Your favorite Costco muffins just got a major makeover, but not in a good way. If you’ve noticed something off about your bakery purchases lately, you’re not imagining things. Costco has quietly changed their beloved muffins – making them smaller while charging more per ounce. And shoppers across the country are not happy about it. What used to be a sweet deal has turned sour, with many longtime Costco members feeling betrayed by this sneaky switch. The warehouse giant known for its bulk bargains is now facing serious backlash from its most loyal fans.
Costco shrunk the muffins but raised the price
The next time you walk into Costco’s bakery section, you might be in for a surprise. The warehouse store has completely changed their muffin offerings. Gone are the big 35-ounce six-packs that used to cost $9.99. In their place, you’ll now find 31-ounce eight-packs of a single flavor for $6.99. While it might seem like you’re getting more muffins for less money, the math tells a different story. When you break it down by ounce, you’re actually paying 58% more for these new, smaller muffins.
Customers quickly did the math and discovered they’re getting less for more. The old muffins cost about 28 cents per ounce, while the new ones cost around 45 cents per ounce. And it’s not just the price increase that has shoppers upset. Many customers report that the new muffins don’t taste as good as the old ones. According to angry shoppers, the new versions are drier, grainier, and generally less tasty than their predecessors. This double hit of higher prices and lower quality has many Costco members rethinking their bakery purchases.
Mix and match muffins are gone forever
Remember how you used to grab two different flavors of muffins and create your own variety pack? Those days are over. One of the biggest complaints from Costco bakery fans is that the store no longer offers the option to mix and match muffin flavors. Before the change, customers could grab a six-pack of blueberry and a six-pack of chocolate chip, getting the best of both worlds. Now, shoppers are stuck buying eight of the same flavor, which isn’t ideal for families with different preferences or individuals who enjoy variety.
This change has been particularly hard for families and small households. Buying eight of the same muffins means either eating the same flavor for days or risking waste if they don’t get eaten quickly enough. Many customers have expressed frustration at being forced to choose a single flavor when they used to enjoy the flexibility of mixing it up. Some longtime Costco members have even declared they’ll stop buying muffins altogether, preferring to bake their own rather than settle for this new arrangement. The loss of choice has been just as upsetting to many shoppers as the price increase.
Shoppers tampering with bakery items
As if the muffin controversy wasn’t enough, Costco’s bakery section has been hit with another shocking revelation – customers are taking matters into their own hands in the most unsanitary way. Reports have surfaced of shoppers opening bakery containers and swapping items with their bare hands. One shopper witnessed a couple opening croissant packages and rearranging the pastries between containers. This behavior isn’t just gross – it’s a serious health concern for everyone who shops at Costco.
The lack of proper sealing on bakery containers makes this kind of tampering all too easy. Many customers have suggested that Costco needs to better secure their bakery packaging with stickers or seals to prevent this unhygienic behavior. The outrage has been so strong that some shoppers are calling for Costco to revoke the memberships of people caught tampering with food. Others have even suggested that there should be penalties for such actions. This disturbing trend has made many shoppers think twice before grabbing items from the bakery section.
Get bakery items to bake at home
Not all Costco bakery news is bad. Here’s a secret that many shoppers don’t know: at some Costco locations, you can buy unbaked versions of popular bakery items to bake at home. This little-known option lets you enjoy fresh-baked Costco favorites whenever you want. Imagine pulling warm Costco cookies or pastries straight from your own oven! This option gives you all the quality of Costco bakery items with the added benefit of that fresh-from-the-oven taste and smell filling your kitchen.
This hidden secret isn’t available at all locations, so you’ll need to ask at your local Costco to see if they offer it. If they do, you can stock up on frozen unbaked goods and keep them in your freezer for when the craving hits. Buying frozen versions can also be more cost-effective than purchasing the fresh versions, giving you more bang for your buck. With the recent controversies surrounding the bakery, this might be the perfect alternative for those who are unhappy with the changes but still love Costco’s baked goods.
The return policy works on bakery items
Did you know Costco’s famous return policy applies to bakery items too? If you’re not satisfied with your purchase from the bakery section, you can bring it back for a full refund. With all the recent changes and complaints about quality, this policy is more relevant than ever. Maybe you tried the new smaller muffins and found them too dry, or perhaps you got home and discovered someone had tampered with your croissants. Whatever the issue, Costco will take it back, no questions asked.
While this policy is certainly customer-friendly, it’s important not to abuse it. Returning half-eaten food just because you didn’t like it as much as you thought you would isn’t in the spirit of the policy. However, if there’s a legitimate issue with quality or freshness, don’t hesitate to use this option. With the new changes to popular items like muffins, more customers might be testing this return policy in the coming months. Just remember that the goal isn’t to take advantage of Costco’s generosity but to ensure you get the quality you expect.
Some bakery items are scratch-made
Despite the recent controversies, there’s something genuine about Costco’s bakery that many people don’t realize. Not everything comes pre-made or from a mix. Some of Costco’s bakery items are actually made from scratch right in the store. The bakers at Costco put real effort into creating fresh goods daily, starting early in the morning to ensure that members have access to freshly baked items. This adds a touch of authenticity to the bakery section that you might not expect from a warehouse store.
Of course, not everything is made from scratch. Some items do come from pre-made mixes or are partially prepared before arriving at the store. But knowing that at least some bakery items are handcrafted in-house might make you feel better about your purchases. In an era of mass production, there’s something special about knowing real bakers are working behind the scenes. This mix of scratch-made and pre-made items allows Costco to offer a wide variety of baked goods at reasonable prices, even with the recent changes that have upset so many loyal customers.
Despite the recent controversies with muffins and unpleasant incidents with tampering, Costco’s bakery still offers plenty of value. From their generous return policy to their wedding cake hacks, there are still good reasons to visit the bakery section. And who knows? Maybe the backlash from the muffin changes will convince Costco to bring back the old versions or at least offer better options in the future. Until then, shoppers will need to decide for themselves whether the new offerings are worth their money or if it’s time to look elsewhere for their bakery needs.
