6 Items to Avoid at Warehouse Stores

When looking to save money, many shoppers buy in bulk at a warehouse store like Costco or Sam’s Club. The main idea behind buying in bulk is that you’ll get a wholesale price for committing to a larger purchase of a given item. Especially in situations where you require a large volume of goods, warehouse stores can be lifesavers. Despite that, not every item offers benefits when bought in bulk. 

Bulk wholesale items to avoid 

Not sure when to stock up and when to keep it minimal? Here are some items that are better purchased in smaller quantities — not at warehouse stores.

1. Produce

Unless you’re buying fresh fruits or vegetables for a specific meal or event, purchasing produce in bulk for your household isn’t the best idea. Produce goes bad quickly, making the chances of your household eating it in time slim. If you really do want to buy fruits and vegetables at a wholesale price, try products with a long shelf life such as applesauce, fruit leathers or frozen fruits and vegetables. 

Another option is buying fresh produce, but using only a small portion now. The remainder of the pack can be frozen before it goes bad. This isn’t a sustainable strategy, however, because if you do it repeatedly you’ll end up with a backlog of frozen foods. You’ll also want to research which fresh produce keep well in the freezer and for how long. 

For cheaper produce in smaller quantities try last chance items or dollar stores.

2. Books

If you’re looking for new reading material, there are probably better sources than warehouse stores to stock up on literature. If you have an e-reader, you probably already know that you can score some deals on books through your device. It’s cheaper, not to mention going paperless is better for the environment. 

You can also get good deals on books at garage sales and second-hand stores. If you’re looking for new releases, try the library. There’s also the old standby of borrowing a book from a friend. 

Have you tried asking on social media if anyone in your circle has books they could lend you? Consider doing a book swap to trade titles without having to dish out money at a warehouse store.

3. Televisions

Warehouse stores like Costco often advertise their unbeatable deals on electronics like televisions. While specific sales could be worth your time, check online for deals before assuming that good deals automatically includes items like televisions. Amazon is a great place to check for cheap electronics, and your local Craigslist page could even have some inexpensive options that are just what you’re looking for. 

4. Breakfast cereal

If you aren’t a morning person, looking forward to your morning cereal could be the motivation you need to get out of bed. Even for hardcore cereal lovers, purchasing cereal in bulk can be overkill. Cereal boxes also take up a lot of cabinet space, meaning you’ll be surrendering a lot of kitchen storage just to make sure you have four extra boxes of Cap’n Crunch. Not to mention, cereal goes stale if you don’t get through it quickly enough. 

Cereal is also one of the items grocery stores often put on sale to entice shoppers. There’s a high chance if you pay attention to weekly deals, you’ll be able to get a better price on cereal at a grocery store rather than a warehouse store.

5. Dairy

If you’ve ever accidentally taken a sip of sour milk, you know the importance of paying attention to expiration dates when buying a milk carton. According to a recent study, milk lasts between five and 10 days if unopened, though that shortens to 4-7 days if the seal is broken. That’s not a lot of time to consume milk, especially if you’re buying it in bulk. 

Milk isn’t the only dairy that’s risky to buy in bulk. Yogurt, sour cream, whipped cream — unless you’re hosting a huge dairy feast the chances you’ll be able to work your way through bulk quantities of those items before they expire is unlikely. 

6. Salad dressings and condiments

Do you really need a commercial-sized bottle of ketchup or ranch dressing? True ranch addicts might say “yes,” but for the general population, the answer is probably no. 

Condiments do expire. Even staples like mustard and ketchup. Unless you lather on the condiments at every meal, stick to the smaller sizes that you can purchase at a grocery store for less. 

What to avoid at Costco

One of the most notable places to shop in bulk is Costco, which is known for its above-average minimum wage compensation for employees. With almost 700 stores in the United States alone, Costco is a weekly stop for many consumers. When considering what to avoid at Costco, or any warehouse store, beware of impulse buys. 

Once you’re in the store and fueled by food samples, it becomes easier to purchase unnecessary items as you come upon them. Try making a list of what you need before entering the store and stick to it. Additionally, compare prices with other stores online before making large-item purchases. You could be able to get better prices elsewhere.