Costco delivers tremendous value on hundreds of products, from Rao’s marinara sauce for less than you’ll find in a grocery store to the famous rotisserie chicken. And when you need a food court snack before you finish braving the massive aisles? The Costco chicken bake for $4 doesn’t disappoint.
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But if you’re shopping for budget-friendly seasonal finds, you might be surprised that Costco doesn’t always offer the best prices or quality. You might even be better off shopping the below fall favorites at your local farm stand, according to shopping experts.
In contrast, here are luxe-looking fall finds at Costco that are worth it.
Apples
You can find apples virtually anywhere in the fall. Costco, surprisingly, isn’t likely to deliver the best value or the best quality for this fruit.
“If you can buy apples in bulk, you may be able to save 50% compared to Costco prices,” said Melanie Musson, budgeting expert with Quote.com. Consider bags of apples from the grocery store or Target to spend less.
It might also be worth it to pay a little more and choose your own individual apples — whether you pick them from the produce bin at your grocery store or straight from the tree at a local orchard.
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Bulk Fruit and Fresh Vegetables
Savvy shopping influencer Frugal Daily shared similar sentiments about other Costco fruit and vegetable purchases, from strawberries and grapes to green beans.
It doesn’t pay to buy produce in bulk unless you’re feeding a crowd — or hungry teenagers. “Unless you’ve got a family of six, that produce is going bad faster than you can eat it,” according to the Frugal Daily YouTube video. “You feel good at the register, only to feel wasteful by the weekend.”
Pumpkin Pie Filling
Speaking of food waste, Musson no longer purchases her pumpkin pie filling at Costco. “Costco used to sell the standard-size can, but now they only have it in the large size, at least where I shop,” she said.
If she’s only making one pie or a loaf of pumpkin bread, one small can is enough. “I’m better off paying more per ounce but less per can at the grocery store,” she explained. If you’re at Costco anyway, it’s probably worth it to skip the baking and bring home a giant Costco pumpkin pie for just $6.80. That’s one fall favorite that remains a good value.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Shopping Expert: 3 Items I Stopped Buying Seasonally at Costco
