Use This As A Guide To Snag The Best Deals On Your Next Costco Trip

Published on 09/27/2020

Are you already a Costco member or thinking of becoming one? If this is the case, allow us to give you the tips that you need to make the most out of your shopping trips. It is true that you will find a lot of good deals at the warehouse store. However, you are actually better off avoiding certain products no matter how good it might sound. Which products should you stock up on? And which ones will just be a waste of money? We are going to list down both things, so come along!

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Use This As A Guide To Snag The Best Deals On Your Next Costco Trip

Buy- Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is the best thing to put on your waffles and pancakes. It is pointless to argue over this. However, the real thing is usually too expensive, so breakfast joints often serve corn syrup instead. The good news is that you can just buy the Kirkland Maple Syrup, which is authentic but cheaper than usual!

Buy Maple Syrup

Buy- Maple Syrup

Don’t Buy- Books

Any reader who has shopped at Costco has probably been drawn to its book selection. The aisle offers a lot of titles. It helps that the prices are lower when compared to other bookstores. If you want to enjoy the best deals on books, however, Amazon is your best bet. Secondhand bookstores are also great!

Don’t Buy Books

Don’t Buy- Books

Buy- Toilet Paper

When you find yourself at Costco, you can’t go wrong with picking up a huge pack of extra soft toilet paper. It comes with 30 rolls, but this is fine since you will be able to use them all up in due time. This is convenient since every person out there uses this product. The price is great, as is the quality.

Buy Toilet Paper

Buy- Toilet Paper

Buy- Olive Oil

We daresay that your kitchen is incomplete if you do not have olive oil in there. You can pretty much improve any dish with this secret recipe, which is why it is so great. This is also why there is no problem with having more of it than you need. Get the big portion to jazz up your meals and save money!

Buy Olive Oil

Buy- Olive Oil

Don’t Buy- Ground Coffee

It is hard for us to understand how some people can start their day without a cup of coffee. If you can see where we are coming from, listen up. While you can save money by buying the big size of ground coffee at Costco, it is not the best idea. It won’t taste as good as you go through the whole thing. Once the beans are processed in the grinder, they get exposed to the air and lose both intensity and flavor.

Don’t Buy Ground Coffee

Don’t Buy- Ground Coffee

Buy- Gas

This might be one of the best tips that we have for you. You should always fill up your tank at Costco. It offers unbeatable prices for gas, after all. You might not want to do your groceries at the warehouse store, but the gas alone will be a good enough reason to apply to become a member!

Buy Gas

Buy- Gas

Don’t Buy- Kirkland Light Beer

Costco carries Corona, Guinness, Budweiser, and other types of beer. If you have ever checked out the beer aisle, the Kirkland Light Beer brand might have piqued your attention. You should just ignore it and go for your usual one, however. This offering is pretty mediocre. You will probably want to return it!

Don’t Buy Kirkland Light Beer

Don’t Buy- Kirkland Light Beer

Buy- Frozen Fruits

Here is another favorite purchase of ours at Costco. The frozen fruits aisle is always full of amazing deals. It is excellent because you can buy these products in bulk and simply leave it in your fridge. This is a great idea if you want to make smoothies or enjoy fruity snacks! Frozen veggies make for good buys too.

Buy Frozen Fruits

Buy- Frozen Fruits

Don’t Buy- Fresh Fruits And Veggies

Frozen produce is a good idea, but you might want to shop for your fresh ones somewhere else. After all, you might not be able to go through the big packages soon enough. Since they are fresh, they will go bad after a fairly short period of time. You should just get smaller packages at your local supermarket.

Don’t Buy Fresh Fruits And Veggies

Don’t Buy- Fresh Fruits And Veggies

Don’t Buy- Spices

You should try to use up your spices as quickly as possible. They might not spoil, but the intensity of the flavors will not last for a long time. Costco offers large jars of spices, but you should ignore them unless you run an Italian restaurant or cook food for a lot of people very often.

