The Problem With Costco's Same-Day Grocery Delivery

Convenience often comes at a cost. Unfortunately, that's the case for Costco's same-day grocery delivery. While the wholesaler is well-known for its massive warehouses with pallets upon pallets of products, you don't necessarily have to stop by the store to get your grocery shopping done. Turns out, most of Costco's inventory is available for online shopping. Not only does the website offer exclusive opportunities to snag discounted cookware or vacation bookings from the comfort of your couch, but it also allows members to order groceries for delivery.

Costco provides two delivery options: same-day and two-day. The latter is limited to non-perishable food and household essentials, but the former includes all that, plus fresh and frozen groceries — about 2,000 items total. Everything from the company's famous rotisserie chickens and five dozen eggs to frozen fruit and peeled garlic is on the menu. However, there's a catch — or, rather, a premium.

The prices of items ordered through Costco's same-day grocery delivery service are higher than they would be if you bought them in person at a warehouse. Time is money, though, and depending on the day and distance to your nearest Costco, it might be worth the added cost. Weighing the pros and cons? Here's what you need to know before placing an order.

While Costco is beloved for its budget-friendly bulk goods, not all methods of shopping there are priced equally. Ordering same-day grocery delivery online means spending more money for the same products available in-store. Costco is transparent about this on its website, noting that the higher prices include service and delivery fees for Instacart's fulfillment of the orders. While Instacart+ members receive up to 7% in savings, the extra costs can add up.

How much more you'll have to pay depends on where you live and what you're buying. Costco prices vary by location — a reason why shopping at multiple warehouses can lead to savings — so same-day delivery might be more expensive in one city than another. The price could be $2 or $3 more per item — nothing to scoff at when it comes to bananas or croissants. With an order minimum of $35, the markups add up quickly if you're doing a full fridge or pantry restock.

Whether or not Costco's same-day grocery delivery is worth paying more comes down to your personal preferences. Need to stock up after work or on the weekend but want to avoid the crowds? The peace of mind and convenience are hard to pass up, especially if you're exhausted or tackling a ton of chores. Only need a couple of things but the nearest Costco is 30 minutes away? The savings in gas might cover the added cost of delivery. Ultimately, the choice is yours.