19 replies to this topic

[grc]

May be going to Costco for the first time this Sunday. Besides cash , will Costco accept Mexican bank checks? Thanks.

Gary

[johanson]

I use my US American Express card. In fact the only reason I got an American express card was for Costco, be I in Canada, USA, or down here. it works. I love that place, especially the prices.

I can't remember but does a Debit card from Visa Etc work in Costco? I know only an American Express card works for credit cards.

[bournemouth]

May be going to Costco for the first time this Sunday. Besides cash , will Costco accept Mexican bank checks? Thanks.

Gary

I can't specifically answer your question but in 7 years I've never seen anyone in front of me write one. Checks are not much used here. Cash, credit cards (make sure your NOB card provider will let you use it in Mexico) debit cards and king of all - cash. There are two ATM's just inside the entrance - Bancomer and Banamex.

[Travis]

A check seems very unlikely, but if your Mexican bank checking account includes a debit card, they'd undoubtedly take that. I think (not sure) you even get the discounted cash price with a debit card (NOT a credit card).

[Ellie]

I use my US issued VISA card on occasion - no discounted prices but no problems using Banamex or Multiva debit cards and receiving the lower price.

[Mainecoons]

I use my US American Express card. In fact the only reason I got an American express card was for Costco, be I in Canada, USA, or down here. it works. I love that place, especially the prices.

I can't remember but does a Debit card from Visa Etc work in Costco? I know only an American Express card works for credit cards.

Be aware that you pay more if you use that card. We tried it both ways to confirm. Now it is strictly cash at CostCo.

[johanson]

Good point Mainecoons. I only travel with so much cash. and when I don't have enough, I make two purchases, one with my cash and the second and seperate checkout at the same time with my American Express Card.

[bostonfrog2012]

Of course, you can use any debit card at Costco! Whether it is VISA or MasterCard credit or debit, they don't care. It goes through the same Visa or MasterCard billing system. They even take Discover Card if you have that, which I have often used.

But they will probably not accept checks -- this is Costco of Mexico, and as like everything here, they are very untrusting and would certainly not accept personal checks. Costco here is managed by Comercial Mexicana, a very large Mexico-city based supermarket chain. I have also used American Express, but they charge me a 2.7% foreign transaction fee for any purchases made outside of the USA.

[toolman]

<sup>Costco will give you the lower "cash only" price with either cash or your Mexican bank debit card (I have been given the lower price discount many, many times so I'm not quite sure someone mentioned that you only get the lower price on cash only, that is incorrect.)

More options to get cash from ATM's is the ATM's at the Mega supermarket stores that are usually right across the street from the Costco stores here in GDL. For those Bank of America -USA customers-Mega has Santander, Bancomer, Scotia Bank -ATM's (at least for B of A customers, Scotia Bank has a zero fee for withdrawals from their ATM machines)</sup>

[johanson]

In the states Costco would only take an American Express credit card.And maybe other type debit cards. I thought that was probably the case in Mexico too. I know they push their American Express credit card account there. I'm going up to store #730 in a few days and will ask. Because I didn't know I could use different credit card types there

Edit. I went to their home page for Mexico and they take many cards to include

http://www.costco.co...iner&last=false

[rjkveton]

If you have a Mexican bank account, you will also have a debit card for that account, so you pay with that at Costco and get the discount.

[Malaya]

We go to the cash machine inside Costco. We have an Executive card and have never had to pay for it. With the cash credit and the 2% credit it pays for itself every year with a lot left over.

[grc]

Thanks for all the advice. We're armed with cards and cash to make our first purchases. As always, you've been very helpful.

[headpooch]

It's good to know that you can get the Costco 'dog and a drink' deal, too!

http://www.costco.co...iner&last=false

[simpsca]

You get a discount for cash at Costco. Last time I asked it was 2.5%. I don't remember looking lately but signs over each item used to have a cash price and a credit card price. When you check out you can see two totals at the register - one is your cash price, the other for a debit or credit card. I know they will take a debit card if it has a Visa on it. Don't know about one without or checks.

[lakeside7]

I thought that the American Express Card was the least acceptable, because of the higher rates it charges the business vis vis Master Card or Visa..any retailers out there that can answer this one????

[maw7815]

I always assumed I was getting a cash discount with my US debit card. They treat it like a credit card- so no cash discount!
The only way to get a cash discount -other than cash- is to use a MX debit card so I now have a Bancomer Debit card that I use.
maw

[lcscats]

I thought that the American Express Card was the least acceptable, because of the higher rates it charges the business vis vis Master Card or Visa..any retailers out there that can answer this one????

Up north they have a deal with Amex. I have no idea
if it applies SOB.

[Ginger]

I thought that the American Express Card was the least acceptable, because of the higher rates it charges the business vis vis Master Card or Visa..any retailers out there that can answer this one????

That was true where I came from. MUCH higher fee charged to the merchant than MC or Visa.

[grc]

We made it! As is common with our travels --- got lost twice (going and coming). We missed the turn off, even though we were both looking for signs. So, I got to practice my Guad city driving until I was brave enough to find a way to turn around. The store is very nice. We had shopped in one a few times in New Hampshire (Vermont doesn't let many big box-type stores into the state). We used our Mexican debit card and got the discount. It was a little more than 2%. We did have the dog and drink special and the chicken sandwich, both very good. Checked out the Mega next door, interesting. On the way home, we didn't realize that they wouldn't post for Joco. Didn't recognize the names listed when the road split. Thank goodness for the guy in the white uniform collecting money; he got me turned around and headed the right direction.

Again, thanks for all the tips on Costco. Now I know what to put on the list for this trip... and what to buy locally.

Carol