andykatz/istockphoto
Shopping at Costco can be a great way to save money, even with the membership fee. Some name-brand items are cheaper in bulk, and some Kirkland Signature products are even better than what you can get at other stores.
But there are still some things that frugal shoppers never buy at Costco. Read on to find out which items you might want to avoid.
Costco’s fresh bagels from the bakery section are notorious for going moldy very quickly. They don’t contain preservatives like most bagels you’d get at the grocery store, so some people see mold within days. That’s a problem when you have to buy two packages of big bagels, and your family doesn’t eat four every single day.
Spices and seasonings lose their potency pretty quickly after being processed, so the fresher, the better. If you buy a huge container of black pepper, taco seasoning, or turmeric that takes you a couple years to get through, it’s not going to taste like much near the end. Sure it might be cheaper, but you’re not getting a good value.
Bulk paper products seem like a no-brainer at Costco, but believe it or not, many members hate the Kirkland brand toilet paper. “Kirkland used to be good,” said one commenter on Reddit’s r/Frugal forum. “I actually started buying it when I tried to find the TP they used in their restrooms, and it was their brand. Now it sucks.”
Many people skip right past the bananas in Costco. “I can't eat such large quantities before they go bad,” said u/aarrtee on r/Frugal, and many others agreed. Some people reported that the bananas they’ve purchased from Costco ripen at a very frustrating rate compared to other bananas as well.
It’s not just bananas, either. Buying produce in bulk can be a problem if you don’t have a large family. Delicate produce like raspberries and lettuce go bad quickly, while huge bags of potatoes might sprout before you can get through all of them.
Those huge televisions that are in your face as soon as you walk in the door might seem like great deals if you’re in the market for one, but that’s not always the case. The selection of consumer electronics Costco offers is relatively small, so it’s best to shop around for the lowest price when you know which model TV or computer you want. “When comparing prices for particular electronics items I want to purchase, I've always found lower prices for comparable items elsewhere (after sales),” said one Redditor.
The problem with buying really inexpensive chicken is that the quality tends to suffer. Woody chicken breasts are a problem that’s become pretty common now, including with Costco’s cheap raw chicken breasts. If you want to avoid getting chicken with that unpleasant texture, you’re going to have to spend more money for higher quality chicken.
Cooking oils like peanut and canola do go rancid, and all have expiration dates printed on them. Unless you fry food regularly (or you're planning on deep frying a Thanksgiving turkey), it’s best to skip the big containers of cooking oil so you aren’t stuck throwing some out.
Depending on your location and the milk you buy, you may have to purchase at 1.5 to 2 gallons of milk at a time. “My family of 5 cannot finish those two cartons of milk fast enough,” said one commenter on r/Frugal.
You’d think that the frozen foods at Costco would be the lowest price you can find, but that’s not the case when it comes to frozen vegetables, especially if you shop sales at grocery stores. “Recently did a price comparison on some of their frozen vegetables and found other places had lower prices,” said one r/Frugal Redditor.
Costco isn’t a dedicated auto or tire shop, so most stores don’t actually keep a lot of tires in stock. Chances are they can order them for you, but that’s only an option if replacing your tires was planned. If a pothole just made your tire toast, Costco isn’t the place where you want to tow your car.
It’s not just bagels that many people skip in Costco’s bakery. Huge containers of cookies, danishes, and croissants are too much for many people to eat — or they just don’t want the temptation. That’s especially true for the massive chocolate peanut butter pies and cheesecakes.
Over-the-counter medication like pain relievers and cough medicine are usually a great deal at Costco, especially the store brand bottles. But will you go through a huge 400-count bottle before it expires? If it’s a medication you only take occasionally, chances are you’re better off buying it at a pharmacy.
Canned beans should be super cheap, but some shoppers have found that’s not the case at Costco. “I priced [them] out and they are not cheaper than other stores,” said one Redditor on r/Frugal. “I think they came out to over $1 a can and you can definitely get even organic beans [for] less than that.”
Cooking sprays like Pam usually come in a two-pack of huge bottles. Unless you’re a professional baker or use it for cooking multiple times per week, it’s best to skip the bulk size. “I only use Pam when l make waffles a few times a year,” relayed one Redditor. “A can of Pam goes a long way in my house … a can of Pam could last me three years.”
While all those premade meals back at the deli are very tempting, the prices aren’t great since you’re paying for convenience. If you’re serious about budgeting, then a single family meal for $20 or more isn’t going to cut it. Cooking meals yourself will be less expensive — even if you use other shortcuts like the Costco $5 rotisserie chicken.
All those snack nuts at the front of the store are delicious, and they usually have great prices because of the bulk size. But unless your family goes through a lot of nuts no matter what, skip them. As an impulse buy, they’re very expensive. “My husband ate a Costco size tin of cashews in 3 days,” said one Redditor on r/Frugal. “He’s now banned from eating straight from the container.”
There are some super deals to be had at the Costco cafe, including the famous $1.50 hot dog combo. The pizza, whether by the slice or whole, is also delicious and cheap. But the same can’t be said for the various cold sandwiches that Costco is cycling through lately. From roast beef to turkey, the $8+ sandwiches are almost universally panned as being too expensive and a terrible value.
If you’re really concerned with your budget, then you need to make a shopping list and stick to it at the store. That’s true for all grocery shopping, but it’s especially important at Costco since impulse buys in bulk will probably run you at least $10 each. And definitely heed the old adage of “don’t shop hungry!”
For more smart Costco shopping tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.