Don’t Buy Spices

Don’t Buy- Spices

Buy- Vanilla

Most spices tend to lose the strength of the flavor after some time. This is not true for vanilla, however. In fact, you can’t go wrong by buying a large jar of vanilla extract! We highly recommend this, especially if you enjoy baking. This is a good way to ensure that you can always bake whenever you feel like it.

Buy Vanilla

Buy- Vanilla

Don’t Buy- Tissues

When it comes to tissues, any brand is fine when you just need it for a sneeze or two. The problem comes in when you have a cold. For runny noses, you will want something stronger and more high-quality. This is why you should leave the Kirkland tissues on the shelf and get tissues somewhere else.

Don’t Buy Tissues

Don’t Buy- Tissues

Buy- Tires

Costco members are also big fans of the tires offered by the store. You are going to find lots of discounts on this very important product if you are a member. However, non-members tend to go to the tire center as well. When you need new wheels, you should probably go here instead of a regular auto shop.

Buy Tires

Buy- Tires

Don’t Buy- Soda

We can see why most people prefer to buy their soft drinks when they go grocery shopping. You should probably buy these drinks at the local grocery store instead. Why? Well, you can find huge discounts on soda over there. We are sad to say that you won’t get to enjoy the same deals when you shop at Costco.

Don’t Buy Soda

Don’t Buy- Soda

Don’t Buy- Diapers

You might not know this, but kids cost a lot of money. In fact, the cost of diapers is enough to empty your savings! We can see why some parents want to buy this item in bulk, but the packs are normally very heavy. Babies also go through them in record time. It is more practical to buy them on Amazon. This way, you can enjoy big discounts. If you have Amazon Prime, you can also have it shipped straight to your door!

Don’t Buy Diapers

Don’t Buy- Diapers

Buy- Breakfast Cereal

Cereal is great because it is convenient and delicious. It is not exactly a secret that you can get the best deals on this food item when you go to Costco. The store offers Kellog’s, Post, and other big brands at low prices. You can buy them in bulk since it is not going to go bad right away.

Buy Breakfast Cereal

Buy- Breakfast Cereal

Buy- Plastic Wrap

We all need a plastic wrap for a variety of reasons. Trust us, you will never run out of reasons to use these things. When you go to Costco, you might as well add Vitawrap or Kirkland plastic wraps to your cart! This will ensure that you will always have some of them in your home. They are cheaper than usual too.

Buy Plastic Wrap

Buy- Plastic Wrap

Don’t Buy- Shampoo Or Soap

Here are more things that you should never pay for in full at Costco. You should get your shampoo and soap from the local grocery store instead. After all, they always offer great discounts on these items. Costco might offer them in big packages, but it is not going to be worth it. Save your money instead!

Don’t Buy Shampoo Or Soap

Don’t Buy- Shampoo Or Soap

Buy- Oatmeal

Do you like eating oatmeal in the morning? If this is the case, you are in for a treat at Costco. The warehouse store offers 60 packs of instant oatmeal at an amazing price. Needless to say, it is a steal at that price point! Let us drive the point home by saying that this promo will help you save ten bucks.

Buy Oatmeal

Buy- Oatmeal

Buy- Healthy Bite-Sized Snacks

Are you of the belief that you need to spend a lot of money if you want to enjoy healthy food? This is not always the case. As a matter of fact, you can buy nutritious bite-sized snacks at Costco for cheap. How awesome is it that you can bring home 32 Aussie Bites pieces for no more than $12?

Buy Healthy Bite Sized Snacks

Buy- Healthy Bite-Sized Snacks

Buy- Cashews

It does not matter where you buy your nuts. We are sure that you will always have to pay a lot of money for them. At any rate, you can still save money when you go to Costco. When you get them in bulk, they are cheaper in the long run. On top of that, they stay fresh thanks to the resealable containers!

Buy Cashews

Buy- Cashews

Don’t Buy- Condiments

The problem here is not that condiments spoil easily. We know just how long ketchup, mayo, and mustard can last. However, it is annoying that you have to store them in the fridge as soon as you open the bottle or jar. Costco offers them in big packages, so this is not ideal unless you have a lot of space.

