BJ's, Costco, or Sams?

[andycat]

We're looking into which warehouse club to join. If you have a choice, which do you use?

BJ's is very convenient to us, Sam's only slightly less so. Costco is a little further away. We were long time Costco members but let that lapse after moving to an area where there were no stores. After moving to our current home, BJ's had a 3-month free membership at the end of last year, which just recently expired. BJ's has a coupon in this week's Red Plum for a $20 gift card when you buy a membership.

Anyone know of coupons or discounts for Costco or Sam's memberships?

 

[Fierce Fairy]

I love BJ's. We had a Sam's membership for years (got it in '91 when I joined the Army) then I did the free 3 month membership with BJ's and now I am a full member and have been for 3 years. Unlike Sam's, BJ's takes manufactures coupons on top of their in-store coupons! Sam's does not take coupons at all. Plus I am always thinking I give Walmart enough of my money anyway...why not spread it out a little.

 

[jaminmd]

I voted BJ's but I like Costco as well. We're going to get a membership there as well. IMO either of those are better than Sam's.

 

[Swimalie]

I voted for Costco. I also have a BJ's membership but so far I don't like it as much. BJ's just closed near my parents house. They only had a membership since they used to drive right by the gas station and it was the best price near them. But they prefer Costco as well.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Costco sells higher end items and has better customer service. I looked around the club and while it's nice, I don't buy many of those items so I passed.

I have BJ's and Sams. I prefer Bj's, they take coupons, carry more items I want and the prices are about the same. They just closed our local club so I guess I'm going to sams more. I just hate they won't take coupons.

 

[Soon2B4]

We always had Sam's memberships, but we moved and there isn't one very close They opened a Costco last year and we joined that. I don't like it as well, but maybe I am just used to Sam's Club. We opted for the $100 membership that gives you a percentage back. After one year, we got our rewards check for almost $85. (Can't remember exact amount) This year our computer crashed, so we got the Costco AMEX. They give you a percentage back also when you use it at the store. One bonus to Costco over Sam's is that they send out monthly store coupons where Sam's doesn't.

I guess after all of that, I'm not much help one way or another!

 

[richmo]

I can't speak for Sam's, but we're members at Costco and I have a BJ's card thru my mom. We much prefer Costco. There's plusses and minuses to both and it depends upon what you usually buy. On similar items, I think Costco's prices are generally a little better. Although they both have similar items, there are differences, so its possible that it could be worth joining both.

 

[Carlyzmom]

Well, I voted for Sam's - but it's the only choice I have. I do like it though. Just don't get caught up in all the tempting purchases - like I do at times.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I like both Sams and Costco, but for different reasons. Costco has more of a variety, but that usually increases the chance of spontaneous spending. Sams club prices are a little cheaper on some items though. I did a price comparison a few months ago, and most of my items ended up being $1 to $2 cheaper at Sams club. Plus, their membership is cheaper.

I ended up dropping my Costco membership and now just have Sams Club. They gave me a $20 gift card when I signed up too!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

between Sam's and BJ's - I voted BJ"s.

we don't have Costco, but I wish we did. I would love to try them. Have heard good things!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think the problem with Sams is that it is related to WalMart. If you check in consumer's reports on many items Costco's house brand (Kirkland Signature) tends to rate very near the top in quality and according to Cooks Magazine I have seen many of the meats from Costco rated very highly.

A problem with most meats at WalMart (and Sams) is the phrase "Enhanced with 'X' percent solution (where 'X' is between 8 and 12). Which means they have injected water, salt and other chemicals in the meat which, among other things, increases the weight.

Additionally, I have seen reports that Costco has one of the lowest employee turnover rates of any retail chain. This means the employees are treated very well and like their jobs, which means most of their people are very experienced.

 

[Disnydad]

We go to BJ's main due to location. It's about 10 miles away. There is a Sam's about 20 miles away and there are no Costco's around.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

BJ's is our favorite because they take coupons. Last month when BJ's emailed me my renewal notice, it stated I had saved $477.31 last year! Mind you we don't have a big family. Its just me, DH and 3 cats yet the savings were big.
The things we purchase are items such as toilet paper, paper towels, cat litter, peanut butter, shampoo, asprins, trash bags. No I don't have a big box truck to go shopping with, I drive an HHR and it is loaded down when we leave. Plus gas is about 8-10 cheaper at BJ's


The coupon booklet they mail me plus my manufacters coupons I use have a huge play in why we chose BJ's. Each time we shop at BJ's they print on the bottom of the recipe how much we have saved during that particular trip, but to see that savings total of nearly $500 was great. For example they just sent the newest coupon book and there is a coupon for $3.00 off charmin tissue plus I have a $2.00 off mfg coupon from the Sunday paper for a total savings of $5.00 off either the 36 or 45 roll package. The $2.00 off coupon for 40lbs of cat litter = $12.00 final cost is a good price.
The money we save by using the coupons makes our membership FREE!


We do have a Sam's and a Costco that are very close to the BJ's so at one point or another we have had memberships at each one of the different clubs and I would have to say we like BJ's better.

 

[Hanover]

We have belonged to all 3 for years and both me and my dh's favorite club is Costco. I like their customer service and clothing brands better. We also like their Kirkland brands for paper towels, detergent, shampoo, etc.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I think the problem with Sams is that it is related to WalMart. If you check in consumer's reports on many items Costco's house brand (Kirkland Signature) tends to rate very near the top in quality and according to Cooks Magazine I have seen many of the meats from Costco rated very highly.

A problem with most meats at WalMart (and Sams) is the phrase "Enhanced with 'X' percent solution (where 'X' is between 8 and 12). Which means they have injected water, salt and other chemicals in the meat which, among other things, increases the weight.

Additionally, I have seen reports that Costco has one of the lowest employee turnover rates of any retail chain. This means the employees are treated very well and like their jobs, which means most of their people are very experienced.

I agree with the quality of meat at Costco. It is much better than Sams club.

 

[andycat]

OP here - for what it's worth, we bought a BJ's membership this week. There's a coupon in the Red Plum from last week for a $10 gift card with a regular membership and a $20 gift card with a rewards membership.

We mostly were waiting to see if they ran any membership specials - BJ's is *much* more convenient to us than Costco. From the comments and poll results here, Sam's was never in the running.

We may yet buy a Costco membership - their price on tires for my truck, even with the membership cost, is cheaper than anywhere else.

 

[crisi]

We don't have a BJs.

Sam's is closer and I had a membership before Costco moved in.

Now we use Costco. In part because they pay their employees better and give them better benefits. They also have more of the things I'm interested in.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

Costco set the bar...and others have been trying to reach it.

Costco's quality and customer service is the best around. I like everything from their monthly magazine, to the rebate checks (one for my executive membership and one from AMEX), the samples, return policy, prices, quality, consistency of employees, food court, ordering photos online, bakery, ... well just about everything.

 

[Tanzanite]

Have them all love each for different items.

 

[mhsjax]

We have all 3 fairly close to us. The only one I won't use is BJ's. To me it is dirty and we got some bad meat there one time and it just turned me off. I also have to wonder why Sam's and Coscto is always so busy yet our BJs is dead.