A COSTCO shopper was stunned to find out that her membership card was accepted at another retailer, where she could present it to score a discount.
Thanks to the handy benefit, the member managed to wipe an extra $88 off her bill.
A Costco membership can score you benefits outside of the warehouse[/caption]
The coveted Costco membership card comes with a number of perks, from access to discounted bulk buys and the beloved food court to travel deals and exclusive member services.
A membership can also score customers perks outside of a Costco warehouse, one TikToker (@pieandprayer) shared after her recent visit to a Discount Tire store.
The shopper explained that she was at the store to buy a new set of tires when she overheard the salesman attempting to close a deal with other customers.
The salesman asked the couple if they were thinking of purchasing tires at Costco, to which the woman responded yes.
The TikToker then heard the Discount Tires employee inform the couple that he could offer them a deal because they had a Costco membership.
“He goes, ‘We will waive the installation fees since they waive the installation fee,’” recounted the content creator. “We will match that.”
Although the couple ultimately passed on the deal, listening in on their conversation ultimately saved the TikToker some money.
She informed the salesman that she had overheard what he told the other customers and that she also had a Costco membership.
“I pulled [my Costco card] out, and he goes, ‘Alright,’ and waived the price of installation, which saved a lot of money because they charge per tire.”
Discount Tire charges an installation fee of roughly $22 per tire, which also includes services like balancing, rotation, and flat repair – saving a shopper with a Costco membership approximately $88.
If the tires were not bought at Discount Tire, the store may charge an additional fee for removing the old tires.
A TikTok user in the comments section claiming that they worked for Discount Tire explained that all stores may not offer free installation to Costco members.
“They do that to get the sale,” explained the user. “It’s not a corporate thing but something that store decided to do. Not all stores will do this but they may lower the tire price instead.”
The U.S. Sun reached out to Discount Tire and Costco for comment.
Membership and store cards on offer from major retailers
Here is a breakdown of the store cards on offer to customers from various retailers and their benefits
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Costco:
- Gold Star Membership: $65 per year, shop all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
- Executive Membership: $130 per year, annual 2% reward, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store, and get two additional cards for household use.
- Sign up for a Costco Membership here
Sam’s Club:
- Club Membership: $50 per year, bonus offers, same-day delivery, instant savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, members-only fuel savings, tire and battery center, complimentary membership, and add-on memberships.
- Plus Membership: $110 per year, all benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
- Sign up for Sam’s Club Membership here
Target:
- Target Circle: A free-to-join reward program allowing users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when an eligible purchase is made, access deals and personalized offers, get a birthday gift, and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps out your community.
- Target Circle Card: A credit, debit, or reloadable account card that gives users 5% off in-store and online as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping, and an additional 30-day returns window. Formerly Target RedCard.
- Sign up for Target Circle here
Walmart:
- Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with a free 30-day trial. Offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, auto car, Walmart+ travel, returns from home, mobile scan and go in-store, and early access to deals and product releases.
- Sign up for Walmart+ here
BUDGET BATTLE
Shoppers in the comments section debated whether Costco or Discount Tire was superior when it came to tire service.
Despite Discount Tire matching the free installation over at Costco, the majority of users praised the warehouse club as being the better option.
“The only benefit and I mean the only benefit to buying at Discount Tire is they have more locations and you get in and out faster. Everything else Costco does better,” said one user.
Another agreed that Costco cared “WAY more than Discount Tire would,” with many claiming that they’d stick with the warehouse club even if its tire prices were slightly more expensive.
Although shoppers debated over which store was cheaper, one user claimed that their tires at Costco were $200 less than at Discount Tire.
Others praised the retail giant for offering free tire rotations and complimentary road hazard.
A handful of users weren’t so keen on Costco’s tire services.
“I still love Costco, but I won’t buy tires there again,” said one TikToker.
They explained that each time their daughter had a flat tire, they would have to wait a day or two because they did not have an appointment.
“Emergencies should at least be fixed by the end of the day,” they complained. “Went back to Discount Tire where you get same-day service.”
