The Worst Bargains At Costco
1 Rice
Rice is one food that may be good to have in large amounts, especially if you eat it often. Therefore, the large bags sold at Costco aren’t a bad option from a quantity standpoint. However, the rice sold at Costco simply isn’t cost effective.
While you may get an enormous amount, the rice sold at Costco often costs up to 35 percent more than what you would pay at your local grocery store. To keep costs down, it’s best to buy smaller quantities more often, rather than shelling out significantly more money by purchasing rice at Costco.
2 Canned Foods
Canned goods might be your first thought for a bulk purchase from Costco. They stay fresh for practically forever, so what could be the downside in purchasing an extra-large pack? Well, the canned goods may not rot, but they will hurt your wallet.
It’s been found that canned goods sold at Costco can be up to 40 percent more expensive than what you’ll find at the grocery store. Plus, canned goods are often on sale at grocery stores, dropping the price even more. If you’re willing to shell out the extra money to have canned goods on hand, go ahead and buy from Costco. But if you want to get the best bang for your buck, save your canned food shopping for the grocery store.
3 Kirkland Signature Marinara Sauce
If you’re a pasta-lover, buying pasta sauce in bulk doesn’t seem like a bad idea. However, you might want to steer clear of Kirkland Signature marinara sauce. While the quantity of this sauce is actually fairly reasonable, the sauce itself just isn’t that great.
A former Costco employee claimed everyone who works there knows Kirkland Signature marinara sauce is just terrible. Their claims were backed up by several negative reviews across the internet, most of which claimed the sauce wasn’t flavorful and definitely tasted cheap.
4 Nuts
There’s seems to be a consensus that nuts can never go bad, no matter how long you leave them sitting on the shelf. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Nuts contain a high amount of oil, which can cause them to go rancid. In general, most nuts will only last 12 months at the very outside, with some going bad within just one month.
Therefore, buying the huge packs of nuts sold at Costco doesn’t really make sense. Eating all those nuts before they expire might be unhealthy, and allowing them to go bad means you’re wasting money. There’s no way to win with this purchase.
5 Flour
Buying in bulk often seems like a good idea, especially for non-perishable products like flour, doesn’t it? However, contrary to what most people think, flour is perishable, so unless you really cook a lot with it, a huge bag of flour will go bad long before you can finish it.
Of course, the flour remains good for up to 4 to 8 months after the expiry date stated on the package, depending on the type. If it smells, tastes rancid or seems to have changed color, it is no longer good. To preserve it for as long as possible, the FDA recommends keeping it in a dry, cool cabinet, and if the original container is damaged, you’d better transfer it to an airtight container such as a countertop jar.
6 Eggs
Eggs shouldn’t be bought from Costco, simply because very few families need to buy eggs in bulk. In addition, eggs at your grocery store are often the same price as the ones you’ll find at Costco. However, while you can buy your eggs for 30 cents at the grocery store, you can buy them for the same amount from Costco with the caveat that you have to buy two dozen or more at a time.
Not only do you end up spending more at Costco because of the large amount you have to buy, but it’s also unlikely that you’ll be able to use all the eggs before they go bad. Therefore, it’s best to buy smaller quantities at your local store to ensure your eggs are always fresh, not right on the brink of expiring.
7 Avocados
It’s a well-known fact that avocados are incredibly expensive. So, when you see a great deal on avocados in bulk from Costco, it’s tempting to purchase them, whether or not you think you’ll actually eat them. Unfortunately, avocados have an incredibly short shelf life. If you buy in bulk, you may find that they all ripen at the same time before quickly becoming inedible.
While you may have saved money at the start, if half your avocados go bad before you can consume them, you ended up just throwing money away. It’s better to pay the higher prices at the grocery store and ensure that your money is going to good use, rather than being tossed straight in the trash.
8 Ground Coffee
Most Americans drink coffee every day so it might seem logical to purchase coffee in bulk. And yes, you will save some money for doing this.
