Don’t get me wrong, I love Costco. I really do. The smell of fresh rotisserie chicken in the air, the siren song of the free samples, the oversized carts that make you feel like a giant toddler, the treasure hunt vibe where you might find anything from a kayak to a diamond ring—it’s like a retail adventure park. I’ve been a loyal Costco member for years, proudly flashing my card at the entrance, and I’ve definitely saved a ton on things like diapers, vitamins, organic coffee, and bulk snacks that fuel my family through the week. The $1.50 hot dog combo is practically a family tradition. But I’ve also made my fair share of mistakes, walking out with a cart full of “great deals” that turned into clutter, waste, and regret.
Over time, I’ve figured out that not everything at Costco is a great deal, and some items just don’t make sense for a typical household, at least for me and mine. It’s a hard-won wisdom, learned through experience and a few too many items tossed in the bin. Whether it’s because of massive food waste, a price that isn’t actually competitive, questionable quality, or sheer impracticality, there are a bunch of things I avoid now with laser focus. My Costco trips are now surgical strikes, not meandering explorations. So let me save you the trouble, the money, and the buyer’s remorse. Here are 20 things I personally never buy at Costco anymore, and why you probably shouldn’t either.
1. Fresh Produce
Every time I walk into a Costco, the produce section calls my name with those shiny grapes, beautiful berries, and giant bags of organic spinach. It all looks so fresh and healthy. But unless you are feeding a small army, juicing for a marathon, or meal-prepping for a dozen people, most of it goes bad before you can finish it. I’ve thrown away more slimy cucumbers, wilted spinach, and fuzzy strawberries than I can admit. That giant bag of avocados? They all seem to ripen on the exact same day, creating a frantic 24-hour window of intense guacamole consumption before they turn brown. It definitely hurts to waste food and money, and the guilt of tossing out what was once perfectly good produce is a terrible feeling.
2. Milk
Buying milk in bulk sounds like a fantastic idea in theory, especially if you have kids who drink it by the gallon. However, the reality is that you now have two giant one-gallon jugs that expire on the exact same date. I’m not saying milk isn’t a good deal at Costco, but unless you go through it at lightning speed, you are just asking for sour milk. The stress of the approaching expiration date can turn your morning coffee into a gamble. Furthermore, my fridge isn’t even built for those oversized, square-shaped jugs; they don’t fit in the door, so they take up valuable shelf space. Now I just grab a half-gallon as needed at the regular grocery store. It’s less hassle and guarantees freshness.
3. Giant Condiment Bottles
I once bought a two-pack of ketchup bottles so big that they looked like they belonged in a restaurant kitchen or a school cafeteria. I thought I was set for years. Fast-forward six months, and I was still squeezing that same crusty, watery-at-the-top bottle. The same goes for mayonnaise, mustard, and relish. Unless you are throwing massive weekly barbecues, Costco-sized condiments will outlive your interest in them, slowly separating and changing color in your refrigerator door. They become long-term tenants in your fridge, taking up precious real estate that could be used for something else. I’d rather buy smaller bottles more often and enjoy them while they’re at their best.
4. Cereal Multipacks
Hear me out: I love cereal. My whole family does. But Costco cereal comes in massive twin packs that inevitably lose their crunch long before I finish the first bag, let alone get to the second. There’s nothing sadder than a bowl of soft, stale cereal. This is especially true with kids, who are notorious for changing their breakfast preferences every 10 minutes. The brand they begged for last week is suddenly “gross” this week, leaving you with a box big enough to serve a platoon. These giant boxes also consume a ridiculous amount of pantry space. It’s just not worth the supposed savings.
5. Bread
This one feels wrong because the price for two loaves of bread at Costco is actually really good. But it’s a lot of bread for a small family. Each pack contains two loaves, and if you don’t have a plan, you’re in trouble. The common advice is to freeze one immediately, but let’s be honest: frozen and then thawed bread is never quite as good. It’s often best for toast, but not great for fresh sandwiches. If you forget to freeze it, you are going to end up tossing stale, or worse, moldy slices. I’ve done the moldy bread dance—discovering green spots the morning I need to make school lunches—more times than I’d like to admit.
