Skip to main content

The best purchases of all time: The Costco deals shoppers will never forget

These items won the hearts and wallets of Costco shoppers

If you are a lover of Costco, you could easily spend half a Saturday there, unaware of the hours that have passed. The subreddit r/Costco page is a wealth of information for fans of the big box retailer. They posed a question, and it’s one for the record books: “What was your favorite Costco purchase of all time?” adding, “Rule: You must limit your answer to only ONE item.” For anyone who has ever stepped foot in Costco and walked out with a cart-full, you can imagine how tough this would be to nail down. But the answers may have you spending even more time there the next time you run low on these items.

The Image Party / Shutterstock

Food items

Redditor u/rubbersoul2022 answered his own question, adding, “Mine were brats on sale for $0.99 per package. These were the same brats that they used to sell for $1.50, like the hot dog at the food court. I think that they were regularly priced for $7.99 or $8.99 at the time, but they were on sale for some reason at $0.99 per package,” they said. That’s an entire summer solved right there.

Recommended Videos

Another, a self-described “simple man,” said his favorite purchase over the years has been chocolate-covered salted caramels. “They were like $8.99 and delicious,” he said. “I got our accountant hooked on them, who in turn, took them to corporate. I got calls from other departments asking where I got them. Used to go over and buy like 10 at a time.”

Nostalgia for the win

One Redditor had a sweet and fond memory shared with his family a long time ago at Costco. “Nintendo 64 Ocarina of Time video game bundle in 1998,” they wrote. “Seeing a pallet of N64 consoles in the electronics section, my brother and I jokingly put one in our shopping cart. Expecting a quick rebuke from our Mom, she simply said, ‘okay.'” That sounds like the perfect way to move to the top of your kid’s list.

Outdoor items

Outdoor items are always a good deal at Costco, and these are no exception. One Redditor responded: “The gazebo I have in my backyard. The Yardistry 12×14′ gazebo kit is worth every penny. We’ve made so many family memories under it.”

Another added that a baby blue spruce made its way into his heart because of his wife. “It was damaged. Last one. No discounts,” they said. “My wife loves gardening and asked me to come to take a look. I said it was damaged. Looked like an ugly duckling while in line and on the cart. She said it would grow out of it. We bought it. Beautiful tree at over 30 feet, maybe more now, I would say.”

It doesn’t take much to make people happy, and Costco is a perfect place to find a good deal, buy in bulk, and make fun memories with family. Here’s hoping your next trip to Costco is as successful as the ones above.

Julie Scagell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
The 6 worst mistakes you make when shopping at Costco
Make sure you're saving big and not losing opportunities
Person grocery shopping with a Costco membership

There’s nothing like spending an afternoon wandering the aisles at Costco. Where else can you shop for organic produce, find a six-month supply of toilet paper, fill a prescription, and enjoy a $1.50 hot dog and soda all in the same building?

For most Costco shoppers, having a membership pays for itself in no time. But new and existing members alike often don’t use their perks to the fullest. There is, after all, an art to shopping at this warehouse store effectively. Here are a few of the most common mistakes members make when shopping at Costco and how to avoid them.
1. Overpaying for your membership

Read more
6 home pieces you should always buy at thrift stores (and 6 you shouldn’t)
Thrift store shopping tips
Multiple antique mirrors on gallery wall

Somewhere along the turbulent line of the last decade or so, thrift store shopping became cool again, and we are all for it. More and more people are rebelling against generic, cookie-cutter styles and want their homes to look more personalized, more unique, and more one-of-a-kind. At long last, your living room looking exactly like the Pottery Barn catalog doesn't necessarily make yours the epitome of style. Individualism is the more sought-after decor style now, and we couldn't love it more.
When shopping secondhand, be it at a thrift store, online auction, or garage sale, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind, and that's where we come in. By remembering these helpful tips, you can take advantage of the perks and avoid the pitfalls of secondhand shopping.

Do: Wooden furniture

Read more
The big exception to Costco price adjustments (and how to get around it)
What you need to know about Costco price adjustments and price matching
Costco card and receipt

Have you ever bought a fairly expensive item only to see it marked down a few days later? Or go shopping in a different store and see your new purchase being advertised at a lower price? It’s an infuriating feeling, knowing you’ve spent money you didn’t have to. Luckily, that’s where Costco price adjustment and price-match policies come in. But when it comes to shopping at Costco, there’s one pretty big price adjustment exception you need to know about.

Can you get a Costco price adjustment?
 In general, yes. While there are exceptions, most items at Costco are eligible for a price adjustment if the item goes on sale within 30 days of purchase (and there are no applicable promotional item limits).

Read more