Sams Club versus BJs

[la79al]

Our town just got a Sams Club, BJs is about 30 minutes away. We went to browse Sams Club today and weren't impressed. Is there something we are missing with Sam's Club? Would you recommend a BJs membership over a Sams Club?

 

[CrankyDad]

We had both for a few years and finally let our Sam’s club lapse and going just BJs

Honestly BJ’s is better for us.

Has the deli, better fresh fruit, better prices on everything but paper goods. IF you have store coupon then BJ’s beats Sam’s..

We found the cash back $100 membership paid for itself in about 8 months. So was worth it.

Sam’s was better for contacts (why we kept membership) and clothing (if you needed that).

Plus and I know this could be silly to others, but we use only 5 gallon water in our house (the well water even with softener is icky).

When you return the empty water jugs to Sam’s you have to wait in line at the customer service desk to get credit on your card.. There are always long lines.. take forever.

BJ’s gives you one $5 coupon as you walk IN the store.. no waiting. You just hand them in at check out and comes off the bill.

That was a big deal for us, as we return 2-3 of them a week and knowing you to go to customer service each Sam’s trip and take 20 mins was a killer.

 

[dreiwhit]

We have a local Sams and Costco. Never been to a BJs, so I can't compare them. I refuse to go to Sams because the customer service is absolutely horrible. Long lines, workers who don't care.

Costco has the best customer service around. And the employees really hustle. That's where we go, even though Costco is farther away.

 

[NHLFAN]

I prefer Costco over Sam's for the quality of meats, wines, baked goods and customer service offered. That said, on comparable items Sam's seems to have a better pricing plus what I really like is their Scan and Go App where I just use my phone to scan the bar codes as I put items in to my shopping cart and pay with my phone and not have to stand in line.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We have both in our area and we prefer Sams over BJs. We can find much more of the stuff we need for our business at Sam's and for us personally too. We are going to try a free 3mth membership at BJs again but honestly all I ever bought from them was gas. Everything else was more expensive or they didn't carry what we needed

 

[hsmamato2]

We have a local Sams and Costco. Never been to a BJs, so I can't compare them. I refuse to go to Sams because the customer service is absolutely horrible. Long lines, workers who don't care.

Costco has the best customer service around. And the employees really hustle. That's where we go, even though Costco is farther away.

agreed. I dislike Sams club..tho I was in there with a friend a few weeks back,and they did have some good clothing buys for fall- Costco is very nice,and BJ's is similiar IMHO. I just keep costco b/c of the car rental deals(2 free drivers)

 

[wingednike]

Sam's Club has discounted Disney gift cards.

 

[MillauFr]

Costco has the best customer service around. And the employees really hustle. That's where we go, even though Costco is farther away.

Probably because Sam's pays employees minimum wage and Costco pays them $20-$30 per hour.

 

[danielocha30]

Costco
BJ's
Sams Club
that's the quality order.

 

[miztressuz]

Sam's Club has discounted Disney gift cards.

BJ's has discounted Disney gift cards as well, although the selection is different and the discount is better online. Bonus, you don't have to be a BJ's member to shop the gift cards online.

Here's a chart I made for myself over the summer, pricing was accurate as of 7/19/2017. At the time Sam's had shipping fees on their cards so that is added into the price so I could compare total discounts. I don't know what it is now as I don't have a Sam's membership and you can't see the pricing unless you login.

BJ's Warehouse
Denomination In-Store Price Discount% Online Price* Discount%
Disney $25............... 23.99 ..........4% .........23.99 ..........4%
Disney $50............... 47.99 ..........4% .........47.99 ..........4%
Disney $100............. 95.99 ..........4% .........94.99 ..........5%
Disney 3pk $150..... 146.99 ...........2% ........147.99 ..........1%

Sam's Club
Denomination In-Store Price Discount% Online Price* Discount%
Disney $25.................N/A........... 0% .........N/A...............0%
Disney $50.................N/A........... 0% .........N/A...............0%
Disney $100...............N/A............ 0% .........N/A..............0%
Disney 3pk $150.......144.98 ..........3% .......143.97 ..........4%
Disney $500.............479.98 ..........4% .......479.98 ..........4%
*includes shipping charge, if any

We used to have both Sam's and BJ's but found that while some items had better prices at Sam's it wasn't enough to cover paying for 2 memberships. So we dropped Sam's because BJ's takes manufacturer coupons as well as in-club coupons, we liked their meat quality better and we generally shopped there more anyway. I know Sam's had done some changes to their coupons but that was right about the time we dropped them so I didn't keep up on what all has happened since.

