Cannon 19.09-Cubic-Foot Safe, Item 1622682; ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill, Item 1325060; LG 65" OLED B2 Series, 4K UHD TV, Item 9765022
Bigger, better and faster
Costco.com’s goal of offering an expanded selection of high-quality goods and services at exceptional value remains the same. What’s improved is our ability to get large items delivered to members faster than ever.
When the lights go out and the doors come down at your local Costco warehouse, don’t worry—Costco.com has you covered. The website has an expanded selection of items, a variety of services and a number of features to make shopping easy and fun.
Making the Costco.com experience as seamless and efficient as possible is Costco’s increasing agility in shipping items, from small to big and bulky—you know, goods that won’t fit in the family car, like a gazebo.
And whether your needs for a product are planned or last-minute, Mike Parrott, Costco senior vice president of U.S. e-commerce, wants members to know that they can get everything they need—including appliances, electronics, furniture and much more—fast.
“The idea is that we continue to speed up delivery,” Parrott says.
Yardistry 12' x 14' Cedar Gazebo with Aluminum Roof, Item 1185048; Morgan 4-Person Barrel Steam Sauna, Item 1324771; KitchenAid Stone Island 9-Burner Grill, Item 1900645
Reliable routes
In March 2020, Costco purchased logistics company Innovel Solutions to support the website’s distribution and shipping infrastructure. Now called Costco Logistics, it specializes in transporting large and bulky items. The company uses 18 e-commerce fulfillment centers and 11 distribution centers around the United States to send merchandise to nearly 100 smaller last-mile delivery hubs. From there, Costco employees place the products in a queue for third-party delivery. The result is an expedited delivery, usually in five days or less.
“The availability of products is so challenging in the market right now—you are looking at long lead times with some other retailers,” says Jorge Cerda, Costco’s assistant general merchandise manager of e-commerce merchandising. “That is the beauty of what we have. What you’re seeing [at Costco.com] is in stock. And when you search by ZIP code, it’ll show you exactly what we have and when it’s expected to arrive.”
Covap Jamon Iberico Bellota Ham Leg with Stand and Knife, Item 1368553; Plaza Golden Osetra Caviar Kilo Pack, Item 1585726
Built to deliver
In-home delivery is offered through Costco Logistics for the following categories: refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, ovens, cooking ranges, built-in microwaves, projection TVs, grills, patio furniture sets and mattresses.
While on the website, users can view the earliest delivery date and select their preferred delivery day for big items. After the purchase, and once the merchandise has been received at the local delivery center, members will receive a scheduling confirmation email, which will summarize the in-home delivery order and let the member track the shipment.
For delivery of large or bulky items, there are several options (not all options are available for all items):
- With curbside delivery, items are brought to the curb at the end of your driveway.
- With threshold delivery, shipping agents bring items beyond the main entrance of your home or garage. A signature is required, and the carrier will contact you to set up an appointment.
- Many large items offer room-of-choice delivery, setup and removal of packing materials.
Tom Manoogian of Greenwood Village, Colorado, has purchased a washer and dryer, dishwasher, mattress and more on Costco.com. He wasn’t much of an online shopper before embracing the website, he says. Now, “Costco.com is my first and usually only destination I visit to find the large items I am looking for,” says Manoogian, a Costco member for more than 20 years. “With Costco.com’s return policy and top-shelf service, I have become a convert.”
Collins 9-Piece Counter-Height Dining Set, Item 1570134; Sealy Posturepedic 13-inch Mount Auburn Medium Mattress, Item 1410147
Treasure hunt, and so much more
Beyond the warehouse walls, Costco.com continues to deliver treasure hunt excitement both large and small. Find items that you may have missed while shopping or that may only be available online (including some seasonal items). Clothing, for example, is often available in more sizes, colors and/or patterns than are available in the warehouses. Many high-end and limited items, such as signed sports memorabilia, spas, saunas and hot tubs, and billiard and foosball tables, are offered year-round. Unique beauty products and hard-to-find gourmet foods are often available too.
Parrott notes that treasure hunt items range from a diamond ring that sold for more than $400,000 in 2019 to a life-size Michael Jordan autographed poster.
Costco.com, which features 2,000 food items, offers same-day delivery—in as little as two hours—for members who live near a warehouse through Instacart. Shoppers can now add selected larger items to their same-day orders, including televisions up to 55 inches, office chairs and more items added every day.
Two-day delivery spotlights non-perishable food, cold and frozen items, and household supplies that can be delivered in the contiguous 48 states.
Additionally, members can fill prescriptions (and use the automatic refill program) and have them delivered by clicking on “Pharmacy” and then “Visit Mail Order” at Costco.com. Drug pricing and Medicare insurance information can be found here, too.
Costco.com is also your stop for travel, services and photo needs.
Costco Travel offers vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, hotels and more. Costco Services covers a wide range of offerings, including the Costco Auto Program, auto parts and service discount, identity protection, bottled water delivery, home and installation services, payment processing, business and personal checks, business printing and insurance for vision, auto and home, business health, life and pets.
To get an idea of the value and variety offered online, click “Treasure Hunt” at the top of the homepage to see new, exciting items that are selected daily.
Underlying it all is the assurance you have come to expect from Costco. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your online order, simply return your purchase to any Costco warehouse for a full and immediate refund.
Round Brilliant 1.0 ctw Diamond Necklace, Item 1525451; Round Brilliant 12 ctw Diamond Bracelet, Item 1212940
Making it easy for members
Cerda says that Costco.com is continually working to improve the online shopping experience.
For example, for those who are worried about not seeing an item in person prior to making a purchase, Costco.com often includes video instructions, measuring guidelines, multiple images and in-depth product information.
If you are among the people who find it difficult to use computers and smartphones to make online purchases, visit your local warehouse and an employee will help you place an order using a dedicated tablet.
And, to make life easier, shipping is already included in the price for most items on Costco.com.
“It’s our job to figure out how we can lower the barriers of getting something to your home,” Cerda says.
“The delivery process could not have been better and that’s the best part,” says Manoogian. “Their communication online is the best. The people who delivered were professional, efficient and kind.”
Don’t miss out
Costco.com offerings change rapidly. To stay on top of the deals, register at Costco.com with your email address to receive Costco news and special offers, and create an account using your membership number to view member-only pricing; it’s like showing your card at the door.
With the holidays around the corner, Costco.com sells gift baskets, toys, small appliances, sports tickets, sporting goods, seasonal decor, baby and pet items, health and beauty products, business solutions and more to let you shop without leaving the comfort of your home. If you know someone who is hard to buy gifts for, Shop Cards loaded with amounts from $25 to $2,000 can be purchased on Costco.com.
Members should be sure to check Costco.com on Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving), Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving) and each day in December for holiday hot buys.—DJ
Time to go mobile
Costco recently enhanced its mobile app (for iOS and Android devices), with refined navigation, an expanded menu, and convenient options and shortcuts to save you time and money. Among other features, you can:
- Access your digital membership card
- Securely store credit card information
- Review your 2% Executive Rewards and Shop Card
- Reschedule e-commerce deliveries and returns
- Check gas prices
- Create helpful shopping lists to stay organized
- View purchases, warehouse receipts and tracking information—DJ