The problem is that once ground, coffee beans lose their strength and flavor through contact with air. Therefore, stick to smaller containers of ground coffee or better yet grind your own beans for the best flavor.
9 Muffins
If you’ve ever bought muffins at Costco, you already know that their price is quite ridiculously low compared to muffins found in other stores, especially in relation to their size! And, what’s more, they are absolutely delicious!
However, even if these muffins are good for your taste as well as for your wallet, they are very bad for your health. They are very high in fat and sugar, which, according to dietician Megan Byrd, can “increase your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.”
10 Applesauce
Even for a store that specializes in bulk ingredients, the quantities of applesauce sold at Costco are simply too big. Unless you’re running a daycare or you have children who want to eat nothing but applesauce, you’ll likely never make your way through the ultra-large portions sold at Costco.
If you want to incorporate applesauce into your home, it’s best to buy the smaller portions available at your grocery store. Not only will you struggle to store the large amounts sold at Costco, but you’ll probably find that your taste for applesauce has disappeared long before you’ve reached the end of your supply.
11 Baking Powder
Much like flour, baking powder actually doesn’t have a very long shelf life. While it doesn’t “go bad” in the traditional sense of rotting or forming mold, it does lose its efficacy in about a year.
Therefore, buying baking powder in bulk from Costco is usually a waste of money. Unless you’re baking day in and day out, it’s highly unlikely you’ll use all the baking powder before it goes bad. Then, you’ll be left with a huge container of baking powder that no longer works effectively.
12 Fresh Meat
There’s no shame in stocking up on meat, especially if you have the freezer space to store some of the big portions sold at Costco. However, while you’ll get a large quantity of meat during your shop, you may be wasting your money.
Apparently, the only way you’ll manage to save money by buying your meat at Costco is by purchasing a 60-pound case. Otherwise, the meat is roughly the same price per pound as what you can find at the grocery store. 60 pounds is obviously a ridiculous amount of meat, so it might be best to leave steak off your shopping list the next time you go to Costco.
13 Beef Jerky
Beef jerky is a delicious snack that many people like to keep around the house in case those hunger pangs set in. However, buying beef jerky in bulk goes against the recommendations for eating it. While beef jerky seems like it could last forever, most packages state that it should be consumed within three days of being opened.
If you want to extend the shelf life of your jerky, you could pop it in the fridge. However, that still only gives you another week or two before the jerky goes rotten. Knowing that it expires so quickly, it doesn’t make much sense to purchase an extra-large pack from Costco.
14 Shredded Cheese
Costco offers big, supersize bags of shredded cheese. While they seem alluring at first, they’re not the most practical purchase. Shredded cheese tends to go bad rather quickly. Plus, cheese isn’t something you can use in every meal.
Therefore, you may find that your cheese has gone moldy long before you’ve managed to get through the bag. If you want to get the best bang for your buck, buy smaller bags of shredded cheese from the grocery store so you can guarantee that you’ll use it all up before it goes bad.
15 Kirkland Light Beer
Beer lovers should stick to their favorite brands whether it be Guinness, Molson, Budweiser, Corona, etc. Sure you can save a little money buying the Kirkland Signature brand, but you will potentially regret the taste.
Some consumers actually said the beer tasted like “urine.” That’s gross! So it’s only natural to learn Costco discontinued Kirkland Signature Light beer at the end of 2018 and few people are sad about it!
16 Spices
Much like ground coffee, spices do not have an indefinite shelf life. Although your giant jar of Italian seasoning won’t show signs of moldiness, it will lose flavor over time.
Unless you regularly cook up your infamous spaghetti sauce to feed your whole Italian family, which can barely fit into your dining room, and that your secret ingredient is a Kirkland mix of dried herbs, purchasing a smaller jar of spices would be smarter for more flavorful meals.
17 Soda
Buying soft drinks at the same time as the rest of your food while you’re at Costco is normal. It’s much easier to put it in the basket with the rest rather than making an extra stop before returning home.
