I’m a Costco Superfan - Beware These 10 Costco Products That Seem Like Bargains

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.