Why Savvy Costco Shoppers Buy Meat At The Business Center Instead Of A Regular Warehouse

For those who think they're getting the most bang for their buck at a regular Costco warehouse, think again. There are many perks of shopping at Costco Business Centers. If you're worried about having to pay a higher membership fee, don't stress, as all regular Costco members can still shop at Costco Business Centers with no additional fees or commitments. Compared to normal Costco locations, these are open longer hours and stock more business- and commercial-related products than personal home products. This includes things like cleaning and janitorial supplies, office supplies, and prepackaged snacks in large quantities. The larger the bulk item, the less Costco has to charge per unit, passing those savings on to customers, especially in the meat department.

Compared to regular Costco warehouses, Costco Business Centers have much lower prices on meat and other items purchased in large bulk sizes (even larger than what's offered at regular Costco locations). In a video posted to Instagram, one user shows the difference between a 10-pound roll of ground beef at a regular Costco and a Business Center. At the regular Costco, the ground beef roll costs $5.89 per pound, while the same 10-pound roll of ground beef costs between $4.19 and $4.99 per pound at the Business Center, depending on the meat-to-fat ratio. In another comparison, one Reddit user shared that "the tri-tip at my Costco wholesale is $8.99-$9.99 [per pound] while the business center is $6.49-$7.49 [per pound], but you'll get a 15-20 [pound] tray." Though it's important to note that prices may vary by location.

At a Business Center, the savings in cost are usually accompanied by a much larger quantity, so don't walk in expecting to purchase a small amount of meat. While you may be put off by the gargantuan sizes of some of the meat offerings at a Costco Business Center, if you have a large freezer and are willing to become your own butcher, you can save a lot of money by portioning out different cuts and portions of meat to freeze individually.

Another difference between Costco warehouses and Business Centers is the way meat is displayed and the amount available. A regular Costco will have a decent selection stored in reach-in coolers, while Costco Business Centers offer a much wider range of meats kept in a gigantic room that functions as a walk-in cooler (but remember to bring a sweater, as the entire room is very cold). Instead of reach-in coolers, the meat is stored on shelves and stacked in large quantities.

While the perks of a Costco Business Center may seem too good to be true, the grass isn't always greener on the Business side. These locations come with a few drawbacks compared to regular Costco warehouses, including the lack of services like the pharmacy and optical department, free samples, and, most importantly, the lack of the beloved Costco food court.