However, if you really want to save money, check the specials elsewhere! Why, you ask? Because soft drinks are one of the most popular specials in all stores, so big stores will not always offer the best discount!
18 Shredded Chicken
Of course, we all like to save time, but sometimes the price to pay just isn’t worth it. This is the case for the shredded chicken sold at Costco.
Unless you’re really in a hurry or just want chicken breast meat, it’s much better for you to buy their chicken rotisserie and shred it yourself. In fact, the Rotisserie Chicken comes at $2.35/lb while the Hand Pulled Cooked Breast Meat comes at $4.57/lb. It will be just as good and you will get more for your money!
19 Fresh Fruits And Veggies
This one is tricky because, in some cases, purchasing your fresh fruits and veggies in a big store like Costco can indeed be a good idea, especially if your family eats a lot of it.
However, if you opt for fruits and veggies that are in season, you can often find better deals at the grocery store. Also, if you can’t eat them all before they spoil, did you really save money by buying the larger portion?
20 Salsa
People at Costco sure know that salsa and chips mean party. And it is clear that when Costco people don’t do things halfway when it comes to throwing a fiesta, at least judging by the size of their salsa jar. Or should we say bucket?
Consequently, if you are indeed hosting a pool party for the whole neighborhood, by all means, get that Costco salsa jar. Otherwise, you might want to consider saving some fridge space and some money and get that family size jar at the grocery store that will provide a good amount and won’t go bad before you get halfway through it.
21 Condiments
Yes, condiments have a rather long shelf life and unlike coffee or spices, they don’t lose taste over time. But they do need to be kept in the fridge after opening.
Did you think about that? Knowing that most people already lack some fridge space, try fitting those giant ketchup and mustard jars in your refrigerator door. Good luck with that. So unless you are hosting a major garden party or have a backup fridge for all things Costco sized, we suggest you skip it.
22 Toothpaste
There are products that are very often on sale in local grocery stores. Toothpaste is one of them! Whether or not you buy it in a large format, it is the final price that really matters!
So rather than having to store 20 tubes of toothpaste in your bathroom, keep an eye out for sales, which will actually save you more than Costco! Here is a product that proves that sometimes buying in bulk is not advantageous.
23 Bicycles
You might think that buying a bicycle at Costco could be a great idea. After all, the price is great, and what could go wrong with a bike?
Costco employees, for all their good will, are not bicycle specialists, and sometimes even assemble them upside down! If you would like to purchase a bicycle, visit a specialized shop. You will pay a little more, but the bike will be assembled properly and, most importantly, will be custom made for you!
24 Mattresses
Many people have a mentality of not wanting to pay too much for a mattress, and could therefore be tempted by those sold at Costco, and yet! It’s an average of 8 hours per night that a person spends in bed, so it’s worth a good investment, don’t you think?
Not only is it possible to find mattresses on sale in specialty stores that are less expensive than those sold at Costco, but in addition, you will be sure to buy one that really suits you in order to get the comfort you need.
25 Barbecue Grill
Summer is upon us, and you may fantasize about grilling out. Many people buy big-ticket items at Costco, like grills, but you should skip the Urban Islands 4-Burner by Bull. Consumer Reports had plenty of negative things to say about this model.
For starters, it’s pricier and doesn’t perform as well as the other grills that they rated. The report stated, “It’s particularly bad at maintaining even heat at high temperatures, a must for perfectly seared steaks.” If a top-notch grill is what you’re seeking for your next backyard barbecue, then this model probably isn’t for you.
26 Running Shoes
Costco often sells name-brand running shoes and while they may seem like a good deal, they have disappointed many customers when it comes to quality. RedFlagDeals has an entire thread dedicated to the running shoe brands available at Costco, and most of the comments are not good.
One commenter wrote, “Some of you may think you are getting a good deal by buying running shoes at Costco. You would be very wrong. These are Walmart quality running shoes and I think Walmart would sell them for less.” You’d be wise to shop around and buy your running shoes elsewhere.
