7 Buys Dad’s Regret (and 7 They’ll Defend to the Grave)

You go in for laundry detergent. You come out with a kayak, a brisket, and a year’s supply of protein powder. The Costco Dad Cart strikes again. Every dad I talked to had a story. Some were proud (“best purchase I’ve ever made”), others… not so much (“it’s still in the garage…unopened”). So I asked around. Real Costco dads. Real carts. Real regrets. Below is a no-holds-barred breakdown of the impulse buys they’d gladly make again and the ones they wish they’d left on the pallet.

7 Costco Impulse Buys That Dads Regret:

1. Inflatable Hot Tub

• Price: $499
• Dad Score: 2/10

Why I Regret It: This one comes from longtime blog reader, Kevin, “Honestly? Total impulse buy. The setup was brutal, it took me like three hours just to fill the thing, and then another two days before the water was even warm. My water bill shot up that month, and don’t even get me started on the electricity.

My kids were obsessed for the first week, maybe two. Then… nothing. They forgot it existed. My wife never used it. And I’d just look at it from the kitchen window thinking, ‘I should really drain that thing.’

Maintenance was way more than I expected, namely keeping it clean, covered, sanitized. It became more of a chore than anything else. It hogged the whole corner of our patio, and in the end, it just wasn’t worth it.”

2. 12-Pack of Assorted Hot Sauces

• Price: $19.99
• Dad Score: 3/10

Why I Regret It: From Ryan in my hometown on Watsonville, CA, “It looked like a fun way to level up Taco Tuesday, but most of the sauces were either too similar or too weird to use regularly. I ended up opening a handful, trying a few, then I totally forgot about them.

They hogged space in the fridge and eventually expired. I’ve found that novelty food items are tempting, but unless it’s something you know you’ll consume consistently, it’s just clutter.”

PRO TIP: FEELS LIKE A GIFT?

If it feels like a gift you’d give to a guy you barely know at a white elephant party… maybe don’t buy it for yourself.

Novelty sauces, spice kits, or gourmet jams seem fun, but unless you already use that kind of thing weekly, they just become overpriced fridge fossils.

See Also: Tips to Build a Smart & Practical Costco Budget

3. Holiday Decor (Out of Season)

Price: $329 (Halloween skeleton)
Dad Score: 4/10

Why I Regret It: From Jack in Davis, CA, “I bought it in early September for full-price. Halloween finally rolled around, I realized it looked stupid in our yard because it was so big and took me forever to set it up. Plus, it spooked the heck out of my 5-year-old and made her run the other way.

It then sat in my garage for months because it doesn’t fold or store easily. Then I saw it for 30% off in mid-October.”

PRO TIP: RULE OF THUMB ON HALLOWEEN DECOR

Big-ticket seasonal décor is tempting early on…but hold your horses. Retailers like Costco often mark down oversized Halloween inflatables and yard displays by mid to late October when demand cools off.

If you can wait (and measure your space!), you’ll save money and avoid storing a regret the size of a small sedan.

4. Gourmet Olive Oil Sampler

• Price: $29.99
• Dad Score: 2/10

Why I Regret It: From Kevin in Omaha, Nebraska, “We’re not foodies. I bought it because it looked fancy and delicious and I especially wanted to try lemon-infused oil. That damn bottle is still 90% full and stares at my daily.

The others just took up space in the pantry until they turned cloudy. I should’ve just stuck to the basics that we actually use.”

5. Frito Lay Variety Snack Box (54 Count)

• Price: $22.99
• Dad Score: 6/10

Why I Regret It: Theo from Brooklyn told me, “Seemed like a solid idea ya know, snacks for the kids, easy to grab on the go, done. But nope. They tore through the three good ones in a day, then wouldn’t touch the rest. I stared at a half-empty box for weeks. I ended up eating stale Cheetos at midnight just so I could finally toss the box. Never again.”

PRO TIP: MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN SNACKS

If your kids only eat half the snacks, it’s not a deal…it’s a headache.

