Costco’s Kirkland brand has a reputation for offering quality products at reasonable prices, but not everything with that label lives up to the hype. Some items have disappointed shoppers so much that they’ve taken to social media to warn others. From household basics that don’t quite work to food items that miss the mark, these products have earned their spot on the regret list. If you’re planning your next Costco trip, you might want to skip these Kirkland items that have left customers feeling let down.
Kirkland toilet paper doesn’t live up to its promises
You’d think buying toilet paper in bulk from Costco would be a safe bet, but many shoppers have found the Kirkland toilet paper disappointing. People complain that it feels thin and rough, nothing like the soft and strong product advertised on the package. Some customers say it doesn’t break down well in water, which has led plumbers to call it one of the worst options you can buy. The price might seem appealing when you see those massive packages, but you might end up using twice as much per trip to the bathroom.
What makes this even more frustrating is that longtime Costco members claim the quality used to be much better. They say everything changed a few years ago during the toilet paper shortages, and the product never bounced back to its original quality. The only thing that went up was the price, while the actual product got worse. If you need toilet paper in bulk, you might want to check out other brands at Costco instead of automatically reaching for the Kirkland option that takes up half your cart.
The scented trash bags smell worse than garbage
When you buy scented trash bags, you expect them to help control odors, not create new ones. Unfortunately, Kirkland’s lavender-scented trash bags have become infamous for their overpowering artificial smell that many people find worse than actual garbage. Customers report that the scent is so strong and unpleasant that it fills their entire kitchen with a chemical smell. On top of that, these bags have a tendency to leak and tear easily, which defeats the entire purpose of buying heavy-duty trash bags in the first place.
One frustrated customer summed it up perfectly by saying these bags fail at both of their jobs—they don’t hold garbage well, and they smell terrible. When your trash bags are making your kitchen smell worse than it would without them, something has gone seriously wrong. Many Costco shoppers have switched to unscented options or different brands altogether after trying these once. The money you save buying Kirkland isn’t worth dealing with bags that leak all over your floor and make your house smell like a chemical factory.
Kirkland cold brew coffee tastes burnt and bitter
Coffee lovers can be picky about their drinks, and the Kirkland canned cold brew has left many of them disappointed. Instead of the smooth, mellow taste that makes cold brew popular, this version tastes burnt, bitter, and sour all at once. Some coffee drinkers have gone so far as to question whether it’s actually cold brew at all. They suspect the coffee was heated in large batches and then canned, which would explain the harsh, unpleasant taste that’s nothing like what you’d get from properly brewed cold coffee.
The disappointing taste has led many customers to pour out their purchases and return to their favorite coffee shop or try different brands. When your morning coffee tastes more like burnt rubber than the smooth drink you were expecting, it can really ruin your day. The large pack sizes that Costco is known for become a problem when you realize you’re stuck with multiple cans of undrinkable coffee. Most people agree that spending a bit more on quality cold brew from other brands is worth it to avoid this particular letdown.
The spiced rum tastes like hand sanitizer
Kirkland’s attempt at creating an affordable alternative to Captain Morgan fell flat in a spectacular way. Their spiced rum has earned a reputation for tasting like a mixture of hand sanitizer, liquid smoke, and artificial sweeteners. The chemical taste is so strong that many people can’t get past even one sip, whether they’re drinking it straight or trying to hide it in mixed drinks. One disgusted customer joked that they would rather eat wool socks than drink this rum again, which pretty much says it all about the experience.
When your budget liquor ends up being used as a cleaning product instead of a drink, you know there’s a serious problem. The overpowering artificial flavors make it impossible to enjoy, and even mixing it with strong juices or sodas can’t mask the unpleasant taste. Most people who bought this have either thrown it away or relegated it to cleaning duties. Kirkland makes some excellent alcoholic beverages, but this spiced rum isn’t one of them. You’re better off spending a few extra dollars on a name brand that actually tastes like something you’d want to drink at a party.
Kirkland boxed mac and cheese was so bad they stopped selling it
When a product is so unpopular that even bargain-hunting Costco members refuse to buy it, you know it’s bad. The Kirkland boxed mac and cheese was exactly that kind of failure. Customers complained that it was bland, overly starchy, and just weird tasting compared to familiar brands like Kraft or Annie’s. One person even said it ruined one of their good pots because of how starchy and sticky it got during cooking. The cashiers at Costco reportedly heard so many complaints that they weren’t surprised when people returned it.
