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Is Costco Open Columbus Day 2018?

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Costco Open Columbus Day
Federal holidays often provide a day off to get caught up on shopping. In fact, many retailers offer up holiday sales. With this Monday being Columbus Day, many people will use their three-day weekend to scope out the best deals. Costco has been known to provide amazing bulk deals on a number of products. If you are a member, you may be wondering, “is Costco open Columbus Day?”

Is Costco Open Columbus Day?

Yes, Costco will be open on Columbus Day. It is always up in the air as to whether or not this retailer will be open. They give employees off for several holidays throughout the year and are one of few retailers to do so, which can make it confusing. However, Costco will be open on Monday.

Costco Columbus Day Deals

There aren’t any Columbus Day-specific deals. However, the Kirkland October 2019 coupon book is out and all of the offers are valid throughout the entire month. If you plan on heading to Costco on Monday, there are plenty of deals to be had. You can check the Costco website to see if there are any store-specific deals available. If you are a Costco credit cardholder, you can also get cashback on your purchase.

What is the Costco Holiday Schedule?

As mentioned above, Costco is known to close on holidays many other retailers do not. In the United States, it is closed for the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Easter Sunday
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

Days surrounding these holidays may have altered hours of operation. For instance, many Costco locations close early on Christmas Eve. If you’re wondering about the hours for a Costco near you, you can check the website or give them a call. Costco is always happy to answer any questions you may have.

Costco Hours of Operation

Outside of the holidays, Costco hours of operation are as follows:

  • Monday through Friday – 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Saturday –  9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The hours above aren’t guaranteed. Call and verify the hours before you leave to go shopping. Costco locations may close for other reasons, including inclement weather. It is also important to note Costco Business Centers don’t share the same schedule as the store in every instance.

Photo: Flickr: Mike Mozart

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Do You Need to Be a Member to Access the Costco Food Court?

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Hot dog with all the toppings

While many people choose to become Costco members, giving them access to everything the store has to offer, not everyone does. Some people may not have much storage room, making bulk shopping less convenient. Others might not live near a Costco, so paying the fee just isn’t worthwhile. But, even if you aren’t a member, that doesn’t mean all parts of Costco are off-limits. What about the Costco food court?

Do You Need to Be a Member to Access the Costco Food Court?

No, you do not have to be a member to eat at the Costco food court. In most cases, the Costco food court is outside of the members-only shopping area, typically near the exit. Since it isn’t part of the main warehouse store, anyone can stop in for a quick bite.

At some Costco locations, you have to access the food court by walking in through the exit doors. In others, the food court is located near the membership signup desk, close to the main entrance.

The only time you have to be a member to get to Costco’s food court is if it is inside the members-only section and the location is highly restrictive. If you aren’t sure where the food court is located at a particular Costco, you might want to call ahead and confirm it is in a space that non-members can access before you make the trip.

Other Parts of Costco You Can Use If You’re Not a Member

Non-members can access a few Costco departments beyond the food court. Costco optical allows non-members to get exams, but limits glasses and contacts sales to members. Anyone is allowed to use the Costco pharmacy, and even non-members pay the low prices available to members.

Shopping online at Costco is also allowed if you aren’t a member. However, there is a 5 percent non-member surcharge, so you’ll want to make sure that you aren’t incidentally spending more on the fee during the course of a year than you would pay for a membership. Since a Gold Star Costco membership costs $60, you would have to spend more than $1,200 online at Costco for the surcharge to exceed the membership price.

Costco In Certain States Sell Alcohol

In certain states, you can buy alcohol at Costco without a membership, including Kirkland brand products which are known for their low price and high quality. Usually, this applies to any state that prohibits alcohol sales that are restricted to clubs or require memberships as a condition of purchase. Here are the states where it is allowed:

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

If you do go to Costco as a non-member to buy alcohol, you’ll need to let the person at the door know. Additionally, don’t be surprised if they have to call over a manager to confirm this is an option. Not all employees are aware of the policy, so they may be cautious if they aren’t sure that you’re right.