27 Kirkland Laundry Detergent
It would seem logical to think that buying detergent in bulk is a good idea. Yes, you will definitely save some money buying this bargain brand in bulk.
But it might surprise you to learn that detergent has a shelf life. Experts say after six months of being opened, detergent begins to lose its effectiveness. So unless you have a large and very messy family, you’re probably better off skipping this purchase.
28 Books
It’s literally impossible to miss the giant tables of books that are located in the middle of every Costco. This section is huge! But sadly, books don’t exactly qualify for the normal bulk discount.
Turns out the savings don’t add up and you can usually find better discounts online, for example, on Amazon, or during sales in bookstores. Plus, you will have a much bigger selection and not just the most recent releases.
29 Tissues
For a simple sneeze, most brands of tissues can be suitable. However, when a cold strikes, the quality of the tissues you have on hand is important. Remember how red and dry your nose gets after a few days of constant blowing!
Tissues sold in large quantities are always financially advantageous, but they are rarely the best to relieve our irritated nose. Kirkland tissues may not be the best option for you.
30 Shampoo Or Soap
Soaps and shampoos are two products that must be purchased a few times a year, and that also are often on special in all stores! You should never pay full price for these products at Costco.
So don’t worry about buying these products in bulk, just wait until they go on sale at your local supermarket! It’s not the kind of product you need to buy often enough that you need to buy a huge amount at a time, especially since it won’t save you money.
31 Cold Cuts
Did you know that packages of sliced deli meats have a very short shelf life once they have been opened? Yep, it’s true. It wouldn’t make sense, then, to buy a whole heap of it, unless, of course, you’re going to use it on a meat platter for a party you’re throwing.
That being said, your best bet is to head to a butcher or a deli counter (yes, Costco has one) and get them to slice off only the amount you know you can consume within a few days. Otherwise, you’re just wasting money and food.
32 Candy
Do you really need candy in huge quantities? I mean, if you’re expecting a lot of trick-or-treaters for Halloween or you’re planning on stuffing a piñata for a birthday party, then by all means, head to Costco and load up on this sweet stuff.
But if you’re buying it simply to satisfy a sweet tooth, you might want to avoid it altogether. “Candy and unhealthy snacks can be tempting to buy in bulk but tough to control portions, so most people are better off health-wise buying smaller quantities when needed,” retail and shopping expert Kristen Gall, from the cash-back service Rakuten, told Best Life.
33 Peeled Garlic
Buying garlic that’s already been peeled is not only a time saver, it keeps your hands from being stinky, too. But there’s actually a downside to buying peeled garlic. According to chef Lizzy Briskin, pre-peeled garlic cloves tend to be dry, woody, and lacking in the flavor department. Not to mention that you probably won’t be able to finish the entire bag before it further loses its flavor and/or goes bad.
I know it might take more time, but do your wallet and your taste buds a favor and buy garlic that you have to peel yourself. If peeling garlic is a tedious task to you, you can always invest in a garlic peeler. It will peel your garlic in a flash, plus it’ll keep your hands odor free. These peelers are easy to use, too. You only need to roll the peeler back and forth on a table or countertop and the cloves will come out peeled.
34 Protein Bars
What’s wrong with protein bars, you ask? They’re healthy, right? Well, not exactly. It all depends on what you’re buying. That being said, you need to take a close look at the label and read the ingredients very carefully. That’s because some of the protein bars found at Costco are packed with sugar and oils. The fiber and protein are only added to make them seem like healthy options.
Beware of breakfast bars, too. According to an article published by Insider, nutritionists say they’re loaded with sugar and refined grains. Try finding healthier alternatives to protein bars. For example, you could eat an apple or orange and a handful of almonds, a banana and a handful of peanuts, low-fat yogurt with granola and nuts, or oatmeal with brown sugar, almonds, skim milk, and a banana. And, as weird as it might sound, you could even eat some dried fruit and a hard-boiled egg.
