Sam's vs Costco

[4HppyCamprs]

We have membership to both. Costco is 10mins away and Sams is about 30mins. I make the trek to Sams to load up. Most groceries are cheaper at Sams. But there are some things that are priced about the same or a bit higher. For example, rib eye is about 6.99/lb at Sams. Costco is usually 9.99/lb.

I think it really depends what you buy. We like the bakery at Costco better. Organic milk at Sams is cheaper than the Kirkland brand. Fruit in general is cheaper. Apples at Sams come in a bag. Costco has the plastic case that surrounds each apple. It doesn't make the apples taste better.

Costco does treat their employees better. But that also means they are closed more often when I'm off work. One perk is that our Costco has gas, Sams does not. The gas is usually 15-20cents cheaper than the other local stations.

I'm not sure if it's still the case, but they used to refund your entire membership if you are unhappy with it at anytime during the year.

Oh, and the renewal is less than 12 months. If you purchase on 10/31/13, you'll need to pay membership your next use after 9/30/2014. Sams is the exact date, so sometimes I can stretch it out another week.

You do not need to pay in advance. We just pay at the register the next trip after the membership expires. They will send out notices prior to your expiration date though.

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[Cheshire Figment]

In Consumer Reports the Costco branded items (Kirkland Signature) are normally at the top of the ratings. Sam's Club is WalMart!

Also, Costco treats their employees extremely well and has one of the lowest employee turnover rates in the retail industry.

 

[tvguy]

Sam's Club is WalMart!
.

You say that like it's a bad thing.
Let's face it, Costco, Sams Club and Walmart are all, for profit businesses. Profit is always going to come before people. Sams Club and Walmart get bagged on for low wages, yet they have one of the most generous profit sharing-retirement plans in the industry.
Costco is supposed to be a great place to work, yet they are currently the subject of one of the largest class action gender discrimination suits in the nation.

http://retailindustry.about.com/od/...uits/Costco-Employee-Class-Action-Lawsuit.htm

 

[IUTBAM]

We've had Sam's Club membership for years, but only joined Costco last year when the great Disneyland ticket offer came out there. They are both 15 minutes from my house (in different directions).

I like them both, and will continue to be a member at both. Both have cheaper gas.

Sam's carries a couple of things I can't find at Costco that I've become accustomed to buying: the double pack boxes of vinegar (I go through a LOT of vinegar in the laundry) and, the reduced fat cheese sticks my son likes in his lunch. Costco's vinegar is more expensive, and they don't have those cheesesticks, lol. And I like that Sam's takes Master Card, as I get cash back from MC on my purchases.

The pros of Costco are the great prices on the costcotravel.com site for car rentals, the less frustrating milk cartons (Sam's milk has a pull tab underneath the cap that is very annoying and stubborn, lol)....although with Costco, the milk comes two to a box, so the minimum you can buy is two, a much better produce department IMHO, a great return policy, great gift card deals, and a better range of free samples every time I go. haha

One thing I did notice. I purchased a certain type of bread at Sam's. I noticed the exact same type of bread at Costco and was surprised it was more expensive...but I bought it that day because I was out. When I got it home, I realized it was more expensive because it was a much larger loaf. I actually prefer the larger loaves, as they are what bread size USED to be.

If you can swing the extra $50 a year, I say get both memberships. Which place I go depends on which direction I'm headed (unless I need vinegar or cheesesticks, lol, and then it has to be Sam's, haha).

 

[4HppyCamprs]

You say that like it's a bad thing.
Let's face it, Costco, Sams Club and Walmart are all, for profit businesses. Profit is always going to come before people. Sams Club and Walmart get bagged on for low wages, yet they have one of the most generous profit sharing-retirement plans in the industry.
Costco is supposed to be a great place to work, yet they are currently the subject of one of the largest class action gender discrimination suits in the nation.

http://retailindustry.about.com/od/frontlinemanagement/ig/Retail-Employee-Lawsuits/Costco-Employee-Class-Action-Lawsuit.htm

Walmart is a bad thing. A class action lawsuit for discrimination is not good but locking your employees in warehouse (where some died from not have a key holder on site when an emergency happens) and having almost all your hourly employees subsidized by the government because of low wages is a ongoing problem and is very bad.

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[drcmk]

You say that like it's a bad thing.
Let's face it, Costco, Sams Club and Walmart are all, for profit businesses. Profit is always going to come before people. Sams Club and Walmart get bagged on for low wages, yet they have one of the most generous profit sharing-retirement plans in the industry.

Thoughtful people can disagree, but for me, the extremely low employee turnover at Costco (and the obvious satisfaction of the employees that I encounter when I shop there) is the deciding factor. Costco is a good employer and that is important to me. I avoid any business associated with WalMart at al costs.

 

[danygirl]

You can buy milk one gallon at a time at my costco and they are stackable cartons which is awesome.

I too avoid walmart . Pp is correct they are a for profit business. Since I don't like their business practices I choose to exercise my consumer choice and take my $$$$ elsewhere.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I go to both equally. They are equally "nice" stores here. Each one has some things u can't get at the other. I find that I buy more non-grocery items at Costco than sams.

Depends on the area though. In charleston the Costco is much nicer than the sams, IMO.