Instead just grab a few family favorites in bulk, portion them into baggies, and boom: your own custom variety pack. Cheaper. Smarter. And no stale Cheeto shame.

6. Oversized Frozen Entrees (Chicken Cordon Bleu)

• Price: $17.49
• Dad Score: 3/10

Why I Regret It: Brian in Spokane said, “Look, I thought it’d be an easy dinner win. Toss it in the oven, done. But the breading turned to mush and the pieces were all different sizes, and the flavor was not good. My kids gave me that “do we gotta eat this?” look, and after two tries, I said screw it and gave up.

It’s been sitting in the freezer ever since, judging me every time I reach for the frozen waffles. Buying in bulk only works if your family doesn’t hate it. Learned that the hard way.”

7. Emergency Food Supply Bucket

Price: $99.99
Dad Score: 4/10

Why I Regret It: Not gonna lie, this one kinda surprised me. Ted from Vacaville, CA said it best: “Buying it made me feel like I had my life together for about five minutes. But after that? It lived in the garage. Never touched it. Never rotated the food. At some point, I wasn’t even sure if it was still edible.

It takes up an entire shelf, and I could’ve built a better, more usable emergency kit with canned goods, pasta, and water bottles. It’s preparedness theater, not practicality.”

PRO TIP: SMARTER PREPPING

If an emergency kit makes you feel prepared but you don’t touch it, it’s not prepping, it’s nothing more than procrastination in a bucket.

Skip the bulky bins marketed as one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, treat your emergency stash like a pantry extension: buy what you’ll eat, store what you rotate, and skip the stuff that needs a manual to understand.

7 Costco Buys Dads Will Defend to the Grave:

1. Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken

• Price: $4.99
• Dad Score: 10/10

Why I’d Buy It Again: “It’s the only thing I go in for and actually stick to the plan. $4.99 for dinner? Feels like I’m stealing. I grab two…one to eat, one to shred for sandwiches and quesadillas all week.” — Mike, dad of three, Orange County

PRO TIP: SHRED IT BABY!

Shred the chicken while it’s warm and freeze portions. You’ll stretch one bird into 2–3 meals: tacos, soups, casseroles, you name it.

2. Kirkland Signature Hoodie

• Price: $12.99
• Dad Score: 9/10

Why I’d Buy It Again: “Did I need another hoodie? No. Do I wear this one five times a week? Absolutely. It’s warm, it’s soft, and it cost less than a frozen pizza. Honestly, if Kirkland made it in more colors, I’d throw out all my other sweatshirts.” — Jason, dad of two, Seattle

Savings Hack: These go fast. Buy early in the season and look for markdowns (prices ending in .97) at the end of winter. Comparable quality at other retailers would run $30+.

3. 5-Pound Bag of Frozen Blueberries

• Price: $10.44
• Dad Score: 8/10

Why I’d Buy It Again: “I bought them thinking I’d make smoothies every morning. Instead, my kids started popping them frozen like candy. Now I’m buying a new bag every two weeks and pretending it was my plan all along.” — Rob, dad of four, Minnesota

Savings Hack: At roughly $2/lb, these blow away grocery store prices, especially off-season prices which can be ridiculous. Use what you need and seal the rest in freezer bags to prevent clumping.

See Also: Why Costco Checks Your Receipt? The Answer Will Surprise You

4. Shark Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

• Price: $89.99
• Dad Score: 10/10

Why I’d Buy It Again: “Turns out I’m using it weekly. Coffee spills on the carpet? Gone. Crumbs under the seats? Gone. Even helped with a flooded sink last month. It’s loud, sure, but it’s the hero I didn’t know I needed.” — Dave, dad of two, Phoenix

Savings Hack: Costco’s vacs often come with bonus attachments or bundles that would cost $20+ sold separately. I always see the best deals at Costco during spring cleaning and fall garage-sale season.