Don’t Buy Condiments

Don’t Buy- Condiments

Don’t Buy- Salsa

Costco is infamous for its big portions of food. The salsa jar is a great example of this. We are not going to stop you if you plan to have a party or gathering with your friends. However, you might want to buy the regular size if you do not eat chips every single day!

Don’t Buy Salsa

Don’t Buy- Salsa

Buy- Snacks

You are going to thank us for this suggestion if you have to pack meals for your kids or partners. This is also great if you are always on the move! Pre-packaged lunches are excellent since they are convenient and cheap. There is also a wide variety of food items, so you can choose anything that suits your fancy.

Buy Snacks

Buy- Snacks

Buy- Vitamins

It is good to spend money on vitamins and supplements. However, you should not shell out more than you need to! You might be surprised to find out that name brands will deliver the same result as the cheaper ones. For example, Kirkland vitamins are available in bigger packs but will cost you a lot less.

Buy Vitamins

Buy- Vitamins

Buy- Batteries

You will be thankful for this tip if you use gadgets and appliances that use batteries. Unlike rechargeable ones, you have no choice but to shell out more money whenever you use up the juice. Next time, you might want to fill your cart with batteries from Costco. They are good quality since they are by Duracell!

Buy Batteries

Buy- Batteries

Buy- Milk

Do not raise your eyebrows at us! It is true that some articles say that you should not buy milk at Costco. We beg to differ. In the end, it depends on how much milk your family consumes. If you can finish an entire gallon of it before it goes bad, then you should have no problems. You will save money as well!

Buy Milk

Buy- Milk

Buy- Coffee Cups

In this day and age, people refrain from using individual portions of coffee since they are not the best thing for the environment. While this is true, they are still cheaper and more convenient than the alternative. These are enough reasons to try out the Costco coffee cups, but the taste is also very good.

Buy Coffee Cups

Buy- Coffee Cups

Buy- Rotisserie Chicken

We simply adore the rotisserie chicken that you can get at Costco for only $5. The ready-made chicken is delicious and has an amazing value. This is going to be enough for your whole family. As a matter of fact, you can expect leftovers that you will have to put away. For that price, this is most definitely a steal.

Buy Rotisserie Chicken

Buy- Rotisserie Chicken

Don’t Buy- Toothpaste

Like shampoo, soap, and soda, this is another item that is almost always on sale at the local grocery store. We do not think that it is a good idea to get the huge tubes from Costco when this is an option that exists. When you run out of toothpaste, you should head on to a pharmacy or supermarket instead.

Don’t Buy Toothpaste

Don’t Buy- Toothpaste

Buy- Peanut Butter

You can admit that you like to indulge in a spoonful of peanut butter from time to time. Aside from that, you can’t make a PBJ sandwich without it! The family-size jar at Costco is an excellent purchase. When you buy one of these, you will never run out of it when you are craving your favorite sandwich.

Buy Peanut Butter

Buy- Peanut Butter

Buy- Bagels

Here is a tip that you will love us for. If you have never tried the Costco bagels, you are seriously missing out. For a very low price, you can buy a two-pack. It is also awesome to see the wide range of flavors. You should not panic if you can’t finish all of it. You can always freeze it and then heat it up as you need.

Buy Bagel

Buy- Bagels

Don’t Buy- Kirkland Almond Milk

As you might have figured out by now, Costco offers a lot of amazing products. Sadly, it is not worth trying out the Kirkland almond milk product. This is just not as delicious as its competitors. We highly recommend buying the Almond Breeze ones to get the best bang for your buck.

Don’t Buy Kirkland Almond Milk

Don’t Buy- Kirkland Almond Milk

Buy- Tahini

We enjoy using tahini in salads and dipping sauces. This is a condiment made from sesame. Sadly, it is not the cheapest thing in the condiment aisle. If you really want to save money, you should get the big jars at Costco. This is cost-efficient in the long run, but you should keep it in the fridge after opening.

