For many loyal members, shopping at Costco is more than just a retail experience—it’s a cherished ritual. The routine of grabbing an oversized cart, flashing your membership card, and exploring every aisle brings joy to countless shoppers. While the store is a paradise for large families and event hosts, not every item on its shelves is a must-buy.
Bulk purchasing is undoubtedly convenient, but sometimes your local grocery store offers better-suited options. To help you navigate your fall shopping, we’ve compiled advice from seasoned Costco enthusiasts and experts on four must-buy items and three to avoid.
4 Household Items That Fans & Experts Say Are Worth Snagging At Costco
1. Rao's Pasta Sauce
Thinking of pasta night? If whipping up a homemade sauce seems too time-consuming but you still crave something tasty, Rao's is top-tier. Costco has an unbeatable offer on this renowned product: you can snag two 28-ounce jars for just $12, whereas a 24-ounce jar costs $7 at other retailers. An Instagram user recently discovered an additional Costco deal on Rao's sauce: $8.99 for a 2-pack of 28-ounce jars.
2. Tide with Downy Liquid Detergent
Regardless of our preferences, laundry is a universal chore, necessitating the use of detergent. Among the myriad of choices available, Tide stands out as a dependable option that ensures your clothes remain fresh, particularly when paired with Downy. Fortunately, Costco offers an opportunity to save money on this essential item. Recently, a Costco shopper on Instagram highlighted another fantastic deal at Costco, where 143 loads of Tide Pods were priced at $23.99.
3. Noosa Whole Milk Yoghurt 12-Pack Fall Flavors
Love your morning yogurt and want to celebrate fall? Look no further. While Costco is always offering great deals on yogurt, it is now selling 12-packs of Noosa whole milk yogurt in the following three flavors: Cinnamon Roll, Vanilla Bean and Salted Caramel. Each cup contains 5 grams of protein, and fans who have tried them noted on IG that they’re a “perfect sweet treat” and “only available until the end of October,” so we recommend stocking up now.
4. Kooshy Sourdough Croutons
Costco offers top-notch products that serve perfectly as both snacks and toppings. Case in point: these Kooshy Sourdough Croutons. Looking for a tasty way to revamp your fall salads? Costco is now offering these in the Mambo Italiano flavor, and fans can’t get enough of them. These natural, non-GMO treats are made with sourdough bread and organic flour. The wholesale retailer is offering them for $4.99 to $5.99, according to fans who found them in Midwest stores recently. “I cannot stop snacking on them,” user Angela Ackerman revealed in the above post from popular account @costcoguide as another commenter added: “I bought these and they are favorite croutons.”
3 Items To Avoid Buying At Costco, According To Experts
1. Cooking Oils
Ariel Klein, a writer and shopping expert for Real Simple, has identified three products at Costco that may not be the best value for your money and could be more advantageous to purchase elsewhere. One great point that Klein makes in her article is that buying cooking oils in bulk may not be the most logical or cost-effective idea in the long run. This may not be the wisest decision, she notes, due to its expiration within a few months, which many individuals overlook. "Six quarts" of any oil type, she points out, is excessive for a single household to consume before it deteriorates. It is essential to consider this before embarking on your next Costco shopping trip.
2. Spices
Similarly, according to Klein, spices have a shorter expiration date than what one might assume. As a result, unless you frequently utilize oregano in every dish or an excessive amount of garlic powder, it is recommended that you avoid purchasing bulk spices from Costco.
3. Canned Goods
Klein writes that "your money will go way further if you buy canned goods from the supermarket," as opposed to your favorite Costco location.
The Bottom Line
Although you may not prefer to maintain a pantry full of canned goods from Costco, it would be advantageous, she advises, to procure them for the purpose of holiday shopping or when organizing a large feast.
