Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand has a reputation for offering quality products at reasonable prices. Most people who shop at Costco have at least a few Kirkland items in their carts during every trip. But here’s something you might not know: not every Kirkland product lives up to the hype. Some items have disappointed shoppers so much that they’ve sparked heated online discussions, with customers warning others to steer clear. From household essentials that don’t work as promised to food items that taste nothing like what you’d expect, these products have earned their spot on the worst list. Let’s look at what real Costco members say about the Kirkland products they wish they’d never bought.
Kirkland toilet paper leaves customers disappointed
You’d think toilet paper would be a safe bet, but Kirkland’s version has people pretty upset. Shoppers say it used to be decent, but something changed a few years ago. The quality went downhill, and it never recovered. People complain that it’s thin, rough, and not nearly as soft as it claims to be on the package. Some folks even say it doesn’t dissolve properly, which can lead to plumbing problems down the road.
What really frustrates customers is that the price keeps going up while the quality keeps going down. Many blame the changes on manufacturing adjustments made during the toilet paper shortage a few years back. Even plumbers have chimed in, calling it one of the worst brands you can buy for your pipes. If you’re someone who cares about your bathroom experience, you might want to spend a little extra on a name brand instead of gambling with Kirkland’s offering. The savings just aren’t worth the hassle or the scratchy feeling.
Scented trash bags smell worse than garbage
Trash bags are supposed to help contain smells, not create new ones. Unfortunately, Kirkland’s scented trash bags do exactly that. Customers report an overwhelming artificial lavender scent that’s so strong it makes them gag. Instead of masking the smell of trash, these bags add another unpleasant odor to the mix. Some people say the smell is so bad they can’t even keep the bags in their kitchen without feeling sick.
The problems don’t stop at the smell, though. These bags also have a reputation for tearing easily and leaking, which defeats the whole purpose of buying quality trash bags in the first place. One frustrated customer said the bags fail at both their jobs: holding trash and smelling decent. When you’re dealing with something that’s supposed to make your life easier, the last thing you want is a product that creates more problems than it solves. Most people end up tossing the entire box and switching to a different brand after just a few uses.
Cold brew coffee tastes nothing like cold brew
Coffee drinkers take their drinks seriously, and they’re not shy about sharing when something misses the mark. Kirkland’s canned cold brew has been called out repeatedly for tasting bitter, burnt, and sour. Real cold brew should be smooth and mellow, but this version tastes nothing like that. Some people suspect it’s not actually cold brew at all, but rather regular coffee that’s been heated and then cooled down before being canned.
The complaints are pretty consistent across the board. People say it has an unpleasant chemical taste that’s hard to mask, even with milk or sweetener. One person pointed out that you can’t create such a bad taste using good quality beans and proper cold brew methods. The whole point of buying ready-to-drink coffee is convenience, but if you can’t actually drink it without making a face, what’s the point? Most coffee lovers agree that making your own cold brew at home or buying a different brand is worth the extra effort or money. Life’s too short to drink bad coffee every morning.
Spiced rum tastes like hand sanitizer
Kirkland’s attempt at making a budget-friendly spiced rum went seriously wrong. Shoppers describe it as tasting like a mixture of hand sanitizer, liquid smoke, and artificial sweeteners. That’s not exactly what you want in a drink that’s supposed to help you relax. The chemical taste is so overpowering that most people can’t drink it straight, and even mixing it with soda or juice doesn’t help much.
One reviewer joked they’d rather eat wool socks than take another sip of this rum. When people are comparing your product to cleaning supplies, you know something went terribly wrong in the production process. The worst part is that it comes in such a large bottle, so you’re stuck with a lot of undrinkable rum if you make the mistake of buying it. Some folks have tried using it as a cleaning product instead, which tells you everything you need to know about the taste. Save your money and your taste buds by choosing a different brand when you’re shopping for spirits.
Boxed mac and cheese was so bad Costco pulled it
Sometimes a product is so universally disliked that stores stop carrying it altogether. That’s exactly what happened with Kirkland’s boxed mac and cheese. Shoppers complained it was bland, starchy, and had a weird taste that didn’t remind them of cheese at all. One person even said it ruined their pot because it was so starchy and sticky. When a cheap convenience food becomes inconvenient, people aren’t going to keep buying it.
