Costco is a great stop for savvy shoppers trying to save money on groceries or picking up home goods or clothes at affordable prices.
But not everyone is enamored of the warehouse retailer, and some former fans have decided that Costco isn't what they want anymore.
So, what made folks fall out of love with Costco? Here are a few of the top reasons — can you relate?
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Prices are up, and quality is down
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Over the last few years, it's been hard to fight inflated grocery prices, but some Costco members don't think the higher prices at Costco don't necessarily mean you're getting a great product.
One Redditor lamented that even though prices have gone up, they've found that the quality of things like food and household goods has gone down. "[P]roduce [and] meats are no longer the same quality," they wrote. "And I can buy the same at local ethnic supermarkets cheaper value for the same quality, or better quality for the same price."
Their favorite items have disappeared
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Costco has a variety of items but limited shelf space for bulk purchases. So it can be frustrating "when I find something I want to keep purchasing only to see it no longer offered," one Redditor said.
Some Redditors lamented the loss of drinks, clothing items, or frozen products they can no longer get from Costco to restock in their freezers.
Costco doesn't offer scan-and-go
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Shoppers have found Costco's app to be less than stellar when it comes to shopping and long for a few options that similar retailers offer.
One of the options Reddit shoppers said they wished they had was scan-and-go in the app, giving users the choice to scan items in the store as they shop to get an easy checkout.
Meanwhile, retailers like Sam's Club and BJ's do offer a scan-and-go option that Redditors like to use.
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They can't eat at the food court without a membership
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Costco used to allow non-members to stop by for lunch or grab a quick bite from the ever-popular food court.
Unfortunately, the retailer is cracking down on non-members snagging the $1.50 hot-dog-and-drink deal or a slice of pizza, so some Redditors have decided to skip the food court rather than shell out the cash for a membership.
"I don't think non-members would be willing to pay for a membership just to keep getting a $1.50 hotdog/drink combo," one Redditor said.
Costco is too crowded
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Costco is a popular destination for shoppers, but that also means it could be a little too crowded for some folks.
One Redditor called their local Costco a "miserable experience every time" and said they preferred their local Sam's Club because it's easier to shop there, and customers can get in and out quicker.
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There are too many third-party vendors
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You might wander the aisles only to have someone step up and try and sell you a new cell phone contract or home upgrade.
It may not be a big deal if it only happens once or twice, but some Redditors are annoyed by constantly being approached by third-party vendors when they're not interested in those services.
Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals
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April brings not just warmer weather and sunnier days, but also excellent shopping opportunities. With Easter happening on April 20, retailers will offer significant discounts on seasonal items at the end of the month, while also preparing for graduations, weddings, and spring cleaning season.
Here are some of the best deals to watch out for:
- Cookware sets on sale for graduation and wedding season
- Winter clearance items like coats and sweaters at end-of-season prices
- Spring cleaning supplies with potential BOGO offers at stores like Target
- Air conditioners before peak summer demand drives prices higher
- Lawn care equipment as homeowners prepare for the growing season
- Post-Easter candy and ham at deeply discounted prices once the holiday has passed
- For grocery savings, consider seasonal produce like asparagus, broccoli, and spinach, which will be at their freshest and most affordable.
Remember that retailers are always thinking a season ahead. They're already preparing to get rid of spring merchandise while you're just getting ready to enjoy it. This makes April a great time to find budget-boosting deals of all kinds and save money at your favorite retailers.
Costco discontinued the combo pizza
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Costco has taken some items off its food court menu over the years, but none may be as missed as the combo pizza.
The pizza, packed with pepperoni, sausage, and veggies, was such a fan favorite that a Redditor who joked about its return as an April Fool's prank was met with sadness and disdain from other posters who wanted it to be true.
It's hard to store bulk items
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Costco's bulk buys may seem like a great option for saving a few extra bucks on the grocery bill, but then you have to find a place to store mountains of toilet paper and soda when you bring them home.
Some Redditors have lamented that they don't shop at Costco anymore because they don't have the room to store bulk items in their homes, like toilet paper and items that don't fit in the pantry.
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It's not always good for singles
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Costco is a great advantage when you're buying items to feed a family of four, but it can be harder when you're buying items just for yourself.
It may be fine if you're buying non-perishables, but some Redditors said they can get similar deals at other stores when they're shopping just for themselves.
Parking isn't great
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Costco shoppers at different locations seem to have the same complaint: the parking lot.
Some shoppers complain about dangerous conditions for pedestrians or the time it takes to get into the lot and find a spot. "Why are Costco lots notoriously bad across the board?" one Redditor asked.
It doesn't have a variety of options
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Check the aisles on your next visit, and you may notice that Costco doesn't have the same product variety for different items as your local grocery stores. There just aren't many options for staples like pasta sauce, yogurt, and drinks.
One Redditor simply said, "The variety isn't there."
Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill
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Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are some of our favorite tips for reducing food expenses that we personally put to use:
- Plan your meals around what's already in your pantry, then create a shopping list to prevent impulse purchases.
- Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
- Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
- Stock up on staples when on sale, but don’t ever buy just because something comes in bulk.
- Shop the marked-down section for near-expiration bargains
- Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.
Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task to handle every week, the savings can really add up. Double check in case your store also offers perks like gas rewards or any other discounts you might be able to take advantage of outside the grocery store.
They can get better deals somewhere else
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You may be loyal to Costco, but compare the costs on your next visit with other stores to see if you get items for less money per unit.
Some Redditors even suggested switching to other retailers like Sam's Club, where they found better deals than at their local Costco.
Bottom line
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Costco may have some great options, but there are also reasons to ditch it if you aren't in love with the retailer anymore.
It's a good idea to check your budget and do some comparison shopping to find out if you actually save money at Costco or if the membership cost is even worth it.
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