Everyone has their favorite Costco products. The rotisserie chickens are legendary. The pesto is amazing. The honey is fresh as if it was just combed off the cell. It’s no wonder many of its products have a cult-like following: Even Kirkland shirts and sweaters are becoming a common sight.
Over the years, however, I’ve tried several popular Costco products and felt a little, well, cheated. I don’t have picky tastes (I’m the guy who eats three-day-old cold pizza). But with all the hype, I was a little disappointed with these three products.
1. Tires
Costco has some of the best values for new tires. It often runs promotions — like $60 off a set of four — and installation is free. You also get a five-year road hazard warranty, which comes with free tire rotations, balancing, inflation checks, flat repairs, and nitrogen inflation.
I won’t complain about the price. However, when it comes to service, Costco tires can be hit or miss.
The Costco Tire Center often has a long wait time. Even if you’re only doing a simple rotation, you might have to wait several hours to get your tire service done. You could kill time by getting your shopping done. But if your car is still being serviced, you might be stuck waiting in the food court with a shopping cart of bulk goods.
Of course, every Costco will be different, and you can book tire appointments online. Costco might charge less to your credit card, but if a less crowded tire shop down the street will price match, you might save time by going there instead.
2. Gift cards
Confession: I actually love Costco gift cards. But I’m a realist, and I know they’re a pain for most people.
First, the positives. Costco adds around 10% to 30% of value to gift cards when you buy them in prearranged denominations. For example, you can buy two Uber gift cards at $50 apiece for only $79.99. That saves you $20 right off the bat.
Now, the complaints. All of Costco’s gift cards are electronic and sent to your email address. Once you get the code, you can add the gift card to an account or app, such as your Uber account. When you can’t add the gift card to an app, you can usually use the code online or in-store to make purchases.
Why would that be a problem? I’ve encountered two. One is when you’re giving these as gifts. It can be cumbersome to make sure that the other person gets the code, especially if they’re not tech-savvy. My dad, for instance, is 74 years old and does a decent job with technology (though the weekly butt-dial is still his thing). But it was a real headache to teach him how to add an AMC gift card to his account.
The second issue is when the gift card isn’t working. In fact, nearly all one-star reviews on Costco’s gift cards have something to do with function. Sometimes the gift cards simply don’t work for you. Other times the gift cards will have their own restrictions on use — like in-person vs. online or over the phone — and which locations will take it. All in all, gift cards could save you money, but they might not be as easy to use as they should be.
3. Kirkland Signature Protein Bars
Finally, let’s end on a food item — Kirkland Signature Protein Bars.
I’ve tried every flavor of this protein. Some are OK — like the chocolate peanut butter chunk — but others taste super sweet and doughy. They’re also hard to chew and, if you leave one unopened for even a little bit, it gets harder and more difficult to bite into. They’re cheap compared to other protein bars, but really — I don’t think they’re worth a charge on your favorite Costco credit card.
One of the best parts about being a Costco member is that you can return most products for a full refund at any time after purchasing. While this isn’t true for tires and gift cards, most food and household items — including the protein bars — fall under that generous policy.
That can give you some peace of mind, knowing you can sample hyped-up products without having to drudge through it if you don’t like it.
