Not a Costco member? Here's a sneaky way you can still shop their stuff. Seriously, it's a major life hack
I love Costco and I bet that if you're reading this, you do, too. Costco warehouses are a one-stop shop for everything from bulk food and tech gadgets to patio furniture and clothing. There are more than 100 Costco stores in Canada (and hundreds more worldwide), along with a bounty of online resources devoted to sharing Costco hacks, tips and tricks.
That said, my love of Costco is hindered by three significant factors: 1) I do not have a Costco membership, 2) I do not own a vehicle and 3) I do not live near a store. Nevertheless, I still shop at Costco. How, you may ask? Through Instacart.
I discovered this genius hack a few weeks ago when I needed to order 40 kg of potting soil for my high-rise balcony garden. As I mentioned, I don't have a vehicle, and while I'm strong, I'm not the kind of strong that can carry 90 lbs of bagged soil on the subway. In fact, it was my mom, a fellow Costco lover, who suggested I order the soil online. Within an hour, I had a new Instacart membership and two giant bags of potting soil sitting on my balcony.
Using the Instacart app or website, you can shop for groceries, alcohol, retail and personal care items (retailers like Sephora, Dollarama, Walmart and Michaels are available on Instacart), as well as gardening and pet essentials. After you place your order, Instacart will connect you with a personal shopper who will shop for you and deliver your items. Users can track their order every step of the way and communicate with their shopper throughout if they wish.
Delivery hours are subject to store hours, but you can choose delivery for as little as an hour, later in the day, or within the week to fit your schedule.
Delivery fees start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35 and vary for one-hour deliveries and orders under $35 for non-members.
If you plan on using Instacart regularly, it might be worth your while to become an Instacart+ member. For $99 annually, an Instacart+ membership includes no delivery fees on orders worth $10+ (there's still a $35 minimum for Costco). Members can also access fast delivery in as little as 30 minutes.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Many retailers on Instacart offer the same prices on the app as they do in-store. Look for the "in-store prices" badge to confirm. Other retailers, including Costco, may set prices on the app higher than shoppers would find in-store.
The 18.1 kg bags of soil I purchased (a Canadian brand, by the way!) cost $21.99 each on the app. Shoppers may be able to find cheaper prices in person, but comparing it to other online retailers, it seemed like a reasonable deal, especially considering the one-hour delivery.
No, you don't need to be a Costco member to order via Instacart. However, you will be charged more than a member. If you have a membership, you can enter your membership details and receive certain perks, like same-day delivery and lower fees.
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