Costco, BJs, Sam's Club - Do You Have a Preference (Discussion)

[Christine]

First off, let me say I've never set foot in a Sam's Club. We have one nearby and maybe I will.

About 20 years ago, the only game in town was BJs. I was a member and I was happy enough. Costco moved in and I joined there. For a year or two, I had dual membership but let the BJs one go because Costco was beating them out in every way.

Yesterday, I rejoined BJs because they were offering a discounted membership for the year. BJs is closer to me by about 3 miles and the gas prices seem to be the same between BJs and Costco, so I thought I'd join just for that reason alone. Made my first trip back into the store yesterday and, well, all I can say is "What a letdown." I bought a jar of Pepperoncini peppers that looked good but, literally, found nothing there that called my name. Maybe it's just my store?

So for those of you who have the option to try them all out? What do you think? And is Sam's worth checking out and maybe better than BJs. They also seem to offer discounted memberships.

 

[soccerdad72]

Costco for us.

We have a Sam's Club reasonably nearby (and one BJ's, but it's pretty far away), but I've always liked Costco's selections, produce and overall quality better.

 

[AnnaS]

It's Costco for us. No BJ's or Same Club.

Restaurant Depot should be opening soon. Might check it out (not sure it's for us though/big bulk, etc.)

 

[dcassetta]

Costco, their travel benefits are great.

 

[Meriweather]

No BJs here.
I have had Costco membership for over 30 years.
Have had Sam's for a couple of year.
In general I prefer Costco, but Sam's has some things I prefer.

 

[holden]

We have both BJs and Costco. We visit Costco regularly. We go to BJs maybe twice a year (and BJs is closer).

 

[HopperFan]

Had BJ MANY years ago, there are none near us now.

Had Sam's for many years and still have COSTCO. Had both awhile but that felt like a reduction in value with the fees.

Around us Sam's is very much a small business club. The bulk items are very much packaged for resale, the inventory not geared for end user. BULK is the key word.

COSTCO is very much an end buyer club. The smaller packaging of snacks, frozen foods, plants & florals, clothing, meats, premade fresh food. But as our household numbers shrink, our entertaining has dropped considerably ... we find we shop there less and less.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I used to love Sam’s Club when we had one, but it closed. I bought a lot of things there, including phones, cameras, computers, clothing, books, etc.

We don’t have a Costco, but we went into one that’s semi-close (wouldn’t be convenient to shop there regularly, but we were over that way) and we didn’t love it. It was so crowded we could barely move in the aisles (but we realized it might’ve been a busy time); overall it seemed small and outdated. Some of the food choices did seem good. If we a had newer one closer to us I’d probably be a member.

Meanwhile I got a discount to join BJ’s again (I was a member previously) so I rejoined. I shopped that one day, several months ago, and haven’t been back. As you said, there wasn’t much that called out to me. I remember shopping there it always seemed like I spent a ton of money and sometimes didn’t use everything I bought. So I don’t know if I’ll be back. I seem to do better at other stores.

 

[slo]

I’m a Sam’s Club person.
One year we had both Costco and Sam’s Club to compare and we liked Sam’s better. I think the prices are better and they have more brands we use. Plus, Sam’s isn’t as crazy busy as Costco. That year we would go to Costco and then go straight to Sam’s to get things we couldn’t get at Costco. At the end of the year we compared items bought from each store and we bought way more at Sam’s, so we canceled our Costco membership and never returned.

 

[Moliphino]

I only go to Costco. I think my mom has memberships to Costco and BJs, but I haven't been to BJs in ages. I tag along with her to Costco every few months (just went on Sunday). Half my clothes are from Costco these days.
I have no idea where the nearest Sam's Club is.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Of the three,
1. Costco
2. BJs if there isn't a Costco.
3. Would not get a membership at Sams. Funny thing is, most of what I would buy from Sams is actually cheaper at its sister store Walmart.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Adding one more thing.

Having not been in any of them (Sam’s, BJ’s or Costco) for probably at least a decade, they seem to have changed quite a bit. I used to enjoy looking at all the camera and computer options on display, and things like that, but I only saw a few choices at BJ’s and they seemed to be pre-packaged for the most part? They also had a rep under a tent from a phone company who you could talk to if you wanted a phone, but no phones on display?

