Costco vs. Sams Club

[tvguy]

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.

A big chunk of the stuff at Walmart is the same brand name stuff that is at every other store. No question, the grocery business is brutal. Our big local chain here caps almost everyone at 18 hours a week now for the very same reasons. They had a big strike last year, and during it, one of the big University economics professors make the comment, that grocery store clerk today, is not longer a career, it's a "while you are in school-extra money after your retire" part time job.

 

[mhsjax]

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

This is nuts. I need to save money and I do save money at Costco. NOt everything there is over the top and I also have shopped at Sam's. I know lots of people with money that shop at Sams, and many with not so much that shop at costco.

 

[mnrose]

The average warehouse employee of Costco makes $17+/hour with excellent medical benefits. I shop almost exclusively at Costco for family groceries. We are a family of four (two adults and two young dd's). They are a great company to work for and I have numerous friends who are career employees (even working in the warehouse stocking) and love their jobs. Many have been there 10+ years.

If you get the executive membership ($100/year) you receive a rebate check annually for 2% of your purchases. Every July my check is between $150-$250 which essentially pays my membership + a week of groceries.

We eat a very regimented diet and go through produce quickly. I don't eat/buy any processed or boxed foods. I'm at our local store at least every two-three days. I'm a huge fan of the store and company.

You have summed up my feelings exactly. I also am a big fan, primarily because they treat their employees right and STILL manage to be a well respected, and profitable business. And, I've been shopping at my store for 8 years and see the same employees there today as I did 8 years ago. Always smiling too. Talk to them. They are genuinely happy to work for that company.

We also have the executive membership + the Costco Amex card, which essentially rebates us $400-500 per year (yes, we shop at Costco A LOT). But, my membership is free.

 

[BearcatsFan]

We have both, but only because someone gave us a membership to Sam's last Christmas. I think we've been there once or twice. I definitely prefer Costco.

 

[manning]

The average warehouse employee of Costco makes $17+/hour with excellent medical benefits. I shop almost exclusively at Costco for family groceries. We are a family of four (two adults and two young dd's). They are a great company to work for and I have numerous friends who are career employees (even working in the warehouse stocking) and love their jobs. Many have been there 10+ years.

If you get the executive membership ($100/year) you receive a rebate check annually for 2% of your purchases. Every July my check is between $150-$250 which essentially pays my membership + a week of groceries.

We eat a very regimented diet and go through produce quickly. I don't eat/buy any processed or boxed foods. I'm at our local store at least every two-three days. I'm a huge fan of the store and company.

We have the American Express card with that membership. No annual dues for the CC. Just the membership. You get a 3% rebate on all gas purchased at major gas stations.

 

[tvguy]

This is nuts. I need to save money and I do save money at Costco. NOt everything there is over the top and I also have shopped at Sam's. I know lots of people with money that shop at Sams, and many with not so much that shop at costco.

Of course everyone is different. But the average household income of a Costco shopper is twice that of the average Sam's Club shopper.
To be honest, I think there are other reasons too. Of course Sams Club has a whole lot more locations(602 vs Costco's 449), and I have no proof, but I suspect many Sams Clubs are in less affluent cities and neighborhoods.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I dont recall costco accepting Visa... only amex and debit cards... unless something changed recently...

Same here, AMEX or a debit card. I frequenly purchase gift cards at Walmart with my AMEX and use them at Sam's. This way, I'm able to earn Rewards on my AMEX.

 

[IDoDis]

We were on the verge of joining Sam's Club a week ago but realised they don't accept VISA cards and that is all we have.

ford family

We have both Sam's and Costco memberships. They both accept debit cards with the VISA logo (that's all we have, too), and neither accept Visa credit cards. Costco only accepts American Express. I'm not sure about Sam's because I rarely go there except for tires, car batteries and sometimes food.

I like Costco the best and use it all the time. The one thing I like better about Sam's club is that their sample people give out the samples much faster than they do at Costco. I know that sounds silly but we've noticed that at Costco, about 75% of the of the samples at any given time have no food out, but when we go to Sam's there are many samples readily available. I guess that's because Sam's has less people.

We love to go on the weekends when the samples are out and get disappointed at Costco because either the person doesn't have any out because they are cooking more, or there is a line to wait to get a sample. Sorry, but I'm not going to stand in line waiting for a handout sample. Silly, I know!

 

[darkwing818]

Similarly, I always say that Sam's is to Costco as Walmart is to Target. If you prefer shopping at Target, then you'll probably prefer Coscto. If you prefer Walmart, you might prefer Sam's.

Costco is a more pleasant environment, and they are better to their employees. I've seen the same people working at Costco for YEARS.

http://www.businessweek.com/article...ds-the-cheapest-happiest-company-in-the-world

This exactly the comparison I use as well.

 

[Fire14]

I personally find Costco has higher quality stuff, I see same people there after 3-4 years since ours opened. I had a Sam's Club membership for awhile but I found I never really used it.
I prefer Costco photo printing services ( machine has been broken once for me in 4 years) compared to my Sam's club photo machine being broke every stinkin time I went to print stuff, and than I'd get call 2 weeks later saying my prints were ready for pick up even though I had already gotten them.
I find my Costco has bigger selection of items and OTC meds with three times as many choices. I also like fact Costco sends out coupon books about every month.

 

[lemondog]

We have had memberships to both and Costco wins hands down. We only shop there now. On the whole their Kirkland brand is fabulous and much cheaper than brand names - We use their laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, fabric softener sheets, Plastic wrap, trash bags, hot dogs (same awesome ones they sell at the snack bar), toilet paper, ibuprofen, and their meats and cheeses. Especially love the rotisserie chicken and the prepared chicken salad. Love the cleanliness of the store and the great customer service.