The 8 Costco Problems No One is Talking About

With its warehouse feel, famously affordable rotisserie chicken, and free sample stands, Costco is a consumer's paradise.

But alas, no place is perfect, and even with its many membership perks, Costco has its share of flaws.

From that pesky membership fee to the relatively high chance you'll have your heart broken over a discontinued product or two, there are a few issues to discuss. Here are some of the Costco problems no one is talking about.

The membership fee

First, let's talk about the $65 elephant in the room. If you're on a budget, a membership fee can be hard to swing upfront, even if you save more money shopping, and it eventually pays for itself.

If you decide to go big and spend $130 on the Executive Membership, you can do exactly that. Executive Members receive an annual 2% reward on eligible purchases. But those fees are still a lot for some folks.

Bulk isn't always better

Jumbo-sized everything is part of the Costco experience, but sometimes bigger isn't better. This is especially true when you love a specific item — a case of San Pellegrino mineral water, for instance — and would like to purchase a few.

If you buy this drink at Costco, you now have 24 cans cluttering your fridge.

Because Costco specializes in bulk goods, there's also a bit of a learning curve for small families when it comes to shopping at Costco.

You don't always find what you're looking for

Costco has everything from couches to bulgogi beef, but when it comes to brand options, your choices are limited.

The Kirkland brand is pretty great in its own right, but many of us have certain items that just have to be name-brand. And while Costco will often carry the exact item you're looking for, sometimes they don't.

Things get discontinued

Speaking of the Kirkland brand, Costco often has items you won't find elsewhere. Chances are, you'll fall in love with one of these items.

You'll come to depend on it, and you may even make it the crown jewel of your breakfast routine. Then, one day, you'll notice an asterisk on the price tag, signaling it will be discontinued.

To Costco's credit, they do give shoppers fair warning. That asterisk is code for "go ahead and start your grieving process because we're never selling this product again."

For the rest of your life, you'll double-check to see if Costco had mercy and restocked the Cinnamon Roll Protein Bars. They didn't.

Forgetting the other perks

Costco is known for its amazing deals, but making the most of those deals is an art form in saving money.

You can earn more when you shop at Costco for travel, insurance, identity protection, and more. The list is long, and it might be a little overwhelming for Costco newbies.

The extensive membership savings reflect the rest of the Costco experience, and like the membership perks, becoming familiar with the store and figuring out how buying in bulk works within your budget can be a bit of a process.

You might waste money and time

Costco stores are huge, as are their parking lots. Making a quick stop at Costco to grab an easy pre-made meal may not be an efficient dinner solution if you're hoping to get in and out quickly.

Between the delicious sample stations set along your path and the clothing section, you may want to browse for "just a minute." But there's a good chance your one-item shopping list will turn into a cart full of things you didn't need.

No one wants to waste money at Costco, but it could happen.

No available bags at the store

Yes, a bring-your-own-bag policy is good for the environment, and it certainly helps Costco with its overhead costs — savings they can pass on to consumers.

But if you forget to bring your own bags, unloading the groceries may be a real hassle. A bin of oversized, reusable carrier bags for sale by the checkout lanes would solve this problem in a snap. Trader Joe's does this well.

Not enough sales help

If you need help finding a specific item or getting something down from a high shelf, you might be on your own.

While there are plenty of Costco workers happy to help, the Costco sales model doesn't include floor roamers looking for lost shoppers to save, which may make finding all the items on your list take a little longer than planned.

Bottom line

Like all stores, Costco has its own problems and things customers complain about. But the rave reviews are often much stronger. 

Costco members are in a club of their own. Whether or not membership in this club is a good fit for you depends entirely on your lifestyle needs.

If you do go, make sure you understand what you'll get out of your membership and follow all the expert tips to save money on groceries every time you go.