35 Salty Snacks
Okay, so what can I say about salty snacks that haven’t already been said? Everyone knows that they are very unhealthy. And any salty snacks bought from Costco will be even more unhealthy. That’s due to the size of the bag they come in. Now, it’s up to you to watch your portion sizes, but let’s be real about it: no one does that. Well, at least most of us don’t, anyway. That’s why Lay’s tells us that they bet we can’t eat just one. They know salty snacks—especially potato chips—are one of American’s go-to comfort foods.
And while it doesn’t make you a bad person to comfort yourself with food, it can lead to some very bad health outcomes. Do yourself a favor and buy a small bag of chips from a convenience store instead. Yes, you could buy a box of 50 one-ounce bags of chips at Costco, but the question is, will you be able to stop at one bag? If you can, then go for it. If not, then head down to 7-Eleven and buy a single 1.5-ounce bag of whatever salty snack you prefer.
36 Pancake Mix
Pancake mix is one of those items you would definitely come out better with if you make your own at home if you plan on buying it in bulk from a warehouse club. For example, a box or bag of pancake mix at Costco will run you anywhere from $6 to $11, but if you were to purchase all the ingredients needed to make your own pancake mix at home, it would cost you less than $2 for the same quantity.
If, however, it’s a matter of convenience for you and you absolutely must purchase pre-made pancake mix, your best bet is to wait until it goes on sale at the supermarket or a big box retailer like Walmart. Not only that, but grocery and big box stores accept manufacturer coupons, whereas Costco doesn’t. If you’re able to combine a coupon with the sale price, you could very likely get your pancake mix for a steal!
37 Frozen Salmon
In all honesty, it’s best to buy everything fresh instead of frozen, and salmon is no exception. According to chef Lizzy Briskin, “you’re better off buying fresh salmon at Costco’s seafood counter and marinating the fish yourself than buying anything frozen and pre-seasoned.”
“Protein, especially delicate fish, shouldn’t be marinated indefinitely. Over time, the fish’s flaky texture will break down and you’ll end up with something much mushier than the soft, buttery texture you’re looking for. Extended periods of freezing can have the same effect, making this frozen and marinated salmon something to avoid,” she told Insider.
38 Bulk Bread Crumbs
Unless your name is Wolfgang Puck, you probably won’t need an oversized can of bread crumbs. That’s because you likely won’t be able to use them in enough recipes before they become stale. Not only that, but you can’t even freeze them to extend their shelf life. Additionally, the seasoning in pre-seasoned bread crumbs is likely to decrease their shelf life even quicker.
So, what should you do? You could purchase a small container of bread crumbs and add your own seasonings. Or you could make your own bread crumbs at home using a food processor. Almost any loaf of bread (except for a baguette) will do.
39 Mixed Nuts
There are a number of reasons why you should avoid buying mixed nuts at Costco. One reason is that there’s a pretty good chance that you or your family members will only eat the ones you like and leave the rest behind. That’s a total waste of money. Here’s something else: nuts can go rancid pretty quickly. This is even true when you store them in an airtight container and keep them in a cool, dark spot. The longest they’ll keep in those conditions is a couple of months.
This is due to the fact that nuts are high in natural oils. So, if you buy a big container of them, like those found at warehouse clubs, there’s no way you can finish them all before they go bad. You’ll just still be wasting money. To get the most bang for your buck, purchase the single-variety packs of unroasted nuts (the roasting process significantly decreases their shelf life) and keep them in the freezer for maximum freshness.
40 Sour Cream
How long do you think it will take you to go through a 3-lb. tub of sour cream? If your answer is longer than two weeks, then you maybe will want to skip this purchase.
According to the USDA, sour cream is good for up to three weeks after the sell-by date, provided it’s been stored in the refrigerator at 40°F. And you can forget about trying to freeze it. Sour cream, like most dairy products, doesn’t freeze well. That being said, it’s best to stick to small containers of sour cream.
