• Skip checkout entirely: Scan as you shop and exit through a Dash Cart lane. Its a real time-saver during busy Whole Foods trips.

• More flexibility, less hassle: Pay with tap-to-pay, a mobile wallet, or your Amazon account, and weigh produce right in the cart to avoid extra stops.

Amazon is rolling out a redesigned version of its smart shopping cart, called the Dash Cart, at Whole Foods locations across the U.S.

By the end of 2026, dozens of stores will offer these carts to customers looking for a faster, more efficient grocery shopping experience. The latest Dash Carts are lighter, more intuitive, and packed with features designed to help shoppers skip the checkout lines altogether and stay on budget.

Heres whats changed and how you can make the most of it.

Track your spending in real time

One of the biggest upgrades is the built-in screen on the smart cart that shows your running total as you shop the store.

If your total starts edging above what you planned to spend, you can remove items immediately and stick to your budget.

Smart tips:

• Use the Alexa shopping list integration to pre-load your list into the cart screen which will help you avoid tempting impulse buys.
• If something is outside your price range, remove it and watch the total drop in real time. Even a small habit like this can save you $10$15 per visit on average.

Skip the checkout line

The Dash Carts scanner lets you scan and pay as you shop, eliminating the need to wait in any checkout lines.

Once youre done shopping, you simply roll through the designated Dash Cart exit lane and the cart automatically processes your payment through the method you select.

Smart tips:

• If you prefer mobile or contactless payments, take advantage of the Dash Carts tap-to-pay or mobile wallet options for a seamless exit.
• Especially use the Dash Cart instead of traditional carts during peak shopping times as youll save minutes during busy hours.

Choose the payment method that works best for you

Unlike the original smart cart model, which was tied mainly to your Amazon account, the redesigned Dash Cart offers multiple ways to pay.

These include tap-to-pay credit or debit cards, mobile wallet payments, and the payment method already linked in your Amazon account.

Smart tips:

• If you like to monitor your spending more tightly, use a dedicated paymentcard for grocery shopping and link it to the Dash Cart only for that trip.
• Track your grocery spending over time by saving and organizing the emailed receipts sent after checkout.

Take advantage of more space with less weight

The new Dash Cart is 25% lighter and offers 40% more capacity than the previous version.

This makes bigger grocery hauls easier now, and you can roll the cart straight to your car when youre done.

Smart tips:

• Use the extra space for both groceries and reusable bags which means no more juggling bags at the checkout.
• After unloading, return the cart to its designated corral so its ready for the next shopper.

Weigh your produce fast

Produce weighing is often the slowest part of checking out at the grocery store.

The redesigned Dash Cart actually has a built-in scale along with cameras that weigh the items inside the cart. Handy feature that eliminates the need to hunt for store scales.

Smart tips:

• When picking out produce priced by weight, drop items directly in the carts scale area. No need to look anything up and no guessing.
• Be sure to double-check the cart screen for accurate pricing and remove anything that looks off to stay within budget.

From AI-powered deal hunting to strategic gift card use, a shopping expert explains whats next

• AI-powered shopping tools will become a go-to for finding better prices and making faster, more confident buying decisions in 2026.

• Cautious consumers will stretch their dollars by timing purchases around holiday sales, using gift cards strategically, and avoiding impulse buys.

• Retailers will lean into immersive shopping experiences and sustainability to win over shoppers who want both convenience and values-driven purchases.

The holiday shopping frenzy may be over, but for many consumers, the spending decisions are just beginning. As shoppers cash in gift cards, hunt for post-Christmas deals, and reassess their budgets for the year ahead, one thing is clear: Americans are still feeling cautious about where and how they spend their money.

ConsumerAffairs interviewed Bobby Ghoshal, CEO of Dupe.com, to learn what shopping trends consumers can expect in the new year. He breaks down what shoppers should expect this year including the best times to save, what to do with unwanted gifts and gift cards, and how to stretch every dollar in a changing retail landscape.

Shopping trends

So, what are the top three shopping trends consumers can expect this year? Ghoshal shared his best insights:

• AI shopping: AI shopping will dominate the conversation, absolutely. This space is going to evolve so much so that we will forget there was a time that an AI shopping agent wasnt helping us make our decisions. This is really going to impact consumer behavior for the good were going to be more educated about our purchases, more confident in what were buying, and were not going to be spending too much time doing all this research that was required before.

• Immersive shopping experiences: Retailers are cluing in that people like the shopping experience, but that online is so much more convenient. Were going to start seeing even more stores offer immersive experiences to drive traffic to stores. Its going to be a hit on the socials, which will certainly influence the buying.

