Costco’s most coveted product gets new restrictions: you can only buy one

Costco has always been known for its bulk bargains - 10-pound cheese wheels, 40-roll toilet paper packs, and enough peanut butter to feed the kids for a month. But one of the most in-demand items at America’s favorite warehouse club isn’t edible or even practical. It’s shiny, heavy, and now a lot harder to walk out with.

What product is Costco restricting?

The product in question is, wait for it, gold bars – yes, actual 24-karat gold - and they have become one of Costco’s most unexpected hits since they quietly appeared on the site in June 2023. At the time, the retailer allowed members to buy up to two one-ounce bars per order. But that limit just got stricter.

Costco now allows only one bar per member per transaction, with a maximum of two bars every 24 hours, according to its website. That might sound like a small change, but it’s a major shift from what members were used to, some stores even allowing multiple buys.

How much do Costco gold bars cost?

Only members can see real-time prices for these items but they have been selling recently for over $3,250, global gold trends pushing this significantly up from the $2,000 it was originally priced at by the store.

Despite the funds required to purchase them, high demand has seen them fly off the shelves – metaphorically, at least, as they’re bought online – and often don’t last more than a few hours from when they’re posted. It’s even growing as a topic on Reddit and TikTok, as users post tracking tips, brag about successful checkouts, and share screenshots as proof.

As well as adding a nice boost to your credit card points tally, some see it as a simple change of currency rather than an actual purchase. And one that can increase in value.

How much does Costco make selling gold?

I, for one, was rather surprised when I learned about the discount store selling gold bars, but assumed it must therefore be handing the company a tidy margin. Indeed, Wells Fargo Equity Research estimated in 2024 that Costco was making between $100 million and $200 million per month from gold sales alone.

So, remember, next time your pondering buying 32 Savory Charcuterie Boxes from The Fruit Company, maybe go for the little gold bar instead. It’s less likely to go off.

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