The Controversial Costco Item That Has Fans Taking Sides

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It’s a mild controversy, as those things go, but one hotly debated nonetheless. See both sides, and whether you should join them. 

There’s a strange place on the internet where social media, fandom, and personal finance merge in a truly fascinating way: the Costcosphere. It’s made up of posts, threads, and subreddits where Costco fans debate the merits of the beloved warehouse brand.

Often, they talk about the latest deals or the quality of various Kirkland items. Sometimes, they stumble upon something a bit more controversial. Recently, it was this sweatshirt, a simple gray affair delicately smothered in Costco logos.

It’s hideous. At least, that’s what about half the folks think. The other half? They like it. They love it. They want some more of it.

So ugly it’s beautiful

As far as I can tell, the heart of the argument for those in favor of the fabric monstrosity is that it’s so truly ugly, it’s actually weirdly endearing. Like a smooshy-faced dog eating peanut butter.

On the other side of the argument are the folks who say, no, ugly is ugly — and that thing is hideous. (I found multiple accounts of people who wanted to wear them, but had the decision vetoed by their spouses.)

So, which side are you on? Is it hideous? Is it fabulous? Is it fabulous because it’s so hideous? The internet may never know for sure.

Should you buy it? (Spoiler: Probably not)

For those who have to know, this 66% cotton (34% polyester) fashion statement costs $7.97 on Costco.com. Unlike most of Costco’s online items, the price for this one even included shipping and handling.

Sadly, it’s currently sold out, likely due to its stunning popularity on social media. But even if it weren’t, I’d caution you against buying it.

Although it can be fun to partake in these silly debates online, there’s a more serious side to all the social media shenanigans that really needs to be kept in mind: The push to overspend.

Social media, fandom, and our wallets

We’ve all been there. You get so caught up in the social media fandom fervor that you make a spontaneous purchase you regret the moment it clears your credit card.

Social media has become a major driver of spending, and it’s not just younger folks. One survey found that more than three-quarters of consumers buy things they see on social media. And around 80% of people are more likely to buy something they see in a friend’s posts.

And this is before we start to talk about the buying pressure that comes with fandom itself. Because you’re only wearing a Costco-bedecked sweatshirt for one of two reasons: You’re doing it ironically, or you really like Costco.

But how many of the products we buy because of social media and fandom are things we’d otherwise spend (read: waste) our money on?

Much like that sweatshirt, a lot of items that trend on social media tend to be, at best, a bit off-beat — and, at worst, downright useless. And the same goes for the countless products marketed to “super” fans. (Sure, the sweatshirt isn’t inherently useless, but how many years are you really going to pull out an ironic Costco sweatshirt when the weather turns?)

So while it’s probably harmless to weigh in with your upvote on which side of the various social media debates you land on, be sure you’re not also weighing in with your bank account.

If something truly looks interesting, let the product season a bit before you buy. Not only will this give all those social media users time to weigh in on whether the item really works, but it will also likely come down in price when it’s no longer the hot, sought-after product in every post.

P.S.: Please don’t gift this

One last note, for those who are already thinking about it: Please don’t buy this sweatshirt and dump it on an unsuspecting friend. Unless you’re 100% certain they will wear it, year after year, settle for sending them a screenshot. You’ll both get the same laugh out of it, but no one will have wasted money — or closet space — on something that won’t get used.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Brittney Myers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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