12 Times You Don’t Need A Costco Membership

You have coupons for another store

At Costco, the bargains you see are what you get, because the store doesn’t accept coupons from outside vendors. But certain products, such as shampoo and toothpaste, may actually be cheaper in places that accept manufacturers’ coupons, according to Rossi. The solution would be to shop in big box stores like Target or Walmart. By “comparing (and matching) prices and using coupons or opting for generic brands, you can often find similar deals…without the annual membership fees,” says Andrea Woroch, a consumer finance expert.