4 Costco Items That Are Almost Always Cheaper Than Amazon — Yes, Even Prime
Shopping on Amazon often produces the best price on an item, but that doesn’t mean everything is always cheaper than at other retailers. Costco offers competitive prices year-round, even without a Prime membership.
MoneyLion compared the unit prices of four household essentials at Costco and Amazon, including standard and Subscribe & Save pricing. The comparison factors in Costco’s $65 annual membership fee and the cost per visit to give shoppers a more realistic picture of their potential savings.
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Even weighted, here are the Costco buys that come out ahead.
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Dishwasher Detergent Pacs
Dishwasher detergent packets are unmatched when it comes to convenience. You can buy a box of them from Costco and Amazon, but here’s why it’s cheaper at the warehouse retailer.
Costco's Kirkland Signature Platinum Performance UltraShine Dishwasher Detergent Pacs cost $13.99 for 115 pacs or about 12 cents each. Amazon Basics Dishwasher Detergent Pacs cost $10.50 for 78 pacs or about 13 cents each.
That makes Costco the cheaper option despite the higher up-front cost.
Costco: $0.12 per pac
Amazon: $0.13 per pac
Subscribe & Save: Not available
Toilet Paper
Scoring quality toilet paper for a good price is a win, and while both Costco and Amazon are known for their value, Costco is cheaper.
Kirkland Signature 2-Ply Bath Tissue costs $24.99 for 30 rolls with 380 sheets per roll. That's about 22 cents per 100 sheets. Amazon Basics Soft and Strong 2-Ply Toilet Paper costs $28.30 for 30 rolls with 340 sheets per roll or about 28 cents per 100 sheets. Subscribe & Save drops Amazon's price to about 26 cents per 100 sheets, but Costco is still cheaper.
Costco: $0.22 per 100 sheets
Amazon: $0.28 per 100 sheets
Subscribe & Save: $0.26 per 100 sheets
Pure Vanilla Extract
Whether you’re baking cookies, cakes or pies, vanilla extract is a kitchen staple, and Costco offers a lower price than Amazon.
Costco's Kirkland Signature Pure Vanilla Extract costs $14.99 for 16 fluid ounces or about 94 cents per fluid ounce.
Amazon Grocery's Vanilla Extract costs $3.56 per fluid ounce, while Subscribe & Save brings it down to $3.38. Costco's bottle costs more up-front, but its lower unit price makes it the cheaper option for shoppers who regularly use vanilla extract. However, Costco's 16-ounce bottle is being compared with Amazon's 1-ounce bottle, so while it is much cheaper per ounce, you do have to spend $14.99 up-front versus $3.56.
Costco: $0.94 per fluid ounce
Amazon: $3.56 per fluid ounce
Amazon Subscribe & Save: $3.38 per fl. ounce
Parchment Paper
For easy cleanup, parchment paper is a good heat-resistant, non-stick paper for baking and cooking, and it's more affordable at Costco.
Costco's Kirkland Signature Non-Stick Parchment Paper Rolls cost $16.49 for two 15-inch-by-164-foot rolls. That's about $4.02 per 100 square feet.
Amazon Basics Parchment Paper costs $7.27 for 90 square feet or about $8.08 per 100 square feet. Subscribe & Save lowers Amazon's price to $7.27 per 100 square feet, but Costco remains cheaper.
Costco: $4.02 per 100 square feet
Amazon: $8.08 per 100 square feet
Amazon Subscribe & Save: $7.27 per 100 square feet
Don't Forget Costco's Membership Fee
Costco's annual Gold Star membership is $65. If you shop once a month, that's about $5.42 per trip. If you go twice a month, the cost drops to $2.71 per trip. That can reduce the savings on smaller purchases, so the biggest value comes from buying products you regularly use and can store.
Depending on what you’re buying, Costco isn't automatically cheaper than Amazon, but comparing unit prices can reveal some significant savings.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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