Costco’s November magazine is mostly a holiday gift guide. A few pages, though, can save you money or trouble. Here’s the short version.
Holiday deals come in waves
Costco says its online holiday deals roll out in stages from early November through Thanksgiving weekend and Cyber Monday, with a new round in December. Some deals last only a short time. More than half of what Costco.com sells never reaches the warehouse. If you’re waiting on something specific, check often or turn on the Costco app’s notifications.
Watch for fake Costco receipts
This season’s scam is an email that looks like a Costco receipt for an expensive order you never placed, with a phone number to “cancel” it. That number reaches the scammer. They’ll try to get into your computer or push you to pay with gift cards. Don’t call. Open the Costco app or type costco.com yourself and check your order history.
Upgrading your phone? Go through Costco
Costco’s phone deals with AT&T and T-Mobile drop the activation fee (about $35) and give you 90 days to return the phone. They also add Costco Shop Cards on top of the carrier’s own deals. You can start online, at the warehouse kiosk or by phone.
Buy big appliances together
Costco takes $100 off each extra appliance you add to a single Costco Direct order. This is online only, on select models with the red Costco Direct tag. If each one has the tag, a fridge, range and dishwasher bought together save $200, and adding a microwave makes it $300. Many appliances also come with delivery, installation, removal of the old one, basic install parts and a two-year warranty. If you’re replacing more than one appliance this season, putting them in one order is the easy win.
Pet questions at 2 a.m.
Costco members can now get AskVet, a pet telehealth service that connects you with vets, vet techs and an AI assistant any time of day. Members pay $45 to $65 a year, which Costco says is 35% to 55% less than the regular price. It can help you decide whether a late-night worry really needs an emergency vet visit, which is where the bigger savings are.
Want the whole thing? Read the November issue on Costco’s site.