Even Costco cashiers were telling customers how terrible it was when people tried to check out with it. That’s a pretty clear sign that a product has serious problems. Compared to brands like Kraft or Annie’s, which Costco now carries instead, the Kirkland version didn’t stand a chance. The good news is you won’t have to worry about accidentally buying this anymore since Costco pulled it from shelves. But it remains a memorable example of how even reliable store brands can completely miss the mark on classic comfort foods.
Burnt ends are chewy and flavorless
Kirkland’s burnt ends are supposed to be a convenient heat-and-eat option for barbecue lovers. Instead, they’ve become infamous for being chewy, dry, and surprisingly flavorless despite being covered in sauce. Real burnt ends should be tender and packed with smoky flavor, but these taste nothing like authentic barbecue. One person said they’d rather call a stack of McRibs authentic barbecue than recommend these burnt ends to anyone.
The texture is the biggest complaint. People describe having to chew them for way too long, and even then, they don’t taste good enough to make the effort worthwhile. When you buy prepared food, you’re paying for convenience and quality. These burnt ends fail on the quality front so badly that most people return them after trying just one bite. If you’re craving barbecue, you’re better off visiting an actual barbecue restaurant or buying a different brand’s prepared meat. Your jaw will thank you for not putting it through the workout these burnt ends require.
Batteries leak and damage your electronics
Batteries seem like a straightforward purchase, but Kirkland’s version has caused major headaches for customers. The biggest problem is that they leak, often while they’re still in your devices. People report finding battery acid inside their remotes, clocks, and other electronics, sometimes damaging them beyond repair. This has been going on for years, with customers warning others about the issue in online forums.
What makes this especially frustrating is that the leaking seems to happen regardless of battery size. Whether you’re buying AA, AAA, or any other type, the risk is the same. Some people have had to throw away expensive electronics because the battery leaked and corroded the internal components. When you consider the cost of replacing damaged devices, the money you save by buying cheaper batteries disappears quickly. Most shoppers recommend spending a bit more on a reliable brand rather than risking your electronics with Kirkland batteries that might leak without warning.
Chicken pot pie contains too much sodium
Costco’s giant chicken pot pie looks like a great dinner solution when you don’t feel like cooking. It’s huge, affordable at about twenty dollars, and seems like it could feed the whole family. But customers have major complaints about what’s actually inside. The biggest issue is the amount of salt. People joke that there’s enough sodium in one pie to preserve a body, and they’re not exaggerating by much when you look at the nutrition label.
Beyond the salt problem, shoppers also complain about soggy crusts, dry chicken, and vegetables that taste off. One person said the crust was the worst they’d ever had in their life, which is saying something for a product that’s supposed to be a quick comfort food. When you’re paying around twenty dollars for a single pie, you expect it to taste good and not make you incredibly thirsty for the rest of the day. Most people who’ve tried it once say they won’t buy it again, preferring to either make their own pot pie or get a prepared meal from somewhere else.
Cinnamon rolls are dry and disappointing
Costco’s bakery section usually gets rave reviews, but the cinnamon rolls are a notable exception. They look impressive, with thick swirls and plenty of glaze, but the taste and texture don’t match up. Customers describe them as dry and hard to swallow. One person compared eating them to being a snake trying to choke down a beach towel, which is a pretty vivid way to describe how unpleasant the experience can be.
People who’ve tried actual Cinnabon rolls say there’s no comparison, despite some folks claiming the Kirkland version is a good dupe. At around thirteen dollars for a tray, they’re not exactly cheap either, especially when you consider that many people end up throwing them away because they can’t finish them. The dryness is the main complaint, with the rolls seeming stale even when they’re fresh. If you’re craving cinnamon rolls, you’re probably better off buying a smaller quantity from a bakery that specializes in them rather than gambling on these oversized disappointments from Costco.
Shopping at Costco can save you money, but not every Kirkland product is worth bringing home. These items prove that even trusted store brands can miss the mark sometimes. The good news is that Costco has an excellent return policy, so if you do accidentally buy one of these duds, you can get your money back. Pay attention to what other shoppers are saying, and don’t be afraid to skip the Kirkland version if reviews suggest it’s not up to par. Your wallet might appreciate the bulk discounts, but your quality of life shouldn’t suffer for it.
