Working at Costco comes with plenty of perks, from competitive wages to free memberships for family and friends. But there’s another benefit most people don’t think about: employees get an inside look at which products consistently disappoint customers. When the people who deal with returns and complaints every day avoid certain items, that’s a pretty strong signal. These workers have seen it all – from produce that never ripens to oversized packages that create more problems than they solve.
Strawberries look impressive but disappoint quickly
Those massive strawberries at Costco might catch your eye with their water bottle-sized proportions, but don’t let the impressive appearance fool you. Costco employees know these giant berries are more trouble than they’re worth. While the price might be $1-2 cheaper than other stores, the savings disappear when half your purchase goes bad before you can eat it.
The main problem is simple: strawberries only last about two days on your kitchen counter, and buying them in Costco-sized quantities means you’re racing against time. Many customers end up stuffing the extras in their already packed fridges, only to find them moldy a few days later. Even creative solutions like making strawberry ice cream or pairing them with unexpected ingredients like black pepper can’t save you from the inevitable waste that comes with bulk berry purchases.
Bananas that stay green forever
Nothing’s more frustrating than buying bananas that refuse to ripen, and this is exactly what happens with Costco’s banana bunches. Employees warn that at least half the time, these bananas will stay stubbornly green for weeks, no matter what you try. The usual tricks that work with regular store bananas – like putting them in a paper bag with an apple – simply don’t work here.
The problem often comes down to how the bananas are handled and stored before they reach the shelves. Costco shoppers frequently complain about buying green bananas that never turn yellow, leaving them with expensive fruit they can’t use. If you absolutely must buy bananas from Costco, look for ones with intact necks – that little stem area acts like a protective seal and gives you a better chance of getting fruit that will actually ripen.
Baked goods come in impossible quantities
Costco’s bakery section tempts shoppers with everything from pistachio cream puffs to Belgian chocolate shortbread, but employees know better than to fall for these bulk deals. The problem isn’t the quality – it’s the sheer amount you’re forced to buy. When you live alone or have a small family, working through a 12-count pack of croissants before they go stale becomes a daily mission that usually ends in failure.
Storage becomes another headache when dealing with Costco’s oversized bakery packages. Employees from Iowa and Pennsylvania have mentioned that the packaging takes up way more space than necessary, making it hard to fit everything in your kitchen. While some people try freezing their baked goods, this doesn’t work for everything – cookies with icing turn into a mess after thawing, and many items lose their texture completely after a trip to the freezer.
Soda deals aren’t actually deals
Those bulk soda packages might seem like a great way to stock up, especially when you’re planning a big gathering. The variety packs and mix-and-match options make it feel like you’re getting an incredible deal compared to buying individual cans at a convenience store. But Costco employees know something most shoppers don’t: regular grocery stores often beat Costco’s prices on soda.
The secret lies in how grocery stores use soda as a loss leader – they sell it at or below cost to get people through the doors. These stores place soda strategically near checkouts to encourage impulse purchases, but they also run promotions that make their prices much better than warehouse clubs. Smart shoppers who compare prices find they can often get better deals at their local supermarket without buying 48 cans at once.
Meat packages overwhelm most families
Costco’s meat section impresses with prime cuts and reasonable per-pound prices, but employees understand the reality behind these bulk deals. Unless you’re feeding a large family or planning multiple meals, those giant packages of meat become a storage nightmare. Your freezer space disappears quickly, and you’re left playing Tetris with frozen steaks and chicken breasts.
The logistics get even more complicated when you consider food safety requirements. Meat needs to be frozen as soon as you get home, which means immediately dividing everything into meal-sized portions. If you live more than 30 minutes from the store, you’ll need a cooler to transport everything safely. Many California-based employees have noted that these large meat packages simply exceed what most households can realistically use, making the bulk savings meaningless when food goes to waste.
Giant mayonnaise jars create storage problems
Even mayo lovers need to draw the line somewhere, and Costco’s gallon-sized jars cross that line for most people. These containers are so large that Finnish supermarkets actually call their biggest mayo jars “American size” as a joke. But the humor wears off quickly when you’re trying to find space in your refrigerator for what amounts to a small bucket of condiment.
The storage issues multiply once you open the jar, because mayonnaise only stays good for 2-3 months after opening, even when refrigerated. Minnesota employees point out that unlike staples like rice or pasta that get used up quickly, even dedicated mayo fans struggle to work through these massive containers before they expire. The unopened jar sits fine in your pantry, but once you crack it open, you’re committed to finding space in your fridge and using it regularly.
Kirkland chicken bakes pack too many calories
The Kirkland Signature Chicken Bake stands out as one of Costco’s most popular food court items, with its generous portion size and under-$4 price tag. But Christina Polovina, a California-based Costco manager with over a decade of experience, calls it the worst thing you can buy from the food court. The problem isn’t just the taste – it’s what this seemingly innocent meal does to your daily intake.
Each chicken bake contains more than 1,000 calories, packed into crispy dough loaded with cheese, chicken, bacon, and Caesar dressing, then topped with even more Parmesan cheese. While the portion might seem like it could feed two people, most customers eat the whole thing in one sitting. Polovina warns that while it makes an occasional treat, turning it into a regular meal choice creates problems that go way beyond what most people realize when they grab one from the warming case.
Bulk spices lose potency before use
Costco’s spice section offers containers that look like they belong in a restaurant kitchen, with enough oregano or garlic powder to last most home cooks several years. But spices lose their potency over time, and buying them in bulk quantities means you’ll be cooking with flavorless powder long before you use up those giant containers. Most spices start losing their punch after about a year, regardless of how tightly you seal them.
The math simply doesn’t work out for average home cooks who might use a teaspoon here and there in their regular cooking. Professional kitchens go through spices quickly enough to justify bulk purchases, but home kitchens operate on a completely different scale. Unless you’re meal prepping for dozens of people or running a catering business from your kitchen, those oversized spice containers will lose their effectiveness long before you reach the bottom of the jar.
Condiment variety packs create waste
Those variety packs of condiments seem like a great way to try different sauces and dressings, but they often include items that nobody in your household actually wants to eat. You might love the ranch and honey mustard, but that leaves you stuck with bottles of Caesar dressing and blue cheese that will sit in your refrigerator door until they expire. The per-bottle savings disappear when half the pack goes unused.
Restaurant-style condiment bottles also come in larger sizes than most families need, even when bought individually. When you multiply that by 6 or 8 different varieties in a pack, you’re looking at condiments that will outlast several presidential terms. Smart shoppers stick to buying individual bottles of condiments they know they’ll use, rather than getting locked into variety packs that force them to find creative uses for unwanted sauces.
The next time you’re pushing your cart through Costco’s aisles, remember that bigger isn’t always better. These employees have seen enough returns and heard enough complaints to know which products create more problems than they solve. Sometimes the best deal is the one you don’t make, especially when it saves you from dealing with spoiled food and wasted money later on.