Buy Tahini

Buy- Tahini

Buy – Bacon

The pre-sliced bacon by Kirkland is another amazing find at Costco. Customers enjoy it, although some people are not happy about the fact that you can only buy it in bulk. Despite this, the price is great for what you get. We are sure that you will love it unless you are a vegan or vegetarian.

Bacon

Buy – Bacon

Buy – Bacon Crumbles

In the same vein, you are going to love bacon crumbles as well! If you feel like your meal could use more flavor, this might be what you need. This goes well as a topping on just about any dish. You will be surprised to see how it can transform your bland dish into something more exciting and delicious.

Bacon Crumbles

Buy – Bacon Crumbles

Buy: Fresh eggs

You should get your fresh eggs from Costco for a number of reasons. For one thing, the warehouse store has a wide range of eggs. The prices are also attractive. We are sure that you are going to find whatever kind of egg you want. Organic, free-range, conventional, Costco has it all for you!

Buy Fresh Eggs

Buy Fresh Eggs

Buy: Hot dogs and soda at the food court

The pizza is one of the most popular things that you can buy at the Costco food court. However, we have another strong contender in the form of this combination. We do not think that it is possible to beat the hot dog and soda combination when it is so cheap and delicious!

Buy Hot Dogs And Soda At The Food Court

Buy Hot Dogs And Soda At The Food Court

Buy: The acai bowl at the food court

We have to admit that we are also big fans of the acai bowl at the Costco food court. Feel free to call us basic if you want. This will not change the fact that it is a refreshing and healthy treat that goes for only $5. Do you remember the summer when this was all the rage?

Buy The Acai Bowl At The Food Court

Buy The Acai Bowl At The Food Court

Buy: Cheese

If you eat dairy, we are sure that you love cheese as well. The cheese aisle at Costco feels like heaven to us! After all, it is amazing to see how wide the variety is. We think the world of the price range as well. If you plan to host a couple of dinner parties, you can get enough cheese for your guests for below $20.

Buy Cheese

Buy Cheese

Skip: Signature gas grill

It is not a Weber grill, so you should not expect it to put out the same quality. Unfortunately, you will be happier shelling out more money for the real deal. The gas grill from Costco could be improved. Aside from that, you might not find the replacement parts that you need when it eventually breaks.

Skip Signateur Gas Grill

Skip Signateur Gas Grill

Buy: Organic berries

Okay, we did tell you that you should avoid buying fresh produce at Costco. However, this is an exception. We all love organic berries, right? These things come with great health benefits and taste amazing. But the best thing about this fruit might be the fact that Costco offers them for half the usual price.

Buy Organic Berries

Buy Organic Berries

Skip: Flour, baking powder, and dried yeast

If you like to bake, you probably know that dried yeast, baking powder, and flour go bad pretty easily. You can probably understand why we advise against buying them in bulk. It is better to go for smaller amounts. This is a good way to ensure that none of them go bad before you can finish the container.

Skip Flour, Baking Powder, And Dried Yeast

Skip Flour, Baking Powder, And Dried Yeast

Buy: Kirkland organic coconut water

Just so you know, coconut water is actually a great way to hydrate. You might want to treat yourself to a 12-pack of the organic coconut water from Kirkland. The price is decent, and the product has rave reviews. Go ahead and buy it in bulk if you want to! After all, it is not going to go bad for a long time.

Buy Kirkland Organic Coconut Water

Buy Kirkland Organic Coconut Water

Buy: Verka organic yogurt

Did you know that you can get more money in the long run by buying the 64-ounce Verka organic yogurt? Compared to several 16-ounce packs, your wallet is going to be much happier. On top of that, you can stock it for a while even if you do not eat it. It is pretty darn delicious too.

Buy Verka Organic Yogurt

Buy Verka Organic Yogurt

Skip: Las Fortunitas tortilla chips

We agree that the Las Fortunitas chips taste great. However, we want you to know that it is not a good idea to buy the huge packs that you can get at Costco. Trust us, it will take you forever to finish the whole bag. Fooducate has also rated it B-minus thanks to its hydrogenated oils. You have been warned.