 

[tarheel618]

We only have a Sam's close by. Just got a membership after a two year break. Went back because I had a coupon for a new membership get 25 gift card- so the membership really cost me 20 for the year. The fact we are getting FL annual passes (we live about 1 1/2 away) played a key role in renewing this year. I figured I will purchase disney gift cards and save a few extra $ when we purchase food and things this year. I do wish they had more $ options other than 150 and 500.

Ive heard great things about Costo but closes one is over an hour away and not worth it.

 

[Judyat]

We have all 3 - Sams, BJs and Costco. I find we go to the closest which is BJs. So if one is a lot closer than the others that's probably the one one you would use the most. Many things are the same although clothes etc vary. It just depends on which one is most convenient I think.

 

[Monykalyn]

Sam's Club has discounted Disney gift cards.

BJ's has discounted Disney gift cards as well, although the selection is different and the discount is better online. Bonus, you don't have to be a BJ's member to shop the gift cards online.

If you have ebates-BJ's online Disney gift cards are eligible for cashback rebate-sams club are not=$0.90 each $100.

We only have Sam's club by me-wish we had Costco!

 

[Hikergirl]

I have both memberships but prefer BJ's over Sam's. I rarely go to Sam's and only got the membership because there was a deal on Groupon so I think it paid for itself the first few visits. One thing I hate is that they don't open until 10 here unless you have the membership that cost $100. I will not be renewing my membership, for all I know it may have already expired LOL

 

[amcnj]

We have a BJ's and Sam's equidistant from our house but in opposite directions, with a Costco 25 miles away. We belong to BJ's now, but a few times over the years did a walkthrough at Sam's and both seemed fairly similar to me. Though it has been a number is years now since I last did this. Originally we chose BJ's due to being able to use manufacturer's coupons there (is that still not allowed at Sam's?), and more importantly because it was in the direction we mostly travel and near other places we frequented, making it more convenient to stop by there.

 

[leebee]

I have both BJ's and Sam's, because I like each for different things. BJ's has a terrific deli with good prices, and decent coupon prices on pizza, pita chips, etc. I like the baked goods, floral, and dairy prices better at Sam's. As there are only 2 of us I don't buy meats at either place. The packages are just too big- even frozen, the meat lasts so long it gets freezer burn before we can eat it all.

 

[SharonZ]

I have both Sam's and Costco. I prefer Sam's, our location has better meat and produce departments and also nicer clothing. I also like that Sam's has self-checkout.

 

[Tikitoi]

I don't have either of these cards at this point. But I got an offer from Bj's to get a 3 month membership for $5. However i was reading the small print and it was saying that by signing up for this that i am giving them the right to automatically charge my card for the next year at full price. Not sure if I want this membership card that bad.And it also mentions that it can be up to their discretion as far as if they will honor your request to cancel. Normally they say if you're not satisfied you can easily cancel. Anybody received this offer or even just try to cancel their membership...?

 

[DawnM]

Sam's Club is a giant Walmart. And I hate Walmart.

My .02.

 

[LovesTimone]

We went with BJ's its closest to our home, and easy in and out. We were Sam's members for a long time, and I was skeptical about switching, and boy am I very happy we did, They have tons of store coupons on a lot of different items, that most families will use...like the basic's drinks, grocery items, frozen food, bread, milk, . Also you can stack coupons using one of theirs and a manufactures coupon for even more savings. I have picked up lots books and toys for the grandkids, and they carry lots of kids clothing at least at the one I shop at..

So BJ's would be my vote.