12 Costco Items That Aren't Worth the Price, According to Customers

The main purpose of shopping at Costco is to save money. Still, it’s hard to argue that every product sold at Costco will lower your expenses when it ends up in the bin because it went bad before you could use it, or simply didn’t hold up to the hype. While Costco is great for larger, bulk items, not every item is a slam dunk and worthy of the price tag. Every household has different needs, but these are the Costco products that generally can be beat, according to shoppers.

Organic Long English Cucumbers

A refreshing snack, vehicle for dip, or topping on salads and sandwiches, cucumbers are a popular vegetable. While cucumber prices can fluctuate, shoppers have noticed that Costco tends to charge more for a pack of organic English cucumbers. Costco’s produce in general could be a department to skip if the bulk packages are too large for your needs, though they tend to have good deals—except for the cucumbers, apparently.

Soda Cans

Soft drinks aren’t perishable, so shelf-stable soda is the perfect item to buy in bulk, right? Maybe not. Supermarkets often run soda promotions so good they beat Costco prices—if you can wait until those deals roll around, that is. If you’re throwing a party and need dozens of soda cans ASAP, grab ‘em at Costco. If you buy soda for your own personal stash, it could be a better idea to stock up the next time your local grocery store runs a deal worth noting.

Kirkland Signature Bagels

The Costco bakery is a not-so-hidden gem because many items are made fresh, but unless you have a large household, buying baked goods in bulk is risky business. Take the Kirkland Signature Bagels, for example. Costco requires you to buy a dozen bagels at a time—twice the amount of a normal supermarket. Costco shoppers say the bagels end up growing mold, which is money down the drain. You could freeze extra bagels if you’re OK with the slight change in texture.

Steak

Costco has some of the best quality steak around considering it’s USDA prime. So, get your steak at Costco if quality is of utmost importance. But if your goal is to keep your grocery bill as low as possible, opt for USDA choice beef at your nearby grocery store. You’ll sacrifice some marbling, but you’ll save a few bucks going this route, shoppers say.

Clothes

Costco doesn’t just have deals on groceries and household essentials, the warehouse also stocks loads of affordable clothing items like shirts, pants, underwear, and socks. These are some of the best deals you’ll find, but it could be a case of “you get what you pay for.” Customers say that Costco clothes are great the first few uses, but they show wear quickly and don’t always hold up in the wash. Only buy clothes at Costco if you’re content with replacing them more often.

Kikkoman Soy Sauce

It’s a staple for Asian-style sauces and marinades for meat, but soy sauce doesn’t last very long in the refrigerator. Once opened, you’ve got about three to six months to use it up. Most recipes made with soy sauce only call for small amounts of the ingredient, so it may not be realistic to buy the 64-ounce jugs of Kikkoman Soy Sauce at Costco. Some customers say they barely made a dent in their bulk condiment before it had to be thrown out.

Kirkland Signature Whole Milk

Foods like milk, eggs, and bread are household staples, but they’re also perishable. Drinking spoiled milk can make you sick, so it’s best to only buy the amount of milk you can realistically use before it turns. Costco sells several types of milk, such as Kirkland Signature Whole Milk, but you usually have to buy two gallons to get the deal. Once opened, milk lasts for up to a week. Your unopened milk could last a few days past the date printed on the jug, but it certainly won’t last forever. If you plan accordingly, it could be worth it, but some Costco customers say they buy their milk elsewhere for the peace of mind that it won’t go bad before it’s been used.

Fresh Garlic

They say to measure garlic with your heart when cooking, but there may be such a thing as too much of this flavorful food. After a while, garlic starts to sprout, which is a sign that it’s getting old. Costco sells 2-pound bags of fresh garlic, which could last you up to six months if stored properly. Still, customers say that the garlic usually starts to sprout before they’ve had the chance to finish the bag. You could peel and freeze unused garlic, or buy minced or peeled garlic instead.

Kirkland Signature Cream Cheese

Buying from Costco’s private label almost always saves you money, but sometimes the name-brand is just better. Customers who have tried both Kirkland Signature and popular brand Philadelphia Cream Cheese say the latter simply tastes better. But only buy cream cheese if you know you can use it within a two-week period—after that, it could spoil.

Windshield Wipers

You can get automobile basics at Costco, such as a tank of gas, new tires, and windshield wipers. It’s worth it to get gas and tires at the warehouse, but consider getting your windshield wipers elsewhere. Customers say they don’t last long, and you’ll end up replacing them more frequently than if you bought them at a slightly higher price somewhere else. You might only need to replace these once per year, so why not shell out for a more durable pair?

Fresh Fruit

Costco’s frozen berries are one of their most popular items, but what about the fresh produce? Customers aren’t always crazy about the quality, or lack thereof, of Costco’s fresh fruit. The strawberries, avocados, and bananas often go bad quickly or lack flavor in comparison to the fresh produce sold at the supermarket. Plus, shoppers say that these deals aren’t significantly better at Costco. 

Pain Relievers

Think long and hard before buying those ibuprofen and acetaminophen bottles that have 1,000 tablets in them. These are FSA-eligible, and you’ll pay a penny or so per tablet, but the medicine could expire long before you’ve gotten your money’s worth. Some people say households with small children who get sick often can benefit from these medicines since they double as fever reducers, but otherwise, you may fare best with a smaller bottle.