Introduction
Costco is one of the largest retailers in the world, and it is known for its low prices and wide selection of products. However, due to the current pandemic, Costco has had to put a purchase limit on certain products in order to ensure that everyone has access to them. This article from Eat This Not That will discuss the products that have purchase limits at Costco and why they are necessary.
Costco Is Still Putting a Purchase Limit On These Products
Costco is still limiting the number of certain products customers can purchase in order to ensure that everyone has access to the items they need. The following products are subject to purchase limits:
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Disinfecting wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Rice
- Canned goods
- Cleaning supplies
- Water
The purchase limits vary by store and can change at any time. Customers should check with their local store for the most up-to-date information. Costco is also encouraging customers to shop responsibly and to only purchase what they need.
In addition to the purchase limits, Costco is also taking other measures to ensure the safety of its customers. The store is limiting the number of customers allowed in the store at one time, and is also requiring customers to wear face masks while shopping.
Costco is doing its best to ensure that everyone has access to the items they need. By limiting the number of certain products customers can purchase, the store is helping to ensure that everyone has access to the items they need.
Supply chain issues are hard to fix quickly, as evidenced by the continuous shortages, price hikes, and other issues at the grocery store. Costco CFO Richard Galanti recently admitted that “virtually all departments are impacted” by short supplies and shipping delays, and it looks like warehouses are seeing these first-hand and are enforcing a product limit on some items.
Although limits are placed on items all the time since Costco is a big-box retailer that members love because they can stock up, the strategy was used more frequently when the pandemic started. You probably don’t need a reminder about how panic buying toilet paper and disinfecting wipes cleared out warehouses across the country. Ever since then, though, Costco has placed limits on quite a few other items. Last summer it was water, protein shakes, coffee, and more. Now, it’s a few other items.
“Some warehouses may have temporary item limits on select items,” Costco currently says on its “Updates and Coronavirus Response” webpage last updated on March 14. Read on below to find out which items members are reporting are the newest ones with purchase limits.
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“Due to unexpected circumstances, we will have supply constraints on various pet food items,” a sign at one Costco location reads according to a recent post on Reddit. “We have temporarily put a Limit 1 on all pet food to allow as many members to purchase product as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
In the thread that accompanies this post, other members echoed that they too are facing this limit, while others noted that it is mostly the canned cat and dog food that are hard to find. For a while now there’s been an aluminum shortage, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better anytime soon.
Online the Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Canned Dog Food in the Turkey & Pea Stew flavor has a purchase limit of five per member right now. This is the only item that is limited there.
Another Costco member took to Reddit a few days ago to detail a recent experience they had with buying sugar. While they normally buy 10-15 at a time to supply their business, now they are only able to buy two.
Another member commented that in Southern California sugar supply has been up and down lately, while most others were helping the Redditor solve the problem by suggesting a restaurant supply store or the Costco Business Center.
According to Costco.com, the only sugar product that has a purchase limit right now is the one the member is looking for—the $7.99 10-pound bag of Imperial Sugar Pure Granulated Cane Sugar.
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With gas prices soaring above normal right now, having a Costco membership and being able to get exclusive savings at the pump are coveted. Some people are joining the warehouse chain just for the cheaper gas after recent analysis found that members can save over $300 annually.
However, a Costco member in Northern California recently was filling up when the pump stopped when the total hit $100, according to their post on Reddit.
Respondents say the $100 cap is a card limit, and has nothing to do with the amount of fuel that is available at the station. They add that when the price per gallon is normal, you just don’t reach it.
In addition to purchase limit signs on items in the warehouse, Costco is also protecting its supply of online items. Searching the warehouse’s website for “limit” brings up dozens of items, ranging from active dry yeast at five per member, to almond flour at one per member, to acetaminophen at one per member, several types of wild canned tuna at one per member, mac and cheese at 10 per member, to soy milk at two per member, and many more.
Be sure to check out what’s available in your area before your next delivery purchase to see exactly what’s limited.
In other news, This Costco Rival Is Offering a Free Membership Right Now.