How to Get Around the Costco Membership Requirement

It is possible to get around the Costco membership requirement, but you’ll need a member to help you out. If a member can buy you a Costco Cash Card, you are allowed to shop membership-free until the balance runs out.

This also works for the Costco gas station. While only members can use the gas station usually, anyone with a Costco Cash Card is allowed to use it to purchase fuel.

Similarly, Costco allows members to bring friends into the warehouse store. While the member is the one that has to pay at the register, there is nothing to say that they can’t buy items for you during that trip. You may just have to pay them back once you are on your way home.

Get Around Membership Using Instacart

In some cases, you can use Instacart to get around the membership requirement. This only works if Instacart serves that particular Costco and operates in your area. You may have to contend with a delivery fee, so this approach should only be used for the sole purpose of avoiding the membership cost if you’ll spend less in delivery fees than you would on a membership.

Finally, you can avoid Costco’s membership fee and still get a great deal by shopping for items at stores that price match with Costco. If you can show that Costco has the item for a lower price – such as an ad in the Costco flyer or on Costco’s website – you can get the same price if you head to the right stores. Currently, ten retailers price match with Costco, including:

  • Best Buy
  • Fry’s Electronics
  • JCPenney
  • Kohl’s
  • Lowe’s
  • Petco
  • Petsmart
  • Staples
  • Sears
  • Target

Ultimately, non-members can enjoy a lot (if not all) of what Costco has to offer. But, if you find yourself using workaround regularly throughout the year, you might be better off by buying a membership. That way, you can shop at Costco whenever you want without any issue.

 

Are you a fan of the food court in Costco? Do you have a favorite food court treat that you always buy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

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Saving Tips For Your Disney World Trip

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Disney World Savings Tips

Disney World is a quintessential vacation destination. Couples, families with children, and even groups of adult friends can have a great time at this showstopper of an amusement park. The trick is, Disney World can be expensive. Luckily, with a bit of planning and a keen eye, you can head to the park without breaking the bank. Here are some Disney World savings tips.

Disney World  Savings Tips

Buy Discount Tickets

You can buy Disney World tickets in a lot of places. Military members can get them from the on post or on base ticket office. Additionally, Shades of Green, the military Disney World resorts, sells entry tickets for less.

Costco has Disney packages available that come with tickets that can help members save. If you have AAA, you can get lower-cost tickets there, too.

Ultimately, there are plenty of authorized retailers that sell Disney World tickets for less. Don’t assume you have to buy directly from Disney (either online or at the gate) as you can usually find a better deal elsewhere.

Don’t Add the Park Hopper

When you buy Disney World tickets, you’re going to see an add-on called Park Hopper. It gives you the ability to visit more than one park in a single day, which sounds like a great perk. However, there’s a decent shot you’ll never use it.

Each Disney Park can easily take a full day to explore. Plus, you might not feel up to journeying to another one after you’ve spent hours in the first, especially if you are with young kids or seniors.

Ultimately, Park Hopper is an upsell the majority of visitors just don’t need. As a result, you can skip it and save yourself some cash without harming the quality of your vacation.

Check All of Your Options for Accommodations

Disney World markets it resorts as the ideal option for those wanting to visit the park. While Disney properties do come with some nice perks – like free parking, shuttles, and early entry days at the parks – they aren’t your only option.

There are plenty of hotels outside of the Disney property, and they represent a wide array of price points. Plus, you can find plenty of listings on sites like Airbnb and VRBO to choose from as well, which might be better for larger parties.

Ultimately, make sure you shop around when selecting accommodations. That way, you can compare prices and amenities, allowing you to choose the most affordable option that meets your needs.

Consider Using a Travel Agent

Usually, heading to a travel agent isn’t going to help save you money. However, Disney compensates travel agents for their services, so you don’t have to pay to use one if you are heading to a Disney property.

Travel agents are adept at finding deals. Plus, they can save you a lot of time by handling most of the planning.

