With its warehouse feel, famously affordable rotisserie chicken, and free sample stands set up like fueling stations along their shoppers’ routes, Costco is a consumer’s paradise.
But alas, no place is perfect, and even with its many membership perks , Costco has its share of flaws.
From that pesky membership fee to the relatively high chance you’ll have your heart broken over a discontinued product or two, there are a few issues to discuss. Here are some of the Costco problems no one is talking about.
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1. The membership fee
First, let’s talk about the $65 elephant in the room. If you’re on a budget, a membership fee can be hard to swing upfront, even if you save more money shopping that it eventually pays for itself.
If you decide to go big and spend $130 on the Executive Membership, you can do exactly that. Executive Members earn 2% back on all qualified purchases. But those costs are still a lot for some folks.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Bulk isn’t always better
Jumbo-sized everything is part of the Costco experience, but sometimes bigger isn’t better. This is especially true when you love a specific item — a Tangerine & Strawberry San Pellegrino mineral water, for instance — and would like to purchase a few.
If you buy this drink at Costco, it comes with two other flavors you may not like as much. If this is the case, you now have 16 cans cluttering your fridge.
Because Costco specializes in bulk goods, there’s also a bit of a learning curve for small families when it comes to shopping at Costco.
3. You don’t always find what you’re looking for
Costco has everything from couches to bulgogi beef, but when it comes to brand options, your choices are limited.
The Kirkland brand is pretty great in its own right, but many of us have certain items that just have to be name-brand. And while Costco will often carry the exact item you’re looking for, sometimes they don’t.
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4. Things get discontinued
Speaking of the Kirkland brand, Costco often has items you won’t find elsewhere. Chances are, you'll fall in love with one of these items.
You’ll come to depend on it, and you may even make it the crown jewel of your breakfast routine. Then, one day, you’ll notice an asterisk on the price tag, signaling it will be discontinued.
To Costco’s credit, they do give shoppers fair warning. That asterisk is code for “go ahead and start your grieving process because we’re never selling this product again.”
For the rest of your life, you'll double-check to see if Costco had mercy and restocked the Cinnamon Roll Protein Bars. They didn’t.
5. Forgetting the other perks
Costco is known for its amazing deals, but making the most of those deals is an art form in saving money.
You can earn more when you shop at Costco for travel, insurance, identity protection, and more. The list is long, and it might be a little overwhelming for Costco newbies.
The extensive membership savings reflect the rest of the Costco experience, and like the membership perks, becoming familiar with the store and figuring out how buying bulk works within your budget can be a bit of a process.
6. You might waste money and time
Costcos are huge, as are their parking lots. Making a quick stop at Costco to grab an easy pre-made meal may not be an efficient dinner solution if you plan to get in and out quickly.
Between the delicious sample stations set along your path and the book section you may want to browse for “just a minute,” there’s a good chance your one-item shopping list will turn into a cart full of things you didn’t need.
No one wants to waste money at Costco, but it could happen.
Costco Insider's Guide: 12 little clever ways to get more out of your Costco membership 7. No available bags at the store
Yes, a bring-your-own-bag policy is good for the environment, and it certainly helps Costco with its overhead — savings they can pass on to consumers.
But, if you forget to bring your own bags, unloading the groceries may be a real hassle. A bin of oversized, reusable carrier bags for sale by the checkout lanes would solve this problem in a snap. Trader Joe’s does this well.
8. Not enough sales help
If you need help finding a specific item or getting something down from a high shelf, you might be on your own.
While there are plenty of Costco workers happy to help, the Costco sales model doesn’t include floor roamers looking for lost shoppers to save, which may make finding all the items on your list take a little longer than planned.
Bottom line
Like all stores, Costco has its own problems or things customers complain about. But the rave reviews are often much stronger.
Costco members are in a club of their own. Whether or not membership in this club is a good fit for you depends entirely on your lifestyle needs.
If you do go, make sure you understand what you'll get out of your membership and follow all the expert tips to save money on groceries every time you go.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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