The Often-Returned Type Of Costco Kitchen Item You'll Want To Reconsider

Whether you're shopping online or in Costco's warehouse, there are some items that seem like a good idea, but are actually setting you up for a return trip. Smart shoppers know to check ratings and reviews before making purchases, but sometimes, these data points don't tell the whole story. That's because a lot of customers don't leave reviews when they're unhappy with a product–they just quietly return the item. Knowing which types of products are returned the most often would make shopping a lot easier and returns less likely. According to some potential insider Costco tips from Reddit, automated kitchen gadgets appear to be some of the worst. 

People have been forthcoming, and what they're saying is worthy of some attention. After confessing to purchasing items multiple times and having to return some models more than once, customers on Reddit admit to being too hopeful. Automatic wine openers, automatic salt and pepper shakers, and automatic coffee makers are all kitchen gadgets that left homeowners learning a hard lesson.

Some customers have been keeping their eyes on the return counter and can't help noticing that Keurig coffee makers seem to show up there frequently, and one even pointed out that the return desk employee had the item number memorized, a clear sign that they'd seen a few come across the counter. A Reddit user who claimed to work in Costco's membership and refunds department confirmed, saying they see the same returns on these items every day because they don't work.

Taking a broader look at automated kitchen gadgets and touch-free kitchen tools to see why they might be among the items from Costco most likely to be returned, a few facts stand out. More moving parts usually mean more failure points, and some smart kitchen appliances aren't all they're cracked up to be. For example, a September, 2025 report by J.D. Power showed that smart kitchen gadgets and other appliances with internet connectivity are more likely to have issues than other products. 

The reviews on Costco's website back up what people are saying online and at the return counter. At the time of this writing, the Keurig coffee maker from Costco has 381 reviews with a combined 3.7-star rating. With 74 of these giving only one star, the reviews mention machines that stop working after a couple of months. This is echoed by a $950,000 class action lawsuit that was settled in 2025 because of problems with the Keurig dying during the descaling procedure. Similarly, the Rabbit 5-piece Electric Wine Set has a 3.9-star rating, and customers are returning it because it rips up the corks or stops working after just a couple of months.

If you want to avoid returns, it's worth taking a look at which home appliances are and aren't worth buying before your next Costco run. Also, keep your eye on the return desk and take note of which items show up there.