As any loyal Costco shopper will tell you, Costco’s incredible wholesale deals can ensure that your $60 membership will more than pay for itself in one or two trips to the store. But while Costco can help you save money overall, not every Costco product is a bargain. In fact, if you want to save on your budget, there are some products you should buy anywhere but Costco – starting with the 10 items listed below.
6 Genius Hacks All Costco Buyers Should Know
1. Electronics
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5-inch tablet
Costco can be a great place to shop for electronics, even laptops, phones, and accessories, but not always. Make sure you buy the latest model available; sometimes the choice is limited. And make sure you’re getting a lower price than you could get at an electronics retailer like Best Buy.
2. Soda
Assorted pack of 24 mini Coca-Cola soda cans.
Unlike many other Costco staples, sodas are sold in bulk at most grocery stores. As a result, most stores have soda promotions, not just Costco. Unless you’re in urgent need of a 36-pack soda box for a party, it’s worth comparing the soda prices at Costco and other grocery stores like Winco or Kroger to make sure you’re getting the best price.
Get expert advice on how to make more money sent straight to your inbox.
3. Fruits and vegetables
Gourmet Big Bag of Fresh Asparagus from Costco
Since Costco’s focus is on wholesale merchandise, it has never been particularly well-known for its products. Unlike shelf-stable foods, you can’t just buy a bag of fruit and leave it in your pantry for a few weeks while you slowly eat it. Foods like onions and potatoes usually last longer than berries and bananas, but most fresh foods still spoil faster than long-term foods like, say, chips or pasta.
In addition, when buying fruits and vegetables in bulk, you won’t notice the obvious problems that might stand out in a small package. For example, a few moldy strawberries are easier to catch if you’re examining a regular-sized container, but they can easily hide in a massive crate. As a result, you might accidentally buy a half-moldy box of strawberries from Costco without even knowing it, which means you’ll have even less time to eat that whole bulk purchase before it goes bad.
4. Diapers
Diaper bag from Costco Kirkland Signature
Diapers won’t spoil the way food does, but your baby can outgrow them, leaving you with diapers you can’t use. Diapers are also difficult to store in bulk. So if you don’t buy triplets, it might be better to buy less elsewhere.
5. Flour
Ardent Mills Harvest Hotel & Restaurant All-Purpose Flour, 25 lbs.
Flour does not spoil as quickly as fruits and vegetables, but after a few months, it still spoils. If you’re an intrepid baker and know you can use a whole bag of Costco-sized flour for eight or so months, Costco flour may still be a great deal for you. Otherwise, ditch bulk flour in favor of small packages at your regular grocery store, and remember to avoid raw cookie dough: no matter where you buy it, flour can be contaminated with E. coli.
6. Chicken
Kirkland’s Signature Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless, 6 lbs
We’re not talking about Costco’s famous $5 grilled chicken, which the company plans to keep below the floor for years to come. Instead, we’re talking about hand-trimmed chicken breasts, thighs, and legs—the typical meat you can buy in the poultry section of any grocery store. While Costco raw meat can save you money, it’s not necessarily a good deal, especially if you forget to freeze meat you haven’t cooked for several days.
Pay more for groceries? 8 Ways to Fight Inflation | FinanceBuzz
7. Kirkland Paper Goods
Bath towels, 30 pcs. packaged, Kirkland Signature Costco
Costco shoppers rave about most in-store products, but not Kirkland paper products. Toilet paper and paper towels are not as durable and strong, so despite being the right price, you end up using them more. Buying in bulk can be a good deal, but not if you need to use the product in bulk.
8. Shoes
New Balance 990v5 women’s running shoes
Costco often sells branded clothing at more affordable prices than many clothing stores. However, some Costco shoppers buy cheaper branded items such as shoes from Costco only to be disappointed in the quality and fit, believing that Costco can sell branded items cheaper because they have lower quality stock. . Poor quality running shoes can increase your risk of injury, so make sure your Costco shoes fit your feet and knees, as well as your budget.
9. Cooking oil
Kirkland Signature Canola Oil, 3 quarts, 2 pieces
Like flour, vegetable oil goes bad after a few months, so unless you’re sure you can use up a huge bottle of vegetable oil in about six months, your liter of Costco vegetable oil isn’t a bargain. you think it is.
10. Large household appliances
Kitchen with marble wall, beige cabinets, and Samsung 6.0 cu. ft. Front control retractable gas stove with convection and Wi-Fi
You can find a water heater, barbecue, or other large appliance cheaper than average at Costco, but make sure the item you buy is of the right quality, brand, and price for the job. First, Costco’s amazing return policy doesn’t usually cover appliances: you only have 90 days to return appliances. Secondly, Costco doesn’t necessarily sell home appliances at the lowest prices, so be sure to check out other major stores like Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club for the best deal on your high-priced product.
Get your money back every time you shop at Costco with one of these credit cards.
bottom line
Interior view of a Costco store in Alaska
Ask any Costco budget shopper: Costco can give you and your budget a fantastic shopping experience. But Costco’s bulk food deals will backfire if you don’t eat your food before it goes bad. And you can’t expect to save money on every product you find on your local warehouse shelves. As a money-conscious shopper, make sure you compare Costco’s prices for individual products with smaller chains for the same items.
More from FinanceBuzz:
This article by Costco Fans Says These 10 Products Are No Longer Value, was originally published on FinanceBuzz.