Get on Disney’s Email List

Like nearly every other company on the planet, Disney reveals sales and discounts through its emails. If you sign up, you might find deals on hotels, dining plans, tickets, and more. Just make sure that you sign up for the Disney World emails specifically. Otherwise, you might see discounts for other Disney properties, and those won’t help if that is not where you are planning to go.

Bring a Water Bottle

water bottles

Let’s face facts; Florida gets hot. Staying hydrated while you are at Disney is critical. Otherwise, you or your traveling companions could face some serious health consequences.

Disney is pretty flexible about allowing people to bring a range of items into the park. Having a water bottle with you is a great idea. That way, you can refill it throughout the day at water fountains and avoid the cost of bottled water or restaurant drinks.

Think Snacks Over Meals

Eating at a restaurant inside the Disney parks is usually pretty expensive. In some cases, you can keep your food costs down by snacking throughout the day instead of sitting down for meals.

For example, the giant turkey leg isn’t expensive based on what you get. Plus, this approach lets you have some variety in your meals, and you can select fun options you won’t find anywhere else, like the Disney Dole Whip.

Get Discounted Disney Gift Cards

Gift card resale sites and can help you save on your Disney trip. These sites allow you to get more than what you pay for, offering a discount based on the card’s popularity.

While eBay might have some available, there is a risk when you deal with a seller directly. They might be lying about the value on the card, so you could get ripped off.

If you want to play it safe, try Gift Card Granny instead. The company guarantees that your gift card amount will be correct, so you get some additional security by heading there instead.

Retailer discounts on gift cards are also available. Sam’s Club, Safeway, and a variety of other stores discount certain gift cards during various points in the year. If you are planning well in advance for your trip, keep your eyes open. Then, if you spot a good deal at a store, you can scoop up some Disney gift cards and stash them away until you head to the park.

 

Do you have other Disney World savings tips that families can use to reduce the cost of their vacation? Share yours in the comments below.

 

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If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.

 

New Costco Locations for 2019 — UPDATED

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new costco locations

Costco has been expanding and has plans to continue doing so for the next few years. While information about new Costco locations tends to be limited, partially because of the complex agreements that have to be handled with the various cities, some details are available.

New Costco Locations in 2019

Costco does have seven more locations that are slated to open throughout the remainder of 2019, including:

  • Bradenton, Florida – August 2019
  • Sharpsburg, Georgia – August 2019
  • Loves Park, IL – August 2019
  • Minhang, China – August 2019
  • Dallas, Texas Business Center – September 2019
  • East Lyme, Connecticut – November 2019
  • Eagan, Minnesota – November 2019

These new stores join many other recent Costco openings. The following locations were originally slated to open before August 2019:

  • Coral Springs, Florida – February 2019
  • Hanam, South Korea – April 2019
  • Ipswich, Australia – May 2019
  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – May 2019
  • Mooresville, North Carolina – June 2019
  • Evansville, Indiana – June 2019
  • Cloud, Minnesota – June 2019
  • Cypress, Texas – July 2019
  • Stevenage, United Kingdom – July 2019

Initially, the Dallas, Texas Business Center location was slated to open in July 2019, though the date has since been updated to September. Any of the new Costco locations that are scheduled to open this year may see their dates change, as a variety of factors can delay openings or lead to cancellations.

Possible New Costco Locations

There are a variety of other Costco potential locations in the works, though it isn’t clear whether they will come to fruition. For example, a Harrison, New Jersey Costco might open its doors during this calendar year, though that isn’t guaranteed.

Additionally, Costco has additional cities that are proposed or in the initial planning phases. These could open as late as 2022, suggesting they move forward:

  • Murietta, California
  • Napa California
  • Pleasanton, California
  • Branford, Connecticut
  • Clinton, Connecticut
  • Athens, Georgia
  • Meridian, Idaho
  • Plainfield, Illinois
  • University City, Missouri
  • Ridgeland, Mississippi
  • Cherry Hill, New Jersey
  • Patterson, New York
  • Bismarck, North Dakota
  • Cranston, Rhode Island
  • Bluffton, South Carolina
  • Dallas, Texas
  • El Paso, Texas
  • McKinney, Texas
  • Sherman, Texas