6. Books
I know it’s weird to say, but as an avid reader, I find Costco’s book selection is not that good. It’s usually a small, sparsely populated table of the top ten mainstream bestsellers, celebrity memoirs, or holiday-themed cookbooks. The prices aren’t bad, but you’ll almost always find better deals online, especially for e-books, or discover more interesting titles at local used bookstores. The “treasure hunt” magic of Costco just doesn’t apply here. I learned this the hard way after impulse-buying a celebrity memoir during a checkout run that I still haven’t opened. I prefer the curated experience of a real bookstore or the endless options of the library.
7. Bulk Spices
Unless you are opening a restaurant, running a catering business, or prepping for the end of the world, skip the Costco spices. It seems economical to buy a huge container of paprika or garlic powder, but spices lose their potency and flavor after a few months as their volatile oils evaporate. Those industrial-sized containers of seasoning can take years for a normal family to finish. I still have a Costco-sized chili powder from 2019 that has lost all its kick. It’s just red dust at this point. You’re far better off buying smaller, fresher spices from the grocery store as you need them, ensuring your food actually tastes like something.
8. Electronics Without Doing Research
Costco has some good deals on electronics, and their return policy is legendary, which provides peace of mind. But not every electronic item is a winner. I once grabbed a smart TV from there thinking it was an absolute steal, only to find out later that it was a “derivative model” made specifically for warehouse clubs. It had a stripped-down operating system, fewer HDMI ports, and worse reviews than the standard model I thought I was getting. The lesson learned is to always check the specific model number online and read reviews before pulling the trigger, even if the price looks incredible.
9. Giant Bottles of Shampoo & Conditioner
I used to think bigger was always better when it came to toiletries. Then I got tired of dealing with a shampoo bottle so heavy and unwieldy that I had to use both hands to squeeze it in the shower. It’s a logistical nightmare. Plus, our hair needs change with the seasons and other factors. You might love a moisturizing formula in the dry winter, but need something clarifying in the summer. Being locked into a single, liter-sized bottle for six months isn’t practical. It also prevents you from trying new products you might like better. The novelty wears off quickly, and that giant bottle will be staring you down from the shower shelf, judging you.
10. Clothing
This one is pretty personal, as style varies for everyone. I’ve bought a lot of Costco clothing over the years—jackets, sweaters, pants—but I end up rarely wearing most of it. The price might be tempting, but the fit, style, and quality can be very hit or miss. Sizing can be inconsistent between the different brands they carry. And without fitting rooms, you’re essentially guessing and hoping for the best, which often means a return trip. While their return policy is great, it’s still a hassle. I’ve decided to stick to name brands I know and trust now, even if it means paying a bit more elsewhere for something I know I’ll actually wear.
11. Pre-Packaged Baked Goods
Costco’s bakery smells like heaven on earth, and their display cases are filled with temptation. But those huge packs of 12 muffins, 24 cookies, and giant danishes? They’re a dangerous sugar trap. Every single time I buy them, I tell myself we’ll eat them slowly. But instead, I eat way too many in a short period, feel gross, and then watch the rest go stale. The pressure to finish them before they spoil is real. Now, I’ve decided to just admire the baked goods from afar. If the craving is truly unbearable, I suggest finding a friend to split a pack with—it’s the only way to win this battle.
12. Bottled Water
I used to be the person lugging those huge 40-bottle cases of Kirkland Signature water from the cart to my car and then into my house, feeling like a hydration hero. But then I did the math and thought about the environmental impact. I have a perfectly good water filter pitcher at home that makes my tap water taste great. Between the mountains of plastic waste and the storage space those cases take up in the garage, it just stopped making sense. I’ve ditched Costco bottled water for a reusable bottle and a home filter, and I’ve never looked back. It saves money, effort, and the planet.
