Costco’s private label brand, Kirkland Signature, is known for offering high-quality products at competitive prices, you already should know that so far. To ensure the quality of its products, Costco employs a rigorous quality control process.
The company works closely with its suppliers to establish strict specifications for the raw materials used in Kirkland Signature products and conducts regular audits to ensure that these specifications are being met. Additionally, Costco works with independent laboratories to conduct testing on its products to ensure that they meet or exceed industry standards.
The Kirkland Signature brand and its products
But not every Kirkland Signature product is worth the money. Sorry Costco, we’re fans, but you’re not perfect. Shopping experts have selected four products that you should avoid, if you don’t want to feel like you’ve invested your money in stuff that’s not exactly what you’ve expected. We asked a bunch of Costco fans, and they told us that, the next products, are not worth the money if you buy them the wrong way.
Although today we have told you about some products that are not the best of this brand, always under the opinion of consumers, they have food, beverages, household and health products, as well as pet products. Some food products include cat and dog food, ready-to-eat foods, frozen fruits and vegetables, dairy products, snacks, snacks, bakery, ice cream, beverages and more.
These Kirkland products are actually worth the money, but don’t buy them in bulk
With the gigantic amount of Kirkland Signature products that Costco offers in its stores, it is very easy to fall into the temptation of buying some in bulk that puts us at an unthinkable risk: that we end up throwing away large amounts of things that we do not manage to consume in time before they are ruined or spoiled.
One example of a Kirkland Signature product that’s not recommended to buy in bulk are their batteries, which have gained popularity for their affordability and decent performance. While they may seem like a cost-effective choice, buying them in bulk might not be the wisest decision. Several consumer reports suggest that these batteries have a shorter lifespan compared to other well-known brands. That is, they work well for low-consumption electronics such as remote controls, or wall clocks, but not for high-consumption ones such as children’s toys and cameras.
Costco is renowned for its bulk offerings, but perishable items can be a challenge when bought in large quantities. Kirkland Signature perishable products, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy items, have a limited shelf life compared to their non-bulk counterparts found in local grocery stores. While it might be tempting to stock up on fresh produce and dairy items, consider the expiration dates and your consumption patterns. it’s simple: just read the “best before” date, prior to the shop.
Costco’s Kirkland Signature line also includes a range of medications and supplements. It’s actually true that these products often offer great value, caution is necessary when buying them in large quantities. Medications and supplements have expiration dates, and consuming expired or ineffective products can pose health risks. These kinds of items are better to be bought in small batches.
Which products from Kirkland Signature brand are not worth the money?
Household products include paper towels, household cleaning products, bath products, laundry care products, personal care products, kitchen cleaning products, bathroom cleaning products and skin care products. All of that means that you can find very good quality in other things that are worth buying.
The first thing you have to prioritize when shopping at Costco is the time factor: how fast are you going to be able to consume that big bulk package that you are buying. Buying coffee in bulk means that the beans will be exposed to air and light for an extended period. This can cause the coffee to go stale, losing its aroma and flavor. It is recommended to purchase coffee in smaller quantities to ensure that you are consuming fresh coffee. It can be a waste if you don’t consume it quickly enough, and it’s such a shame to throw coffee in the garbage.
Kirkland Signature Laundry Detergent Pacs are one Costco product that collect a lot of complaints. While these laundry detergent pods might seem like a good value, they have been known to leave residue on clothing and can cause skin irritation. You might want to stick with a more well-known laundry detergent brand. “I bought my latest batch of the Kirkland UltraClean Premium Laundry Detergent Pacs a few months ago,” said a shopper on Reddit. “I’m certain the pacs aren’t dissolving completely. It results in patches of blue detergent on random items in the wash,” the disappointed costumer added.
“Yeah, the outer layer of those is really thick. You have to start each wash cycle on hot for the first couple of minutes while it’s filling, and that will usually dissolve them. I hold it under the water until it breaks and then turn it to cold,” responded another Redditor. Some other costumers responded in this thread saying that they’ve also had problems. “Yes!!!! I had the same experience. It’s kinda gross and super messy!,” added BrookieCookie88 on Reddit.
What are some benefits of buying other products from Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand?
Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand offers a variety of products that are high quality and affordable. Most Kirkland Signature items sell for up to 20% less than their national brand name counterparts. The Kirkland brand appeals to people who want affordable products with a guarantee of quality.
Kirkland Signature products are co-branded with big names, which helps Costco save on shelf space by offering a name-brand and generic version of a product in one. For example, Starbucks’ Kirkland Signature House Blend, Reynolds aluminum foil, Jelly Belly jelly beans, and Ocean Spray cranberry juice are some co-branded products with household name products.
Kirkland Signature has a well-earned reputation for quality products that meet or beat name-brand competition. Costco’s return policy associated with Kirkland and other Costco products guarantees satisfaction or your money back.
Buying Kirkland Signature products can save you money in the long run by stocking up on nonperishable goods. Kirkland Signature wine, golf balls, coconut water, diapers, and bagged nuts are some of the best deals you can find from Costco’s in-house brand.
You won’t find Kirkland Signature versions of every product, but the limited number of products at Costco compared to the average grocery retailer impacts the specific products that get the Kirkland Signature label. Costco invests a lot into its Kirkland products, and it’s clear that the investment is paying off with brand loyalty. Kirkland Signature products are an excellent choice for people who want to save money without sacrificing quality.
Some Costco products are NOT as good as expected
While Kirkland Signature Energy Shots seem like a convenient way to get a quick energy boost, they contain a high amount of caffeine and other stimulants. Consuming too many of these energy shots can lead to jitters, anxiety, and even heart palpitations, as some costumers have commented. But some other shoppers said that they’re not exactly what’s advertised. “It’s weaker than the original 5-hour shot. So I imagine the extra strength would equal the original,” said Brad LeBlanc in the Kirkland Signature’s official page on Amazon. Angela Boda agreed: “I don’t think these work as good as other brands.”
Don’t rush to buy Kirkland Signature extra-large size milk. The 2-pack of one gallon jug is so large, you must have a really large family to use all the liquid before it passes the due date. It’s possible you will end throwing a big part of it.
Now, are you looking for a good booze? Well, Kirkland Signature is not the right place. According to one reviewer cited by The Seattle Times, the tequila has an unpleasant sweetness that seems artificial and not derived from agave. Another reviewer compared the taste of Kirkland Signature tequila to “wearing clown shoes”: it just feels out of place.
A third reviewer criticized the añejo variant, which is typically aged in oak barrels for one to three years, for tasting more like a cheap brandy than tequila. Eater, a popular food website, went so far as to criticize the añejo as “essentially tequila-flavored vodka with a dose of artificial coloring to mimic the barrel-aged color.”
Buying those 10 lb (4.54 kg) Kirkland Signature wheat flour packs may not be the best option for smaller families. It’s a perishable item and needs to be stored in a cool, dry place. Buying in bulk means that you will need to have sufficient storage space to keep the flour fresh. As in the other products, the cost-effective factor depends on that not a single pound of the product ends up in the trash. So, remember, it is recommended to purchase flour for your bread or pancakes in smaller quantities to ensure that you are consuming fresh and high-quality flour, so your baking needs will be fulfilled.