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Many people rave about Costco — and for good reason. The popular warehouse club retailer has discounted prices on groceries, household goods, personal care items, electronics, clothes, and more. You must be a paying member to shop these deals in person. It costs $65 to $130 annually for a Costco membership. And for many people, that’s a hefty price to pay.

But did you know that non-members can shop at Costco.com? That means you can shop great deals while avoiding an annual membership fee. But this choice will impact your wallet. I’ll explain why you may want to invest in a Costco membership to shop in-club and online.

You’ll pay more than Costco members

If you’re a non-member, you’ll spend more when shopping Costco’s online deals. There are two ways that non-members pay more when shopping at Costco.com.

For starters, prices are often cheaper in-store. The price you see listed at Costco.com may be much higher than if you were to pick up the same item at your local club. That may not sound like a big deal, but every extra dollar you pay adds up — especially if you’re a frequent shopper.

But that’s not all. Costco imposes a 5% non-member surcharge on each order. If you’re not a member, you’ll pay 5% more every time you place an online order. This surcharge can add up quickly if you’re making a spendy purchase or are planning to shop at Costco.com often.

You should consider whether you feel comfortable paying more for occasional online orders or if it makes more sense to invest in an annual membership to maximize your savings. If you’re making a one-time purchase, a membership may not be ideal. But remember to consider the 5% surcharge when making your decision.

Costco members can save even more by earning rewards at checkout. The right credit card makes earning rewards on your next Costco haul easy. Click here to explore our curated list of top credit cards for Costco shoppers.

Here’s what to do instead

If you’re interested in shopping at Costco, I recommend purchasing a membership. Costco has a satisfaction guarantee on memberships. That means if you have a bad experience or it doesn’t meet your needs, you can cancel your membership and get a refund. Because of this policy, I think it’s well worth investing in a membership to see if it adds value to your life.

Costco offers two memberships. The Gold Star membership is the standard offering and costs $65 annually. The Executive membership costs $130 annually and provides more perks.

One of the most notable differences is that Executive members earn 2% back in rewards on eligible Costco purchases for a maximum of $1,250 in earnings each year.

Becoming a member is an investment, but you can access the plentiful membership perks and deals without paying extra as a non-member at Costco.com.

I avoided a membership for years, assuming that as a two-person household, there was little reason to join. But earlier this year, I became a member, and I’ve been very satisfied with my experience. Consider giving a Costco membership a try.

Want to get the most out of your Costco membership? Check out our winning strategy for maximizing your Costco membership and boosting your rewards.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.