Why costco is bad

That's especially true on items like soy sauce, spice mixes and produce. That's because, even if it's stored properly, fresh spinach will usually only last 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator, according to shelf-life guide site StillTasty. Large quantities can also be unwieldy to store. Though grocery stores usually sell flour in 5-pound sacks, Costco sells it in pound packages, and it can be difficult to find space for all of that. That's a whole year's worth of flour in advance," Haugsven says.

For other items, such as cereal, milk and eggs, you can find normal quantities of these items at similar prices at your local grocery or big box store during a sale.

For example, Haugsven reports she buys the typical dozen eggs at Walmart for 32 cents an egg. Her local Costco sells eggs for 31 cents each, but you have to buy them in quantities of two dozen at a time. Cereal, especially the name brand variety, is also often a good buy at your local grocery store, big box store and even at the drugstore. Overall, "I think everyone is getting super competitive with Costco and I don't think, in order to save money on your groceries, you necessarily have to shop there," Haugsven says.

Over 94 million members pay to access the chain's best products. And there's no denying that membership grants you access to some great deals. Since generic meds are required by the FDA to be as effective and safe as the name-brand drug, it's a no-brainer way to save.

Fresh bread and pastry products don't last long, and these are items that you may not get to use while fresh if you buy in bulk. Plus, the warehouse retailer won't necessarily have the best price. Although these products don't expire, this is an area where Costco may not be the best bet for bargains. Salad greens tempt Costco shoppers: The prices are great, and the greens are quality. But unless you're having a party, you might find those greens looking pretty sad by the time you get to use them.

Another former Costco employee, now lifestyle blogger , who provided her name as Vivian T. It's one thing to be product loyal to your preferred spirits brand, but if you're buying those brands at Costco, you're missing out on the retailer's real opportunities.

The vodka in both brands is said to be the exact same thing—there are even claims that they're manufactured in the same place. One is simply trying to sell you a name brand. You might be surprised that home cleaning products can also go bad before you get your full money's worth. If you're cost-conscious—and if you're a devoted Costco shopper, you probably are—you'll want to take a second look at prices before you commit to buying all your cereals there.

Salty snacks are plenty addicting—and it's easy to look at huge quantities in Costco and start salivating. But if you're bringing too much of that stuff home, you might find that you're either eating it stale… or simply bingeing on it just to make sure that you don't.

I prefer multi-packs because the product inside stays fresh, but a general rule is that you should only buy personal care products that you go through quickly," Bodge notes. You can get a great deal on spices, but if those spices lose their taste and potency by the time you get to use them, you've committed to a huge volume of what eventually amounts to an inferior product. Will you finish that huge container of cumin in that time? You might find that canned goods are not only cheaper at your local grocery store, but also more along the lines of the quantity your household actually needs.

Do we like it? Not one bit. Related: Best Finds at Costco. Related: Items Not to Buy in Bulk. What you will find, especially on an average weekend day, are mind-bogglingly long lines, sometimes stretching to the rear of the warehouse. Second, offering them would raise prices. Aldi is another store that eschews bags, but at least it does offer them for a small fee.

Be that as it may, it still makes us feel like criminals, and waiting in yet another line after we just got done checking out is especially irritating. Costco can offer amazing deals on big buys like swanky sectionals, dining sets, sheds, even gazebos and greenhouses. Shopping at Costco. Many items that Costco sells will cost more if you get them online, including most groceries.