Hello, bargain-hunters! We all recognize that excitement of entering Costco, don’t we? It’s like walking into a paradise of bulk deals, where each aisle oozes with huge discounts and enough toilet paper to keep you going for the next decade. There is something irresistible about those skyscraper shelves and the assurance of unmatchable deals on anything from everyday items to party-sized treats.
But there’s a catch: not everything stacked high on those warehouse shelves is really a bargain. Some foods spoil faster than you can eat them, some aren’t high quality, and a few can cost you more than you realize.
So don’t go reaching for that behemoth cart and loading up just yet. Let’s go through some of the products that tend to appear like deals but are perhaps not worth storing in your pantry.
1. Rotisserie Chickens
Costco’s rotisserie chickens are legendary crispy outside, juicy inside, and a price point that’s almost impossible to believe. They’re a weeknight dinner savior and a mainstay for many families.
But Consumer Reports noted something disturbing. In 2021, Mercy for Animals obtained video of a Costco chicken farm in Nebraska with injured and overpopulated birds. The organization called on Costco to join the Better Chicken Commitment animal welfare principles that were agreed to by large players such as Subway and Burger King but rejected by Costco.
The chicken may be affordable and delicious, but to consumers who value ethical purchasing, it’s worth considering twice.
2. Over-the-Counter Medication
Those giant containers of vitamins and supplements at Costco seem like unbeatable deals. But unless your entire family is taking them every day, chances are they’ll go bad before you get through them.
Savings expert Andrea Woroch recommends purchasing smaller bottles at a neighborhood pharmacy and using generic brands. They are as safe and effective, as far as the FDA is concerned, and can save you up to 30%. It’s better to purchase what you will use rather than waste expired pills.
3. Skincare and Makeup
Skyscraper beauty displays of skincare and cosmetics are enticing, particularly in bulk. But beauty products are not eternal. TopCashback.com’s Samantha Landau explains that most products expire in six months to a year.
Face creams, sunscreens, and foundations can become ineffective or spoil well before you get through a Costco-sized jar. Small packaging preserves your skincare routine and efficacy.
4. Some Electronics
That high-end TV or laptop at Costco might be the bargain of a century, but there’s a caveat. Manufacturers will often create special “warehouse models” of electronics with lower features in order to achieve a lower price.
Consumer advocate Andrea Woroch advises double-checking specifications and checking prices with stores like Best Buy, where refurbished units can sometimes provide more bang for the buck and upgraded features compared to Costco’s bare-bones models.
5. Baby Supplies
Bulk diapers and formula are a parent’s dream come true. But babies grow quickly, and that big box of Size 2 diapers may be worthless before you can get through it. Formula, also, can be wasted if your baby unexpectedly refuses the brand or switches to solids.
Purchasing smaller quantities offers you more adaptability and avoids costly leftovers taking up space.
6. Liquid Cleaning Products
It’s smart to spend money on that giant bottle of detergent, but liquid cleaners don’t last forever. Eventually, formulas dissipate and lose their potency, having your clothes less fresh than they could be.
If you have a large family, you’ll consume it in due time. But for smaller families, smaller bottles equal fresher detergent and stronger cleaning power.
7. Condiments
Restaurant-sized bottles of ketchup seem like a steal, but few individuals can consume them before they spoil. When opened, condiments such as mayonnaise and mustard lose their taste and texture, usually well before you’ve hit the bottom.
Unless you are hosting a weekend barbeque in your backyard regularly, use the smaller bottles from the supermarket. They’re tastier and take up less valuable fridge space.
8. Spices
Costco’s massive spice jars might seem like a chef’s ideal, but spices deteriorate rapidly typically within six months. If you don’t cook for a crowd every day, you’ll never use up a 14-ounce jar before the flavors get weak.
The smaller two-ounce jar from the supermarket keeps flavors more fresh and waste-free.
9. Cereal
Jumbo boxes of cereal may be suitable for large families, but the enemy of freshness is at work here. If your family isn’t eating it every day, cereal becomes stale before you can get through the box.
Add to that the fact that local grocery stores frequently have sales that undercut Costco’s per-ounce price. Smaller boxes also enable you to try different flavors without committing to an entire pantry-full of one type.
10. Canned Goods
Costco’s giant cans of canned beans, tomatoes, and soup seem like a no-brainer. But unit prices are usually lower at full-priced grocery stores, particularly when products go on sale.
And honestly, most families won’t use 20 cans of the same item. They’ll just sit in your pantry for forever, hogging space and restricting meal options.
11. Name-Brand Products Rather Than Kirkland
It’s convenient to continue using known brands, but Costco’s true value usually comes in its own brand: Kirkland Signature. Critics rave that Kirkland products are equal to or superior to name-brand equivalent, normally at half the cost.
From olive oil to hazelnut spread, Kirkland shows generic doesn’t necessarily have to translate to inferior quality.
12. Grey Goose Vodka
That shiny Grey Goose bottle might shout “luxury bargain,” but lots of clever consumers swear by Costco’s vodka, which is half the cost. Though Grey Goose denies producing Costco’s vodka, blind taste tests frequently score Kirkland just as well.
If you prefer high-end flavor without the high-end tag, ignore the label and take Kirkland instead.
13. Sampled Items
Who does not adore a Costco free sample? But here is the risk: impulse buying. That delicious bite could fool you into lugging home a case of something you do not actually need.
Trae Bodge cautions that some prepared foods are filled with sodium, fat, or calories. Be sure to read labels before purchasing what tastes wonderful in a sample cup may not be in your budget or style.
14. Bulk Produce
Costco produce appears fresh and appealing, yet frequently spoils before you finish consuming it. Other than a huge family or celebration event, purchasing in such quantities commonly means waste.
As consumer analyst Julie Ramhold mentions, the quality is good it’s the quantity that’s the issue. Small grocery-store servings guarantee freshness without the shame of throwing food away.
The Bottom Line
Shopping at Costco is all about balance. While the warehouse has plenty of amazing deals, not every bulk buy pays off. By being mindful about what really makes sense for your household whether it’s avoiding giant spice jars, skipping impulse sample buys, or swapping brand names for Kirkland you’ll save money and avoid waste.
Happy shopping, and may your cart always be filled with smart deals that actually last!
