Costco Shoppers Agree: These Are The 4 ‘Worst’ Items Nobody Should Be Buying
In most cases, Costco offers up some of the best deals around on quality items. From their popular sweet treats to home essentials at prices that are hard to compete with, it’s no wonder the members-only warehouse store has garnered such a cult following. However, with so many items on the shelves, they can’t all be a homerun. That’s why it helps to know which ones to avoid in order to save yourself from disappointment.
In the ever-active Costco subreddit, members are constantly alerting each other about the best items—and sometimes, the worst. In one post, a user asked the question: “What are the worst Costco products?” and people had a lot to say. Below, we’ve rounded up a few of the products that most of them agree are simply not worth the price, from home essentials to food. Find it all below.
1. Kirkland Toilet Paper
We all need toilet paper, so if you have the storage for it, it makes sense to buy it in bulk at a low price. However, many Costco shoppers agree that Kirkland toilet paper is simply terrible quality.
"Unpopular opinion: Kirkland toilet paper. It feels so scratchy to me!" one Reddit user wrote. However, it turned out to be quite a popular opinion after all.
"Ditto. Leaves crumbs in my crack and all over the floor under the roll. We prefer angel soft over it and that stuffs pretty low end," someone commented.
"It's gas station/work bathroom quality," another agreed. "Don't know why people go crazy for it. Supposedly the best selling product in the warehouse." Yikes!
2. Batteries
Here's another essential that some people recommend buying elsewhere. "Definitely their batteries," one shopper commented. "They never fail....at leaking." Many chimed in with the same sentiment:
"I’ll second this. You don’t want to forget these in a device, especially a valuable one."
"So true we’ve had so many flashlights and remotes ruined. Only buy the Duracell now."
While some noted that Kirkland batteries are "Duracell in disguise," one argued: "My Duracell batteries from Costco still leaked." What a mystery!
3. Heat and Eat prepackaged meals
There's definitely not a shortage of great food to find at Costco. Just look at their bakery section, where there's always some new treat the internet is buzzing over. But when it comes to their prepackaged "Heat and Eat" items, shoppers say you'll be setting yourself up for disappointment if you add them to your cart.
"Most items in the "Heat and Eat" prepackaged meal section," one person wrote. "They're never worth it and you never get what the package advertises." Others agreed:
"About once a year I buy one on sale then remember why I don't buy them. Takes about a year to forget."
"I bought each of them once to see what they were like, and vowed never to buy them again. I could handle the price, but I never like the flavor/quality."
"I really don’t understand the hype on these, the chicken tacos are particularly gross to me, yet get a bunch of rave. And the 'lasagne' being just baked cheap raviolis. No."
Okay, that's enough to convince us to stay away!
4. Kirkland Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
Finding the right hair products can be a difficult task. And while the best shampoo and conditioner for you will likely depend on your personal hair needs, some recommend steering clear of Kirkland's Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner.
"Makes even my daughter’s unprocessed hair feel like straw," a member wrote on Reddit.
Someone else seconded that: "I swear they changed the formula. It used to make my hair so nice and soft and it lathered up so easily. Now I have to use so much to get a good lather and my hair is so dry and full of knots."
However, some chimed in to say that their hair loves it. "Maybe it’s pretty hair dependent, because it works great on my curly hair," someone suggested.
Overall, seems like this one is hit or miss—some people may not want to take the risk.
The bottom line
Overall, there's a practically endless supply of great products at Costco. However, if you want to be wise with your Costco spending habits—because let's be honest, even with the low prices, it's easy to spend a small fortune every time you step into the warehouse—you may want to leave this items on the shelves.
