10 Things To Definitely Buy & Not Buy At Costco | DIY Projects
Just because the prices may seem lower doesn’t mean you need to fill up your cart. Shop smarter by using our guide on what to buy and not buy at Costco.
10 Things To Definitely Buy & Not Buy At Costco | DIY Projects
Everyone loves shopping at Costco and for good reason—prices are low, items are in bulk, quality is top-tier and of course there are free samples. But just because these warehouse prices seem low doesn’t mean that you should fill your cart with every item imaginable. In fact, you should make a very conscious decision about what you buy and leave behind because it can all save you more money than you think. Unsure about how to shop at Costco? Check out our guide on what to definitely buy and not buy at Costco below.
What Not To Buy at Costco
1: Books, CDs and DVDs
Discounted books, CDs and DVDs may look tempting, but resist from throwing them into your cart. Typically you can purchase these same items online for a fraction of the price, especially if you don’t mind them being slightly used.
2: Perishables
Buying in bulk is great, but not when the goods are perishable. Products such as ketchup and mayonnaise aren’t used up quickly, so it’s important to take the expiration date into account. Will you use up all of the perishables by the time they expire? If not, it’s smarter to purchase them as a single item so that you don’t have to throw food away at a later time.
3: Diapers
Don’t get me wrong—Costco actually has good prices for diapers, but you can get them even cheaper online or in stores like Target and Walmart. Best of all, many other places offer subscription services that slash prices even lower and provide delivery straight to your door.
4: Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent loses its effectiveness over time, so maybe it’s not the best idea to buy in bulk unless you’ve got a huge family doing loads of laundry. While the detergent doesn’t technically “expire”, it starts naturally breaking down 6 months after opening. No one wants less effective laundry detergent right?
5: Paper Goods
You can find toilet paper, paper towels and other paper goods for cheaper online and at stores like Target and Walmart. Why exactly? Supermarkets typically put them on sale, especially during the first and third weeks of the month, and manufacturer coupons bring down prices even lower.
What To Definitely Buy At Costco
1: Gift Cards
Getting gift cards for major retailers at Costco is a no brainer, especially when the majority of them are discounted anywhere between 15 to 40 perfect. You’ll find gift cards for Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, AMC Theatre, iTunes, Coldstone and many more.
2: Rotisserie Chicken
Costco sold approximately 76 million rotisserie chickens in 2014 and for good reason—the mammoth wholesaler has kept its $4.99 price for as long as anyone can remember. Strangely enough, their rotisserie chicken costs less than their uncooked chicken. Costco loses around $40 million a year by not pricing the chicken a dollar more, so go on and take advantage.
3: Alcohol & Wine
If there’s one thing you absolutely need to buy at Costco, it’s alcohol. Not only do they sell high-quality beer, wine, spirits and champagne at a fraction of the price, they also pedal their own signature Kirkland label stuff which is insanely inexpensive. Best of all, you don’t even need a membership to buy alcohol at Costco.
4: Meat & Poultry
Clubs like Costco not only carry higher Choice grade meat and poultry than supermarkets, they also discount it. Buying bulk is a great idea because you can always freeze the meat and use it later without worrying about it spoiling.
5: Gasoline
Gas is always 10 to 15 cents cheaper at Costco than it is at gas stations. This is no reason to drive out of the way, but if you’re near a Costco, it would be a great idea to fill up your tank.
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