Costco vs. Sam's

[Justanopinion]

What's the difference?
I have never been to a Costco and we are getting one very close soon. I used to work at Sam's though. So how are they the same and how are they different? Just asking.

 

[clgwli]

They are both the same in that they are big warehouse stores that sell in bulk. We dropped our membership at Sam's because we found Costco to have better quality items that were non-food. I also just liked the brands sold at Costco when it came to the food. Our Costco is cleaner feeling than Sam's but I imagine that is case by case for each store.

 

[connorlevismom]

IMO, Sams has better food selection and Costco has better everything else. But that is JMO.

Kristine

 

[Angelhalo]

We have a Sam's membership because we have no Costco here, but my parents have Costco and I have been to both stores. They are essentially the same with a few different items at each. When we move we'll probably switch back to Costco because its more convienient. 6 of one half dozen of another to me.

 

[Kim&Chris]

We recently dropped our Costco membership (we had both Sams and Costco). I think Sams carries more nationally known brands, whereas Costco carries a lot of products from companies I've never heard of. For some things I don't mind, but when it comes to food products, I'd rather buy a brand I know.

 

[legalsea]

We also have both memberships, which aggravates me to no end each year when I have to re-new.

However, there are simply some items that we can only get at Costco's, and some items we can only get at Sam's. I have decided, however, that when it comes to food Costco has the edge. I recently discovered the "Jimmie Dean Turkey Sausage", which is wonderful stuff.

 

[JessicaR]

I'm a member of both and have been for years. While brands vary product selection is pretty similar. Sam's Club has much better electronic options and prices. Costco's customer service is #1 and can't be beat! If I had to drop one tomorrow it would be Sam's but I sure would miss it!!

I consistently spend more at Costco but that could just be because I find more stuff I like. Get a visitors pass and do your own test based on what you like to purchase.

I'll admit I also have a BJ's membership.

 

[Castlebound]

DH and I noticed that at least in our area Sam's focuses more on bulk items in food, office supplies, and cleaning supplies. Our Costco has more specialty items like a large platter of sushi rolls or nice frozen desserts. I think the furniture and decor items are nicer at Costco. Costco has bulk items but it just doesn't seem like they have as many as Sam's. Right now I'm not looking for a big screen tv or a new couch. I'm looking to save some money on my grocery bill. So we have dropped our Costco membership and have kept our Sam's membership.

By the way when they built a Costco in our area DH got a free 1 year membership in the mail. You can always hope that you get one.

 

[Jenvenza]

We had a new Costco open yesterday and I went for the first time!! I loved it!! I will be getting a membership tomorrow!!

 

[manning]

We are fancy food eaters so we go to our costco. Prior to diner we have appetizers (samples) then off to the main course consisting of a polish sausage and drink for a $1.50 plus tax......no tip.

 

[ahoff]

I dropped my Sam's membership and got a BJ's one instead. I like Costco but don't like that they do not take visa.

 

[Papa Deuce]

LOL... we have all 3! Why? Well not because we really want to.... A friend of ours bought us a Sam's Club membership and keeps renewing it for us.... and we have a 60 day FREE BJ's membership.

I like Costco the best. Nice selection, and I like the fact that the lighting in the store is better than at BJ's and Sam's club. It is just brighter inside.

I would rank them:

1. Costco
2. Sam's
3. BJ's.

Just went to BJ's last night for the first time in years and I must say that I was unimpressed. Definitely the dirtiest looking of the 3. But, at least they take coupons, while the others do not.

 

[lulubelle]

I agree they are similar.
Sam's is owned by WalMart. Costco is based out of Kirkland, WA. I don't like the way WalMart treats their employees. Costco employees love their employer (at least around here). And I think that Costco has nicer items.

 

[legalsea]

We are fancy food eaters so we go to our costco. Prior to diner we have appetizers (samples) then off to the main course consisting of a polish sausage and drink for a $1.50 plus tax......no tip.

Yes indeed! When we were at Costco yesterday they had a sampling of pizza, which I kept 'sampling', each time trying to disguise myself (using foreign accent, limping, etc) so the person wouldn't catch on.....

 

[Papa Deuce]

I also LOVE that Costco will bring in vendors to sell their items for a weekend, usually at half price.

Like their is this coffee vendor who comes in 2x a year to sell coffee. I buy a bag for $10 ( well really 2 or 3 bags )... this same company sells this coffee for $30 a bag online.

Two weeks ago these folks were at Costco:

http://www.mamamellace.com/index.php

They were selling these jars of nuts for $5 each, but they sell them online for $10.... I bought 10 jars as presents for people.

I don't know if BJ's does that, or even Sam's, but I have never seen it at Sam's. I don't know enough about BJ's to say one way or the other.

 

[Jenvenza]

We are fancy food eaters so we go to our costco. Prior to diner we have appetizers (samples) then off to the main course consisting of a polish sausage and drink for a $1.50 plus tax......no tip.

I was so disappointed yesterday when I went to get a churro only to find out as the lady was handing it to me that they only took cash!!!

 

[manning]

I agree they are similar.
Sam's is owned by WalMart. Costco is based out of Kirkland, WA. I don't like the way WalMart treats their employees. Costco employees love their employer (at least around here). And I think that Costco has nicer items.

Costco takes care of their employees. They have good benefits.

Last year Wall Street criticized them for not doing enough to cut cost.

The response was "we could but our employees are important to us."

 

[manning]

I also LOVE that Costco will bring in vendors to sell their items for a weekend, usually at half price.

Like their is this coffee vendor who comes in 2x a year to sell coffee. I buy a bag for $10 ( well really 2 or 3 bags )... this same company sells this coffee for $30 a bag online.

We stopped at Costco in Nashville last January on our way north from Florida and bought Kona coffee (not the blend) for a real good price.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Costco takes care of their employees. They have good benefits.

Last year Wall Street criticized them for not doing enough to cut cost.

The response was "we could but our employees are important to us."

They must.... I have seen the same folks working at the one near me since it opened 10 years ago.

 

[daughtersrus]

We've had Sam's around here for a long time but Costco entered our area about 6-8 years ago I got a membership there as well. There were things that I didn't like about Costco so I canceled my membership. I have to say that they were very nice about that and refunded me without any problems.

What I didn't like was that they would not allow me to have a business membership even after I brought in my tax returns because I use my SS# for my daycare and do not have a separate tax ID#.

The hours at Costco did not fit my schedule at all. They don't open until 10:00am while at Sam's I can stop right after I drop the kids off at school because they open at 7:00am for business members. Costco also closes at 6:00pm on Saturdays while Sam's is open until 8:30pm.

I also realized that they don't care many of the brands that we use. For example, they didn't care Budweiser or any Miller products in their liquor dept but instead had a lot of the expensive trendy product. They only carried Huggies diapers but Sam's has Huggies, Pampers and their own brand.

I love to shop Sam's early because they discount the fresh meat that needs to be sold soon at a pretty good price. They also have the BEST sheet cakes.

I know people that love Costco but for me, I prefer Sam's.