Costco does not offer layaway, as confirmed by customer service representatives at various warehouse locations. We spoke with store associates in six different states to be certain the policy was consistent — all representatives we spoke with confirmed that layaway is not an option at Costco stores. Instead, Costco offers its members daily discounts on bulk items. It also provides members discounts on other services, including gas, tire installation, travel, and insurance.

While you’ll find savings on buying items in bulk, Costco membership is not free. Annual membership fees range from around $60 for a Gold Star membership to around $120 for a Gold Star Executive membership that offers select perks and cash back. See our article for help deciding if the Costco membership fees are worth it.

For more information on shopping at Costco, we’ve covered its return policy for items like vacuums, clothes, tires, gift cards, and items without the box.

Other Ways to Save Money at Costco

Even though Costco doesn’t have layaway, there are other ways you can save money and shop smarter at the wholesaler.

Shop at the End of the Season

One such option is to plan far ahead for any items you may be wanting and find them on sale toward the end of their respective seasons. For example, if you’re looking for a new patio furniture set, you’ll likely find one heavily discounted at the end of summer as the store prepares to put out seasonal fall stock. Christmas decorations, ornaments, and even toys will be heavily discounted once the holiday passes. While this strategy requires future planning, it can be a smart way to take advantage of slashed prices.

Check for Costco Coupons

Costco does not accept manufacturer coupons for any of the items it carries in stores. The reasoning behind this is due to the store already offering steep discounts through its wholesale pricing system. However, Costco does occasionally send members coupons via email — typically around once per month. These coupons can be for groceries or even big-ticket items like furniture and electronics.

Sign Up for the Costco Anywhere Visa

The Citi-backed Costco Anywhere Visa credit card is both an easy way for members to save money and an alternative financing option for big-ticket or gift items you might traditionally put on layaway.

There is no annual fee for the Costco Anywhere Visa, which can double as your membership card when you’re shopping in-store. With the Costco Anywhere Visa, you’ll get 4% back on eligible gas purchases for the first $7,000 per year (1% thereafter), 3% back on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% back on all purchases from Costco and Costco.com, and 1% back on all other purchases. Costco also offers a business version of this card.

Similar Stores With Layaway

If you’re exclusively looking for a store that has layaway, there are plenty of other big box, department, and grocery retailers that offer it, including:

  • Kmart
  • Sears
  • Walmart
  • H-E-B

For more options, see our list of stores that offer layaway, both locally and online.


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