8 Expensive Costco Items That Are Definitely Not Worth the Cost
Written by
Sean Bryant
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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If you’ve ever been inside a Costco, you know it’s a great place to go if you want to buy in bulk and save money in the long term. You’ll find many items cheaper on a per item basis than most grocery stores. However, not all Costco items are going to be a great purchase.
Some expensive items at Costco are actually not worth the cost. Knowing which items to avoid buying can help you save money in the long run.
Over-the-Counter Medications You Won’t Finish
It might be tempting to buy large bottles of over-the-counter medications like multivitamins or pain relievers from Costco to save on a per-pill basis. But depending on how often you take these medications and how many people in your house use them, you may end up paying more for the larger bottle and wasting the product before its expiration date.
Instead, buy smaller quantities of generic brands from Target or a local drugstore to save money. The FDA requires generic brand medications to be as effective and safe as name-brand drugs.
Beauty Products
Several beauty items have a shorter lifespan than you might realize. Some products, like face creams and sunscreen, may last only a year or less before they expire or lose efficacy. If you won’t be able to use up the large-size product before that date, then you are better off buying a small quantity.
Fish
Costco typically has a great selection of seafood. You’ll find everything from salmon to crab legs, lobster and even scallops. However, buying seafood from Costco isn’t always the best deal.
For example, you’ll find smoked New Zealand king salmon at Costco priced at $84.99 for 2.2 pounds, or about $2.41 per ounce. Albertson’s carries several options for smoked salmon priced between $1.50 and $2 per ounce. You should check your local store’s seafood counter, as well, for weekly deals on top of lower prices.
Large Size Snacks or Candies
Large snacks or candies may be a great deal from a cost perspective, but they could be costly regarding your health. It can be tempting to overindulge when the bag is so big. To avoid wasting the snacks, you and your partner or roommate may feel you should eat more than you normally would. Those extra calories can add up quickly.
Unless you buy them for a party or have several people eating them at home, it is best to avoid them at Costco.
Certain Electronics
It might seem like Costco offers electronics for a great price, but be sure to take a closer look before purchasing them.
Manufacturers often partner with Costco to create exclusive versions of their popular laptops and TVs that they can sell at a lower price. However, these models could be missing key features. Be sure to review the item’s details and customer reviews to ensure it has all the features you are looking for. You may be better off buying a refurbished model from a store like Best Buy instead to save money.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables can expire pretty quickly, even if you’re storing them properly. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a week before most things will start to spoil.
When you’re buying in bulk, it can be difficult even for families to finish produce before it goes bad — and if you’re throwing out some of what you buy, the lower initial price tag ends up being more expensive in the long run.
Grey Goose Vodka
If you need a large quantity of vodka for a party or to keep on hand for cocktails, avoid buying the Grey Goose label vodka from Costco. Instead, you can buy the Kirkland brand vodka for about half the price. The Kirkland brand vodka gets great reviews from shoppers.
School and Office Supplies
If you have kids in school, are a teacher or work from home, you probably go through a lot of school and office supplies like pens, paper, markers, etc. Even though school and office supplies don’t expire, buying them from Costco may not get you the best deal.
School and office supplies are surprisingly pretty expensive at Costco. You will likely get a better deal on these items by shopping at office supply stores, Target or Walmart during their back-to-school shopping or other holiday sales.
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