14 Surprising Things You Can Buy From Warehouse Clubs

You wouldn’t expect to purchase these items at BJ’s, Costco and Sam’s Club

Donna Fuscaldo and Cameron Huddleston,

Updated June 29, 2026

AARP

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Updated June 29, 2026

an inside look at a warehouse store full of items

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Key takeaways

Warehouse clubs sell unexpected items, from cars to vacations and gold.
Members can purchase discounted services and products, including insurance and hearing aids.
Niche offerings include RVs, saunas and a one-year emergency food supply.

Bulk produce, pantry staples and toilet paper aren’t the only things you can buy from warehouse clubs. These retailers hawk everything from gold to vacations to above-ground swimming pools.

“We rely on our wholesale clubs for our jugs of cooking oil, giant spices, flats of canned goods and all the paper plates we’ll need all summer, but wholesale clubs often carry items that we don’t expect,” says Trae Bodge, founder of shopping website TrueTrae.com. “I think for the senior customer, that one-stop-shop approach is a real draw and might help to retain that shopper even after all their kids have left the nest.”

Here are 14 surprising things you can buy from warehouse retailers.

1. Cars

If you don’t like haggling with car dealers, you can get pre-negotiated prices on a range of vehicles through Costco and Sam’s Club. Costco partners with auto dealers around the country to offer its members pre-arranged pricing on new and used cars. Sam’s Club partners with automotive marketplace TrueCar to provide members-only discounts and incentives on new and used vehicles. Both warehouse clubs’ auto-buying programs are available through their websites.

Caskets are among the surprising things you can find in a warehouse store.

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2. Caskets

Taxes and death are life’s two certainties, and if you want to keep costs down for the latter, consider purchasing a coffin from Costco or Sam’s Club. Costco sells a variety of caskets for $1,350 to $1,600. Sam’s Club sells the Titan brand in wood, steel and oversize models ranging in price from $1,500 to $2,200.

Treat yourself to caviar from a warehouse retailer.

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3. Caviar

If you have a taste for the finer things, why not treat yourself to caviar from a warehouse retailer? Costco sells a 1-kilogram tin of Plaza Osetra caviar for $1,400. If you’re not stocking up for a party, the store also sells a three-pack of 2-ounce tins of Plaza Osteria caviar for a mere $250.

Warehouse retailers offer a wide range of engagement rings.

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4. Engagement rings

It’s never too late to get married or remarried, and what better way to buy an engagement ring than when you are stocking up on paper towels? All three warehouse club retailers sell engagement rings at various price points. Take BJ’s: An engagement ring can set you back $799 for a 1-carat total weight round-cut solitaire ring in 14 karat white gold or $7,500 for a 2-carat total weight diamond solitaire in 14k white gold.

Sam’s Club prices a 0.7-carat total weight round diamond solitaire ring in 18k white gold at $1,999, while a 2-carat total weight cushion cut diamond solitaire ring in 18k gold costs $13,299.Costco’s offerings range from $1,300 for a round brilliant 0.75-carat VS2 clarity, IG color diamond white gold ring to $160,000 for a cushion cut 5.07-carat VVS2 clarity, G color diamond platinum solitaire ring.

Gold bars are in demand.

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5. Gold and silver bars

Precious metals are in demand, and Costco has responded by selling gold and silver bars. One-ounce gold bars, 10-ounce silver bars and 20-count 1-ounce silver bars are available (prices vary based on availability and market value). Delivery time is about three to five business days. The gold and silver bars can only be purchased online and are not eligible for returns or refunds.

a drawing of a hearing aid with its battery

Over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids are available at warehouse stores.

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6. Hearing aids

Roughly 1 in 3 people in the U.S. between ages 65 and 74 have hearing loss, yet only about 30 percent of adults 70 and older who could benefit from hearing aids use one.

So maybe it is not surprising that some warehouse retailers are catering to a large share of their customer base by selling over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids. Costco and Sam’s Club sell a variety of hearing aids and hearing aid batteries (prices vary widely based on brand, style and features).