41 Frozen Produce
Okay, so you’ve just scored a great deal on a 10-pound bag of frozen veggies… At least you thought it was a great deal. But tell me this: how long will it take you to go through that bag of vegetables? That long, huh? They’ll surely lose their quality and taste after that. Not to mention that they can get freezer burn when you keep opening and closing the bag because you’re exposing the vegetables to fresh air.
And here’s another issue when it comes to frozen foods: they take up a lot of space in the freezer. This is even true when you purchase small bags. I can’t imagine how much space would be occupied by a 10-pound bag!
42 LaCroix Sparkling Water
Did you know you can get a 24-pack of LaCroix sparkling water from Costco for just $8.99? That’s a steal, isn’t it? Well, it would seem that way until you realize you can get the same amount of LaCroix sparkling water at Target for just $7.38! And here’s a not-so-fun fact about LaCroix sparkling water. Just a few years ago, its parent company was sued for including cockroach insecticide as an ingredient in the beverages.
“LaCroix in fact contains ingredients that have been identified by the Food and Drug Administration as synthetic,” the lawsuit obtained by CBS Philadelphia stated. “These chemicals include limonene, which can cause kidney toxicity and tumors; linalool propionate, which is used to treat cancer; and linalool, which is used in cockroach insecticide.” Yeah, you might want to pass on this purchase altogether.
43 Butter
I love butter! I put it on everything—on my toast, on my potatoes, in my oatmeal. I could go on and on. But the truth of the matter is that even though I love butter, I don’t really eat it all that often. In other words, I don’t eat toast, potatoes, oatmeal or any of the other stuff I love putting butter on every single day of my life. And even if I did, I wouldn’t go overboard and just slather a whole bunch of it on my food. That would be so unhealthy.
That being said, butter isn’t something I need to buy in bulk. I’m pretty sure the same applies to your life. Unless, of course, you own a restaurant or something of that nature. I mean, sure, there are certain times of the year when you’d need a lot of butter—say around the holidays—but even then just your basic 16-ounce package of butter or margarine from the grocery store will do.
44 Frozen Turkeys
Take it from former savings expert Kendal Perez when she says that you’re better off getting your frozen turkey from a grocery store. “I purchased a 14-pound Kroger brand turkey from King Soopers for 69 cents per pound, compared to Costco’s price of 99 cents per pound for Butterball frozen turkeys,” she told GOBankingRates.
And who knows, if you shop around you just might find one cheaper than that—especially when they go on sale around the holidays. Or if you’re one of those lucky people who gets a free turkey (in the form of a voucher) from their employer every year at Thanksgiving, you just might wanna hold out for that.
45 Hummus
A Costco-sized tub of hummus is good if you’re throwing a party. If not, then it’s best to stick with the smaller sizes found in the grocery store. Sure, you might really love it and eat it every day, but you likely won’t be able to eat all of it before it reaches its expiration date. Not only that, but expiration dates are typically good for as long as the product hasn’t been opened.
Once you open your tub of hummus, it likely won’t last you more than a week. Yes, you could freeze it, but that’s really not a good idea either. That’s because the longer it remains frozen, the more likely it is to lose its flavor. You should simply buy your hummus in smaller quantities, even if it means buying more often.
46 Disposable Plates, Cups, And Utensils
Let’s be honest. Most of us probably load up on this stuff when we catch a good deal on it. After all, plastic cups, paper plates and plastic utensils come in handy when you’re having a family picnic or you’re just feeling lazy and don’t want to have to wash dishes. This is a great way to save a lot of time on dishes, too!
But the problem comes when it’s time to store these items. If you’ve ever been to Costco and seen the ginormous packages of disposable cups, utensils and plates, then you know they can take up a lot of much-needed cabinet or pantry space. That said, it’s probably best if you just purchase these items in smaller quantities at Walmart or Target.
