Sam's, Bj's or Costco?

[My3kiddos]

I have a membership to Sams and Costco and I like Sams better by far. I mostly buy meat and frozen items and both are cheaper at Sams in my area. The only thing I usually buy at Costco is dog beds. I save $13 each buying at Costco. We got talked into the Executive membership at Costco and I'll be asking for the difference back at the end of my membership because I haven't spent that much there.

 

[tvguy]

Our Costco is routinely 20-30 cents cheaper in gas and doesn't jump in price often. I've never seem a line. Last week, it was $3.11 at Costco when it was $3.40+ everywhere else.

Right now Costco, Sams Club and ARCO are all $3.23 a gallon. Costco ALWAYS has a line.
http://www.sactogasprices.com/Citrus Heights/index.aspx

 

[aliceindisneyland]

We use Costco. I have never bothered checking out the other two clubs because the Ameriprise auto insurance I get through Costco saves me over $1200 a year compared to exact coverage at every other major company [in AZ; in CA it saved $600 - rates are double in AZ!] That more than pays for my Executive membership ($110?) plus I get 2% back for everything I buy there, and it has cheap gas - and costs only .20 more for Premium gas [we use Premium for one of our cars] when the other area gas stations charge .34/gallon more.

 

[ilovemk76]

We have had memberships in both BJs and Costco. We prefer Costco.

 

[nagshead]

Costco all the way. Great organic options, great deals. Love it

 

[quirty30]

I have both Costco and Sam's. I have had my Sam's membership for about 20 years - there's a really convenient freestanding one just a few miles away. I used to have a Costco card free through work, but my employer discontinued it last spring. I recently rejoined with the Living Social deal, and it was just in time for us to get new cell phones there. So between the free stuff with the deal and the rebates on our cell phones, our membership fee paid for itself and then some.

Even with the new Costco membership in hand, I still find myself shopping more at Sam's. Location is more convenient, as our local Costco is in a shopping center that was "reimagined" from an old mall. The parking lot has got to be the worst design possible. It's like driving in a maze and it deters me. But that aside, I think I'm just used to certain items I buy at Sam's.

As an example, the Clif Bars at Costco slightly less expensive, but at Sam's I get Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Macadamia Bars in a multi-pack. At Costco, you only get the first 2 varieties. Refrigerated shredded parmesan at Sam's is less money for more cheese. Granted, Costco only has parmagiano-reggiano, but I don't need that premium quality. I hate the milk bottles at Costco, too. I know it takes up less space for shipping, but my kids spill it every time they pour. Did not care for their selection of deli meats either.

When I have both memberships, I tend to buy more staples at Sam's. Then I might occasionally drive to Costco and enjoy food samples, and just walk around and browse. I tend to leave there with things I don't really need but found good deals on. Like wine. Or a hanging flower basket for my porch. I also recently bought Scallops there - then realized they were MUCH cheaper at Sam's (like more than $10 cheaper for 2.5 pounds.)

Finally, Sam's Club recently switched from offering a Discover card to Master Card. It offers 5% back on gas purchases of up to $6000 a year. And that's on gas purchased ANYWHERE, not just their station. Also 3% on restaurants and travel. I used to use their card only for purchases there and at Wal-mart, but now I've been using it for gas and restaurants too.

I imagine I will let the Costco membership lapse again after the 1st year - just can't justify paying for both of them.

 

[mrsstats]

I have all 3. BJ's would be my bottom. I prefer Sam's over Costco for meats but I think Costco has a larger selection of items. Costco has a lot of their own brank, Kirland that get good reviews.

 

[tinatark]

We have Sam's and Costco - its really a trade off as far as which one is "better" - sometimes we find what we want/need at one -sometimes the other.

Did you know you can shop at Costco without a membership if you have a Costco "cash card"? It's one of the membership loopholes.

Costco has some of the frou-frou, organic, gluten free stuff many people seem to want today. Of course Sam's Club is a division of that evil empire Wal Mart, as has been alluded to earlier in this thread g...

