5 Groceries You Should Never Buy at Costco

I’ve had my Costco membership for over 15 years and don’t plan on canceling it anytime soon. The deals on bulk items are typically amazing and Costco is known to carry a lot of higher quality items. I’ve learned, through years of shopping, however, that some things are better left on the shelves. Here are five things you should avoid buying at the warehouse giant.

Bagels

The giant packs of bagels may seem appealing, but unless you can blow through 16 bagels in two to three days, you’ll find yourself opening a bag of moldy, stale rounds. Yes, they can be sliced and frozen, but the texture just isn’t the same afterward. And I prefer to use my freezer space for more premium products! So skip Costco and shop for a smaller quantity of bagels elsewhere. Or better yet, make your own! They’ll be fresh and chewy every time.

The 10 Costco Products That Chefs and Pro Cooks Secretly Love

Seasonal Items

Around the holidays, Costco has massive packages of seasonal treats, like chocolate easter eggs and Valentine’s candies. But because they carry higher-quality items, you’ll likely pay a premium for those treats. For example, their gingerbread house kits (or as Costco calls them, “gingerbread mansions”) cost around $15. For just a few dollars, we buy a kit from the dollar store that my kids get just as much joy out of putting together. Even if we buy additional bulk candy to fancy it up, it still ends up being cheaper. And since it’s not something that we actually eat, minus a few bites, it’s not worth the significant price difference.

Some Fresh Produce

Costco offers great deals on a handful of fresh fruits and veggies, but the vast majority are significantly more expensive. For example, a pint of raspberries typically costs $7 at Costco, compared to $4 at local supermarkets, and the supermarket berries are even cheaper when they’re on sale. With a few exceptions, the price comparison with other fruits and vegetables is similar, and the Costco quantity is more suited to a classroom instead of a family. Unless you can eat all those leafy greens and crunchy vegetables quickly, it’s best to buy smaller quantities elsewhere.

The Best Italian Products at Costco, According to a Restaurant Pro

Canned Goods

After comparing brands and sizes, I found that Costco’s prices on canned goods aren’t that impressive. Large packs of canned goods tend to work out to around the same price as their grocery store counterparts when not on sale–and you have to commit to a large quantity, as well as have the space and time to manage them.

As an example, Costco sells a 12-pack of canned tuna. It might be a slightly better deal in terms of cost, but that’s a lot of tuna to store and keep track of. Grocery store sales often offer similar pricing and even better bargains when on sale. And you can still stock up in “bulk,” but keep those quantities more reasonable–like four cans instead of 12.

Cereal

There is a whole aisle dedicated to breakfast items at Costco and giant boxes of cereal make up a large part of it. But unless they’re offering a special sale on your family’s favorite brand, you usually won’t save much. If you really need the larger quantity, grocery stores offer regular sales on cereal. So as long as you’re paying attention, you can find similar, or better, pricing at your local store. What’s more, you can often find bonuses like free milk with your cereal purchase in traditional grocery stores.

I don't recommend giving up your Costco membership, but knowing these pricing and quality nuances will help you to avoid overpaying and over-buying. It’s most cost-effective (and interesting) to diversify your shopping experience and visit a few stores to meet your needs. This way, you’ll also learn about new products and promotions and have a more balanced shopping experience overall.