• Sustainability: Because consumers are demanding more ethical and sustainable options, were going to start seeing a lot of retailers implement this into their practices from returns to product design. Its no longer going to be seen as this opportunity to promote what theyre doing. Its almost necessary to convert these sustainability-minded shoppers.

Maximizing savings

While many consumers are still feeling the effects of Christmas shopping on their wallets, there are ways to maximize your savings after the holiday rush.

Stick to shopping during three-day weekend sales promotions, Ghoshal suggested. Were going to see a few of these over the next two months with MLK day, Valentines Day, and Presidents Day sales promotions.

We will also see deals on electronics, specifically TVs, around SuperBowl. So, if there is a store you want to shop at, or an item youre looking for, wait until a holiday weekend. Youll find much better discounts.

Do your research

When all else fails, do your research before making any big purchases.

Its so easy to be an impulsive shopper when we feel pressed for time, or have our kids in tow, Ghoshal said. You could literally be losing thousands of dollars each year by simply not researching the product and verifying that youre getting the best option.

This is something AI shopping tools can do in seconds so there is no excuse NOT to adopt it. Even if your toddler is running through a store, you can use the mobile app to snap a pic, upload and make that choice for you in seconds.

From safety and cost to how well they work, a doctor breaks down what you should know before considering the new Wegovy pill

• GLP-1 weight-loss pills appear to be just as effective as injections, with clinical trials showing similar average weight loss when taken correctly.

• The safety profile of GLP-1 pills largely mirrors injectable versions, with mostly manageable gastrointestinal side effects and rare but serious risks that require medical oversight.

• How you take the pill matters following the specific timing and fasting instructions is key to getting the full weight-loss benefit.

Weight-loss medications have been everywhere lately, but until now, most of the conversation has centered on injections. Thats starting to change.

With Novo Nordisks launch of a pill version of Wegovy, many people who were hesitant about needles are suddenly wondering whether a daily tablet could offer the same benefits without the shots.

As interest grows, so do the questions. Are GLP-1 pills actually safe? Do they work as well as injectable versions? How much do they cost, and what happens if you stop taking them?

To help clear up the confusion, ConsumerAffairs interviewed Dr. Manuel Carranza, Medical Advisor for Obesity at Sesame Care, who shared what he hears most often from patients navigating GLP-1 weight-loss pills along with the biggest misconceptions and knowledge gaps consumers should be aware of before starting treatment.

What are the safety concerns?

When it comes to the GLP-1 weight loss pills, Dr. Carranza says that the top safety concerns are similar to the injections:

• Gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and reflux, which can lead to dehydration if not managed

• Rarer but serious complications, such as pancreatitis and gallbladder disease; and

• The boxed warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumors, meaning the medication should not be used in anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2.

The medical consensus is that most side effects are preventable, predictable, and dose-related, and can often be minimized to completely resolved with gradual titration, hydration, and medical professional support, Dr. Carranza said. However, the serious risks, while very uncommon, require patients to know warning symptoms and again have appropriate medical oversight by a medical professional.

Is there a difference in efficacy?

The short answer to this question: no. Dr. Carranza says that this is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the new pill; however, clinical trials indicate that the efficacy is just about even between the injectable and pill form of the drug.

This is one of things that excites me the most, he said. In clinical trials, the new oral semaglutide formulation for obesity produced weight loss in the same general range as injectable semaglutide: in OASIS-4 (oral semaglutide 25 mg daily), average weight loss was roughly in the mid-teens percent at about 64 weeks, which is comparable to the ~15% mean weight loss seen in the STEP-1 trial with injectable semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly.

Follow the proper directions

When it comes to the efficacy of the Wegovy weight loss pill, Dr. Carranza says that following the directions provided with the medication will yield the best results.

The pills performance is more technique-dependent, Dr. Carranza said. This means that it must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water in the morning, and followed by a 30-minute wait before food/other medications.

So, if patients dont follow the instructions, the results can look weaker, even though the medication itself is highly effective. Do yourself a favor and make sure to follow instructions like you would with any medication nowadays.

Trump withdrawal weakens global defenses against dangerous imports, hampers recall actions, groups say

• Consumer groups say leaving international trade and development bodies could undermine efforts to stop unsafe products before they reach U.S. consumers.

• Advocates point to rising cross-border e-commerce as a key vulnerability, with foreign-made goods often bypassing traditional safety checks.

• The Consumer Federation of America warns that reduced international cooperation could strain already limited U.S. enforcement resources.

Consumer safety advocates are raising alarms that President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from dozens of international organizations could weaken global systems designed to prevent dangerous products from entering the U.S. marketplace.

