4 Expensive Costco Items To Buy on Amazon Instead

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When you go grocery shopping, particularly during times of tariffs and inflation, you probably frequent the same handful of stores. Your go-to for savvy shopping may be bulk retailers like Costco that offer low prices and large quantities, but in today’s economy it’s more important than ever to compare prices across retailers.

While Costco shoppers know it offers great deals on many items, some products are actually cheaper on Amazon, especially when factoring in fast shipping and Prime membership perks. If you’re trying to cut costs and develop smarter spending habits, here are four Costco items you may want to skip in-store and buy online instead.

Diapers

• Costco: Kirkland Signature diapers are $14.99 for 112-count ($0.13 per diaper)
• Amazon: Luvs diapers are $12.99 for 116-count ($0.11 per diaper)

If you’ve ever shopped at Costco, you know there are good deals to be had where diapers are concerned. However, you may want to look elsewhere for deeper discounts. At the very least, check the per-unit price of the diapers — some brands are cheaper on Amazon compared to Costco’s generic brand.

Holiday Décor

• Costco: A 7.5-foot Christmas tree with color-changing lights is $579.99
• Amazon: A 7.5-foot Christmas tree with color-changing lights is $149.99

This can be a bit tricky and nuanced, but as you can see, the savings can be significant. Holiday decor isn’t typically available year-round in stores, so you may need to pick up decorations when you see them. However, customers have reported finding much better deals online than at Costco. 

There is also the added element that Amazon will have random holiday decorations all year long, whereas Costco offers holiday decorations closer to the actual date of celebration. It’s definitely worth checking as the holiday season approaches. 

Spices

• Costco: Kirkland Signature ground cinnamon is $21.99 for 21.4 ounces ($1.03 per ounce)
• Amazon: McCormick ground cinnamon is $12.05 for 18 ounces ($0.67 per ounce)

Nothing says it’s the holiday season like winter spices, and you may be able to find a good deal on a huge tub or container of your favorite at Costco. While it may seem like great value, most of us don’t need that huge amount, especially in a relatively short time. Keep in mind that ground spices have a limited shelf life of about six months, after which they lose their potency.

School and Office Supplies

• Costco: Post-it Notes 24-pack is $19.99
• Amazon: Post-it Notes 24-pack is $16.99

Check out Amazon for good deals on supplies for the kids for school or your own home office. Many times you can save money by skipping Costco for these items. If you are looking to get organized for the next semester, quarter or just a New Year’s resolution, cleaning up your budget is a good start. 

Caitlyn Moorhead and Chris Adam contributed to the reporting for this article.

Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.

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