The Simple Hack That Lets You Shop Costco and Other Wholesale Clubs Without a Membership

Everything that makes a grocery store great—convenience, consistency, one-stop shopping—holds true for wholesale clubs. Warehouse clubs such as Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's might even be more convenient than their smaller counterparts because they sell so much (including beloved Costco furniture) in such huge quantities at such efficient prices. The catch is that warehouse clubs require memberships: Annual fees give shoppers full access to great deals, exclusive services, and more that the clubs offer.

Depending on the club, memberships cost between $45 and $60 per year, with premium memberships available at higher rates. (Costco benefits include travel rewards and more.) These don't seem like huge fees, especially for frequent club visitors, but anyone buying in bulk only once or twice a year may not want to invest in the membership. Enter Instacart, the grocery and household supply delivery service that lets non-members shop from three top wholesale clubs, without ever stepping foot in a warehouse.

Through Instacart, people who aren't wholesale members can shop at Sam's Club, Costco, and BJ's, getting groceries and other household goods delivered in as little as one hour, and often in the same day. Instacart is available in a huge assortment of locations across the United States, but it's easy enough to check if the service—and delivery from your preferred wholesale club—is available near you.

To take advantage of wholesale delivery, grocery shop online through Instacart on any device, schedule the delivery, and have your purchase delivered to your doorstep. Instacart charges a delivery fee (often less than $10) based on the order size and delivery time, and all orders must be $10 or more. It's important to note that someone will need to be home to accept the delivery, as well.

The catch (because there had to be at least one): Members still receive perks that non-members don't, including discounts. Non-members can still buy in bulk, they'll just need to pay a little more, in some cases. All things considered, it seems like a small price to pay to get that order of family pantry must-haves brought straight to your door.