Costco is a bulk-buy paradise—and for many, a second home. But even the most loyal members have a list of things they simply won’t toss in the oversized cart anymore. Between Reddit threads, expert advice, and seasoned shopper experience, a few products consistently pop up as disappointing, wasteful, or just not worth it.
Kevin’s Meals
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They promise easy, pre-cooked convenience, especially for anyone following a keto plan—but the results rarely impress. Shoppers often describe the meat as rubbery and the sauces as overpowering. For a product built on convenience, Kevin’s meals seem to demand a flavor sacrifice many Costco fans won’t make again.
Kirkland Toilet Paper
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Despite its popularity, Kirkland’s TP has lost its fans over time. People who used to swear by it now say the rolls feel thinner, tear more easily, and don’t absorb as well. A supplier change might explain the dip in quality.
Strawberries
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The oversized clamshell container makes sense only if you plan to use the fruit immediately. Mold tends to show up quickly, and it’s not unusual for the strawberries to spoil within 48 hours. Buying in bulk doesn’t help when half the package goes bad before breakfast the next day.
Kirkland Cold Brew
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If you’re expecting café-quality cold brew, this one might let you down. Reviewers have called it bitter, metallic, or downright “off.” Even adding cream and sugar doesn’t mask the strange taste. Starbucks or homemade still wins this battle.
Rotisserie Chicken
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The legendary $4.99 bird still flies off the shelves, but not everyone’s convinced it’s worth the hype anymore. Some recent batches have been noticeably dry or unevenly cooked, with the occasional off-putting flavor.
Massive Mayo
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A container that size feels like a bargain until you realize how slowly most households go through mayonnaise. The product has a limited shelf life after opening, and even heavy sandwich eaters struggle to finish it in time. More often than not, half the jar ends up in the trash.
Cooking Oil
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Sure, it’s cheap. But if your bottle of oil is still going strong six months in, that’s not a good thing. Oils can go rancid surprisingly fast, especially when stored in clear plastic. Several shoppers say they noticed odd flavors in their food after using the bulk stuff.
Oversized Spices
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The enormous container of garlic powder at Costco might seem like a lifetime supply, but that’s exactly the problem. Spices lose their potency over time, and few home cooks use enough to keep up. The flavor fades before they’re halfway through.
Bread
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Fresh-baked loaves smell great in-store, but they don’t always last long at home. The soft texture can turn stale quickly, and mold becomes an issue if storage conditions aren’t ideal. Unless there’s room in the freezer—or a household that eats bread fast—buying in bulk is a short-lived thrill.
Milk
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Double-gallon jugs are a hassle in the fridge. Pouring from them can be awkward, especially for kids or anyone with limited grip strength. And in many cases, the per-unit price is better elsewhere.
Salsa
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Costco’s salsa jugs may be massive, but that doesn’t mean they taste better. The flavor lacks freshness and complexity, and unless you’re feeding a crowd, you’ll likely toss out the leftovers before the expiration date hits.
Avocados
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They all ripen at once, they all spoil at once, and unless you're planning to live on guacamole for three days straight, it’s a losing game. This is one of the most common complaints from produce shoppers—too much ripeness, not enough time.
Salad Greens Turn Slimey
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Those giant bags of spring mix or romaine spoil quickly. Despite best efforts to store them properly, the greens often degrade before the bag is halfway gone. Buying fresh in smaller batches is more efficient, even if it costs a little more.
Giant Croissants
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They look bakery-fresh and smell amazing, but the size works against them. Each of these giant croissants is a mini loaf, and once cut, the texture dries out quickly. It misses the mark on both form and finish.
Candy in Bulk
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Three pounds of chocolate-covered raisins—this product hardens into inedible rocks before you’re halfway through. Sharing isn’t easy without individual wrappers, and storage becomes a pain. After the novelty wears off, the rest often sits untouched in the back of the pantry.
