Costco vs. Sams Club

[BlovesC]

Costco, absolutely. Sam's Club and Wal-Mart's treatment of employees is deplorable.

 

[superme80]

I don't have a membership to either, but I have been to both this year. I was not to impressed with Costco. I expected to want a membership by the time I left. I was very disappointed. Sam's Club had a few things I wanted, but nothing I had to have.

 

[pigletgirl]

We are Costco people. We love the store.

 

[ChristmasElf]

We've only had a Sams club close (~25-30 minutes) to us for decades. For a couple years, DW's employer paid her membership. This year, we had to pay and we just renewed in May. We'll go there 1-2 a year (it's just not convenient to go more often).

Costco is building and is supposed to open in October. It will be MUCH more convenient (15-20 minutes, plus on my route to/from work). It looks like the memberships are a little more expensive, but other than that, does anyone have direct comparison information between the two.

There is no comparision. Costco has better produce, unbelievably better meats, more variety, better quality of merchandise, a much better return policy should you ever need to return anything.
Just better overall. Hands down.

 

[Brownsfan317]

I have a friend that works at Costco and she gave me a free membership. I also got a "free" membership for one year at Sam's Club thanks to a living social (or groupon or something) offer.

There were a couple of items cheaper at Sam's Club, but most of the items I purchased were cheaper at Costco. There were items that I could not even find at Sam's Club. On the flipside, I did notice items at Sam's Club not offered at Costco, so I suppose it also depends on what you regularly purchase.

Gas is usually cheaper at our Costco than both BJs and Sam's Club. Both Costco and Sam's Club are crazy busy here, despite actually having 3 different warehouse clubs.

I have had extensive discussions with my friend (and some of her coworkers) regarding their standards. For example, the standards set for accepting meat product into the building has higher standards than what you would say is the minimum. I will only buy my meat and produce from Costco. In fact, I don't even shop at a regular grocery store anymore between Costco and Target.

 

[StephMK]

We used Costco for years then moved to an area that only had Sam's. We tried Sam's for a year but let it expire. It was ok but I really prefer Costco. We now have Costco a little farther away and love it. It's worth the drive! DH is a big guy & my kids are all almost teens so we go through large quantities easily.

There are sooo many really good products and their Kirkland brand is fantastic. Spices, meats, produce, canned goods, etc. If you search Costco on here, you can find lots of thread of people listing their favorites. Now that our budget is a little looser, we plan to get the rebate membership & go more frequently for stock up items. I love having lots in the house so I don't have to shop as often.

 

[runsandjumps]

I have both. Costco has a bigger selection of most items. SAMs club I have found is a bit cheaper for equal products. I prefer sams in general because it isn't as crazy crowd wise.

Ana

 

[Phlip]

Costco--better value, merchandise, quality, employees, customer service, return policy. Costco will accept returns on almost anything no matter how long ago you have purchased it. The executive membership is an additional 55 bucks. You need to spend 230 a month to break even. If you spend any more than that you make money, and thus reduce your membership fee. You can upgrade or down grade your membership anytime. They also have a free American Express that gives cash rewards. Costco will accept any credit card with a PIN number, debit cards and any American Express card.

 

[TLSnell1981]

We have memberships at both Costco and Sam's. I can't really say that we prefer one over the other. Each store has better offers than the other on certain items, and they're both equally convenient to work and home.

We have memberships at both. Sam's has a better selection of DVD's. They have restaurant style food and supplies at Sam's. we use them forr parties and/or events. I love their Click 'n' Pull. You order online and pickup at a designated time.

Although, there are many items I like at Costco. We also receive a 2% rebate each year. They also offer really nice rebate cards through their travel service.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I love Costco! I've had the executive membership for years and usually get a $300 rebate check. I shop there faithfully every other week. I buy many of the Kirkland brand products because of the quality and prices, especially on vodka, spiced rum, tequila, whole vanilla beans, saffron, dried spices, olive oil, balsamic vinegar. The Kirkland brand wines are of pretty good quality and what I use for cooking. More and more Costco is adding organic products including chicken at the lowest price I've found. They offer great rates for auto insurance through Ameriprise which is what I've had for years. I could go on and on!

