Sam's club, Costco or BJ's???

[RNMOM]

Okay, now we have all 3 of these warehouse type stores within a few miles of us. They are all clustered near each other too.

We currently belong to Sam's and have for some time. I like their meats and some of the other products but am not commited to them. BJ's takes credit cards and coupons. This could be a plus. We went once when they first opened but I don't remember anything much different than Sam's. Costco I have not visited. Can anyone offer opinions of these places? Why do you choose one over the others? This is getting so complicated.

 

[KimRaye]

I only know about Sam's & Costco. I started at Sam's, it was fine, I spent money there no problem. For membership, it was 'couples only', husband & wife. When Costco opened, I still had a Sam's membership so, I delayed opening (paying for) another membership. When Sam's expired, I opened an online account for myself & SIL, no husband/wife requirement so, SIL & I split the fee. We also both shop independently as well as together and, we bring 'guests' with us to shop also so, we're certainly spending the money there. In all aspects, besides membership requirements, I think Sam's and Costco are the same. Costco is closer for me, hence the change but, if Costco wasn't here, I'd still probably be a Sam's club member.

I do find myself buying more meat at Costco than I did at Sam's, though. Can't really explain that, except maybe the distance I traveled to Sam's, with guests and deliveries to make before I reached home myself, thinking about spoilage or something(?) but, the ground beef, pork chops, etc., have been fine for me at both places.

Now, if BJ's takes ANY credit cards And coupons, they're a major step ahead of BOTH Sam's & Costco! Sam's was exclusively Discover and cash and check (from members) and, Costco is exclusively American Express, debit card, check (from members) or, cash.

Umm, if you're going soon, could ya pick me up some....

 

[Cthia]

I can only reply about BJ's Club. They are the only ones around here now. I think there is more here because their main office is in Natick, MA. Sam's Club closed several years back.

Having been in a Sam's Club BJ's Club is similar. They have meat, produce, clothes, tires, paper products, bakery etc. The only problem has been when you find something you like buying it may not be there the next time you go.

There is a membership fee. Yes it is a great plus that they take credit cards and coupons, especially when I only go once a month and I don't like to carry cash.

Have fun shopping.

 

[cinmell]

I've belonged to BJ's for a few years now. I like that they take coupons. You can also use a BJ's coupon and a regular manufacturer's coupon at the same time for the same product. Bj's often has pamphlets when you walk into the store with coupons. They do take credit cards but not amex.

 

[ripleysmom]

Costco has beautiful meat and produce. Their prices are also slightly better than BJ's (don't know about Sam's prices).

BJ's takes coupons and all CC's. They also have a better selection of products on a more consistent basis than Costco.

I have cards to both places. There isn't a Sam's by me so I don't belong there.

 

[KaterBell]

We have a Sam's Club here in Natick, and a BJ's in Framingham, MA... the nearest Costco's are in Avon and Waltham (to me)... I was a Sam's member for a year, and didn't renew.. but I did like it there... My mom is a Costco member, and I go with her sometimes... I think if I had to choose one, I'd choose Costco.. I always find the same "types" of things there, and I know they have good quality clothing (Calvin Klein jeans for $20!!) ... and they sell 25 pig ears for $10. Scrump likes it.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I love Costco and my husband and I always spend too much money there!! I've never tried the other two~sorry!!

 

[JESW]

We belong to BJ's and go there at least once a week. (I went yesterday!) I have never been to the other two so I can't compare. I do like BJ's a lot and now I know where everything is. We have our usual things that we buy so on some trips I am in and out. Other times I like to walk up and down the aisles.

I like that they have a seasonal section - right now you can get things like gardening tools, pool supplies and patio furniture. I also like their book section. I recently bought DS8 a kids dictionary and a book on dinosaurs for school. That saved me a special trip to the bookstore.

They also have a decent selection of food to go. DD4 loves their popcorn and icees - a cheap snack! It doesn't seem like there has been a large turnover in employees since I see the same ones - which is a good reflection on the place I think.

Jill

 

[Blondie]

I've never been inside a Sam's Club, so I can't comment on that one, but we used to belong to BJ's, and now that we have a Costco too, I let my BJ's membership run out and just belong to Costco!

I think their products are of better quality (heck, they even sell $3,000 Cartier watches! and $250 Fendi handbags!)

Their seafood and meat is beautiful...and they have quite an extensive wine collection.

It's Costco for our family!

 

[DonnaS]

We only have Costco's. We buy a lot of stuff there. Their meats are very good and their own brand products, Kirkland, are also excellent.

They do take American Express and they offer their own American Express that gives 1% back.

They will usually let you go in as a visitor and look around.

 

[holycow]

We have all three in close proxcimity but I go to Sams for the Gas it is about 10cents cheaper than anywhere else.

Also I buy my milk at Sams. Costco only comes in packs of 2 and sometimes I just don't need that much.

(I'm just too practical huh!)

Holycow

 

[mrsstats]

I belong to all 3. BJ's is closest to my house but my least favorite. It never appears that clean to me and the produce doesn't look fresh. I never buy meat or veggies from there. I only use it for canned goods and frozen foods. They also have greeting cards, 1/2 price. Sam's & Costco do not.

Sam's is furthest from me. I really like their meats. Also, I buy clothes from them at really good prices. And last year, got my fiber optic tree. There is only 1 Sam's on Long Island.

Costco I have 3 nearby. I find their meats good plus alot of their own brands of things (cleaning products) are a really good buy.

Our membership for Sam's is up in August. I am probably not going to renew that since it is just not convenient. If it was down the block, like instead of BJ's I would keep it.

To sum up, BJ's is my least favorite for shopping

 

[Saffron]

I joined Sam's Club last September and am so glad I did! The prices can't be beat. But -- I just joined Costco on Thursday! I think the prices are the same, but the quality and freshess of the produce, meat and bakery items are superier to Sam's, in my opinion. And in our area, the Costco is much, much cleaner than the Sam's.

I'm not renewing my Sam's membership in the Fall. I really like Costco.

 

[sha_lyn]

I can't stand Sams. We belonged to PACE when sams bought it out. We countinued to shop there and bought a memebership for 2 yrs. The only reason I kept a memebership was because I bought tires there and was getting the free balancing etc. Then I found out the tires were defective. sams would not replace all 4 at one time, but would only replace them as they went out. Well they no longer carried that style so it had to ordered. I would have to wait forever for them to look at the bad tire before they would order one. Then it would take 3 weeks. One time they called and said it was in. When I went there Ifound out it had never been ordered. Of course I was there an hor waiting for then to get to me, before they realized the tire wasn't in. The cashiers were always very rude too.

Costco is on a very busy street about 25 miles away so I won't even bother to check them out.

I love BJ's and do almost all of my shopping there.