Costco is famous for its bulk groceries, rotisserie chickens, and gas prices that feel like a time portal back to 2019. But anyone who shops there knows something else about the warehouse giant: You walk in needing two things, and walk out with twelve — and none of them are the items you planned on buying.
A recent TikTok captures this chaos perfectly. In the now-viral clip, a woman films herself at home after a Costco run, saying: “I went into Costco for coffee yesterday and walked out with this.” The camera then pans to … an infrared sauna. A full, wooden-panel, step-inside-and-sweat sauna sitting in her house. In her caption, she adds, “To be fair, this has been on our wish list for a few years.” Costco strikes again.
It’s the most relatable thing Costco shoppers have seen all week.
What Other Spontaneous Purchases Are People Making at Costco?
Reddit threads dedicated to Costco impulse buys read like confessions from people who fully intended to behave themselves — and then didn’t.
“I always spontaneously buy clothes,” one user admitted. “I believe it was the Hurley Men’s shirts last.”
Another shopper added, “I was there for ONE thing. But right there by the door were Seresto flea and tick collars for $15 less than on Chewy. Someday, someday, I will leave with just the one thing I came for.”
Someone else recalled picking up a “portable mattress to sleep in the balcony, carpet which I did not need, and pillows which were not needed.”
Plant lovers also fall victim to the Costco effect. “The plants always get me,” writes one user. “Huge monstera in a nice pot for $20? I’ll take 57.”
Reddit is full of other honorable mentions, including:
- Outdoor standing heater
- New garage workbench under $500
- 3-pack of mini Solo Stoves
- Axe throwing (“Went in for a rotisserie chicken and had to go back to grab a cart.”)
- $150 Karcher 2200 pressure washer
It’s Just Destiny
If you’ve ever gone into Costco for a cup of coffee and came out with a sauna, you’re not alone. From the treasure-hunting layout and limited-time deals to the “you’ll never see this again” pricing, the warehouse giant can turn even the most disciplined shoppers into impulse-buying pros.
And honestly, most people don’t seem too mad about it. Whether it’s a sauna, a giant Teddy bear, or a kitchen gadget you absolutely did not need but now love to use, Costco has a way of convincing you the purchase was nothing short of destiny.
“Another reason why we don’t need a list for Costco,” writes one user. “Costco tells us what we need.”
More Costco Content on Cheapism
- Costco Shoppers Can Expect New Kirkland Signature Thanks to Tariffs — The warehouse giant is doing what it does best: doubling down on its in-house hero, Kirkland Signature.
- Is Costco’s Vaccine Program Worth the Price? — There are a lot of things that you can get at Costco for cheaper than the outside world, but are vaccines one of them?
- Costco Mistakes That Could Cost You — Despite its legendary reputation for great prices, many common Costco shopping mistakes could cost you money.
