Even if the dealer won’t budge, a consumer could walk away and come back later with Costco’s price in hand. And for those who love haggling, it may still be possible to get a better price by negotiating with a salesperson in some cases. Wait for a holiday sale or time of the year when prices dip and see if the automaker advertises lower prices. Whenever making a major purchase like a car, it’s a good idea to do some research and shop around. There’s also no guarantee that Costco’s prices will be the lowest. And non-members are still able to search on the Costco Auto website to check prices. But with the base Gold Star membership costing just $60 per year, there’s a good chance a buyer can join just to purchase a vehicle and still walk away with savings. Only Costco members can buy vehicles through its auto program. More than 95 percent of Costco members who used the program gave high marks to its value, service and overall experience when surveyed, according to Costco.
Costco auto program free#
(Fox Business)ĬOSTCO PLANS TO BRING BACK FREE FOOD SAMPLESĬostco’s team also uses “shadow shoppers” to ensure dealers are complying with its program and providing members with the level of customer service it requires. For people looking for a straightforward route to a new or used car-who already have a Costco membership-the program is definitely worth looking into.Promotional material for the Costco Auto Program on Sunday, June 21, 2020, at the Costco store in Winston-Salem, N.C. It’s definitely possible to find better deals on cars outside of the Costco Auto Program, but not everyone has the wherewithal to find those special deals. Bottom line: If you’re already a wholesale loyalist, the Costco Auto Program delivers There may be other public offers ongoing, so it’s best to check. You also need to visit the dealership to make sure you’re getting an adequate discount. No vehicle buying option is ideal, so what are the cons to the Costco Auto Program?įor one, it’s only available to Costco members. Premium members in the Gold Star and Business groups also receive a $100 coupon for parts, oil changes and more. You get additional benefits and discounts like a yearly 2% reward up to $1,000, as well as a subscription to the Costco Connection magazine. If you want to up the ante, you can go for the premium membership package for $120 annually. You also get two membership cards, which means you can split it with someone in your household. This fee includes shopping capabilities at all warehouses and online. For 2021, the annual membership fee is $60 per year for the basic package. Like most things for sale at Costco, you have to be a member of the wholesale club to get access to the auto program. How to get access to the Costco Auto Program Have questions Reach out to Mercedes-Benz of Arcadia. Speaking of used cars, all participating dealers must thoroughly inspect and repair used cars before putting them up for sale in the program. Join the Costco Auto Program to get access to limited-time incentives and offers. There are tons of new and used cars available across a range of automakers. Before finalizing the sale, you can refer to the Costco staff to make sure you’re getting the best deal. On the online directory, you can view each car’s MSRP and invoice price, which helps you figure out if it’s actually a good deal or not. If you’re not comfortable with haggling, the Costco Auto Program provides a solid alternative. Just use the online directory to gather the information you need to make an educated vehicle purchase. You can find out what special deals and reduced prices these dealerships are offering to Costco members only. This program works best when you’ve already done your research and have one or two makes and models you’re specifically interested in.
Costco auto program code#
Alternatively, you can head to the Costco Auto Program website and enter your zip code to find participating dealerships near you. To access those dealerships, you can call your local Costco service center directly. The dealerships pay a monthly fee to Costco to bring in traffic from shoppers and are expected to commit to the Costco deals. But is it right for everyone? How it works for new and used car purchasesīasically, participating dealerships near Costco locations partner with the wholesaler to offer reduced car prices to members. Even RV enthusiasts have scored a new recreational vehicle for their adventures through Costco. Today, thousands of members have taken advantage of the auto program for vehicle purchases and maintenance alike. In fact, the Costco Auto Program for new and used cars first started 32 years ago. Costco has more than rotisserie chicken and giant teddy bears.