Flickr: Mike Mozart

Costco Unveils Free Delivery Services for Members

Costco knows how to keep its members happy. Whether it's sourcing the best Kirkland Signature products, never spiking the price of a slice of pizza, or adding a registry option to its services, the bulk store keeps its members at the forefront of every change it's made. Now, Costco is joining the online grocery race Amazon began with its acquisition of Whole Foods with two new grocery delivery programs designed to alleviate the stress of heading to the store.

For most, a trip to Costco is a bulk shopping experience where you have 100 rolls of toilet paper crammed into the back of your truck along with a stockpile of frozen meat to fill your chest freezer. Now, you don't even have to leave the house to have those items delivered right to your door. There are two grocery delivery programs: CostcoGrocery and Same-day Delivery powered by Instacart.

For CostcoGrocery, all orders will arrive within two business days, though there are no weekend deliveries. For now, the brand's home-delivery services are only available to the continental United States, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Two-day delivery is free for orders over $75, though there is a $3 fee for orders under that price. CostcoGrocery is specifically meant for non-fresh food, like canned goods, dry goods, cereal, cleaning supplies, and home goods.

However, these items will cost slightly more than the walk-in price, though the difference is not clear yet. To complete your delivery transaction, simply add your items to the CostcoGrocery shopping cart. It's important to note that the Costco.com cart is a separate entity than the CostcoGrocery cart. This grocery delivery service looks to be the one most Costco Wholesale members will use for their regular grocery shopping.

For Same-day Delivery with Instacart, members can choose from over 2,000 eligible items, including fresh food and perishables, like ice cream. However, because the brand has partnered with Instacart, Instacart must be available in your zip code to access this feature. Most metropolitan areas will have access to this immediately, while other zip codes around the country will become available in time. There is a service fee for Same-day Delivery to compensate the in-store shoppers of Costco products and drivers.

No longer will you have to spend a whole Saturday heading to your nearest Costco to spend a few good hours wandering the aisles, hitting the food court for that $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, and bringing it all home to spend some time organizing your bulk purchases. Now, you don't have to leave the house to have your Costco delivery appear on your doorstep. How's that for Costco magic?

Watch: The 8 Costco Items That Give the Most Bang for Your Buck