 

[ironpig70]

Never been to Sams Club but have had a Costco membership for 15 years and will have one for years to come. Currently have the executive membership and am on pace for a free membership

Yes I spend that much there. I shop every month when the sale flyer comes out and stock up on many goods. My family likes and uses many of the bulk goods like crackers, cereal and paper goods. Some of the stuff doesn't pencil out.

Was there yesterday and cases of can corn/green beans were on the order of 70 cents a can yet I picked them up on sale at my local store for 39 cents a can. So you have to do your homework.

Lastly you'd be surprised at some of the bigger items. Never needed 5 gallons of soy sauce but just picked up 25 pounds of rice as it was 15 cents a pound cheaper than bulk. Yeah its a lot of rice but if we eat a pound every other week its a year supply

 

[cbg1027]

Everyone has already explained all my reasons for preferring Costco!

So another vote for Costco!!!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Very true, you do have to check prices. What I like about the Kirkland brand canned products is that many are now organic like the canned tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Organic is usually more expensive.

 

[texasteacher35]

Costco- no comparison.

Costco is amazing. Return policy is second to none. Not everything is the cheapest price ever- but if u r a smart shopper, which everyone should really be in this economy, you know a good price versus a bad one. Nothing is overpriced. It just might not be the lowest. Love it- it's clean and we have been members for like 10 years. Organic options are great!!

 

[tvguy]

I love Costco! I've had the executive membership for years and usually get a $300 rebate check. I shop there faithfully every other week. I buy many of the Kirkland brand products because of the quality and prices, especially on vodka, spiced rum, tequila, whole vanilla beans, saffron, dried spices, olive oil, balsamic vinegar. The Kirkland brand wines are of pretty good quality and what I use for cooking. More and more Costco is adding organic products including chicken at the lowest price I've found. They offer great rates for auto insurance through Ameriprise which is what I've had for years. I could go on and on!

I think my biggest concern with Costco is their hours are limited and they are closed on many holidays

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

There is no contest it is Costco all the way. We used to have passes to both and Costco is by far and away much better. A lot of name brands. The best of the three in rank order Costco, BJ's and Sam's. Although it is a tie between Sam;s and BJ's

 

[clh2]

We "finally" have a Costco that is convenient to us. We've had a Sam's club membership for years. There is only one item that we purchase at Sam's that Costco doesn't have...so...we purchased one last "mega-roll" of 18" plastic wrap before we let our Sam's club membership lapse.

(So - we will not need to worry running out of wrap for YEARS.)

 

[mhsjax]

Love Costco, LOVE LOVE LOVE, did I say I love it? lol Sam's, I like. I don't like Walmart and even though Sam's is a Walmart company I still like Sam's pretty well. Someone up thread said they feel like they needed a shower after they let Sams', I feel the same way about BJ's, even though BJ's wasn't asked about. That place is just nasty, at least ours is.

 

[tvguy]

Interesting articles. Costco is where people who don't need to save money shop. Sam's Club is where people who have no choice shop.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/f...=1196226000&en=14f641af60c51647&ei=5087 &_r=0

http://beta.fool.com/enovinson/2012/07/26/several-ways-costco-differs-other-discounters/7886/

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/educate/college/careers/news18.htm

 

[BlovesC]

Interesting articles. Costco is where people who don't need to save money shop. Sam's Club is where people who have no choice shop.

Is that honestly surprising to you? Do you really think people want to shop at Sam's and Wal-Mart, stores that makes billions in profit off of cheaply made crap, refuses to offer full-time positions to avoid paying benefits, and encourage their employees to apply for public assistance? Wal-Mart in particular undercuts almost every business out there, especially when it comes to grocery items, and I don't fault people who want to stretch their budget as far as possible. But I don't think many people for whom money is no object would subject themselves to those stores for fun.