47 Name-Brand Items
It’s no surprise that name-brand items are more expensive than store brands, so it makes sense—at least most of the time anyway—to pass on them in favor of the generic stuff. “The Kirkland Signature items are just as good if not better than their name-brand counterparts,” Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with the shopping comparison site DealNews.com, says, according to Best Life. “In fact, I’m still sad that our Costco stopped carrying Kirkland Signature chocolate hazelnut spread because it was leagues better than Nutella, in my opinion.”
“There are always rumors about who really makes the Kirkland Signature products, with some claiming various Kirkland products taste just like their name-brand counterparts. And that may be true, but all I know is that when given a choice, I always opt for the Kirkland Signature brand over the name brand.”
48 Things You’ve Never Tried Before
Manufacturers come out with new flavors, colors and versions of their products all the time, and many people are dying to try them. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. Just make sure you try a small size of the product first so you don’t waste your money.
For example, if Hershey’s comes out with a new flavor for their milk chocolate bar—let’s say they add coconut to it or something like that—and you want to know what it tastes like, head to your local grocery store and pick up ONE bar for a dollar and some change. That way, if you don’t like it, you won’t be out of a whole lot of money. On the other hand, if you buy it in bulk from Costco, you’ll have a ton of it and will just end up throwing it (and your money) away.
49 Kool-Aid Jammers
I remember when these drinks were all the rage in the 90s. They’re quite similar to a drink my peers and I were going crazy over in the 80s, and there’s a reason Kool-Aid Jammers were so popular with the kiddies. One word: sugar. In fact, the second ingredient in these drink pouches is high fructose corn syrup. That means there’s only one ingredient that there’s more of in these drink pouches than sugar.
That also means that there’s less Vitamin C and natural flavors in there than there is sugar. Not so healthy, huh? So, while you may be able to find a good deal on them at Costco, they definitely are not good for you. Instead, you should buy juices made from real fruit. They also contain sugar, but the less added sugar, the better!
50 Electronics
Truth be told, you could find cheaper electronics on Amazon and other online retailers than you could at Costco. Not only that, but manufacturers will often create exclusive versions of their popular electronics for warehouse stores. These exclusive versions are usually missing key features found in the regular versions. That’s why warehouse stores can sell them for so cheap.
Now, it’s totally up to you to buy these items if you feel you can live without those key features. If not, do yourself a favor and check out the technical specifications before spending your money on these exclusive warehouse store electronics. Electronics usually last a rather long time, so it’s can be worth it to invest a little more.
51 Over-The-Counter Medication
Unless your immune system is so weak that you can go through a 500-tablet bottle of medicine very quickly, it’s best to leave these big bottles of pills in the store. There is absolutely no way on earth you could ever go through that much medicine before it expires. Although medications can still be taken after their expiration date, the older they are, the less effective they are.
Not only that, but Cheapism says that having that much medication on hand at one time “could also lead to potentially dangerous situations.” That being said, you can get inexpensive OTC medications in much smaller quantities at Walmart. For example, the mass merchandise retailer sells bottles of 40 ibuprofen tablets for just $0.98.
52 Kirkland Signature Lemonade
According to an article published by Eat This, Not That!, Kirkland Signature lemonade is one of the worst drinks you can buy at Costco. But it has nothing to do with its price. Rather, it’s about its nutritional value—or lack thereof. In the article, Charleston-based registered dietitian Lauren Manaker said that the drink is nothing more than a sugar bomb with empty calories. That’s because the drink has 29 grams of added sugars and nothing much really when it comes to nutrition.
It’s obvious then that you’d be better off making your own fresh-squeezed lemonade at home! And get this: you’ll pay about $3 less for a 2-pound bag of lemons at Walmart than you would for a 2-count package of Kirkland Signature lemonade at Costco.
53 Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum
You can actually get a good deal on alcohol at Costco if you know what to look for. Unfortunately, the Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum isn’t much of a good deal. For one thing, it costs about $20 for a 1.75 L bottle, so you’re not really saving a ton of money on it. Additionally, a lot of people don’t like the taste.
