6 products you should always buy at Costco — and 4 you should avoid, according to an expert

Yahoo

a day ago

In a time where many Canadians are feeling the weight of the high cost of living, some are turning to Costco to find the products they need at an affordable price. While most grocery stores carry approximately 30,000 stock keeping units (SKUs), Costco warehouses only carry about 4,000 SKUs. It's part of its strategy to streamline the sale of high quality products; by limiting the variety of products it sells, Costco is able to negotiate lower prices with vendors. However, stepping into Costco can sometimes feel overwhelming. With everything from groceries to furniture, how can shoppers know what items are worth buying and what is better to pass on?
Tina Chow is a Canadian content creator who has amassed a large social media following for her account, Costco Lovers Canada. Her videos about Costco products have garnered millions of views online and there's no shortage of new products for her to share and review. Chow spoke to Yahoo Canada to share her expertise on the best products to pick up on your next Costco run, and what you should leave behind.
Chow stated that over-the-counter medications are one of her 'key' items that she picks up at Costco under the store's private label brand, Kirkland Signature. Costco controls the sourcing, production and retail price of Kirkland Signature products, which are usually more affordable than name brand competitors.
A package of Kirkland Signature ibuprofen is currently priced at $13, and includes two bottles containing 500 tablets per bottle. Kirkland Signature extra strength acetaminophen is also on sale for $16 and is available over-the-counter. For those who take these medications frequently, these are worthwhile deals that will last.
While Costco is known for its low-price products, they also carry a variety of high-end products that can help you save on your next high-end designer purchase.
An example that Chow lists is a women's Burberry Kensington Heritage trench coat, which is currently priced at $2,400 on the Costco website, compared to its full price of $3,290 on the official Burberry website.
When making pricey purchases like the highly coveted Dyson Airwrap for $800, Costco shoppers can take advantage of the store's return policy. Although there are some restrictions, a majority of products can be returned at anytime with or without the original receipt. If you're looking to invest in clothing or designer items, it's helpful to know you can get a full refund at anytime.
Costco is a great place to shop and save on personal care items, like razor blades, at a significantly lower price than its competitors. Currently, Costco is selling Gillette Fusion5 razor cartridges containing 18 cartridges for $65, compared to the $109 price that Walmart is selling them for. That's a 40 per cent difference in price, and those savings add up over time.
Costco carries a diversity of skincare products of well known brands like Clarins, the celeb go-to La Mer and K Beauty available for purchase online. Chow said shoppers can also find La Roche Posay products behind counters at select Costcos.
Costco's flexible return policy allows shoppers to try out skincare products and bring them back if they find the product unsuitable for their skin type.
Chow said Costco's rotisserie chicken is one of one go-to products that makes an affordable, healthy and versatile option for meals.
'I will drive to Costco for that chicken because it's better priced; it's bigger, it's juicer,' said Chow.
Currently, one 1.2kg Kirkland Signature seasoned rotisserie chicken is priced for $9, and can be delivered to your doorstep through Costco's same-day delivery service.
A sought-after option among shoppers is Rummo pasta, a product that Chow said people 'flipped out over' when it hit Costco shelves.
Online, a Rummo variety pack containing six packs of pasta is priced for $20. The Costco website is currently limiting shoppers to purchasing two units per purchase, showing its popularity.
Another option available is Welth protein rotini pasta, containing 22 grams of protein per 100 grams, and alongside being gluten-free is also halal, non GMO and vegan. There are three flavours available; it's original flavour, spinach and beetroot.
Although there are plenty of products that make a trip to Costco worthwhile, there are certain items that you might want to avoid adding to your shopping cart. Let's take a look at inventory that may be best to leave behind.
While Costco's Tire Centre can be convenient for some, there are a few downsides to the service.
'I won't do my tire stuff at Costco, I do that at local branches because I know you can save a bit of money,' said Chow.
She also acknowledges that the waitlist to get tires fixed at Costco is quite lengthy since 'people are constantly trying to get appointments,' which leads to prolonged wait times.
In addition, Costco's customer service page for their Tire Centre states that a tire order typically arrives in approximately five to 10 business days from the date of purchase, which can be a lengthy wait for an urgent fix or replacement.
Costco's Tire Center page also states that tires are only available to be installed on Costco-purchased tires only, which can be a tricky work-around for those looking to use these services.
While buying products in bulk is Costco's bread and butter, there are instances where it is safer to not buy certain products en masse, one of which being sunscreen.
Chow particularly pointed to Boo Bamboo Kids Natural Mineral Sunscreen as an example, where currently a package of three bottles consisting of 214g each for a price of $50.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sunscreen usually expires after three years and should not be used after its expiration date. Health Canada requires visible expiration dates on sunscreen products available over-the-counter.
While it is a product that is essential in the summertime, buying excessive amounts of a product could be more of a waste.
'I've got a ton of sunscreens, but are we really going to use that much?' Chow said.
If you are looking for healthy options and prevent spoilage, it might be better to pass on packaged salads during your next Costco trip.
The portion size sold can be a downside to bulk shopping. Not every household may benefit from the portion sizes of pre-packaged salads or produce in general. In some cases, people might be saving money — but having their products go to waste. Depending on your needs, Chow said it might make more sense to buy salad as-needed at your local grocery store rather than wait for a trip to Costco.
Also, the kinds of salad available can be limited to what the stock in your location has, so there is no guarantee that a kind of salad you once bought is still present.
Chow said butter is another product she usually tends to avoid purchasing at Costco because of how much product comes with one purchase. However, if you have a large family or do a lot of baking, Costco might be an economical option. It all depends on your needs.