- Costco membership provides access to a store known for its deals and bulk quantities.
- Business Insider reached out to Costco employees to find out what they thought were the best deals in the store.
- Employees highlighted a huge range of products, from bananas to hearing aids to the $1.50 food court hot dog.
Costco membership is supposed to bring about some major savings. The retail chain is famous for selling items in bulk, which can help you save money, if you know what you’re doing. It also boasts a food court that hawks cheap and yummy eats, and tons of surprising and quirky offerings.
But Costco employees themselves know firsthand which deals are worth it – and which are best to skip.
A Costco employee with 15 months of experience told Business Insider that seasonal items can make for pretty good deals when supplies of the product are running low. “They are marked with an asterisk on signage and can be marked down quite a bit,” they said.
But there are plenty of other products that Costco workers think are worth your money. “You just have to pay attention,” said one worker with two years of experience at Costco.
Business Insider spoke with 35 Costco employees to get their ideas on what items you should consider buying at the retail chain.
Here are some things you might want to consider picking up on your next Costco run, according to workers:
Kirkland products
- three Costco employees with 10 years of experience, 25 years of experience, and nine years of experience, respectively
The $1.50 hot dog from the food court
- three Costco employees with three years of experience, two years of experience, and 19 years of experience, respectively
Cheese
- a Costco employee with five years of experience
Jewelry
- two Costco employees with two and a half years of experience and six years of experience
Toilet paper
- five Costco workers who have worked at the store for 10 years, six years, two years, three and a half years, and 22 and a half years
Dog food
- two Costco workers with seven and a half years of experience and two years of experience
Alcohol
- two Costco employee with seven years of experience and three years of experience
Electronics
- three Costco employees with two and a half years of experience, 10 years of experience, and four years of experience
Water
- five Costco workers with two years of experience, 12 years of experience, six years of experience, 15 months of experience, and two and a half years of experience
Eye glasses
- two Costco employees with 23 years of experience and 10 years of experience
Name brand products like Tommy Bahama, Birkenstock, and Adidas
- a Costco employee with two years of experience
Vacation deals
- a Costco worker with six years of experience
Learn more about Costco vacation deals »
Microwave popcorn
- a Costco employee with three years of experience
Folding chairs
- A Costco employee with three years of experience
Bananas
- a Costco employee with two years of experience
Oven-roasted turkey
- A Costco worker with four years of experience
Clothes
- three Costco employees with six years of experience, three years of experience, and two and a half years of experience
Stamps
- a Costco worker with six years of experience
Produce
- a Costco employee with four years of experience.
A worker with 10 years of experience added, "We get first pick before any other grocery store."
Rotisserie chicken
- four Costco employees with 15 months of experience, two years of experience, and three years of experience
Steaks
- A Costco employee with two years of experience.
A Costco worker who's been at the store added that the chain's Issa steaks were an especially good deal.
Hearing aids
- two Costco employees with 23 years of experience and 10 years of experience
Over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and prescription drugs
- three Costco employees with four years of experience, two and a half years of experience, and 23 years of experience
Gift cards
- a Costco worker with six years of experience
The food court
- two Costco employees who have worked at the store for two years and 15 months
Baby clothes
- a Costco employee with two years of experience
Sundries
- a Costco employee with five and a half years of experience
Spices
- a Costco employee with two and a half years of experience
Chocolate covered almonds
- a Costco worker with six years of experience
Tires
- a Costco worker with six years of experience
Gas
- a Costco worker with six years of experience
Furniture
- a Costco employee with 10 years of experience.
They added: "When we are trying to get rid of something, they mark it down super cheap."
Everything in the store
- three Costco employees with six years of experience, three years of experience, and four years of experience
Are you a current or former Costco employee with a story to share? Email [email protected].