Free Samples at Costco Are Actually Terrible -- Here's Why

A man pushing a shopping cart through the aisles of a warehouse store.

A Costco membership has several perks, and perhaps the biggest one is getting to save money on groceries and everyday essentials. Your membership could also give you access to affordable home services, vacation packages, and more.

If you ask the typical Costco shopper, another nice benefit of being a member is getting access to a host of free samples when roaming the store. Costco's free samples can run the gamut from hot food to beverages to energy bar bites. And I'll admit that my family has taken advantage of those free samples on more than one occasion -- sometimes, to the point where we've been able to skip the food court lunch because we're so full.

But while Costco's free samples may be a good thing in theory, I'm here to argue that they're actually not. Here's why.

1. They cause bottlenecks

The thing I dislike most about shopping at Costco is the crowds. I'm just not a fan of crowds in general. Even in a giant store like Costco, they make me feel claustrophobic.

Now, take a store that's already crowded and set up little stations throughout it for people to gather. The result? An inability to get down the aisle because throngs of people are standing around waiting for their chance at a bite of free ravioli.

Making matters worse, Costco's free sample policy is very generous -- you can try any item that's being given out as much as you want. But shoppers tend to take advantage of that, which means the lines and crowds around those sample stations tend to be enormous all the time. It makes shopping at the store a lot less pleasant, which is why I usually aim to visit Costco first thing in the morning or later at night.

During those times, Costco generally doesn't have free samples available. And that helps ease the crowds to some degree. In fact, my theory is that the store tends to be less packed at those times because shoppers specifically come to the store at times when they can try free food.

2. They cause me to spend more money

I'll admit that at times, I've been tempted by Costco's free samples. As a general rule, I won't wait in a line for them. But if I happen to be passing by and I'm offering something tempting, like a chunk of cheese or a bite of a bakery item, I'll generally say yes.

The problem there, though, is that those free samples have a tendency to lead to impulse purchases on my part. And while I might get my money's worth in the sense that I'll eat the entire block of cheese I picked up on a whim, that's not something I originally planned to spend my money on.

Of course, steering clear of free samples could help me avoid busting my food budget. But sometimes, it's hard to say no when you're hungry and you still have seven Costco aisles to go, not to mention the perpetually long checkout line.

It's not likely that Costco will do away with its free samples anytime soon. But I kind of wish that it would. Still, if you're a fan of those free samples, try your best to enjoy them and move on -- meaning, don't let those freebies drive you to purchase items you weren't planning to buy. Not only might you end up with an uncomfortably large credit card bill, but certain food items are best enjoyed in bite-sized increments.

Take it from the person who once sampled a bite of cheesecake and wound up with an enormous stomachache in an attempt to consume the bulk dessert she then brought home on a whim.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

If you’re shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, you’ll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period.

We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.