Although Costco’s goal is to provide the best prices on quality products, it is not always a good investment, as sometimes you have to throw them away.
According to retail experts consulted by BestLife, the company has items that are not worth what they cost or are not convenient to buy in bulk.
The chain of stores offers a variety of items from clothing, electronic equipment to food products. Although it is very popular in the United States, specialists recommend evaluating some of its products before buying them.
Each customer must analyze the quality of the products and compare prices with other stores to decide which is the best option.
Check these products before buying them
- Sales experts suggest that you do not purchase items other than Kirkland Signature, rather than other brands. They are generally sold at a fraction of the cost of their name brand counterparts and are of better quality.
- Choose Kirkland brand vodka, you will save half the price of the expensive Gray Goose, even though they say it is a good product.
- A video posted by the group Mercy for Animals showed a Costco chicken farm in Nebraska. The animals were in terrible condition, swollen, injured and deformed in a crowded and dark warehouse. In this regard, chef David Chang called it “the worst roast chicken.”
- If you need to buy any medications without a prescription, chances are those OTC medications are not as good as they seem. A great offer would be the blister pack of bottles of fish oil or multivitamins, but consider before buying, because they may expire and you may not consume them all. The best option is to purchase smaller quantities at a local pharmacy or large retailer to save up to 30%.
- The same goes for baby supplies, as their prices at Costco may be too good, but buying them in quantities could be a mistake. For example, diapers or baby food vary due to rapid growth and then cannot be used.
- Household cleaning products tend to degrade over time, so when used, they may not have the same effect.
- Bulk foods are a good choice for large families, otherwise the food will end up in the trash. Even if they are quality products, there is a risk that they will spoil if they are not eaten quickly.
- Large bags of frozen products are not the best purchase, opening and closing the bag can cause the food to get freezer burn. It is better to buy fresh products during the week.
- Other products that are not advisable to purchase in quantities are skin and makeup products. Don’t buy these Costco beauty products that come in big bottles or multi-packs, as they tend to expire.
- Sample foods, although very tasty, are usually high in calories, fat and sodium, so you should inform yourself before purchasing them.
- Giant containers of cheese curls or pretzels are also tempting, especially if they are on sale, but for one or two people they are excessive. Not so when they are bought for a party and consumed quickly.
- Seasonings are sometimes not the best option. Large bottles of ketchup, mayonnaise or mustard can spoil or lose their flavor before they expire, and due to their size they take up a lot of space.
- This also includes bulk spices that lose their flavor and virtues when used after a long time.
- Buy canned products at your local supermarket, which turn out to be cheaper and contain quantities more appropriate for personal or family consumption.
- Bread and pastries do not have such a long shelf life, it is better to consume them fresh. You may not find the best prices on these products at Costco.
- Some cereals are not always cheaper in these stores, compare the price in the supermarket to make sure they are really on sale.
- Sodas are almost always heavily discounted at your local supermarket, so bulk purchases could mean minimal savings.
- If you need to purchase books, it is better to go to specialty bookstores or small independent bookstores than to go to Costco. Well, although it has a small selection of books from a wide variety of genres, it can be difficult to find what you are looking for.
- Electronics manufacturers often partner with department stores to create exclusive versions of their popular items and sell them at lower prices. But it could be that these models in these stores do not have key features.
- An expert says that school and office supplies are very expensive at Costco. And, she adds, it’s possible to find a better deal by shopping at Target or Walmart during their back-to-school shopping sales.