Groups including the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) say exiting key forumsespecially the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)risks unraveling cooperative efforts that help regulators identify hazards, share data and respond quickly when unsafe products cross borders.

Global coordination seen as frontline defense

While U.S. agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are responsible for enforcing domestic safety laws, consumer advocates say international coordination has become an essential first line of defense as supply chains and online shopping increasingly operate on a global scale.

Products dont wait at the border anymore, said Courtney Griffin, CFAs director of consumer product safety. When a dangerous product is identified overseas, early warning and cooperation are often the only ways to stop it from spreading rapidly through online marketplaces and fulfillment centers.

UNCTAD and similar bodies facilitate information sharing on product standards, regulatory best practices and emerging riskstools advocates say are especially important for identifying unsafe goods before they reach U.S. consumers.

E-commerce strains traditional enforcement

The concerns come as cross-border e-commerce continues to surge, with U.S. consumers increasingly buying goods directly from overseas sellers through large online platforms.

Consumer groups note that many of these shipments enter the U.S. as small parcels, which often receive less scrutiny than bulk commercial imports. According to federal data, millions of low-value packages arrive in the U.S. each day, creating what advocates describe as a growing enforcement blind spot.

International standards and cooperation help compensate for the reality that U.S. inspectors simply cannot open and test every package, Griffin said.

Without international engagement, advocates warn, unsafe productssuch as toys containing lead, faulty lithium-ion batteries or counterfeit safety equipmentcould circulate longer before regulators are able to respond.

Developing economies and safety standards

CFA also stressed that international bodies play a critical role in helping developing countries strengthen their product safety and regulatory systems, reducing risks at the source.

Karim D. Marshall, CFAs director of climate and energy policy, said organizations like UNCTAD help emerging manufacturers adopt safety and accountability practices that align with global standards.

When countries lack strong regulatory systems, unsafe products dont stay localthey end up in global markets, including the U.S., Marshall said. Pulling out of these institutions makes it harder to address problems before they reach American families.

Advocates argue that disengagement could ultimately increase the burden on U.S. agencies, forcing them to police risks that might otherwise have been mitigated earlier through international cooperation.

Limited resources raise stakes

Consumer groups say the withdrawal is especially concerning given longstanding resource constraints at agencies like the CPSC, which oversees thousands of product categories with a relatively small staff.

International data sharing and coordinated standards, they argue, help extend the reach of U.S. regulators by leveraging work done abroad.

When the U.S. steps away from these tables, it loses visibility into emerging hazards and loses influence over the rules that govern global manufacturing, Griffin said. That doesnt reduce riskit shifts it onto consumers.

What comes next

Consumer advocates are urging the administration and Congress to reconsider the withdrawals or, at minimum, preserve channels for international cooperation on product safety.

As online marketplaces continue to blur national boundaries, they warn that product safety increasingly depends on global engagementregardless of where a product is made or sold.

The question isnt whether the U.S. can go it alone, Griffin said. Its whether American consumers can afford for us to try.

Case study: how dangerous products slip into U.S. homes

Childrens toys: millions recalled and tens of thousands injured

In a recent 22-month period, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced44 toy recalls covering more than 21 million unitsof products posing hazards such as choking, lead poisoning and other serious injury risks. These recalls underscore persistent gaps in safety checks even as toy safety standards evolve.

Federal data also showhundreds of thousands of toy-related injuries annually with an estimated231,700 toy-related injuries in 2023and dozens of deaths among children under age 14 in recent years emphasizing that recalls are vital but reactive safety nets.

Many recalled toys weresold online, where international sellers and manufacturers can ship directly into the U.S., complicating oversight and standard enforcement. Advocates say international coordination helps flag hazards earlier and share safety data across borders.

Lithium-ion batteries: fire, burn and fire hazards

Lithium-ion batteries power a wide range of consumer products from e-scooters to portable electronics and kids devices but they carry known safety risks, including overheating that can lead to thermal runaway, fires and burns.

For example, more than251,000 Yoto mini speakers designed for children were recalledafter the lithium-ion batteries were found tooverheat, melt or pose fire and burn hazards, prompting the CPSC to advise consumers to stop using them and request replacement batteries.

Other recent lithium-battery recalls have involved products such as portable power banks with hundreds of thousands of units recalled after multiple overheating or fire incidents.

Why it matters

Unsafe batteries and defective toys share a common challenge in todays global marketplace: products made abroad and sold through online platforms can arrive quickly but escape early detection without robust international safety cooperation. Consumer groups say multilateral engagement helps regulators share hazard warnings and coordinate enforcement a capability they worry will weaken as the U.S. exits key international fora.