3 Costco Kitchen Appliances You Shouldn’t Waste Your Money On
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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If you’re looking to update your kitchen with new gadgets and appliances, many shoppers head to Costco to save a buck or two. The warehouse store offers both value and quality on a wide variety of appliances both large and small.
While Costco membership does come with an impressive selection of food items, it’s the kitchen appliances where every product may not be worth the investment — even for bulk items. Here’s a look at the Costco kitchen appliances that may be a waste of your money.
Small Countertop Appliances
Shopping at Costco can often result in getting the best deals on canned goods or toilet paper, but not every item is the best deal in town. Though Costco offers a selection of small kitchen appliances, you may be able to find better prices elsewhere.
“You can often find better deals — and better options — for countertop kitchen appliances by looking online at places like Amazon,” said Christen Costa, CEO of the product review site, Gadget Review.
“Sure, Costco still has good, reliable prices, but there is simply a larger selection with online retailers and also more options with colors and styles. Plus, you may have better luck finding coupons to apply online.”
Specific appliances to avoid include toaster ovens, air fryers, coffee makers and blenders, which you can likely find for less than the Costco prices at retailers like Amazon and Target.
Dishwashers
While the list of Costco items this mega-retailer sells includes quality dishwashers, some Costco members have complained about the installation process and follow-up customer service. Even if space-saving, if it doesn’t save you time and money, it might not be worth the down payment.
For example, a one-star review on a Samsung dishwasher noted that the issue was with Costco, not the machine itself: “The reason for [my] one-star rating is not product-relate[d]. I would give it five star[s] if it were [for] the product only.
“[I experienced] three delivery delays of one week each. […] This is totally unacceptable. […] I have called several times to complain but everyone I speak to just passes the buck to someone else. Costco totally failed us.”
Appliances With Limited Warranties
Be sure to check the fine print before purchasing any kitchen appliance or additional items at Costco.
“One of the biggest draws to purchasing appliances from Costco is their generous return policy and warranty. However, not all appliances sold at Costco come with these benefits,” said Warner Quiroga, home renovation expert and founder of Prestige Home Buyers.
“It is important to carefully read the fine print and understand what is covered under warranty before purchasing. Some appliances may only have a limited warranty, meaning that any repairs or replacements will come at an additional cost to the customer.”
Final Take To GO: The Reviews Are In
The bottom line is that appliances often come with a heftier price tag than other groceries on your list, so a little more research before buying is advisable. Customer reviews can provide invaluable insights into whether or not a kitchen appliance sold at Costco is a waste of money.
For example, any appliance that has multiple one-star reviews, with many reviewers stating that the appliance is defective or cheaply made, may need to be taken out of your cart.
Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article.
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