[I contributed the following story to TheDailyMeal.com. This is a good overview on things to keep in mind whenever you are buying wine, or many other things, at Costco.]
8 Secrets to Scoring Wine Deals at Costco
When buying wine at Costco, you’ll want to get the most bang for your buck
by Andrew Cullen
There’s nothing quite like the “Costco Hunt” — the search for products that are abundantly in stock one day and completely gone the next. Once these products disappear, they become almost legendary, discussed among shoppers with a mystique about having once existed. That’s part of the reason people stand in front of Costco stores waiting for them to open on a daily basis.
J. Roberts says
Good job on this article. I had never heard that you don't have to be a Costco member to buy wine there---wonder if that is some kind of state licensing requirement or something of that nature. Interesting.
Since I buy a lot of wine from Costco I was racking my brain to think if there was anything that could be added to your article and I came up with two minor (or perhaps obvious) points: 1) wines can and will vary from one Costco store to the next moreso than most products Costco sells---probably 90% the same, but 10% different.And of course it is often in the "difference" where things really get interesting--- that's why when I am near a Costco in another town I usually stop and head right for the wine section; and 2) anyone who buys much wine knows that from time to time you get a "corked" wine. I have never had the slightest hesitancy from the return desk when I have returned a wine. I thought I would have a problem with one particular Pinot Noir I had purchased from a Costco store in another state, but they were able to go back through my purchase records and confirmed the purchase and happily returned the amount I had paid.If I had bought this wine anywhere else I would have been "stuck".
Editor says
Really appreciate you taking the time to read the article and add those tips.
I have had a different experience with wine returns at Costco believe it or not. I documented it as part of this article (http://costcowineblog.com//everything-ive-learned-about-costco-wine-in-five-years-of-running-this-site/) but in Georgia you can't return wine to Costco. I was denied on a corked bottle and couldn't believe it.
What state did you successfully return wine in? I'm curious. It could just be select states like Georgia that won't let you you.
J. Roberts says
I'm in Montana, and it is certainly true that every state has its own liquor regulations. For instance, under a retail wine license here, you can only serve a beverage that is not greater than 16% alcohol -----so that precludes the sale of any of the so-called "fortified" wines such as sherry, port, madiera, etc. When I stop in Idaho or Arizona, however, they have a selection of such fortified wines at Costco.
Of course, in Utah, which I pass through on the way to Arizona, I don't believe there is any wine in Costco because it is only sold in state liquor stores together with beer that is greater than 3.2%. Maybe some things have changed in Utah, but it used to be that the only alcohol you could purchase outside a state liquor store was 3.2% beer. Some of the microbreweries who sell in Utah actually make a lesser-alcohol product to be able to sell there.
Here's another interesting little twist in the liquor laws. In Montana Costco cannot offer tastings of any alcoholic product because they do not own an "on-premise" license, it is "off-sale" only. Depending on their state laws, other states may allow for such sampling. I know there is a wine producer from Idaho that comes up with his product and would dearly love to provide tastings for Costco customers, but state law strictly forbids here--- at least the way it has been interpreted by the state liquor control.
Editor says
Interesting how different it can be. Thanks again for the comments.
Todd says
I don't live near a Costco (unfortunately) but have been fortunate enough on some vacations to go with my brother-in-law and bought a big stock. I will be in an area with a Costco this weekend and was hoping to use the new found knowledge about them letting you into the store if you only want to buy wine. I called the one I will be near and they said that was not correct. Is there a way to clarify this?
Editor says
Hi and thanks for the note. I just called a store near me in Atlanta and they had the same response that you got, that it is not permitted. It's possible there was a policy change on this otherwise it may be that it goes location by location. My info was gathered from a few different unofficial sources. Im afraid this may be something that has to be tested as it goes.