13 Sam’s Club Bulk Buys That Are Not Worth the Price

Shopping in bulk at Sam’s Club feels like a smart move, but sometimes those massive deals are more trouble than they’re worth. While the warehouse model promises lower prices, not every oversized item delivers actual savings. From fresh foods that spoil before you can finish them to household goods that eat up space, many “deals” end up costing more over time. The key is knowing when to buy big and when moderation saves more. Here are 13 Sam’s Club bulk buys that often don’t live up to the hype once you get them home.

1. Member’s Mark Fresh Strawberries (4-lb Clamshell)

This four-pound clamshell of strawberries might seem like a bargain, but these delicate fruits spoil fast once you bring them home. Even if stored carefully in the fridge, mold and soft spots appear within a few days, making it hard to finish before waste sets in. Unless you bake, meal-prep smoothies, or host gatherings regularly, smaller containers are the smarter buy. Freezing berries in small portions helps extend shelf life, but for everyday use, one-pound packs are fresher and far easier to manage.

2. Member’s Mark Shredded Cheese (5-lb Bag)

Cheese is a refrigerator staple, but buying it in a five-pound bag often leads to waste. Once opened, the shredded cheese is exposed to moisture, causing clumping and loss of flavor within weeks. While freezing can preserve it, the texture changes, making it grainy or rubbery when melted. The few cents saved per ounce rarely make up for the waste. Smaller resealable bags or blocks of cheese you shred yourself offer better taste, portion control, and freshness for home cooking.

3. Member’s Mark Greek Yogurt (48-oz Tub)

A 48-ounce tub of Greek yogurt may look like a great deal, but freshness fades quickly once the seal is broken. After about a week, the texture turns watery and the flavor becomes slightly sour. Unless your household eats yogurt daily, it is hard to use that much before it spoils. Single-serve cups or smaller containers maintain their consistency longer, ensuring that every serving tastes smooth and creamy. Paying slightly more per ounce is worth avoiding the disappointment of spoiled yogurt.

4. Member’s Mark Mixed Nuts (34 oz. Container)

Nuts are known for their long shelf life, but in bulk, they can lose quality before you finish them. The natural oils inside turn rancid when exposed to air or light for too long, making them taste stale or bitter. Even if you seal the lid tightly, freshness fades after a month or two. Unless you snack daily or bake often, it is smarter to buy smaller canisters. To make bulk purchases last, divide nuts into smaller airtight jars and store them in the freezer.

5. Taylor Farms Fresh Spinach (2.5-lb Bag)

This giant bag of spinach appeals to anyone trying to eat healthier, but the reality is that leafy greens wilt fast. Even stored in airtight containers, spinach begins to soften or turn slimy within a few days. Unless you cook or blend large portions regularly, you will struggle to finish the entire bag before it spoils. Smaller 10-ounce bags are easier to manage and help prevent food waste. Frozen spinach also provides the same nutritional value while lasting much longer in your freezer.

6. Member’s Mark All Butter Sandwich Croissants (12-count)

Sam’s Club’s croissants are golden, buttery, and fresh when you buy them, but their shelf life is disappointingly short. Within two days, they lose their flaky texture and turn dense or dry. While freezing can help preserve them, reheating never quite brings back their just-baked flavor. Unless you have a big family or a brunch event, the 12-count pack is too much. Buying half a dozen from a local bakery or frozen, ready-to-bake croissants offers fresher quality and far less waste.

7. Member’s Mark Ground Beef Chub (10 lb)

The 10-pound ground beef chub looks like a budget-friendly option, but freshness is a problem once it is opened. Unless you immediately divide and freeze portions, the meat can spoil within a few days. Improper wrapping also leads to freezer burn, which ruins flavor and texture. Smaller two- or three-pound packs make more sense for weekly meals. The slight price difference is worth it when you consider how much easier it is to handle, thaw, and cook smaller portions without waste.

8. Big Party Snack Box (75-count)

At first glance, the 75-count snack mix box seems like a convenient choice for families. It includes sweet and savory treats like chips, cookies, chocolates, and nuts, making it seem like a convenient option for families or offices. However, many customers find that the mix includes less popular snacks that linger unopened for weeks. By the time the box is empty, several bags are often stale or forgotten at the bottom. Smaller boxes or single-type snack packs ensure your favorites stay fresh. Variety sounds appealing, but focused selections offer better value and reduce unnecessary food waste.

9. Member’s Mark Paper Towels (15 Mega Rolls)

Paper towels are household essentials, but a 15-roll bundle can become more of a storage issue than a savings opportunity. The rolls are large and bulky, taking up significant space in closets or cabinets. While paper towels don’t expire, you can often find comparable prices on smaller packs during sales at other retailers. Unless you have a large household or extra storage space, buying eight rolls or fewer at a time is far more convenient without losing cost efficiency or quality.

10. Member’s Mark Dishwasher Detergent Pacs (105-count Pack)

These pacs clean dishes well, but the oversized 105-count pack can lose effectiveness before you finish it. Moisture in the air causes the pods to clump or partially dissolve, leaving residue behind on dishes. For small families or single users, it can take months to use them all, leading to reduced cleaning power over time. A smaller 50-count package stays fresher and works just as well. When it comes to cleaning products, freshness and performance matter more than quantity.

11. Member’s Mark Whole Milk (Two 1-Gallon Jugs)

Buying milk in bulk is rarely a good idea unless your family goes through gallons quickly. The two-gallon pack might save a little money upfront, but milk spoils fast once opened. Even unopened, it can sour before you reach the second jug if you have limited fridge space. The savings are minimal compared to the potential waste. Choosing single gallons or half-gallon cartons ensures that your milk stays fresher and that every glass tastes as it should.

12. Member’s Mark Pre-Made Chicken Salad (2-lb Tub)

The pre-made chicken salad is convenient for sandwiches and quick lunches, but the 2-pound tub is too much for most households. Once opened, it should be eaten within three days to stay safe and flavorful. After that, the mayo-based dressing separates, and the texture becomes unappetizing. Smaller deli containers or homemade chicken salad in smaller batches provide fresher taste and flexibility. The bulk tub may seem convenient, but freshness and food safety should always come first.

13. Del Monte Canned Peaches (Six Cans)

Canned peaches last for years unopened, but once opened, each can needs to be eaten within days. For most families, that much fruit at once is too much to consume before it spoils. The syrup in these large cans of peaches also adds extra sugar, making them less healthy. Smaller cans or frozen peach slices are more practical and easier to store. They provide flexibility for desserts or snacks without the waste or excess sweetness of oversized cans.