Saving Money / Shopping

I’m a Costco Superfan: Here Are 3 Items I’m Not Buying Until Fall

June 30, 2024

4 min Read

Written by Laura Beck

Edited by Molly Sullivan

Fang Zheng / iStock.com

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Costco is the big-box warehouse that’s sometimes hard to resist. When you’re roaming its large aisles, it’s easy to fill your cart to the brim. But not every item is worth buying right now.

Pilar Lewis of Otter Public Relations, a self-proclaimed Costco superfan, said she’s not stocking up on certain items until the weather starts to cool down.

“Some items I’d wait to buy would mainly be summer items,” Lewis said.

But that’s not all. Here are seven items Costco pros are leaving on the shelves until fall.

Outdoor Patio Furniture

Yes, the sun is out and you wanna get out too — and wouldn’t it be nice to do that on a comfy outdoor patio set? Not so fast.

“Any outdoor patio things… usually get marked down after the season,” Lewis shared.

By waiting a few months, you’ll most likely get a better price on that dream set.

If you’ve been eyeing a high-end outdoor furniture set, Todd Stearn, founder and CEO of The Money Manual, said to take a beat before purchasing. He shared that “a pool or patio furniture set that’s currently over $1,000” could see significant price drops as summer winds down.

Waiting for these big-ticket items to hit the clearance section can save you a pretty penny.

Pool and Beach Gear

From inflatable floats to beach umbrellas, Costco has it all. But is now a good time to buy?

Lewis said no: “Pool activities, beach chairs, towels, etc., usually get marked down after the season.”

She’s speaking from experience, too.

“Last year around November I bought an oversized pack of beach towels for around $12-$15 and right now they are around $20-$25,” she said.

Laptops

If your computer’s on its last legs, you might be itching to grab a new one for back-to-school season. But Lewis advised holding off: “Wait on buying laptops because they usually have better deals towards Black Friday and prices will likely drop again after the back-to-school push.”

A little patience could mean a lot more bang for your buck.

Other Items To Wait a Little Longer On

You might not need to wait until fall for these items, but hold out a little longer.

Swimwear

You might think swimsuit season is winding down, but Stearn has a surprising tip.

“You might think waiting till fall is the way to go to get them on clearance, but Costco actually puts out their seasonal merchandise earlier than you might think,” he revealed.

Stearn’s advice? Keep your eyes peeled in “early- to mid-July” for those swimwear steals.

Inflatable Water Slides

Yes, Costco does sometimes sell inflatable water slides, which are a definite blast, but the price is high in summertime. These often “retail for hundreds of dollars,” Stearn shared, but patience can pay off.

Watch for clearance deals in early July — you might score a bargain while summer’s still in full swing.

The Costco Superfan’s Secret Weapon: Timing

Both Lewis and Stearn emphasized that knowing when to shop is key to maximizing your Costco savings. Stearn let us in on a little secret: “That’s why early- to mid-July is when you’ll want to try to snag some great deals on summer items for next year.”

As you’re practicing patience this summer, keep your eye on the prize. Stearn reminded us of a beloved autumn tradition at Costco: “As for fall, be sure to look out for the return of the Costco bakery’s famous pumpkin pie. It’s delicious, and it was only $5.99 the past two years.”