By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-15 16:08:53 | Updated at 2026-06-16 05:25:53
14 hours ago
Costco is getting grilled over one of its best-selling outdoor products.
One shopper at the retail warehouse is warning others to think twice before snapping up a popular barbecue grill, claiming the heavily discounted item had problems even before it was put to use.
One frustrated Reddit user said they bought a Spire 550x grill on sale at Costco, declaring the summer essential is 'junk.'
'Chipped enamel that's been painted black by the factory to hide it, bolts that are so over torqued they can't be removed - part of the process is loosening bolts to slide parts on then tightening back up,' they wrote.
After attempting to assemble the Costco product, the Reddit user said that they've 'seen enough' to return the grill before even using it.
Spire's 550x gas grill, with six burners, is available for $539.99 on Costco's website. At the Reddit user's Costco store, it was listed for just $389.99.
Some Costco customers were quick to mention that the retail warehouse is great with returns, boasting a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Others argued that they shouldn't sell products that need to be returned.
'I feel like Costco is putting out some junk nowadays,' one Reddit user wrote. Another chimed in, 'Don’t buy grills from Costco. You’ll have to haul a huge hunk of junk back to the store.'
Costco offers assembly for larger products like grills for an additional fee
The Spire 550x six burner gas grill is available for $539.99 for Costco members when they buy it online
For some shoppers, the grill complaints came as a shock.
'Bummer to hear,' one Reddit user said. 'That actually surprises me. I used to have a Nexgrill which is a much cheaper line made by the same company, and it was excellent and cost $170.'
On Costco's website, the Spire 550x grill has received mixed reviews, with some buyers writing that assembly was an 'absolute' disaster. One customer who paid extra for professional assembly declared the product has a 'flimsy design.'
'Creates a lot of mess after usage, they added. 'Very disappointed at Costco and product.'
Costco offers a range of grilling products for its members, including gas, charcoal and wood-fired options. These products are often sold at lower prices than rival retailers, primarily thanks to Costco's membership-based business model.
Costco's strategy focuses on selling household essentials in bulk and negotiating lower prices with suppliers, helping it attract shoppers looking for value on everything from groceries and electronics to appliances and outdoor equipment.
Memberships currently start at around $65 a year for a basic plan, or $130 for the Executive tier, which offers additional perks like 2 percent cashback on eligible purchases.
Besides grills, Costco sells outdoor products throughout the spring and summer, like patio furniture, fire pits and even gazebos. Seasonal merchandise is often stocked for a limited time and can vary by warehouse location, which makes big-ticket items that much more enticing.
Costco Wholesale is known for its food court and its $1.50 soda and hot dog combo, available to members
For most shoppers, a Costco membership is all about bulk groceries, giant packs of paper towels and the occasional $1.50 hot dog.
Beyond checkout, Costco has rolled out a series of digital upgrades, including app improvements and virtual 'waiting rooms' for high-demand items, designed to prevent bots from overwhelming the site.
The company is installing membership card scanners at store entrances to curb card sharing, a move that drew mixed reactions from customers.
As part of that crackdown, Costco began requiring membership verification at certain outdoor food courts, limiting access to non-members who previously could purchase the retailer's $1.50 hot dog and soda combo.