13. Office Supplies
Some stuff is worth buying in bulk, but office supplies for home use are rarely on that list. A 50-pack of Sharpies? A dozen boxes of paper clips? A ream of 5000 staples? I bought them once, thinking I was being so efficient and prepared. I haven’t needed to buy those specific office supplies in five years, and the giant packages are still taking up an entire drawer in my desk. Unless you’re actually running an office or have kids who go through art supplies at an incredible rate, it’s just unnecessary clutter and a poor use of money that could be spent elsewhere.
14. Laundry Detergent
I once bought a Costco-sized container of liquid laundry detergent that was so big and heavy it barely fit in my laundry cabinet. Then, one day I noticed a slow leak had formed, creating a goopy, sticky mess all over the shelf. It was a nightmare to clean up. Beyond the risk of leaks, the container was so cumbersome that pouring the right amount was nearly impossible, leading me to use way too much detergent per load, which is bad for clothes and washing machines. I now buy normal-sized containers and, if I want, refill a smaller, easier-to-use bottle. Trust me, your back and your shelves will thank you.
15. Greeting Cards
I definitely fell into this trap. A giant, neatly organized box containing 50 assorted greeting cards seemed like a brilliant, forward-thinking purchase. I’d be set for every occasion! The problem is, I realized they were all incredibly generic, and none of them truly matched the kind of personal, specific cards I actually like giving. When a real occasion came up, like a close friend’s wedding or a sympathy card, the generic “Best Wishes” from the box just didn’t cut it. Most of them just sit in a drawer, and I still end up buying custom or funnier cards elsewhere, completely defeating the purpose.
16. Diapers
If you’ve got a newborn and you’ve settled on a brand that works, Costco diapers can be a lifesaver and a great deal. But if your kid is transitioning between sizes or has sensitive skin, buying a massive box can backfire spectacularly. I had a whole half-box go unused because my son hit a sudden growth spurt and sized up overnight. Worse yet is buying a box of 200 diapers only to discover that particular brand gives your baby a rash. Now I just buy smaller packs during those in-between stages or when trying a new brand. It provides flexibility and prevents wasteful spending.
17. Toys
Costco’s toy aisle looks like a child’s paradise, especially during the holiday season. The items are often huge and impressive-looking. However, you should be careful and do your homework. Some of the toys are overpriced compared to deals you can find online or at stores like Target and Walmart, who often run competitive sales. I’ve learned to price-check on my phone before even considering a toy purchase there. Plus, the toys are usually big and bulky, which is not always great if you’re tight on storage space at home. It’s an easy impulse buy to regret later.
18. Party Supplies in Excess
Planning for a big graduation or birthday party, I once bought a massive pack of paper plates, plastic cups, and cutlery, thinking I was being incredibly efficient. The party was a success, but five years later, I still have a half-used sleeve of faded paper plates and a mountain of plastic forks in my pantry. I simply don’t throw enough large parties to justify a restaurant-level stock of disposable dinnerware. Now I just buy what I need per event from a dollar store. It’s more economical in the long run and I don’t have to dedicate a whole shelf to party supplies from 2018.
19. Pre-Cut Fruit
Convenient? Absolutely. Worth it? Almost never. Pre-cut fruit at Costco is extremely pricey when you compare it to the cost of the whole fruit it came from. You’re paying a massive premium for a few minutes of labor. Worse, it spoils incredibly fast. I’ve opened containers to find slimy, slightly fermented, or even moldy pieces way before the printed expiration date. You’re much better off buying whole fruit, which stays fresh longer and has more nutrients, and then chopping it yourself when you’re ready to eat it. It’s a simple step that saves a lot of money and avoids disappointment.
20. Giant Dessert Cakes
Yes, I know Costco’s sheet cakes are iconic and a legendary bargain. People love them for office parties and huge family gatherings. But if you’re not feeding at least 20-30 people, it’s just too much cake. The sheer size is absurd for a regular family. It takes up an entire shelf in the refrigerator, a logistical challenge in itself. I’ve tried freezing leftovers, pawning off massive slices on unsuspecting neighbors, and even turning it into cake pops, but it’s an overwhelming amount of dessert. You end up feeling obligated to eat cake for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cakes are undeniably good, but the portion size is so extreme it often leads to waste.
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