How does Costco same-day delivery work?
You order at sameday.costco.ca, an Instacart-hosted site, and an Instacart personal shopper buys and delivers your order. Orders can be placed up to 5 days ahead. Delivery runs Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with holiday changes.
Is Costco same-day delivery more expensive?
Yes. Costco's help page says item prices are marked up higher than your local warehouse, and Instacart uses the markup to pay for delivery. If you order regularly, compare a few staples against your receipt before deciding it is worth it. We add up the fees, Instacart+ and when a local helper costs less in Costco same day delivery.
What can't you get delivered same-day?
- Prescriptions
- Over-the-counter products that need ID
- Catering and food court items
- Special orders
- Gift cards and postage stamps
What if same-day delivery won't take your order?
Same-day orders exclude special orders and some items, and what you buy in the warehouse is yours to get home. For a large Costco run, a bulky item or someone to do the shopping for you, independent local helpers offer Costco pickup and delivery and personal shopping. They are not Costco or Instacart, and you agree the price with them.
Not always cheaper. Often better.
Why a local helper can be the better option
- What you pay
- A local helper on FlatcartWarehouse shelf prices, plus the fee you agree
- Costco same-day (Instacart): Prices marked up above the warehouse, plus delivery and service fees and a tip
- Costco.ca delivery: Online prices, which can differ from the warehouse, plus any shipping
- What it can bring
- A local helper on FlatcartWhat you pick in the warehouse, including big and bulky buys
- Costco same-day (Instacart): What sameday.costco.ca carries; no special orders, prescriptions or food court items
- Costco.ca delivery: The Costco.ca catalogue
- Getting it inside
- A local helper on FlatcartCarried in to where you want it, if you agree it
- Costco same-day (Instacart): To your door
- Costco.ca delivery: To your door; room of choice for TVs 65 inches and up
- After it arrives
- A local helper on FlatcartAssembly, TV mounting or setup, if your helper offers it
- Costco same-day (Instacart): Nothing more
- Costco.ca delivery: White glove delivery on some items, for an extra fee
- Returns
- A local helper on FlatcartA return runner can take it back to the warehouse
- Costco same-day (Instacart): Not part of the service
- Costco.ca delivery: Through Costco.ca
- Who comes
- A local helper on FlatcartA local person you choose, and can book again
- Costco same-day (Instacart): Whichever Instacart shopper takes the order
- Costco.ca delivery: A courier or delivery company
| Compared | Costco same-day (Instacart) | Costco.ca delivery | A local helper on Flatcart |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you pay | Prices marked up above the warehouse, plus delivery and service fees and a tip | Online prices, which can differ from the warehouse, plus any shipping | Warehouse shelf prices, plus the fee you agree |
| What it can bring | What sameday.costco.ca carries; no special orders, prescriptions or food court items | The Costco.ca catalogue | What you pick in the warehouse, including big and bulky buys |
| Getting it inside | To your door | To your door; room of choice for TVs 65 inches and up | Carried in to where you want it, if you agree it |
| After it arrives | Nothing more | White glove delivery on some items, for an extra fee | Assembly, TV mounting or setup, if your helper offers it |
| Returns | Not part of the service | Through Costco.ca | A return runner can take it back to the warehouse |
| Who comes | Whichever Instacart shopper takes the order | A courier or delivery company | A local person you choose, and can book again |
Helpers are independent people and businesses, not Costco or Instacart. You agree the job and the price with them. Starting in BC, Alberta and Ontario.
See Costco pickup and deliveryDoes Costco deliver flowers?
Yes, two ways. Same-day delivery carries bouquets from your local warehouse. Costco.ca also ships fresh bouquets through its floral partner Valley Flowers: UPS delivers them Tuesday to Friday only, with no weekend deliveries, and the 2 to 3 day option counts business days, so an order placed Thursday to Sunday arrives the next Tuesday. Costco advises sending to a home rather than a hospital, where boxes can sit in receiving, and online orders can't be shipped to a warehouse.
What about Costco.ca orders?
Costco.ca ships across Canada. Shipping terms are set by item; TVs, for example, include standard shipping, and TVs 65 inches and larger include delivery to the room of your choice. Big-ticket electronics bought online keep the same return windows as in store: see our return policy guide.
Does Costco deliver to businesses?
Yes. Costco Business Centres list business delivery, and businesses can order at Costcobusinesscentre.ca. See our Business Centre guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who delivers Costco same-day orders in Canada?
Instacart. Orders are shopped and delivered by an Instacart personal shopper.
Are Costco same-day delivery prices higher?
Yes. Costco says same-day item prices are marked up above your local warehouse price to pay for the service.
What are Costco same-day delivery hours?
Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What days does Costco deliver flowers?
Tuesday to Friday for Costco.ca bouquets, by UPS. There are 0 weekend deliveries; same-day orders follow same-day hours.
Can you get prescriptions delivered same-day?
No. Prescriptions are excluded from same-day delivery, but Costcopharmacy.ca ships refills free in 2 to 5 business days in participating provinces.
Sources
- Costco.ca: Same-day delivery help
- Costco.ca: TVs (shipping and delivery)
- Costco.ca: Fresh flower bouquets FAQ (Valley Flowers)
Services and terms vary by province and warehouse, and change. Confirm with Costco or the partner before you buy.
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