 

[tvguy]

Thoughtful people can disagree, but for me, the extremely low employee turnover at Costco (and the obvious satisfaction of the employees that I encounter when I shop there) is the deciding factor. Costco is a good employer and that is important to me. I avoid any business associated with WalMart at al costs.

Walmart is relatively new here. All I can say is, the employees at Walmart here seem so much happier than the folks working at my regular grocery store. You can't go down an aisle at Walmart without seeing an employee, and they all say hi, and ask if you need help. At my grocery story these days, at times there is only one employee other than the checkers available in the entire store. And this is Raleys, listed as the number 3 best store in the nation by Consumer Reports.

 

[taaren]

Gift cards are discounted at Costco. For example you can get $100 worth of Wolf Gang Puck GC for $79.99. Which are good at Disney!

What gift cards are available vary by the store, but I'm going to have to keep an eye out for those ones! Love WPE!!! We could easily spend $100 there in a week long trip to Disney!

 

[tinatark]

We have memberships at both. Seems that Costco is trying to be an "upscale" wholesale club.

Their prices are generally higher but there is also a better variety of consumer goods there.

For business purchases - Sams Club is better, hands down.

As far as how they treat their employees - not my concern. If the employees aren't happy there, they should move along. Unemployment is high and I'm sure others would be happy to have a job.

 

[tvguy]

We have memberships at both. Seems that Costco is trying to be an "upscale" wholesale club.
.

Bingo. Costco avoids lower income areas, and their shoppers have on average twice the income of a Sams Club shoppers.

I think the Wall Street Journal even described Costco as Sams Club for the wealthy.


http://www.chicagonow.com/windy-city-young-republicans/2013/07/costco-vs-walmart/

 

[mrsclark]

We had a membership to Sam's for awhile a few years ago, but cancelled it to join Costco. We think Costco has higher quality food- both produce and the brand name packaged food they carry. We also get almost all of prescriptions (human and dog) at Costco at significant savings. One maintenance medication I am on is like $6 cash for a 90-day supply (generic). It is cheaper for me to pay cash there than pay a co-pay for it through my insurance. I also got a great deal on prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses in January. Finally, their return policy is awesome!

 

[franluvsbubba]

We have memberships at both. Seems that Costco is trying to be an "upscale" wholesale club. Their prices are generally higher but there is also a better variety of consumer goods there. For business purchases - Sams Club is better, hands down. As far as how they treat their employees - not my concern. If the employees aren't happy there, they should move along. Unemployment is high and I'm sure others would be happy to have a job.

Lol. I agree. I've always found it funny when people would say things like that.

 

[quirty30]

I have a free membership at Costco through my work, which I use a couple of times a year. I did get our cell phones there, and occasionally meats, seafood and specialty grocery items (usually stuff I don't need that just looks enticing.) And they sometimes have exceptional wines for a good price. I hate their milk packaging - I know they are a space saving design but my kids end up spilling it all over. Also, my daughter's a competitive swimmer and they usually have Speedo suits for less than $20 each which is a great deal. I don't like that they don't take credit cards and I don't need an Amex. I pay my bills off every month, but there's something about me that just likes having that float time that credit cards offer (as well as the rewards I get back.)

I still pay for a Sam's Club membership on top of it; I've actually had it for almost 20 years. I shop there several times a month, usually for staple items. I can't count the number of cakes we've bought there (while not over the top spectacular, they are very good, and an extremely good value.) Over the years I have bought several large electronic items, mattresses, and furniture there. And oddly enough, many of the employees there have been there as long as I have been a member. So I can't imagine they treat their employees badly.

Oh, and both stores are within a few miles of my house, so no advantage either way there. I agree with others that Costco is more upscale. But I end up giving a lot more business to Sam's Club.

 

[arminnie]

My office was literally across the street from Costco in California. I used to walk over and get an ice cream sometimes in the afternoon.

I could have told you every item in the place. So when I went to Arkansas to visit I was thrilled to go to a Sam's and see new merchandise.

Now I've only had Sam's for the past decade and a Costco just opened a couple of miles away so I'm interested in going to see their stuff.

I don't have to pay for my memberships so that is not an issue.

 

[Disney2013Girl]

We've had a Sam's Club in our city for years. A Costco is getting ready to open in the next month. Anyone that has both in their area have a preference of one over the other? I haven't renewed my Sams membership cause I'm not sure which is better. (I'm sure it's a matter of opinion, just curious as to what others opinions are.) TIA!

Interesting...have I found another Fort Wayner?

 

[kydisneyfans]

Going to get a Costco membership here too.
The Lexington, KY location opens next month.
Our vet recommended getting our dog's seizure meds there, after pricing it out we will save over $70 a month. What we are paying nearly $100/month for now is under $30 there. Another prescription I am taking is $30/month less.

I've been warned about 4 hour lines opening weekend, so will wait a bit.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

We have memberships at both. Seems that Costco is trying to be an "upscale" wholesale club.

Their prices are generally higher but there is also a better variety of consumer goods there.

For business purchases - Sams Club is better, hands down.

As far as how they treat their employees - not my concern. If the employees aren't happy there, they should move along. Unemployment is high and I'm sure others would be happy to have a job.

That's your business. OP asked for our opinions. My personal choice of faith has edicts about how we treat others. YMMV.

 

[Judyat]

I agree snarlingcoyete. It is all about how you treat others - customers and employees. That's why I pick Costco.