Additionally, prices can vary between Costco locations, and in-store prices tend to be cheaper than what's found online.
And most people don't tend to go through stick after stick of lip balm in rapid succession, Ramhold says.
"But the truth is that even if you use it habitually, it takes a long time to go through that much lip balm."
For that reason, unless you're buying for family or friends, you probably don't need to grab the nine-count pack of lip balm on Costco shelves.
However, you simply might not need 1,000 pills of, say, Kirkland Signature brand ibuprofen, unless you have a large household, Ramhold says.
Persons:
Julie Ramhold, shea, Ramhold, Kirkland
Organizations:
Costco, Sam's, BJ's Wholesale, CNBC