3 Benefits of Buying Gourmet Food at Costco

Ah, Costco. Where else can you find a new small kitchen appliance, a cozy pajama set, and a whole beef tenderloin on sale under one roof? Go to Costco.com and you’ll find even more items not sold in stores. And among these items is a large selection of gourmet food.

I’m a bit of a foodie (so much so that I got unwarrantedly excited to get one of the best grocery credit cards a few years ago) and I’m also a new Costco member. Costco’s selection of gourmet meats, cheese, chocolate and more is very interesting to me, and maybe you will be too.

Here are three benefits of checking out Costco the next time you’re aching for a taste of luxury in food form.

1. Low prices

On my last trip to Costco, I eagerly eyed a display of gourmet chocolates and couldn’t resist dropping $12.99 on a 23.8 ounce box of Merci chocolates. Fortunately, this box is huge and I hope to still be eating these in a few weeks. But I really have to be encouraged by the price. That same selection would cost me $27.97 from Amazon.com.

Want something even more luxurious? I’ve never had caviar in my life, but Costco sells it, so maybe one of these days, I’ll give it a go. Costco’s deal on Tsar Nicoulai Estate Classic White Sturgeon Caviar is priced at $199.99 for three 2-ounce jars. Go straight to the source (ie Czar Nicoulai) and you’ll pay $124 for just one of these jars.

If you need something fancy for a party, or even a random Tuesday night, it’s worth checking out Costco’s prices on the food you’re in the mood for. You might just find a deal. And if the idea of ​​cash back on your Costco caviar sounds good to you, Check out our handpicked list of the best credit cards for Costco.

2. The return policy

The idea of ​​returning open food comes off a bit “Can I see your manager?” me, but Costco allows it. This warehouse giant’s return policy is second to none – you can return almost anything at any time. There are some exceptions, but gourmet food products (other than alcohol in some states) are not among them.

So if you buy that caviar (or Wagyu beef, or smoked salmon, or a box of Best of Spain Variety deli meats and cheeses), and you find it’s not up to snuff, you can return it for a full refund.

Try to do it quickly (don’t force a Costco employee to deal with your rotten leftovers) and try to return at least 50% of whatever food it is. That way, you can argue that the item was damaged or you just didn’t like it and back it up with evidence. You could end up with a black mark on your membership if you make a habit of returning items just for shit, rather than a legitimate reason.

3. Possibly cash back

This last benefit of buying your gourmet food at Costco depends on your membership type. I personally live within an hour of my nearest Costco store, and with the exception of bulk non-perishables and paper goods, I have great places to get the rest of what I buy. So I opted for the basic Gold Star membership, which costs $65 a year. But for double that, you can get an executive membership.

This level includes many benefits, including additional savings on Costco home services and additional benefits when you book travel through Costco Travel. But the big reason to be an executive is to enjoy 2% cash back on most Costco purchases. That’s good for purchases up to $62,500, for a top-up of $1,250.

If you think you’re going to spend a lot on caviar, chocolates, fancy beef or even normal, everyday shopping, the upgraded membership is worth considering.

Ready to maximize your Costco membership? Stop by Costco.com or visit your local warehouse for delicious gourmet foods for less.