Skip Las Fortunitas Tortilla Chips

Skip Las Fortunitas Tortilla Chips

Buy: Kerrygold butter

There are a lot of butter brands available at Costco. You are going to find the organic Kirkland one among these products. However, you might want to splurge a little more on Kerrygold if you are looking for quality. In case you did not know, this brand uses milk that came from grass-fed cows!

Buy Kerrygold Butter

Buy Kerrygold Butter

Buy: Kirkland vodka

There are also a lot of alcohol options at Costco. But when it comes to vodka, you might be interested in trying out the one by Kirkland. You will be surprised by how good it is! As a matter of fact, some folks say that it is similar to Grey Goose. During a taste test, it performed even better than more popular brands.

Buy Kirkland Vodka

Buy Kirkland Vodka

Don’t Buy- Kirkland Laundry Detergent

All right, the Kirkland Laundry Detergent might sound like a good deal since it is cheaper than most detergents. For many people, this is enough reason to buy it. However, you should be careful because this will make you spend more money in the future. For one thing, you will eventually have to replace the clothes that it damaged in the wash! On top of that, it is bad for your health and the environment.

Don’t Buy Kirkland Laundry Detergent

Don’t Buy- Kirkland Laundry Detergent

Skip: Hearing aids

Hearing aids are a fantastic device that can drastically change the lives of any user. Unfortunately, insurance will not always cover the cost of them however. Luckily, Costco offers them at lower rates, making them somewhat affordable if insurance won’t help out. Despite this, we still actually advise you to avoid purchasing them at Costco. We have heard reports of people experiencing very poor service at more than one branch. This cannot be coincidental. Additionally, locations do not always have the required equipment to adjust the devices. You will not regret spending a tiny bit more on hearing aids that simply work better.

Skip Hearing Aids

Skip Hearing Aids

Buy: Prescription glasses

Any glasses wearer will know that prescription glasses do not often come cheap. This is especially relevant if you require special types of lenses on top of a regular prescription. Sure, you could purchase online, but it is tough to get the required grade and fit if done by this method. Fortunately, Costco’s optometry department is actually very good! You can get your eyes tested here if needs be, but also bring a prescription from elsewhere too. If you don’t have insurance, this is a great low-cost alternative. Costco members also receive special online discounts for contact lenses and glasses.

Buy Prescription Glasses

Buy Prescription Glasses

Buy: Wedding floral arrangements

Want to decorate your wedding but don’t want to spend a huge amount of cash on flowers? Come to Costco! You can come here and find a set of bouquets and other wedding requirements that will almost certainly suit your wedding. Have a great time at a beautiful wedding without spending a fortune. Flowers can set you back a miniscule $449. Not half bad.

Buy Wedding Floral Arrangements

Buy Wedding Floral Arrangements

Buy: Luggage

It may not have the largest selection, but if you simply need a suitcase and don’t want to pay a whole lot, Costco is the place for you. Clark Deals even said that Costco is a great option to find luggage bargains. You can even save more money if you accumulate monthly coupons. It’s a travel no-brainer.

Buy Luggage

Buy Luggage

Skip: Name-brand clothing

Buying designer clothing is where you perhaps need to take a step back when shopping at Costco. Even though you might see top brands, the quality is surely worse. Maybe the manufacturer thought he could save money on the Costco versions, but it is definitely not up to the standard that these top brands command. Of course, buy away if you find an item you like, but walk in with low expectations. If you’re looking for discounted brand items, try Marshalls.

Skip Name Brand Clothing

Skip Name Brand Clothing

Buy: Shirts and pants for work

Designer clothing might be a no-no from Costco, but if we were to comment on their regular clothes, like shirts and pants, we certainly recommend Costco! One particular user on the Red Flag Deals forum had this to say: “All my work shirts are Kirkland shirts. High-end tailored shirts aside, I think the Kirkland stuff is the best value on the market, just as good quality (sometimes better) as what you get at The Bay or mid-range stores.”

Buy Shirts And Pants For Work

Buy Shirts And Pants For Work

Buy: Athleisure clothes

If you partake in gym classes like yoga or spin, Costco is a great place to find the perfect clothing for that. They actually have a good variety of athletic clothing and according to customer satisfaction surveys, they offer good bargains and great deals.