Costco eventually pulled this product from shelves, probably because nobody was buying it after word got around about how terrible it tasted. When you can’t compete with basic boxed mac and cheese that costs a dollar at regular grocery stores, something has gone very wrong with your recipe. The prepared mac and cheese in Costco’s deli section is apparently much better, which makes you wonder why they bothered with the boxed version at all. At least this is one Kirkland disappointment you won’t have to worry about anymore since it’s been discontinued.
The burnt ends are chewy and flavorless
Burnt ends are supposed to be one of the best parts of barbecue, but Kirkland’s version misses the mark by a mile. These heat-and-eat brisket chunks have been described as chewy, dry, and strangely tasteless despite being covered in sauce. One particularly harsh review stated that they would rather call a stack of McRibs authentic barbecue than suggest anyone eat these burnt ends. That’s a pretty serious insult coming from someone who presumably loves barbecue enough to buy frozen burnt ends from Costco in the first place.
The texture seems to be the biggest problem, with many people comparing it to trying to chew through leather or rubber. Even drowning them in extra sauce doesn’t help much when the meat itself is tough and lacking in real barbecue taste. These burnt ends have been returned more often than they’ve been reheated, which tells you everything you need to know. If you’re craving barbecue, you’re better off going to an actual barbecue restaurant or trying a different frozen option that might actually deliver on the promise of tender, smoky meat.
Kirkland batteries have a leaking problem
Batteries seem like such a basic product that it would be hard to mess them up, but somehow Kirkland batteries have developed a reputation for leaking and ruining electronics. Customers report finding corroded, leaked battery acid inside their remote controls, clocks, and other devices after using Kirkland batteries. This problem appears to affect all sizes of their alkaline batteries, from AAA to D cells. One frustrated shopper said that for nearly ten years, they’ve watched Kirkland batteries leak without fail, regardless of which size they bought.
The real cost of these cheaper batteries becomes clear when they destroy your electronics. You might save a few dollars upfront, but then you’re stuck replacing a TV remote or a kid’s toy that got damaged by leaked battery acid. Some Costco members have given up on Kirkland batteries entirely and switched to other brands that cost more but don’t come with the risk of ruined devices. When shopping for batteries, this is one area where the Kirkland brand doesn’t deliver the quality that makes their other products worth buying.
The giant chicken pot pie has way too much salt
Costco’s massive chicken pot pie might look like an easy dinner solution, but it comes with enough sodium to make your blood pressure spike just from looking at it. At nearly twenty dollars for a single pie, it’s not exactly cheap either. Customers complain that the overwhelming saltiness ruins what could otherwise be a decent meal. The filling often turns out dry, the vegetables are mushy, and don’t even get started on the crust, which many people describe as the worst pie crust they’ve ever encountered. Some pies also have the problem of soggy bottoms that never quite cook through.
One person joked that the chicken has enough sodium to kill an elephant, which might be an exaggeration but gets the point across about how salty this thing is. When you’re supposed to be enjoying comfort food and instead you’re reaching for a glass of water after every bite, something has gone wrong. The combination of dry chicken, terrible crust, and overwhelming salt means this pot pie often ends up in the trash rather than on dinner plates. You’re better off making your own or finding a different prepared meal option at Costco.
The cinnamon rolls are dry and nothing like Cinnabon
Costco’s bakery section usually knocks it out of the park, but their oversized cinnamon rolls have left many customers wondering what went wrong. Despite being covered in thick glaze and looking impressive, these rolls are often described as dry and disappointing. One creative reviewer compared eating them to being an anaconda trying to swallow a beach towel, which paints a pretty clear picture of the texture problem. People who were expecting something similar to Cinnabon were especially let down when they realized these rolls don’t come close to that level of soft, gooey goodness.
At almost thirteen dollars for a tray, they’re not cheap enough to overlook the quality issues. The dryness seems to be the main complaint, with the rolls lacking the moist, tender texture that makes cinnamon rolls such a popular treat. Some shoppers have tried to salvage them by heating them up or adding extra icing, but most agree that no amount of doctoring can fix the fundamental problems with these rolls. When your cinnamon rolls end up in the trash instead of in happy bellies, that’s a sign to try a different bakery item next time you’re at Costco.
Shopping at Costco can save you money on many products, but not everything with the Kirkland label deserves a spot in your cart. These items have disappointed enough customers that they’re worth avoiding on your next warehouse run. Stick to the Kirkland products with solid reputations, and don’t be afraid to try name brands when the store brand falls short. Your satisfaction is more important than saving a few bucks on something you’ll end up returning or throwing away anyway.
