Costco is the Mecca of bulk buying for cheap. Families make the weekly pilgrimage to pick up rotisserie chickens, bundles of bacon, pizza, sheet cakes, and more pizza. It’s a wonderland of deals and a source of so much happiness. However, according to employees and avid shoppers alike, there are a few things one should never buy at Costco. We dug through internet forums and blogger lists to find the Costco foods and products you should avoid at all costs.
When you shop at Costco, it’s go big or go home. Like…the warehouse chain sells an 8-foot teddy bear during the holidays and doles out vanilla extract by the pint. So, newbies beware. If you can’t fit the bear into your car, don’t buy it. And if you can’t bake enough cookies to run through that vanilla extract by the time it expires, then don’t buy it!
Costco shoppers must develop their common sense and realize that sometimes quantity isn’t always better.
No one likes to throw away expired food and beauty products you never got around to.
With this in mind, here are 17 items Costco employees and warehouse shopping professionals say you should steer clear from. Take notes.
1. Produce
Six Costco employees told Business Insider in 2019 that they avoid buying produce from the bulk store.
“While our produce department is one of the best in the business, I personally don’t eat veggies fast enough to buy in bulk, so two thirds of it will spoil before I eat it,” said one Minnesota-based Costco worker.
2. Soda
FamilyHandyman.com reports that Costco’s soda deals are okay, but they probably aren’t any better than those at your local supermarket or discount store.
Wait until the Fourth of July or Memorial Day to buy your sodas in bulk.
3. Spices
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Spices don’t technically “go bad.” However, they can go stale if they are continually opened but not used up within a reasonable time span.
If you’re finding that you’re whipping up large portions, buying spices in bulk could work.
Otherwise, you may save yourself money in the long run by purchasing your spices elsewhere.
4. Electronics
A Costco manager revealed via Quora in 2013 that, although priced low in direct comparison, Costco’s electronics are up against big competition with all the hot deals going on online. “On a day to day basis, I stand by the statement that no one will beat Costco’s price in a direct comparison,” he wrote. He added:
“But for electronics, I will allow that one might get lucky to the tune of a few bucks here or there.”
5. Overly-Decorated Cakes
TBH, you can’t always get what you want when it comes to decorated birthday cakes from Costco. “A lot of the people in the bakery are trained to write on cakes,” a Washington-based Costco employee told Business Insider.
“When our manager or supervisor is tired, they make us tell members that we have no cake decorators.”
6. Kirkland Diapers
Buying diapers in bulk seems like a great idea. But according to The Daily Meal, diapers at Walmart and Target are actually sold cheaper than at Costco. And if you shop with Amazon Prime, you can also get amazing deals on diapers as well as buy in bulk by using the Amazon Family feature.
7. Goodyear Windshield Wipers
Costco should stop selling Goodyear windshield wipers. They suck.
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Costco shoppers all over Reddit have warned against the Goodyear brand windshield wipers. Apparently, they just don’t work well.
In fact, one Costco Tire Center employee shared that he can’t recommend Goodyear products at all.
He uses Michelin, Bridgestone, or BFG.
8. Kirkland Signature Gel Dishwasher Detergent
According to a 2014 ConsumerReports.org Costco ranking, the Kirkland Signature Gel dishwasher detergent was the lowest-rated detergent on the site. It reportedly left water spots and couldn’t tackle messes on pots and pans.
9. Shampoo And Conditioner
Costco shopper and mother to the Frugal Convert blog Gina Zakaria told Money that shampoo and conditioner can be found cheaper at local drugstores simply due to sales and coupons.
Zakaria says that a new brand goes on sale each week, and manufacturer and store coupons are almost always available.
So, instead of buying one large bottle of shampoo for $11 at Costco, buy 10 smaller bottles for under $20.
10. “Vats” Of Anything
Rather-Be-Shopping.com notes that the expiration dates on “vats” of things like mustard, mayonnaise, yogurt, and ketchup makes buying bulk condiments a risky business.
If you don’t end up finishing your tub of coconut oil or eggnog before it goes bad, then you’re not really saving yourself any money, but rather wasting dollars and product.
11. Milk
Honestly, the design of the jug is just impossible to deal with. Sure, you’re getting a good deal, but is the frustration that comes with each pour worth it?
12. Pastries (Only If You’re Not Hungry)
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDNDOZhWhwY"]In this YouTube video titled “confessions of a COSTCO employee,” Amanda, a current Costco employee as of 2018 says that the muffins and pastries are buy one, get one free.
So, this means that members are usually obligated to get double the amount of pastries for the price of one.
If you know you’re not going to eat that many (or don’t want to stuff your freezer full of baked goods) you may want to opt out and hit your local hometown bakery instead.
13. Feminine Products
Rather-Be-Shopping.com also states that feminine products like pads and tampons aren’t necessarily sold cheaper at Costco than at your local drugstore.
Thanks to coupons, or Amazon Prime, you could be saving yourself a few cents (or even a few dollars) each month you have to buy.
14. Kirkland Signature Toilet Paper
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ConsumerReports.org also noted in the 2014 ranking that that the Kirkland Signature toilet paper tore super easily and offered “so-so strength.”
Unfortunately, you really get what you pay for with this super cheap TP.
15. Sunscreen
You should avoid buying sunscreen from Costco for the same reason you don’t want to buy vats of condiments.
Sunscreen loses its effectiveness once the expiration date passes, and most sunscreens only stay effective up to three years.
Do your skin a favor and buy smaller containers that you know you’ll go through in a timely manner.
16. Don Miguel’s Mini Tacos
Costco Chicken Mini-Taco
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Sour cream and hot sauce can make most anything taste good.
But apparently, this Costco employee really couldn’t deal with Don Miguel’s Mini Tacos (even though they still ate them anyway).
17. Kirkland Signature Facial Tissues
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Like the Kirkland toilet paper, the Kirkland Signature Facial Tissues are a pass for ConsumerReports.org. Compared to Puffs, which are sold for the same price, the Kirkland tissues literally can’t hold up — they’re soft, but not strong.
If you like to live life dangerously, then by all means, ignore the list and continue to live in your Costco hoard. But TBH, we’re totally fine with buying our milk and sunscreen elsewhere.
