Many members of the wholesale giant will agree that Costco shopping transcends the experience of perusing at other retailers. The act of grabbing your oversized cart, presenting your club card, and cruising through every aisle is nothing short of a beloved experience for many of us.
While the store is undoubtedly a haven for those with big families or anyone who might be hosting events, not every product found there is superior. It’s true that purchasing in bulk is a practical choice, but it’s also true that some items (that may be better suited for you) can be grabbed at your local grocery store.
In fact, Ariel Klein, a writer and shopping expert for Real Simple, has identified nine products at Costco that may not be the best value for your money and could be more advantageous to purchase elsewhere. Below, we’ll round up a few of her warnings, along with input from other shopping experts.
9 Products Experts Say To Never Buy At Costco
1. Cooking Oils
One great point that Klein makes in her article is that buying cooking oils in bulk may not be the most logical or cost-effective idea in the long run. This may not be the wisest decision, she notes, due to its expiration within a few months, which many individuals overlook. "Six quarts" of any oil type, she points out, is excessive for a single household to consume before it deteriorates. It is essential to consider this before embarking on your next Costco shopping trip.
2. Spices
Similarly, according to Klein, spices have a shorter expiration date than what one might assume. As a result, unless you frequently utilize oregano in every dish or an excessive amount of garlic powder, it is recommended that you avoid purchasing bulk spices from Costco.
3. Canned Goods
Klein writes that "your money will go way further if you buy canned goods from the supermarket," as opposed to your favorite Costco location. Although you may not prefer to maintain a pantry full of canned goods from Costco, it would be advantageous, she advises, to procure them for the purpose of holiday shopping or when organizing a large feast.
4. Bread
Klein acknowledges the "irresistible" nature of Costco's bakery section; however, bread's tendency to go stale within a short period, sometimes in just "a day," renders purchasing it in bulk from Costco an impractical and uneconomical decision.
5. Flour
It is highly probable that a regular bag of flour bought from a supermarket will reach its expiration date before it is completely utilized, Klein explains. The colossal size of the bags of flour from Costco necessitates storage in a capacious and hermetically sealed container in order to maintain freshness. Unless one is regularly preparing fresh bread and other baked delicacies, there is hardly any justification for procuring a mammoth 25-pound bag of flour from Costco.
6. Toilet Paper
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has taught us a valuable lesson – having a surplus of toilet paper is always a good decision. However, the quality of Costco's own-brand toilet paper "isn't ideal," according to Klein, and it requires a greater amount per use. This translates to a faster depletion of your supply, which in turn implies that purchasing toilet paper in bulk from Costco may not necessarily equate to a more cost-effective approach.
7. Over-The-Counter Medication
Even when offered at a reduced price by Costco, purchasing over-the-counter medications can be a costly expense. Moreover, as these medications usually have a one-year shelf life, failing to consume the full dosage could result in a significant waste of money. Klein advises that it may be more financially sound to purchase medications on an as-needed basis from a pharmacy or grocery store rather than relying on a bulk purchase from Costco.
8. Soda
Klein says that when it comes to purchasing soda, your local grocery store may offer better deals than Costco. Unless you have a "specific brand" preference that is unavailable at your nearby market, she suggests refraining from perusing the soda section during your next visit to Costco in order to save money.
9. Books
Bookworms beware. Although Costco has a decent book selection, it's worth noting that they're not likely to be the best prices you can find. Unlike other products on Costco shelves, which are typically some of the cheapest around, their books aren't typically a good value.
"Costco stores can have an OK selection, but you'll be able to find exactly what you want at Amazon," Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews told BestLife. "Even better, opt to support a local indie bookstore—you tend to receive better customer service, and you're supporting local, so it's a win-win." Perfect!
10. Office supplies
Time to restock your pens or buy school supplies for the kids? Costco likely isn't the best place to do it, BestLife notes. According to blogger Gina Zakaria of Saving Whiz, "School and office supplies are really expensive at Costco."
Luckily, other stores have you covered. "You can find a much better deal by shopping at Target or Walmart during their back-to-school shopping sales," she says. Noted! There are tons of other great deals at Walmart, too, so you're sure to find plenty to stock up on.
11. Name-brand alcohol
Part of the beauty of Costco is that their Kirkland Signature products are such high quality—including their alcohol. That's why you're better off saving your money and grabbing Kirkland Signature alcohol over name-brand verities.
"If you're looking for decent vodka, don't buy the Grey Goose label," former Costco employee Vivian told BestLife. "Find the Kirkland brand vodka and pay half of what you would for the overpriced Grey Goose." Believe it or not, it's rumored that both brands are the exact same. And with such a big price difference, the choice is clear: Go with Kirkland.
12. Cereal
A lot of things are cheaper at Costco. Unfortunately, according to frequent shoppers, cereal isn't always one of them. It's recommended that you do a quick price comparison before adding this item to your cart at the warehouse.
"I have found that certain cereals aren't always cheaper at Costco," shopping expert Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert at told BestLife. "Before heading to Costco to stock up on cereal, compare the unit price at the grocery store to make sure that Costco is a better deal." Noted!
13. Fresh Produce
Lastly, Klein recommends not purchasing fresh produce in large quantities at Costco due to its tendency to spoil rapidly, even when stored appropriately. The shelf life of fruits and vegetables is limited, typically lasting only a few days or a week, despite the best preservation efforts. Thus, opting to buy in bulk may not be a wise decision.
Good to keep in mind!