In a blind taste test conducted by Buzzfeed, panelists said it tasted “like a drunk gingerbread man”—whatever that means. In all, panelists preferred the taste of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum to that of the Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum. We understand that saving money is always nice, but when it comes at the expense of a pleasant taste, we prefer to pay a little more!
54 Kirkland Signature Silver Tequila
Perhaps the fact that blanco tequila won’t give you a hangover is what’s drawing you in to purchase this beverage. Be that as it may, the Kirkland Signature Silver Tequila, which has been touted as blanco tequila, is a low-quality drink, according to an article published by Mashed. That’s because the alcohol flavor in the drink is said to overpower the agave and citrus flavors.
But if you’re still looking to purchase the Kirkland brand, you can always try their other two tequilas: Añejo and Reposado. They both received rave reviews. The Añejo was loved because it’s an aged tequila you can get for less than $30. According to the reviews, the Añejo is good straight or over ice. The Reposado, on the other hand, is great for making simple cocktails.
55 Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin
The problem with this gin, as Mashed.com puts it, is that it doesn’t stand out from the competition. “After all, depending on where you buy it, you can get the same amount of New Amsterdam for a pretty similar price,” the website said in an article. Additionally, this particular gin is said to be a poor choice for certain cocktails.
For example, this isn’t the gin you want to use if you’re looking to make a good martini. “You want something with more complexity and additional floral and citrus notes to balance out the juniper,” the website said. “Tanqueray, Boodles, and Hendrick’s are all great choices and at $20 to $35 a bottle, they aren’t going to set you back much more than the Costco stuff,” which costs around $25 for 1.75 L.
56 Kirkland Signature Dishwasher Tablets
Depending on who you ask, Kirkland Signature dishwasher tablets can be hit or miss. Some customers say they have used them for years because they work great and are available at a great price. On the other hand, some customers say they aren’t worth the money and they smell awful. It may be important to note here that Costco recently changed the formulation of its tablets, so that may be the cause of the mixed reviews.
Another cause may be the fact that the type of dishwasher a person has, as well as the mineral content of their water, can affect the dishwashing process. Either way, when it comes to buying Kirkland Signature dishwasher tablets versus the leading brands, choose carefully.
57 Disposable Razors
The problem with buying disposable razors from Costco is that you can usually get them cheaper at Walmart or a drugstore—at least some of the time, anyway. It really depends on whether there’s a sale going on and if you can get your hands on a manufacturer coupon, which Costco doesn’t accept.
So, just how much can you save with a sale and coupons? According to Kiplinger, it’s possible to get the razors for $4 less at Walmart than you would at Costco. All you have to do is hang on to any coupons you may have, wait for Walmart to have a sale, and boom! Inexpensive disposable razors! Buying at Costco is really not always advantageous!
58 Sunscreen
Do you really go to the beach that much or spend that much time outdoors in general that you would go through multiple bottles of sunscreen a year? No? I didn’t think so. That being the case, why on earth would you ever purchase sunscreen in bulk? Unless you’re planning on giving it away to family members and friends, it’s best to just purchase it from a traditional store.
You see, here’s the thing: just like everything else, sunscreen also has an expiration date. It loses its effectiveness after three years, and while that may be a long time, it’s really not enough time to go through multiple bottles of the stuff. So it’s best to buy less of it to avoid wasting money or putting on sunscreen that will eventually no longer protect your skin.
59 Croissants
Size and quantity aren’t the only problems with Costco croissants. But don’t misunderstand—they’re still issues. Costco sells a variety of baked goods, including large croissants in packs of ten or more. The croissants themselves are huge, and the large quantity means they’re likely to go stale before you’re able to enjoy them.
However, the croissants from Costco also simply aren’t that good. Since they’re mass-produced, they tend to be less flavorful, flaky, and generally enjoyable. If you’re really craving a croissant, treat yourself to one from your local bakery rather than purchasing the subpar options at Costco.
