8 Things You Should Honestly Never Buy From Costco (I'm Serious)

1. Snapdragon Chicken Pad Thai

The Snapdragon Chicken Pad Thai is marketed as a quick, convenient meal, but many Costco fans agree it's a major letdown. The microwavable dish features chicken, rice noodles, bell peppers, and bean sprouts in a stir-fry sauce that's supposed to be tangy. Instead, the end result is dry, bland, and downright disappointing.

Numerous shoppers on Reddit have shared their own horror stories, claiming the noodles were undercooked and the chicken was low-quality, calling the overall experience "awful."

"Might be the single worst thing we've bought from Costco," one Redditor added. Yikes!

If you're in the mood for Pad Thai, it's probably a good idea to order from a local Thai restaurant for a fresher and tastier meal.

2. Toilet Paper

Stocking up on toilet paper is never a bad idea, but Costco's Kirkland-brand TP tends to leave customers disappointed. In another Reddit thread, shoppers call the product thin, crumbly, and lacking the softness and durability you'd expect.

"Their toilet paper is trash. I only buy the purple version on sale; it's much better," a user commented.

So, you might end up using more toilet paper per bathroom visit, causing your so-called "bulk" supply to dwindle a lot faster than anticipated.

3. Desserts

Costco's desserts may look irresistible in the bakery aisle, but unless you're feeding a party, they're usually more trouble than they're worth. Giant cakes or pies might seem like a steal, yet when push comes to shove, shoppers find themselves tossing out large portions because they're just too much to finish.

"I really wish they would sell half a cheesecake, pie, etc.," a Redditor admitted.

That's why, aside from when you're feeding large crowds, passing on the super-sized desserts and buying something smaller from your local grocery store is a smarter choice.

4. Cooking Oils

Buying six quarts of cooking oil may make sense for a restaurant, but for the average household, it's total overkill.

What many people don't realize is that oils, particularly vegetable, canola, and olive oils, can go rancid within a few months of opening. And even though they won't make you sick, they can ruin the taste of your dishes.

Unless you plan to feed a large family or deep-fry on a regular basis, buying oil in bulk isn't the best idea.

5. Spices

Similar to oils, spices don't last forever. Yet, Costco still sells them in restaurant-sized containers that most home cooks will never finish.

Yes, the price might look like a steal, but spices actually go bad faster than you think. So, those large jars of garlic powder, chili flakes, or oregano might lose their flavor before you ever reach the bottom (and reap your "savings").

6. Diapers

Parents have been less than thrilled with the change to Kirkland Signature diapers. Costco switched manufacturers from Huggies to Cuties, and shoppers are noticing the difference. In fact, many have reported that the new version isn't as absorbent and fits awkwardly.

"I hate those diapers so much. They're weirdly shaped and smaller than the old ones. It's like someone who'd never seen a human baby before designed them," commented a Redditor.

"I just got a box, and I thought they seemed smaller, but I was wondering if maybe I was crazy!" added another.

If you previously relied on Kirkland diapers, it might be time to revisit your options and purchase a different brand.

7. Kirkland Signature Chicken Bakes

Costco's fresh chicken bakes from the food court are a fan favorite, but unfortunately, the frozen version sold in-store falls flat. The soggy texture and odd taste have even made some shoppers stop buying the fresh ones, too.

"They are awful! I used to love going to Costco and enjoying a freshly baked chicken bake. After trying their frozen ones, it gave me a bad taste and completely turned me off from their fresh ones, too," revealed a Redditor.

"Same! I never thought the bakes would be bad, but after buying a pack, I tried them, and it was like a sweaty sock. I never returned a food item (let alone frozen), but that was my first item returned. So turned off, like you said," agreed a second commenter.

8. Laundry Detergent

Finally, buying a jug of laundry detergent large enough to last the year sounds like nothing could go wrong, right? Wrong. When it comes to effectiveness, bigger isn't always better.

That's because liquid detergent can lose its potency over time. Not to mention, customers even have issues with Costco's off-brand version of Tide pods.

"I actually hate their version of Tide pods. They don't dissolve, and I have to do two extra rinse cycles to get the detergent out, even with very small loads," shared a Redditor.

"Yes, I've been waiting for this comment! These left melted blue spots of detergent all over my stuff," said another.

So, unless you run a load of laundry at least once a day, it's best to buy smaller containers of liquid laundry detergent and skip Costco's laundry pods altogether.