 

[goofystitchfan]

We don't have a Sam's anywhere near us. I have had a BJ's card for over 15 years. They combine their coupons w/others, ours has gas (both auto and propane), and great hours. I have even purchase on line thru them for a generator and it was delivered lickety split! When our card was about to expire last year, I had received a trial Cosco offer. Hours were aweful, selection of items were limited, and they only took cash or AmEx which we did not have at the time. So for us BJ's wins.

 

[MillauFr]

We basically get a "free" membership with Costco. I believe they charge us $110 year to shop there but they rebate 2% of our purchases. Last year they sent us a check for $160.

 

[melissalee]

We don't have a Sam's anywhere near us. I have had a BJ's card for over 15 years. They combine their coupons w/others, ours has gas (both auto and propane), and great hours. I have even purchase on line thru them for a generator and it was delivered lickety split! When our card was about to expire last year, I had received a trial Cosco offer. Hours were aweful, selection of items were limited, and they only took cash or AmEx which we did not have at the time. So for us BJ's wins.

I agree I hate Costco's hours. DH and I work nights and sometimes we can't get there before they close at 6 or 7pm on the weekends. Another reason why I choose Sams. As a nurse they let me have a business card and I shop at 7am when I get off work.

 

[Bree]

We just moved and my husband joined a Costco without me taking a good look at the store. The store is tiny and the parking lot is always jam packed which means you circle it over and over or follow someone to their car and wait for them to unload. Doesn't matter the time or day. The store is always crowded. And the lines at the gas pump.....Lordy Lordy. Gas in Boca Raton is ridiculously expensive. Costco and Cumberland Farms are at least 30 cents cheaper per gallon. We still have our BJ's membership. I prefer them because you can stack their coupons with manufacturers coupons.

 

[tnd]

I love Costco. We buy everything there! I mean everything: furnaces for our house (good deal plus a $1000 gift card), our new car ($200 under invoice, no haggling, which is a great on a car with few incentives out there), gas, clothes for most of the family, furniture, etc. I also like the staff. Everyone in our store seems to have worked there for 10+ years and they are always helpful and knowledgable.

We don't have BJs in Michigan that I have seen and I find Sam's Club very disorganized and messy compared to the Costcos I have been in, but that could vary by store. I also don't like Walmart's business practices and I don't shop there.

 

[Manders77]

Have had a BJ's membership for over 10 years. I love shopping at BJ's. For budget savings, stacking manufacture and their coupons is great. I got Costco through the living social deal and its ok. Love their cakes, got one for my DS's Birthday along with some pre order sandwich tray, but I waited in a 30 minute line for 2 items. Hate that the place is a zoo ALL the time. I do get gas there sometimes, but I don't like I can't use my Disney Visa for this.

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

We just moved and my husband joined a Costco without me taking a good look at the store. The store is tiny and the parking lot is always jam packed which means you circle it over and over or follow someone to their car and wait for them to unload. Doesn't matter the time or day. The store is always crowded. And the lines at the gas pump.....Lordy Lordy. Gas in Boca Raton is ridiculously expensive. Costco and Cumberland Farms are at least 30 cents cheaper per gallon. We still have our BJ's membership. I prefer them because you can stack their coupons with manufacturers coupons.

If you are truly not happy with your Costco membership they will refund the entire membership fee anytime within a year of joining and/or renewing. No questions asked.

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

We basically get a "free" membership with Costco. I believe they charge us $110 year to shop there but they rebate 2% of our purchases. Last year they sent us a check for $160.

Exactly, me too! I haven't actually paid the membership fee in years. My cash back check each year is always more than the cost of membership.

 

[North of Mouse]

We have been members of all three at times, but have not used any for quite awhile as all are 25 + miles away and so many other stores closer - with membership fees and gas money, not any savings for us - rarely used them anyway as coupons, sales and local stores were much cheaper.

 

[tvguy]

I should mention Smart and Final. They did away with their memberships so anyone can shop there. Like BJ's, they are regional , but they have a few more stores than BJ's.

 

[Tony NY]

Costco is the best ...

 

[nellypooh1]

May I ask a question? I am also trying to decide to switch to Sam's. I book rental cars at Costco frequently, does anyone know if Sam's also does deep discounts on car rentals? Thanks!