slo’s SATURDAY poll - Costco vs. Sam’s Club

[mumto3girls]

Right now I have both and just recently also joined BJ’s. Seems a bit ridiculous, but here I am. Years ago we only had Sam’s and I was a member. Then Costco came and I switched maybe 10-12 years ago. Vastly preferred Costco—meat, produce, more organic, eggs and some great Kirkland brands.

Then the pandemic started and I began shopping for my parents (mom had Alzheimer’s, unable to understand mask wearing, dad has lung issues). My dad likes Sam’s and they are set in their ways. It only makes sense to do my shopping when I am doing their shopping so I am then going to Sam’s with an occasional trip to Costco. Then my family decided they like Sam’s club burgers and Sam’s club fake chick fil a sandwiches a lot, they have more organic than they did years ago and the produce is much better than it was. So once my dad was ready to resume his shopping, I got a Sam’s membership.

Then BJ’s opened near me (by far the closest of the three and the membership for the first year was almost free with the gift card rebate so now I have all 3. I should drop at least 1, but they all have their advantages.

Costco is my favorite, but it is farther away.

 

[TCRAIG]

I've only had a Sam's Club membership, I don't have a Costco near me.

Same - our town only has Sam’s - but I’ve heard Costco is better

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sam’s is 35 miles and Costco is 70 miles, so we go to Sams, usually when we have a reason to head north. Costco sometimes has cheaper gas and when we pass it, if we need gas we get it. Only have Sam’s membership.

 

[NAB]

Sam’s is 35 miles and Costco is 70 miles, so we go to Sams, usually when we have a reason to head north. Costco sometimes has cheaper gas and when we pass it, if we need gas we get it. Only have Sam’s membership.

How do you get Costco gas without a Costco card?

 

[RangerPooh]

Costco! The stores are cleaner and employees and customers are much nicer than those at Sam's. I temporarily had a Sam's card that we used for Scout camping trips, but was not impressed.

 

[bcla]

How do you get Costco gas without a Costco card?

Not sure. It is possible to buy gas at a Costco station with a Costco Cash card purchased by a member. Those are allowed to be given as gifts or where a friend asks someone to buy one on their behalf. But it's only possible to buy up to the amount on the card and no more than that. But with a Costco Cash card with any value, one can make a complete purchase in a Costco by paying the difference. I once had one with 9 cents left and made a purchase of over $100.

There are some states where fuel sales aren't allowed to be member's only. I know in my state, all membership stores are required to allow anyone to purchase alcohol or prescription items at the same price. One enters by saying they're there for alcohol or a prescription item.

 

[MillauFr]

Costco shoppers... Just wondering if your Costcos have been taken over by the Dolly shoppers? The Seattle stores are getting even more dangerous than usual with these shoppers tearing down the aisle at top speed with their flatbed carts. I guess people don't want to waste their time by going to Costco to shop.

 

[cvjw]

Costco all the way. We have multiple costcos within a few minutes drive of my house. I go multiple times per week and spend way too much money there. It has gotten to the point that we buy almost everything from Costco - with just the occasional trip to sprouts to fill in.

 

[fla4fun]

I do not have a Sam’s Club or Costco near me. The only wholesale club in the area is BJ’s. I have had their membership in the past, but don’t currently have one.

 

[MamaMermaid]

We’ve done both and prefer Costco by a long shot!

 

[OKW8297]

We don’t have Costco but have another warehouse chain called BJ’s. We used to have Sam’s Club but it closed.

 

[hhisc16]

We have a Sam's club next to the house and a Costco about 30 minutes.
Visit Sam's roughly every week and Costco about once every other month.
Share both memberships with wife's parents.

 

[Snowflakey]

I have a membership to both. As many have said Sam's club has great snacks. Costco by far is better. Better quality non-food items and their meat section is hands above Sam's club.

 

[mrodgers]

Sam's is all I have. I've never been in a Costco. I'd like to just for the greeting....

"Welcome to Costco. I love you...."

 

[willowsnn3]

Never been in Costco. Have had a Sam's card for several years now. My daughter's boss has a company account with Sams so her employees are eligble to be added on at a smaller rate. My other daughter & I both are added to their account so an individual membership for each of us is $20. It is business level membership which means we can do early entry. Truthfully I haven't been inside the store in like forever but always buy my gas there. Sams is like halfway between home & work, easy in & out so it is very convenient.