The 5 Worst Costco Deals to Avoid This Month
Not everything in the warehouse is a bargain. Some items are “bad deals” because of spoilage, poor nutritional value, or because you can simply find a better price elsewhere. Recognizing these categories is just as important as spotting the winners.
Worst Deal #1: Fresh Produce You Can’t Finish
This is the number one trap for small households. A three-pound bag of avocados for $5 seems like a steal until four of them turn brown and mushy on your counter. The same goes for giant clamshells of salad greens, enormous bags of broccoli, or a pallet of berries. The unit price on paper is excellent, but your *actual* unit price is based on what you consume, not what you buy. If you throw half of it away, you’ve doubled the price. Be brutally honest about how much your household can eat before it spoils. For September, this might apply to delicate items like fresh figs or late-season peaches. Often, buying smaller quantities from a local grocer as needed is the more frugal choice.
Worst Deal #2: Highly Processed Snacks and Packaged Meals
The center aisles are filled with giant boxes of individual chip bags, sugary granola bars, frozen pizzas, and pre-made entrees. These items are a bad deal on two fronts. First, nutritionally, they are often packed with sodium, added sugars, unhealthy fats, and a long list of additives. They are the definition of ultra-processed foods, designed for convenience over health. Second, while they seem cheap, their unit price is often higher than you think. You’re paying a premium for packaging and processing. A giant box of brand-name macaroni and cheese is rarely cheaper per ounce than a simple bag of Kirkland pasta and a block of Kirkland cheddar cheese that you grate yourself.
Worst Deal #3: Condiments and Spices with a Short Shelf Life
A gallon-sized jar of mayonnaise might seem like a lifetime supply, and that’s the problem. Many condiments and oils have a limited shelf life once opened, even when refrigerated. They can spoil or go rancid before you get halfway through. The same principle applies to ground spices. While whole spices can last for years, ground spices like paprika, cumin, and chili powder lose their potency and flavor in as little as six months. Buying a giant container means that for the last two-thirds of its life, you’re using stale, flavorless dust. It’s better to buy smaller jars of spices from a grocery store or a specialty spice shop.
Worst Deal #4: Books, Media, and Clothing
Costco’s “treasure hunt” section is filled with impulse buys, and these categories are chief among them. A bestseller for $14.99 might seem good, but is it cheaper than the library (free) or a used copy online? A three-pack of brand-name shirts is tempting, but the quality may not be the same as what’s sold in a department store, and you may not need all three. These items are not part of a core grocery mission. They are distractions designed to get you to spend more. Unless you went in specifically for that item and have already price-compared it, it’s best to walk on by.
Worst Deal #5: Brand-Name Cereal and Soda
This may seem counterintuitive, but many iconic, brand-name pantry items are cheaper at a regular supermarket when they are on sale. Supermarkets use these popular products as their own loss leaders. A box of Cheerios or a 12-pack of Coca-Cola might be on a “buy one, get one free” or a deep discount special every few weeks. Costco’s everyday price on a multi-pack of these items often can’t compete with a supermarket’s best sale price. This is where using a grocery store’s weekly flyer and your knowledge of the sales cycle can beat the warehouse price.