Costco Locations in 2018

Costco also planned to open around 20 stores in 2018. These locations included:

  • Lindavista, Mexico – February 2018
  • Daegu Innovation City, South Korea – March 2018
  • Bonney Lake, Washington – May 2018
  • Thorncliffe Park, Ontario, Canada – June 2018
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota – June 2018
  • Eastvale, California – June 2018
  • Ukiah, California – July 2018
  • Pleasant, South Carolina – August 2018
  • Woodstock Georgia – August 2018
  • Nisku, Alberta, Canada – August 2018
  • Villahermosa, Mexico – August 2018
  • Epping, Australia – August 2018
  • Sejong, South Korea – August 2018
  • Owings Mills, Maryland – September 2018
  • Elk Grove, California – September 2018
  • Webster, Texas – October 2018
  • Davenport, Iowa – October 2018
  • Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada – October 2018
  • Fairbanks, Alaska – November 2019

Finding Your Nearest Costco

By using the store locator feature on Costco’s website, you can find out which locations are closest to you. In total, there are 770 Costco stores throughout the world, about 235 of which are outside of the United States.

533 Costco stores are spread across 44 states as well as Puerto Rico. 100 of the locations are in Canada, 39 are in Mexico, 28 are in the United Kingdom, 26 are in Japan, 15 are in South Korea, 13 are in Taiwan, 10 are in Australia, two are in Spain, one is in France, and one is in Iceland.

In total, there are about 90.3 million Costco members worldwide, and about 205,000 people are employed by the company.

Costco Warehouse Store Operating Hours

While operating hours can vary somewhat from one Costco to the next, most follow a very similar schedule. Here is a look at the typical Costco warehouse location’s business hours:

United States

  • Monday through Friday: 10:00 am to 8:30 pm
  • Saturday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Sunday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Canada

  • Monday through Friday: 10:00 am to 8:30 pm
  • Saturday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (Quebec and Ottawa: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm)
  • Sunday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Saint John 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm)

United Kingdom

  • Trade Members – Monday through Friday: 10:00 am to 8:30 pm
  • Individual Members – Monday through Friday: 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm
  • Saturday: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
  • Sunday: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Australia

  • Monday through Friday: 10:00 am to 8:30 pm
  • Saturday: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
  • Sunday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Costco Holiday Closures

It is important to note that Costco does close on some holidays. In the US, this includes:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Easter Sunday
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

Additionally, the retailer uses a reduced operating schedule on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Usually, this means that the Costco stores will close at 6:00 pm instead of the typical 8:30 pm.

Holiday schedules do vary by country, so those living outside of the United States will not necessarily see the same closure days as listed above.

 

Have you shopped at one of the new Costco locations? Are you looking forward to a new Costco that is coming to your area? Do you wish a Costco would open near your home? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

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Costco Sold Someone a $400,000 Ring

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Costco $400000 Ring

Costco’s jewelry section is nothing to scoff at. In fact, the retailer is known to give its members a good deal on things like watches and other jewelry items. However, it still carries some more pricey items. Most recently, a shopper purchased a Costco $400,000 ring.

The Costco $400,000 Ring

You’re probably thinking, who would spend $400,000 on a ring from Costco?

Well, the wholesale retailer actually has 500 different rings for sale on its website and in its stores, many of which cost more than $50,000. The $400,000 ring boosted sales for the retailer in the latest quarter. While reports didn’t reveal anything about the ring purchased, there is only one on the company’s website that sits in the $400,000 range.

Costco $400000 Ring

As you can see above, the Round Brilliant 10.03 carat VS1 Clarity, I Color Diamond Platinum Solitaire Ring is priced above $400,000, and it is assumed to be the purchase that helped boost Costco’s quarterly numbers. That’s a HUGE sale for the company, especially considering the second most expensive ring is $280,000 cheaper.

Most people wouldn’t consider Costco as an option for purchasing high-end jewelry. However, the company has been promoting its wedding business for a number of years. You can get everything from an engagement ring to flowers, to your cake, and invitations through Costco. To top it off, you can book your honeymoon through Costco Travel too.

