Sam's vs Costco

[Luv2Roam]

Which membership do you have? WEhich do you like better, and why?

We have a Sam's business membership. Sam's is around a 10 - 15 minute drive for us.
No Costco near us. BUT there is a Costco very close to where I work.
The only reason I don't join Costco is
1) $45 membership (seems steep)
2) I have never been in a Costco. So can't compare that to a Sam's.

I can't see having a Sam's AND a Costco membership. Or is it worth it to own both?
What's your comparison?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here is a start, LOL..............

http://www2.awana.org/cs/forums/60424/ShowPost.aspx (hope that is a moderated board and no cussing )

We have both. Costco, new to the area, is about 5 blocks from us, and we have about 4 SAm's within 5 miles of us. Costco has gas, seems like some 'higher end' products. Marie, if she had to choose, would take Sam's, but likes Costco also. She likes the food selection more at Sam's. Meats seem comparable. I find it difficult to 'pick a winner'.

 

[Molly Meow]

I've never been to a Sam's, but I did belong to Costco. I canceled my membership since it was just too much food for only the two of us.

If you're considering switching or adding Costco - give them a call. The one here allows you to do an "introductory" shopping run without joining, so you can see if it suits your needs.

 

[Mercy]

We have a Costco membership. I have had Sam's and BJ's in the past also. I seem to like Costco better, although I really can't tell you why. Maybe it's because Costco was the first membership I had, and I'm just more familiar with the layout. Besides I love their $1.50 hot dog and soda deal!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Costco hands down, but that's mostly because we refuse to shop at Sams or Walmart.

But Costco started here and we've been members since the early 80's, LOVE it! Going today actually for my 500 rolls of toilet paper and cheap pizza

 

[ChristmasElf]

Costco .Hands down.

Costco has 3 types of memberships. There is the $45 dollar one.
The $100 one called the Executive membership will pay you back 2% of whatever you buy. Up to $500. So in the long run, this membership is FREE.

Costco has Choice cuts of meats and higher end merchandise. Their produce is great too! Costco are also as a rule much cleaner than Sams and BJ's.

 

[Southerngirl]

I prefer Costco as I feel it is a bit higher end than Sam's....Also the stores look cleaner and better organized. I have a membership to both at this time....Costco is further from my house so i dont go there often....even though I like it better than Sam's.

 

[mom2grace]

It is my impression, and this could be wrong, that initially Sam's catered to small food-based businesses and Costco catered to families. We have belonged to both, currently Costco, my family belongs to Sam's for convenience. For us, they are across the street from each other.

You can buy everything Sam's has in their building, including the trash cans and syrup for the Cokes.

I prefer Costco, it is much cleaner and brighter. People are friendly and helpful. It drives my dad crazy that Sam's doesn't put your things in a box at checkout and it is standard procedure at Costco! (His membership is to Sam's as there is not a Costco near to him) The food court at Costco runs smoothly and quickly, at Sam's the wait is usually 10 minutes or longer.

I love the Costco shrimp and king crab on their seafood roadshow weekends!

Also, if you get the $100 membership, they guarantee that you will get $55 back at them end of your 12 months, so it's no risk above the regular membership.

 

[Jeafl]

We have memberships at both. The Sam's is a little closer so I go there slightly more often, but on the whole I prefer Costco.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I like SAM's better. I usually shop for paper products, bathroom, med stuff, etc..
I really don't buy to much food, just occassionally. I haven't been to the Texas Costco, however.

I did try out a Costco for awhile (in Missouri) and when I brought my sister to shop there they would not let her pay for her merchandise. I had to buy it for her. I didn't find that friendly from a customer service angle.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Another vote for Costco here. We have both, but I just like the "feel" of Costco better, and I think they have more of a variety there too. Sam's is ok, but it doesn't seem as neat and tidy as Costco, but they don't have the crowds Costco does either.