Buy Athleisure Clothes

Buy Athleisure Clothes

Buy: Underwear

Some reviewers aren’t so happy with the elastic on men’s briefs at Costco, but this is overlooked in favor of the great prices and surprising comfort of the underwear. A lot of people even gave Costco underwear 5 stars, which is quite admirable.

Buy Underwear

Buy Underwear

Buy: Flu shots

If you need a flu shot, and you don’t have insurance, Costco can definitely help you out. They offer great prices on shots and you can even get others while you’re at it, like HPV and pneumonia.

Buy Flu Shots

Buy Flu Shots

Buy: TVs

Something that Costco prides itself on is the television selection at hand. They will certainly have one that will fit your requirements for a price that only Costco can offer. The discount is great, first-of-all, but each purchases comes with an extended two-year warranty, which is just great to know.

Buy TVs

Buy TVs

Buy: Golf balls

If you are wanting to purchase golfing items, maybe you would try certain sports stores before you come even think about Costco. If you’re wanting golf balls however, Costco should definitely be top of the list. Their Kirkland golf balls are of an acceptable quality and have left golfers very satisfied. They can be purchased at low-cost and top reviewer Golfalot even said that they are definitely comparable to the most premium golf balls.

Buy Golf Balls

Buy Golf Balls

Worst: Electronics

So it is true that TVs are a great buy at Costco, but this isn’t necessarily true for the rest of the electronics. Costco drags you in with its large and extensive electronic selection even when the reason you came to Costco was for the groceries. Those flashing lights, crowds and people trying to grab your attention are tough to avoid, but in actuality those items are not the best. Firstly, you can likely get better deals at other stores on better products, but you also don’t require a membership to go and look!

Worst Electronics

Worst Electronics

Best: Nuts

Go nuts with Costco nuts, seriously! This is something that Costco just gets right. Coming in the biggest of packages, you would think that the prices would match. Evidently not! Priced greatly and in great sizes, you can even reseal the packages to ensure that they last longer. If you’re feeling nutty, consider Costco for your nut needs.

Best Nuts

Best Nuts

Worst: Kirkland Signature Paper Towels

Buying a big pack of paper towels might seem like a good idea, but it will only end up biting you in the butt. More doesn’t always mean more. Buying a 30-pack of Kirkland might seem like a smart move at the beginning, but the paper towel brand is so thin that you will end up using more than better quality brands which provide less. Consumer Reports did a study on five paper towel brands and ranked Kirkland last. Avoid at all costs.

Worst Kirkland Signature Paper Towels

Worst Kirkland Signature Paper Towels

Best: Pills

If your insurance isn’t covering you for medicine and other pills, consider Costco. They are able to provide both prescription medicine and over-the-counter tablets. They do this at an affordable price, too. According to a study conducted by Consumer Reports, Costco was at the top of the list when it came to price. The research looked at 150 pharmacies in the U.S. before they arrived at this conclusion too.

Best Pills

Best Pills

Worst: Sunscreen

Did you know that typical sunscreens only remain effective for three years? So before you buy in bulk from Costco, you should probably look at the expiration dates on the bottles. If you think you will use all the lotion before their expiry date, feel free to buy. However, if not; you would literally be better off buying less for more elsewhere, you’d get better value for money!

Sunscreen

Sunscreen

Worst: Disposable Razors

Buying a big box of disposable razors at Costco may seem like a good idea, but did you know the prices at Walmart are actually better than Costco? At Costco you can find a pack of Kirkland razors for around $23. Therefore each razor will cost approximately $1.64. Walmart on the other hand offers a pack of 10 Gillette razors for $7.97, which is $0.80 per razor. You can make great savings and even get a better brand.

