Here are 7 things you should never buy at Costco — you’re overpaying if you do, an expert shopper warns

Costco, Schmostco.

The West Coast-based warehouse chain may be one of America’s favorite retailers, but don’t get blinded by the bargains, one expert warns — there are plenty of items you might be better off buying at your run-of-the-mill grocery store.

In an article for Eating Well, food scribe Su-Jit Lin writes that no matter how much you might love your regular trips to the home of the $5 rotisserie chicken — Lin counts herself among Costco’s many fans — it’s important to shop the store smarter than many of us do, simply because Costco is not always the last word in discount shopping.

There are a host of favorite things Lin admits she won’t leave the store without, like a tray of fresh croissants from the bakery, or high-quality staples like the Kirkland brand extra-virgin olive oil, or the Himalayan Sea Salt Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut potato chips, which you can only find at Costco.

However, she warns, don’t lose your head — not all deals are created equal.

Furthermore, if you’re not shopping for a small army, there are many cases where bulk buying just won’t make sense, she said.