 

[_19disnA]

Never been a member but have been there with friends/relatives who have membership to Sam's & Costco. Thing I can recall about Costco are the HUGE package sizes of many items. Some items are a bargain, but many are just large quantities of things you wouldn't normally buy in such quantity. If you don't know your unit prices, you can get tricked into buying large quantities thinking there is a savings, but the total price is the same as other stores. If paper towels are $2/roll at the grocery store but $20 for 10 @ Costco you haven't saved anything and also have to have enough place to store the excess.

How long will it take you to use 1 lb of garlic powder? If it goes stale before you use it up, then it wasn't a bargain but actually cost more.

 

[nene0182]

The closest Costco is over an hour away. We have a Sams here in town and we do have a membership.

 

[Christine]

I used to love Sam’s Club when we had one, but it closed. I bought a lot of things there, including phones, cameras, computers, clothing, books, etc.

We don’t have a Costco, but we went into one that’s semi-close (wouldn’t be convenient to shop there regularly, but we were over that way) and we didn’t love it. It was so crowded we could barely move in the aisles (but we realized it might’ve been a busy time); overall it seemed small and outdated. Some of the food choices did seem good. If we a had newer one closer to us I’d probably be a member.

Meanwhile I got a discount to join BJ’s again (I was a member previously) so I rejoined. I shopped that one day, several months ago, and haven’t been back. As you said, there wasn’t much that called out to me. I remember shopping there it always seemed like I spent a ton of money and sometimes didn’t use everything I bought. So I don’t know if I’ll be back. I seem to do better at other stores.

Yeah, my Costco is insane and it's one of the older warehouses so smaller. It's like doing battle there, although the checkouts usually run smoothly. I can always find something unique or unusual and seems like a treat to buy. Fortunately I didn't spend a lot on the BJs membership, but it was depressing. I think they have really gone downhill but I'll check out another one to verify that. At least the gas station will be a bit more convenient!

 

[Christine]

I’m a Sam’s Club person.
One year we had both Costco and Sam’s Club to compare and we liked Sam’s better. I think the prices are better and they have more brands we use. Plus, Sam’s isn’t as crazy busy as Costco. That year we would go to Costco and then go straight to Sam’s to get things we couldn’t get at Costco. At the end of the year we compared items bought from each store and we bought way more at Sam’s, so we canceled our Costco membership and never returned.

Now I'm going to have to give them a try during their next deal. Our Sam's and Costco are close enough that you could easily walk from one to the other!

 

[Christine]

Adding one more thing.

Having not been in any of them (Sam’s, BJ’s or Costco) for probably at least a decade, they seem to have changed quite a bit. I used to enjoy looking at all the camera and computer options on display, and things like that, but I only saw a few choices at BJ’s and they seemed to be pre-packaged for the most part? They also had a rep under a tent from a phone company who you could talk to if you wanted a phone, but no phones on display?

Our Costco has definitely followed in that same path. Online options are plenty though for computers. Not sure about phones.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

Team Costco here.
We have both a Costco membership and a Sam’s but much prefer Costco.
our Costco where we used to live was about a 20 minute drive so we would go every other weekend, now it’s about an hour away so we don’t go very often. Sadly, we Probably won’t renew next year.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I only went to BJs once when my husband was on assignment out of town, we don't have them around here.

Used to go to Sam's years ago when my dad had a membership but he eventually got a Costco.

We shop at Costco, we could check out Sam's if we wanted to but chances are we'll be more pleased overall with Costco just based on various comparison articles that have been done on them. But there's Sam's and Costcos around.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

We go to BJs but my in-laws gift us the membership each year and there is no Costco or Sam's club nearby. It's only me and DH so we usually just buy non perishables....laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, garbage bags, etc. I really couldn't swear it's cheaper, it's just more convenient and I have the storage space. I do get some good deals on toys for my niece and nephew at the holidays. I also got a what I think was great deal on a smart TV when ours died back in July. DH also gets some great value on clothes especially for work (he works in a warehouse so I'm mainly talking hoodies and such). I think we get value out of it but we certainly don't go every week or even every month.