5 Costco Items That Are Actually Overpriced (and Where To Buy Them Instead)
Written by
Sarah Li Cain
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Zuri Anderson
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Yes, you can save money at Costco, but you can’t go into this warehouse store blindly. Yes, die-hard fans of Costco will tell you that you can save a lot buying items there compared to some grocery stores.
While that’s true, there are some items that simply aren’t worth it. In fact, some of these are downright overpriced. Here are five of them.
Milk
Several outlets like Mashed and The Daily Meal report that this grocery staple is better left on the shelves. Though milk alternatives like its almond milk are still probably cheaper.
Right now, you can get milk from places like Kroger (currently $3.29 per gallon) that cost less than Costco. Since the price varies based on where you live, it’s worth checking out local discount stores, too.
Apparently, a gallon of Kirkland Signature milk costs more than discount and mid-tier grocery stores. Of course, if you’re there buying most of your staples and want to pick up a gallon, it could be worth saving the trip.
That is, unless you live near a Costco that sells two-packs of milk. Unless you’ll use it all, it’ll probably end up being a waste of your money.
Fresh Produce
They look so lovely don’t they? It may seem like getting produce in bulk means big savings, it’s not necessarily the case.
A few on an older Reddit thread found that produce isn’t as cheap as what they thought. In fact, they suggested heading to a local Asian grocery store. Plus, you can buy the exact amount you need and not risk the bulk pack of cucumbers you got at Costco go to waste.
Chicken Breasts
Sad to say, but buying meat in bulk at Costco isn’t always the best idea when it comes to saving money. Depending on where you live, chicken breast could be one of them.
It’s hard to compare prices because the price of meat is heavily dependent on where you live, but in states like California and Florida, it could cost you around 50 cents more per pound compared to other places.
Check Walmart and Aldi to see whether you’ll have better luck with lower prices.
Salmon
The beloved seafood section isn’t as cheap as you think. Although one Reddit user found a discount of $4.99 a pound for fresh salmon at their location, it was a fluke. As in, they lowered the price so it could sell its excess. Normally, you’ll see prices for around $10.99 per pound.
You guessed it: Aldi and Walmart will give you cheaper prices. And (maybe not) surprisingly, Trader Joe’s small but mighty section of seafood is usually much cheaper than Costco. We’re talking about several dollars less per pound.
Soda
Unless you find a massive sale, you’re better off steering clear of Costco’s soda section. The warehouse store offers a 30-pack of Coca Cola mini cans for around $21, whereas places like Target offer them at around 10 cents less per can.
If you’re patient, you could catch various sales, like when Target offers a steep discount when buying three packs. Or, for those living near Publix locations, wait until your favorite brand of soda is featured on their buy-one-get-one-free promotions.
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