I just went to Costco for the first time, and it was unlike any other shopping experience I've had

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I just went to Costco for the first time, and it was unlike any other shopping experience I've had

Costco

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

As a newly converted member, here's what surprised me the first time I visited Costco.

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  • Costco is a leading retail giant famous for selling bulk products at discounted prices to its members.
  • For someone who has never stepped foot inside a Costco, shopping there can be overwhelming due to the endless products strategically scattered throughout the grocery warehouse.
  • Nonetheless, the discounted products, organic produce, and family-sized offerings make a Costco membership well worth the money.
  • As a newly converted member, here's what surprised me the first time I visited Costco.

As I walked through the gaping entryway of what was to be my very first Costco experience, a friendly employee greeted me, and I chirped that it was my first time ever visiting a Costco.

To my surprise, he quickly shepherded me over to Membership Services, where I spent my first moments in Costco laughing at myself in line. A Costco novice, I'd assumed membership was more of a highly encouraged suggestion than an unbreakable rule.

All in all, I was totally unable to draw a parallel between Costco and any other store I've been to. The massive warehouse in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, is home to towers of hundred-packs of diapers and steak shanks the size of my torso, many labeled with Costco's famous Kirkland Signature brand.

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Costco offers fewer items than many superstores.

Costco offers fewer items than many superstores.

One of the things that sets Costco apart from other superstores is the relatively limited amount of products sold there. While an average Walmart has over 140,000 products, Costco only carries about 4,000, according to CNBC.

This selectiveness allows Costco to offer manufacturers exclusive access to their more than 80 million worldwide members. For example, Duracell is the only battery brand Costco offers both in-store and online.

Less choice also leads to easier decision-making for the customer, which can lead to increased sales, marketing consultant Pam Danziger told CNBC.

The warehouse is strategically laid-out.

The warehouse is strategically laid-out.

The second floor of the Brooklyn Costco is home to both food items and clothing, while the ground floor has exclusively household goods, from paper towels and laundry detergent to fridges and garden hoses.

I was a little surprised to waltz from apparel to dairy, but there's a method to the madness. Costco stores are designed to promote browsing, and they often shuffle the locations of staple items to make sure they get customer eyeballs on more products, Business Insider previously reported.

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Costco nut bars give name brands a run for their money.

Costco nut bars give name brands a run for their money.

Costco's Kirkland Signature-brand nut bars give their name-brand counterparts a run for their money. These bars cost about 30% less than Kind bars (also sold at Costco) and share the same simple ingredients list. Who doesn't love an affordable, sweet-and-salty flavor combo?

Costco has survived the move to online shopping.

Costco has survived the move to online shopping.

You can shop Costco online, but the warehouse giant is one of few superstores keeping things more brick-and-mortar. When shopping online, they're very upfront about their stores having a larger selection, and the prices are about 19.7% cheaper in-store, according to a small survey by SFGate. (Maybe the discrepancy is partially due to the cost of shipping a six-pack of one-pound peanut butter jars).

However, Costco is keeping up with other membership-based e-commerce sites like Amazon — brick-and-mortar sales, online sales, net income, and membership renewal rates all increased in the first quarter of 2018.

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Costco party packs are perfect for large families and groups.

Costco party packs are perfect for large families and groups.

I tried to capture the proportions of this giant bag of vegetable chips, but since it weighed nearly a pound and measured longer than my forearm, these photos do it little justice.

Priced at $7.49, this beast offers those with a larger family and/or smaller paycheck a far better deal than the standard roughly $5 price-tag for a bag a quarter of this size at a local deli.

Costco is one of the leading retailers of organic food.

Costco is one of the leading retailers of organic food.

I have to admit I was a little put off by the idea of buying fresh produce in bulk from a chilly warehouse.

But Costco is one of the leading retailers when it comes to organic food offerings. With over $4 billion in sales of organic produce in 2016, Costco even crushed Whole Foods on that front, according to HuffPost.

Costco has lent money to farmers to "buy land and equipment to grow more organic produce" to meet the demand of their everyday customers, HuffPost reported.

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Costco's meat department was overwhelming.

Costco's meat department was overwhelming.

Costco's meat department was possibly the most overwhelming part of the store, from my perspective. Lamb shanks, ribs, and giant packages of ground beef stretched as far as the eye could see on all sides.

I later learned that Costco's meat is popular with chefs and butchers alike, according to Food & Wine.

At the end of my three-hour Costco expedition, I revisited Membership Services to talk to one of their employees.

At the end of my three-hour Costco expedition, I revisited Membership Services to talk to one of their employees.

I learned that Costco offers products for everything from the moment you enter this world (like with their Kirkland baby formula) to your final resting place, in the form of a casket. But you can also get your kids a swing set, get your eyes examined, and plan your next vacation through Costco's services. Costco's presence in its members' lives is pretty ubiquitous.

According to one employee with whom I spoke, Costco also partners with gas and travel companies, as well as home and life insurance providers. Members can save 20-30% on home insurance, car insurance, car rentals, and more.

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To join or not to join?

To join or not to join?

Ultimately, it seems to me like a Costco membership is worth it, as long as you're looking to buy in bulk.

If you run a small business, have a large family, or just love a good deal, Costco's benefits are worthwhile.

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