7. Insurance

Car owners who re-shop their policies save an average of $694 a year, according to a CarInsurance.com analysis. When comparing rates to see whether you can get a better deal, check with Costco if you’re a member. The warehouse club offers discounts on auto and home insurance from American Family Insurance, as well as discounted life insurance from Protective Life and pet insurance from FIGO.

Sam’s Club members get a 15 percent discount on Spot Pet Insurance plans.

a drawing of a snare drum with drumsticks

Warehouse stores sell instruments like drums and guitars.

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8. Musical instruments

Want to channel your inner Jimi Hendrix or Louis Armstrong? You don’t have to scour the music stores for your next instrument; you can purchase it through Sam’s Club or Costco. A Cort AD810OP-A Standard Series acoustic guitar from Sam's Club goes for $178. Both Sam’s Club and Costco sell digital pianos. Costco offers the Artesia Pro A3 High Gloss Ebony Micro Grand Piano for $2,000.

A stock of emergency food can help you after a natural disaster.

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9. One-year supply of emergency food

Hopefully, you’re prepared for a financial emergency. But what about a food shortage after a natural disaster? Don’t worry — you can stockpile your basement with enough prepared meals for up to a year by buying a Mountain House emergency food pallet from Costco for $8,000.

10. RVs

Whether you want to take road trips in retirement or have a full-time home on wheels, you can get a deal on an RV through Costco or Sam’s Club. Costco members who register online with the Costco Auto Program get discounts on eligible RV models at Camping World.

Sam’s Club partners with dealers around the country to offer its members special pricing on new and used RVs. Members also can get pre-negotiated prices on boats, jet skis, motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, golf carts and snowmobiles through the Sam’s Club Powersports, RV & Boat Buying Program.

If you're willing to splurge, saunas are also available at warehouse retailers.

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11. Saunas

Sauna bathing can reduce the risk of vascular conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and neurocognitive diseases, according to an analysispublished by the Mayo Clinic. If you’re willing to splurge, you can buy a Maxxus two-person infrared sauna with red light therapy at Sam’s Club for $2,100. Prefer an outdoor sauna? Costco sells a variety of barrel saunas, including a six-person Almost Heaven model for $6,400.

12. Swimming pools

You can get an above-ground pool from BJ’s, Costco or Sam’s Club for a fraction of what it costs to install one in the ground. All three sell steel-framed ones (round or oval) from Bestway. The cheapest option is a 12-foot wide round pool from BJ’s for $130, while the largest is a 32-foot long Intex Ultra XTR Rectangular Pool Set for $1,599 from Sam’s Club.If you’d rather soak than swim, all three warehouse clubs sell hot tubs. Prices range from $1,299 for the Wave Como 6 Person Octagonal Eco Foam Spa from Sam’s Club to $10,000 for the Evolution by Strong Spas 108-jet, 6-person Double Lounger Acrylic Spa from Costco.

Save on vacations by booking through travel services.

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13. Vacations

Interested in taking the grandkids to Disney World or going on an Alaskan cruise? The warehouse clubs can help. From cruises to group tours, BJ’s, Costco and Sam’s Club members can save on vacations by booking through the clubs' travel services. They often come with more perks than just a discounted rate. For example, some cruises booked through BJ’s come with a BJ’s gift card worth up to $500.

Costco recently started selling prescription weight loss drugs.

Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

14. Weight-loss drugs

Both Costco and Sam’s Club sell GLP-1 medicines for weight loss. A one-month supply of either Ozempic or Wegovy injections from Costco starts at $349, and a one-month supply of Wegovy tablets starts at $149. Members must pay these discounted prices in full, as Costco does not accept insurance.

For Sam's Club members, a one-month supply of Wegovy tablets starts at $149 out of pocket, while a one-month supply of Zepbound KwikPens starts at $299. Prices vary for members with health insurance.

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The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Donna Fuscaldo is a contributing writer and editor focusing on personal finance and health. She has spent over two decades writing and covering news for several national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investopedia and HerMoney.

Cameron Huddleston is an award-winning personal finance journalist and author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations With Your Parents About Their Finances. Her work has appeared in Kiplinger.com, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Forbes Advisor, Chicago Tribune, Business Insider and many more online and print publications.