Little-known Costco trick saves members time at checkout

Grocery shopping is one of those chores that some people like and some people just plain hate.

If you’re someone who loves experimenting with new recipes, it can be exciting to roam the supermarket aisles looking for interesting products.

But if you’re someone who dreads spending time in the kitchen and you’ve got a busy schedule, then your goal in hitting the supermarket may be to get in and get out as quickly as possible.

Of course, anyone who’s been to Costco knows that it’s more than just your typical supermarket.

💵💰Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter💰💵

Costco stocks everything from groceries to cleaning supplies to apparel to electronics. If you enjoy shopping as a general rule, then you probably get a kick out of coming to Costco.

Otherwise, it may be one of those tasks you force yourself to get through each week with the goal of tackling it as swiftly as you can.

A little-known Costco trick saves members time at checkout.

Image source: Tim Boyle/Getty Images

Costco checkout bottlenecks frustrate members

If there’s one thing not to like about Costco, it’s the process of getting out of the store.

Even if you like to shop at Costco, and you like to shop in general, by the time you’ve pushed a loaded cart all over the store, you’re tired and ready to be on your way.

Unfortunately, no matter what time of the day or week you shop at Costco, it’s common to have to wait in a long line just to check out. And that can be frustrating when you have places to be.

Costco has tried taking steps to expedite the checkout process. Not only did it install self-checkout lanes in many stores, but it also installed membership card scanners at the front of its stores.

That way, if there’s an issue with an expired membership card, it can be taken care of immediately at the customer service area instead of holding up shoppers who are waiting in the checkout aisles.

Despite these efforts, it seems like the lines to check out at Costco are just doomed to be long.

Little-known trick could get you out of Costco sooner

Even if you’re in a hurry to get out of Costco as quickly as possible once your shopping is complete, you may be tempted to grab a quick meal at the food court before you go.

In fact, it would almost be a shame not to treat yourself to a food court bite, seeing as how tasty and inexpensive the food is.

The problem, of course, is that if you’ve just waited in a long line to check out, the last thing you want to do is wait in another line at the food court to order and pay for your meal. But thanks to one key trick, you don’t have to.

Costco doesn’t advertise this, but as a member, you’re allowed to order your food court meal when you’re checking out the items in your cart.

Once you place your order, it’ll get added to your shopping cart tab, and you’ll be given a receipt to take over to the food court. From there, you show your receipt at the food court, grab your meal, and leave. You don’t have to stand at another cash register or wait in another line.

More Retail:

Of course, some people like to stop at the Costco food court mid-shopping trip to take a load off. If that’s your typical routine, then this hack won’t work.

But if you’re a “stop at the food court on the way out” kind of Costco shopper, then this trick could be a huge time-saver.

Maurie Backman owns shares of Costco.