10 Worst Items to Buy at Warehouse Clubs

Over-the-Counter Medicine

If you’ve ever suffered from an unexpected headache only to discover that you’re out of ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), stocking up on a bulk-size bottle of pills during your next warehouse club trip may seem like a smart idea.

Keep in mind that unless you have a medical reason to use such products on a daily basis or multiple people in your home are using them, you may not get though that entire 750-count bottle of pills that you picked up at BJ’s before they expire, warns consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch.

Should you consider using pain meds beyond the expiration date stated on the bottle, note that they can lose potency over time. This can make them less effective per the recommended dosage. In fact, Advil recommends consumers stop using any expired bottles of their products for this very reason.

With that in mind, you can save big by purchasing smaller containers of generic Ibuprofen or acetaminophen from a drugstore or a big-box retailer, Woroch says.