Costco has a loyal fan base, and employees often like the place as much as the members who crowd the aisles. Still, the people who stock pallets, ring up carts, and process returns see patterns most shoppers miss. Certain items look like smart bulk buys but turn into waste, frustration, or quiet regret at home. Listening to workers who handle those products every day reveals where the value really falls apart, even when the price tag screams bargain. That inside view can help shoppers skip the duds and focus on what actually saves money.
Giant Clamshells Of Strawberries
Employees often roll their eyes at the huge clamshells of strawberries. On paper the price per pound looks great, but staff watch families return half eaten boxes or complain that the berries mold before anyone can finish them. For smaller households, that bulk size usually means rushed snacking, sticky containers, and a lot of spoiled fruit. In the end, the unit cost feels meaningless when a big chunk of the purchase goes straight into the trash.
Bananas That Never Ripen Right
Bananas sound like a safe bulk buy, yet workers say Costco bunches can be a quiet disappointment. Many members grumble that the fruit stays stubbornly green for days, then jumps from hard and starchy to brown and blotchy almost overnight. Staff regularly see people swear off the big bags after tossing too many spotted leftovers. With that kind of ripening curve, the low price stops mattering, because the bananas that actually get eaten are not as many as planned.
Bakery Trays Too Big For Reality
Costco’s bakery case looks like a party waiting to happen, but employees quietly admit that many trays are more fantasy than value. Twelve jumbo muffins or a giant frosted cake seem fun at the register and exhausting a few days later. Staff watch customers complain that items go stale before anyone can make a dent. Freezers fill up, textures decline, and people get tired of the same flavor. That slow burnout makes the bargain price feel strangely hollow.
Soda Packs That Are Not Real Deals
Workers who pay close attention to grocery circulars know that Costco soda is not always the steal it appears to be. Traditional supermarkets and big box chains often run aggressive promotions that undercut the warehouse price by a wide margin. Employees watch savvy shoppers skip the towering soda pallets and grab other true deals instead. Once storage space, heavy lifting, and lackluster savings are all factored in, those cases stop looking like a win for many families.
Gallon Jars Of Mayonnaise
Gallon jars of mayonnaise are legendary among employees as the poster child for overbuying. Staff point out that mayo has a limited window for peak flavor and food safety once opened, especially in busy households where fridge doors constantly swing. Unless someone caters events for a living, that volume usually outpaces realistic use. Workers have seen far too many cloudy, forgotten jars tossed during clean outs, which turns the low price per ounce into an expensive lesson.
Keurig Machines With Repeat Returns
Employees who work near the returns desk talk about Keurig machines with a kind of weary familiarity. The boxes come back with complaints about leaks, clogging, inconsistent brewing, or units that simply stop turning on after a few months. Even with Costco’s forgiving return policy, that cycle of replacement starts to feel draining. Workers often say that members are effectively paying a premium for convenience and packaging instead of a coffee maker that consistently lasts the way it should.
Dyson Vacuums That Do Not Last
Dyson vacuums create real buzz when a coupon drops, yet staff handling damaged and defective returns see a less glamorous side. They describe a steady stream of units with fading batteries, cracked housings, or attachments that will not stay locked in place. For a product sold on sleek design and a luxury price tag, that kind of churn feels discouraging. Employees often suggest sturdier, more basic models instead, which quietly outlast the flashy option for many households.
Party Alcohol That Overstays Its Welcome
Bulk alcohol for weddings and big parties sounds like an obvious Costco win, but employees have watched many of those ambitious hauls backfire. Cases sit in hot cars or garages before the event, then bake again during outdoor receptions. Heat and light slowly dull flavors and flatten carbonation, even if the bottles still look fine. Staff say hosts often overbuy as well, leaving stacks of mediocre leftovers that no one really wants to drink after the celebration ends.
