“Buy One, Get One Free” offers are everywhere—from grocery stores to big box retailers—and they seem like a shopper’s dream. But while BOGO deals promise instant savings, they don’t always deliver long-term value. In fact, many of them lead you to spend more than planned, buy items you don’t need, or waste products that expire before you use them. Smart shoppers know how to recognize when a deal is really just a marketing trap. Here are 9 BOGO deals that often cost you more than they save.
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1. Perishable Produce
BOGO offers on fruits and vegetables may seem appealing, but they often result in waste. Unless you’re feeding a large household, it’s hard to eat two full portions of items like lettuce, berries, or spinach before they spoil. Grocery stores use these deals to push extra inventory, even when the shelf life is short. What seems like a great value often ends with spoiled food in the trash. That’s money—and nutrition—you’re losing.
2. Bakery Items
Fresh-baked goods like muffins, bagels, and croissants are frequently promoted with BOGO tags. But baked items go stale quickly, and most people don’t consume two dozen bagels in a few days. Unless you’re freezing half the batch, these deals encourage overbuying. Many shoppers don’t realize that they’re essentially paying full price for one portion and wasting the second. Stick to smaller quantities unless you truly need the extra.
3. Snack Foods
Chips, crackers, and cookies are popular in BOGO promotions, but they can tempt you into buying more junk food than intended. These deals often encourage impulse purchases, especially when the item wasn’t on your original list. Buying two bags of chips instead of one doesn’t save money—it just stretches your snack budget and may lead to overeating. It’s a clever way for stores to increase volume without offering real savings.
4. Frozen Meals
Frozen dinners and snacks are a common BOGO item, but they don’t always offer value. While they last longer than fresh items, the second meal often ends up forgotten in the back of the freezer. In many cases, BOGO frozen foods are higher-priced convenience meals with smaller portion sizes. You may think you’re saving, but you’re often paying a premium per serving. Buying ingredients to cook fresh meals usually stretches your dollar further.
5. Beverages
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BOGO soda, juice, or sports drink deals can fill your fridge—and shrink your wallet. These deals are designed to encourage bulk buying of high-margin items. While getting a second bottle free seems like a bargain, many of these drinks are filled with sugar and cost more per ounce than homemade alternatives. If you weren’t planning to buy two, you’re just spending more on something you don’t need. It’s a classic case of “false savings.”
6. Condiments and Sauces
Ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, and pasta sauces are commonly offered in BOGO promotions. But these items usually have a long shelf life and aren’t used quickly. If you’re not careful, the second bottle could expire before you open it. Buying one at a regular sale price may be cheaper and more practical. Unless it’s a staple you go through fast, skip the second bottle and avoid future waste.
7. Packaged Deli Meat
Pre-sliced deli meats often appear in BOGO deals, but they spoil quickly once opened. If you don’t plan to freeze one pack immediately, you’re at risk of throwing away the extra. These meats can be expensive and come in small quantities, so you’re not always getting a great value. The expiration date creeps up fast, and lunch meat isn’t the safest item to gamble with. One good pack is better than two that go bad.
8. Cleaning Products
It might seem smart to stock up on BOGO cleaning sprays, wipes, or detergents, but it can backfire. If you’re trying out a new brand or scent, you could be stuck with two products you don’t actually like. Plus, storage becomes an issue when you’re bringing home duplicate, bulky items. Buying one on sale and waiting for another deal later gives you more flexibility. It’s not a good deal if you regret the purchase.
9. Personal Care Items
Shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, and other hygiene products often come in BOGO deals, but that doesn’t mean you should buy in bulk. If you try a new brand and it doesn’t work well for you, you’re stuck with an extra bottle. Also, if you already have backups at home, you’re just adding to the clutter. Sometimes, a good sale on a single item is a better value than a buy-one-get-one you don’t truly need.
BOGO Deals Aren’t Always What They Seem
BOGO deals aren’t always the money-savers they appear to be. In many cases, they tempt you to buy more than you can use, spend more than you planned, or end up wasting products. Frugal shoppers know that true savings come from buying only what you need, when you need it. By thinking critically about each deal and its actual value, you can avoid falling into the trap of “buy more, save less.” Next time you see that tempting BOGO sign, take a second to ask: Is this worth it?
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