Live
8 MONEY.COM MARCH^2019
Monroe, who
pays for her own
travel, documents
her journey at
#GoingToAll-
TheCostcos.RAMSEY MONROE KNOWS a thing or
two—or maybe 179—about Costco.
Monroe, known as “The Costco Connois-
seur” on her popular blog and Instagram
page, has been to a whopping 179 Costco
warehouses in 33 states, as well as outposts
in Canada, Mexico, Australia, and the U.K.
She’s not gunning for a world record; she
says she simply enjoys seeing the differences
in warehouses around the globe. (There are
767 Costco warehouses worldwide, including
532 locations in 44 states and Puerto Rico.)
Here are her best Costco shopping hacks:VISIT A LOCAL COSTCO WHEN YOU TRAVEL
Some Costcos abroad offer popular food or
local items at just a fraction of what you’d
pay at typical tourist destinations. At the
Melbourne Costco, for example, you’ll find
Christmas cards with Santa surfing or lying
on the beach since the Southern Hemi-
sphere experiences summer, not winter,
during the holiday season.THE EXECUTIVE MEMBERSHIP PAYS FOR ITSELF
For individuals, Costco offers two payment
options: a $60 per year Gold Star member-
ship and a $120 per year Executive member-
ship. If you think you’ll spend $3,
annually (or $250 or more a month) at
Costco, Monroe recommends the Executive
membership, which comes with 2% cash
back on your purchases.ATTEND SOFT OPENINGS FOR FREEBIES
These VIP-style events are open to both
members and nonmembers in the commu-
nity to check out a new warehouse. Fully
catered, the events feature freebies of
Costco food and beverages. You might even
catch a glimpse of Costco CEO W. Craig
Jelinek, who allegedly attends every
opening. Plus, as Monroe says, “it’s the only
time you’ll ever see a Costco in absolute
pristine condition.”SOLVE PROBLEMS ON FACEBOOK
Monroe has found that leaving comments
on Costco’s Facebook page gets a response
within 24 hours. The Costco website also has
a nearly 24-hour chat option.
Her most critical blog post featured
Costco’s own Kirkland Signature brand
bedsheets, which she had returned to the
store for their poor quality. Since her post,
however, she noticed the same sheets in
seemingly better condition—something
she thinks her comments might have
helped change.
“I’d like to think my blog post provided
feedback that these sheets aren’t up to par,”
Monroe says.Costco Tips
From a Real Pro
This woman has traveled to 179 Costcos in
33 states and five countries.BY ALLANA AKHTARSHOPPINGCO
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