There are plenty of products that Costco fans always put on their shopping lists like toilet paper, a rotisserie chicken, and a hot dog and drink from the food court.
But not every item that Costco stocks is as good as a hot dog and drink for only $1.50. In fact, some products aren’t even close to being a great bargain like that.
Skip these products the next time you’re at Costco, as they probably aren’t worth the perks of a Costco membership.
Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
Earn 2% cash rewards at grocery stores and Costco
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is a powerful rewards card that allows you to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — including on groceries, even at warehouse stores like Costco.
New cardholders can also earn a one-time cash rewards bonus — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months!
If you’re looking for a powerful rewards card that offers an extended intro APR period, look no further, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card checks that box too!
This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Click here to apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card now.
Kirkland Signature Cream Cheese
Price: $10.52
Costco has some great options under its Kirkland Signature store brand that may be more affordable than name brands and taste just as good.
But that’s not the case with the Kirkland Signature Cream Cheese, according to some customers. A few Reddit users agreed that the name-brand Philadelphia Cream Cheese is better than the Kirkland Signature option. “Philly is the best,” confirmed Redditor Correct-Watercress91.
Bananas
Price: $1.74
Bananas are a good source of potassium and an affordable option to grab at Costco when you can get three pounds of them for less than $2.
But the quantity can be too much for some shoppers when it comes to fresh produce in bulk.
“I can't eat such large quantities before they go bad,” lamented Redditor aarrtee while Reddit user Disco_Pat said they can get better quality for similar prices at local grocery stores like Trader Joe’s.
Kirkland Signature Muffins
Price: $11.69
Pick up a dozen Kirkland Signature Muffins in a variety of flavors, depending on what’s available. You can choose from options like blueberry, double chocolate, and more based on your store.
Unfortunately, these fresh bakery treats might taste good but can go bad if you don’t eat them soon enough. “I keep swearing I'll never buy muffins again at Costco because it's always buy one, get one, and they insist you get the second package,” said Redditor SageBrushID. “My freezer is currently crammed with Costco muffins.”
Stop overpaying when you shop online at Costco
Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.
Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.
Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1
Coca-Cola
Price: $21.98
Costco has sodas like Coca-Cola in stock in a pack of 35 12-ounce cans that are great options if you like drinking soda or are stocking up for a party or barbecue.
Hold off, though, before you add some heavy cans of soda to your cart, as you might find a better deal somewhere else. Redditor hawksnest_prez advised Costco members to “stock up on soda from local grocers on sale.”
Fresh Cut Fruit Bowl
Price: $14.03
A Fresh Cut Fruit Bowl from Costco could be an enticing option to add to your cart. It’s healthy and already cut up for you.
It also could be a letdown when it’s time to eat the strawberry, melon, grapes, and pineapple. “Most of them were either under-ripe and tasteless,” said Reddit user capun1950. “Big letdown.”
Trending Stories
Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue
Price: $23.39
Toilet paper may be a staple on your Costco shopping list. But not all toilet paper is the same, and not all Kirkland Signature products can hold up compared to name-brand options.
The Kirkland version may not be as good as Charmin, which is also stocked at Costco. So, if you’re buying toilet paper in bulk and have a choice, pay a little more for the better option.
Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries
Price: $12.86
Grab some Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries from the freezer section to add to smoothies or other recipes without the hassle and cost of fresh strawberries.
But you might want to compare the cost to other retailers before you toss a bag in your cart. Aldi, for example, has a cheaper product when you compare the per-unit cost to Costco’s bulk option.
Kirkland Signature AA Batteries
Price: $15.99
You can never find the right-sized battery when your TV remote dies so it’s a good idea to stock up on batteries for future potential use. Just don’t get the Kirkland Signature AA Batteries.
Some customers have complained that the batteries leak or are dead before you can even get them out of the package. “Amazon Basics batteries are better,” said Redditor monsterflyer.
Garofalo Organic Spaghetti Noodles
Price: $13.56
Stock up your pantry with Garofalo Organic Spaghetti Noodles, which come in a pack of eight and are an easy dinner option after a busy day.
But you might want to comparison shop before you grab them off the shelf as some customers have found their local grocery stores have cheaper options. “Pasta is almost always cheaper at the grocery store for us!” said Reddit user tlane11.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Baking Potatoes
Price: $6.19
Buying produce in bulk at Costco can lead to issues with items spoiling before you can use them, but that seems like a particularly tough issue for Baking Potatoes.
Redditors complained that the potatoes could go rotten easily, leaving potato water in their pantry along with a bad smell. Reddit user erik-lang complained that the potatoes they bought for Thanksgiving went rotten in only a few days and they were able to use them for dinner.
Bottom line
Costco has some wonderful options if you’re trying to save money on groceries, but not all products are created equal at the retailer, so be mindful of which ones are better for you to skip.
It’s also a good idea to create a list before you go to the store to help you stick with your budget rather than grabbing impulse buys. A list can also remind you of which products are the bargains you think they are so you can steer clear of them and keep cash in your wallet.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.
Author Details