Disposable Razors

Disposable Razors

Buy: Uncooked Cookies

Everyone knows that you can buy desserts at Costco but have you ever considered buying uncooked desserts? Like pastries and cookies? If you want the same product but want to save shedloads of money, simply go to the bakery counter and request a box of uncooked cookies. Save significantly as you can get a box of 120 pieces for $22.99, whereas a box of cooked cookies (21 piece) will set you back $7.99. This is a great saving indeed. A little work will work out much better in the long term.

Buy Uncooked Cookies

Buy Uncooked Cookies

Worst: Rice

Shopping experts have clarified that for rice, you should head elsewhere. At Costco you can end up paying way more than other stores. A particular Costco shopper compared the price of rice at Costco to that of a local Asian store. It was here she realized she was paying 35% more at Costco! Other investigations also saw significant price differences, with Costco always coming out as the more expensive option.

Rice

Rice

Worst: Dried Pasta

You won’t burn a hole in your wallet from getting Costco’s dried pasta, but there are definitely other stores to visit to get better value for money. If you compare Trader Joe’s pasta and Walmart’s to Costco, you will notice that both stores offer better discounts.

Dried Pasta

Dried Pasta

Worst: DVDs

Though DVDs aren’t so common these days with the rise of streaming, some people do still look to buy them. If you are in this category, skip Costco and buy from online retailer Amazon instead. The online giant will not only offer better prices, but they will also send them directly to your home.

DVDs

DVDs

Worst: Gel Dishwasher Detergent

Kirkland dishwasher detergent is a product to avoid at Costco. Consumer Reports said this about the gel dishwasher detergent: “The Kirkland Signature Gel is one of our lowest-rated detergents.” It doesn’t even clean that well, your plates and pots will come out requiring another wash.

Gel Dishwasher Detergent

Gel Dishwasher Detergent

Worst: Canned Goods

If you’re looking for canned goods, Costco isn’t the place to go. Just because they are a big wholesaler doesn’t mean that everything is a steal. Other stores were found to sell the same items for 20-40% cheaper (per unit). If you really wanted to go to Costco for cans, you’re better off going when there is a sale.

Canned Goods

Canned Goods

Worst: Body Lotions

If you want to find good deals on lotions, this can easily be done at Costco. However, you will need to accumulate enough coupons to make it worthwhile. So it is possible under the right circumstances, but more often than not, perhaps you will struggle.

Body Lotions

Body Lotions

Worst: Protein Bars

Costco’s own brand of protein bar is somewhat marmite-like. Either you love them or hate them. With this in mind, you should probably try one before buying 40. In addition, the protein bars at Costco work out at around $1 a bar, whereas Pure Protein bars from online retailer Amazon will only cost $0.90!

Protein Bars

Protein Bars

Worst: Whole Grains

When you think of grains, like whole grains, you may think they will last a long time. However, there are many oils in whole grains and they are usually found in the bran and germ of the grain. This explains why they go bad so fast. Remaining true for other seeds and nuts, oils may be taken out while the grains go through processing, but they will still stick to the grains.

Whole Grains

Whole Grains

Worst: Jerky

Beef jerky, as tasty as it may be, just doesn’t last very long. The salt and spices it has does not act so well at preserving the meat. If you do purchase this, you should probably keep it in the fridge after it is opened. Even on the packages it says that once opened it must be consumed within 3 days. Even in the refrigerator it will only last a week or so. For this reason, buying in bulk from Costco probably isn’t the way to go.

Jerky

Jerky

Worst: Hummus

Hummus is great, but why on earth (unless you have a restaurant or were throwing a party) would you ever need this amount of hummus. Simply purchase a smaller container from a normal store and it will avoid food going to waste.

Hummus

Hummus

Worst: Printer Paper

Shopping for the office? If so, you should probably buy your printer paper from elsewhere. Regular office supply stores will give better deals, such as those at Staples. Go to these stores armed with coupons and during back-to-school sales, and you will be golden.

Printer Paper

Printer Paper

Buy: Gift Cards

Gift cards are a big plus when shopping at Costco. You can almost certainly find big retailers here with a big money discount. Maybe you will even find a deal on different gift cards. If you need to buy something or are looking for a gift for a friend, this is where to buy that gift card.

Gift Cards

Gift Cards