5. Kirkland Adirondack Chairs

• Price: $179
• Dad Score: 9/10

Why I’d Buy It Again: “I bought two thinking they’d be nice for summer evenings. Now I can’t get my wife out of hers, and I have to fight the dog for mine. They’re solid, comfy, and haven’t faded a bit, even after two brutal summers. Best patio buy I’ve made.” — Tom, dad of one, North Carolina

Savings Hack: It’s been my experience that these usually show up at Costco around March and are gone by late April. If you see them marked down later in the Summer (especially .97 price), grab them fast as they won’t be restocked.

6. Kirkland Battery Multipacks

• Price: $15.99 (AA 48-count)
• Dad Score: 10/10

Why I’d Buy It Again: “They’re cheap, sure. But I had two corrode inside a flashlight I kept in my truck. Now I keep Kirkland for remotes and buy name-brand for anything I actually care about.” — Jeremy, dad of two, Utah

Savings Hack: Costco batteries are made by Duracell and tested nearly identical in performance. Buying in bulk saves roughly 40–60% over grocery store pricing.

7. 36-Pack of Microfiber Towels

• Price: $19.99
• Dad Score: 9/10

Why I’d Buy It Again: “There is no better value in MF towels. They do not scratch, rub, or harm the paint… less than 50 cents each so you really can’t beat the price.” — From a Dad of 2 and an actual Auto Detailer.

Savings Tip: These last years and are cheaper than the auto aisle equivalent at Walmart or AutoZone. Toss half in the garage, the rest in the house—you’ll thank yourself later.

5 Real-World Costco Cart Strategies

Want to avoid loading your cart with stuff you’ll regret by next month? Here’s how to shop smarter, especially when you’re prone to “Dad Cart Syndrome.”

1. Look for .97 and .00 Price Tags

$.97 = Clearance item

$.00 or .88 = Store specific manager markdown

Asterisk (*) on tag = Item won’t be restocked

Price tags marked like this are the best buys if you already use the product and it’s not seasonal junk.

2. Calculate the Cost-Per-Use

This is how you avoid the trap of “cheap per unit” but never actually use it.

Ask yourself: “Will I use this 10+ times?” If not, walk away.

Example #1

Kirkland yoga pants for $19.99 = gold.

If you wear them twice a week for a year, that’s about 20 cents per wear.

That $85 sweater you wore once and hated? Not so much.

Example #2

Giant tub of protein powder = win if it’s part of your daily routine.

Same tub = shelf ornament if it’s your “new year, new me” phase that died in February.

Example #3

Multipack of socks = always a good call.

Multipack of scented candles = waste if you’re not even a candle person. Don’t get hypnotized by bulk unless you’re actually going to use it.

3. Know When to Shop

Best times to go: If at all possible, try shopping on a Tuesday morning for the smallest crowds. (Verified by several employees.)

Best time to find markdowns: According to 2 Costco managers that I spoke with, the 2 weeks after seasonal items hit the shelves is when markdowns start to happen. (think patio gear in April, holiday stuff by mid-November).

Best deals: While obvious, be sure to look for instant savings in their monthly coupon book. But remember, a deal is only a deal if you actually need it.

4. Skip the Center Aisles (If You’re on a Budget)

The middle of Costco is a trap. That’s where your budget goes to implode, thinks kayaks, massage guns, a 3-pack of drones you definitely don’t need.

It’s fun to wander, but brutal on your wallet. The smart move? Hug the edges. That’s where the real value lives—groceries, household basics, frozen staples. Less thrill, more bills paid.”

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Return

Costco’s return policy is pretty much the gold standard. If something doesn’t live up to the hype, just bring it back…no box, no receipt, no hassle in most cases.

That said, a few things are the exception: Electronics have a 90-day return window, big appliances are a little stricter, and alcohol returns depend on your state’s laws. So yeah, don’t try to return an empty bottle of vodka in Utah.

Ask the Reader: Calling all dads out there! Let me know your biggest Costco wins and don’t be afraid to tell me your biggest L’s too.

By Kyle James

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)