How it Impacted Company Sales

During an earnings calls with investors on Thursday, CFO Richard Galanti mentioned the $400,000 ring sale. “Sales highlights for the quarter included some significant diamond repurchases one in the $400,000 range and big-ticket items like golf simulators that sold for $14,000 each which we sold during the fine pay period,” Galanti explained.

Costco reported same-store sales were up 5.6 percent last quarter (excluding any impact from gasoline price increases or other currency changes). This beat the prediction from analysts who thought growth would be around 5.48 percent. Total revenue was up 7.4 percent ($34.74 billion total).

Despite this growth, Costco shares were falling this morning. Many investors are keeping their eye on the possible tariffs being imposed and concerned about the impact it may have on retailers, such as Costco.

“At the end of the day, prices will go up on things,” Galanti stated. “We want to be the last to raise them. And when prices are going down, we want to be the first to lower them.”

Although it may be difficult to continue those big-ticket sales, Costco plans to continue its stellar customer service and attempt to give its shoppers the best prices. But, if you’re in the market for a diamond ring, don’t forget to check out the wholesale retailer too!

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Is Costco Open on Easter Sunday 2019?

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is costco open on easter sunday
When it comes to the holidays, things get busy and you can easily become distracted and forget what is open and what is closed. For a large portion of holidays banks, post offices and the stock market are closed. However, what about the other places, like retail stores?

Some stores, like Target, are closing for the Easter holiday. Many banks will be closed because the holiday falls on a Sunday. Post offices will be closed for the same reason. The stock market will recognize the holiday on the Friday before Easter (Good Friday). However, the closings make people wonder if some of their favorite places to shop will still be open. Costco, a leading retailer in the United States is known to observe some of the less popular holidays. Will the wholesale club be open on Easter?

Is Costco Open on Easter Sunday?

Costco is closed on Easter Sunday. Costco closes on a few holidays throughout the year and Easter happens to be one of them. The wholesale retailer will be open regular hours throughout the week of Easter, but they will close on Sunday, April 21 this year.

When Do Costco Stores Close?

Costco closes its doors more than most retailers. Unlike Walmart, Costco closes on Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day and other holidays. Here is the 2019 Costco holiday schedule:

Tuesday, January 1, 2019: Costco is closed on New Year’s Day
Monday, January 21, 2019: Costco is open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Thursday, February 14, 2019: Costco is open on Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 18, 2019: Costco is open on Presidents’ Day
Sunday, March 17, 2019: Costco is open on St. Patrick’s Day
Friday, April 19, 2019: Costco is open on Good Friday
Saturday, April 20, 2019: Costco is open on Easter Saturday
Sunday, April 21, 2019: Costco is closed on Easter Sunday
Monday, April 22, 2019: Costco is open on Easter Monday
Sunday, May 12, 2019: Costco is open on Mother’s Day
Monday, May 27, 2019: Costco is closed on Memorial Day
Sunday, June 16, 2019: Costco is open on Father’s Day
Thursday, July 4, 2019: Costco is closed on Independence Day
Monday, September 2, 2019: Costco is closed on Labor Day
Monday, October 14, 2019: Costco is open on Columbus Day
Thursday, October 31, 2019: Costco is open on Halloween
Monday, November 11, 2019: Costco is open on Veteran’s Day
Thursday, November 28, 2019: Costco is closed on Thanksgiving Day
Tuesday, December 24, 2019: Costco is open, but closes early on Christmas Eve
Wednesday, December 25, 2019: Costco is closed on Christmas Day
Tuesday, December 31, 2019: Costco is open, but closes early on New Year’s Eve
Wednesday, January 1, 2020: Costco is closed on New Year’s Day 2019

If there is a local store near you that you are wondering about, you can always call and ask about the hours of operations on Easter. While Costco will be closed on Sunday, other retailers are open. Because of this, it is a good idea to call ahead or check online or check here to find out what’s open on Easter Sunday. However, no matter what your needs may be, Costco will be open on Monday to fulfill them.

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Photo: Mike Mozart