Thinking of Joining Sam's Club

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We are only a family of 3, and we don't have space to store a lot of extras. Having said that, we still get a lot of use from our membership.

We buy milk, bulk ground coffee, quarts of half & half, rotisserie chickens, etc. and it really is much less expensive than the grocery. DH drinks obscene amounts of soda (cans and 2 liter bottles) so we buy that at Sam's, too. They also have good prices on huge packs of things like AA batteries.

We also fill all of our prescriptions at Sam's.

 

[edandcolleen1995]

Do you need a lifetime supply of pickles, hotdogs, or diapers? Then you should jopin Sam's. Otherwise use coupons at regular stores.

Hardly..

We use Sam's for great deals on their meat, chicken, bottle water, OJ, milk and other staples. Plus some great prices for golf shirts (my husband is business casual for his job).

We track it and saved almost $800 last year with the membership from buying there vs the Walmart (cheapest option) next to it.

The starting price for places like Shop Rite, Stop and Shop etc are SO much higher that even with coupons and stuff, it does not reach the level of Sam's Club. Plus you have the time sink invested in hunting down coupons.

 

[ceecee]

I get bottled water and Fruit 2o, Chickens and some other things. As far as saving $, I do better with coupons and sales. Sam's have veggie and fruit trays a lot cheaper than the grocery as well. Cereal,Tide and cleaning products not a savings at all and sometimes even more.

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

Thanks everyone, I am a BJs member, just renewed. I do great at BJs since they give out coupons and let you layer manufacturers. We are thinking of joining Sam's solely for the gas. There is no BJs close that has a gas station.

But I was wondering if there was anything there people think is a great deal. Anyone compare BJs prices to Sam's. See for me there is no difference in mileage to go as they are within 1 mile of each other.

Do they have great gifts and toys at Christmas? What is there return policy?

 

[JB2K]

Sam's pharmacy is considerably cheaper than walmart, which I find ironic b/c they're the same company. WM wouldn't meet Sam's pharmacy prices either but would match anybody else.

Even though WM and Sam's have the same parent company, both are pretty much run as seperate entities (and in recent years, you really have to read between the lines to see the relationship between the two).

As for price-matching, none of the big retailers (WM, Target) will ever match Sam's or Costco, because those are "members only" stores that are not otherwise accessible to the general public.

My take on Sam's? If they sell gas in your local area, that alone may be reason enough to try 'em for a year (gas prices are about a nickel a gallon cheaper than other major brands).

In fact, buying gas at Sam's Club will play heavily in my 1,000-mile drive to WDW, come next week (I did the reasearch, and they're easily accessible along my planned route).

 

[andrews_dad]

Great deals on meat, fruit, veggies, chips, cereal, Propel, water, etc. Good deals on electronics, mattresses, furniture, tires, toys. Ok deals on video games, books, magazines, clothing, etc. Not great deals on canned foods and soda. Go in and look around and chose for yourself, IMO.

 

[Best Aunt]

I LOVE their white cake with buttercream frosting. It doesn't come in a small size, but if your group will be large enough, it's yummy.

Their rotisserie chicken is good - best in town.

Did I mention the cake?

 

[minnie1012]

Years ago when I first joined I thought they had really good prices but now not so much. You really have to know your prices and sizes of things to know if you are getting a good deal.

Water is a good deal, some wine, beer, some fruits and veggies and some other stuff. Mine is usually very crowded and has long lines. I did see a coupon in a magazine recently for a free one day membership. Maybe you can try it out and see what you think before you join?

I really like BJ's I think their prices are better and you can use coupons. The closest one is about 30 minutes where Sam's is 10 minutes so that is why we stay with Sam's.

 

[mombare]

I LOVE their white cake with buttercream frosting. It doesn't come in a small size, but if your group will be large enough, it's yummy.

Their rotisserie chicken is good - best in town.

Did I mention the cake?

OMG!! The cake at Sam's Club is the absolute best!!! We do use our membership a lot for other stuff, but we have not BJ's. I would seriously buy the membership just for the cake! (although we like marble with whipped frosting - best when chilled)

Our best deals are meat bought in bulk and frozen in more appropriate portions, liquid Downy (specific scent due to allergies), gummy vitamins, fruit, veggies, milk, cake, bread, clothes, and some Christmas presents (although don't shop early because the prices drop as the "season" progresses).

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

OMG!! The cake at Sam's Club is the absolute best!!! We do use our membership a lot for other stuff, but we have not BJ's. I would seriously buy the membership just for the cake! (although we like marble with whipped frosting - best when chilled)

Our best deals are meat bought in bulk and frozen in more appropriate portions, liquid Downy (specific scent due to allergies), gummy vitamins, fruit, veggies, milk, cake, bread, clothes, and some Christmas presents (although don't shop early because the prices drop as the "season" progresses).

Great tips (especially the dropping prices!) Thank you anymore?
Do they have their own brand of things (BJs has Berkley & Jensen) and is it any good?

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

we buy dried cranberries, walnuts, and peacans there because the price can not be beat anywhere.

Also their produce while limited is always fresher than any grocery store around here.

We also buy our tires there when needed.

We bought our 46'' HDTV there and the return policy is exceptional. When we had a dead pixel at 5 months we returned it for a new one and even got money back(since they had a price drop since we purchased)

I would shop there weekly if it was not a 30 min drive.

 

[hipchickie]

I am at Sams once a week for my business and it is about 5 minutes from my house, so it is also a time saver for me - but there are things that are obscenely cheap...I agree what has been said re: canned foods, though the #10 cans (those are the BIG ones) of veggies can be cheaper. If you can plan a weeks menu around 6 lbs or so of corn, go for it. Since my youngest will eat a can of corn for lunch, works for me

Must buys: Coffee, dairy, dog & cat food, bread, and produce. They also have a great really cheap red wine that we love and rotisserie chix are awesome - they are about $5, I pick one up for dinner when I am in a rush, then the next day or so I make chix pot pie - so it makes 2 dinners for the 4 of us.

They also -at least at mine- have a section where they mark down end of season clothes, last of items, etc...I have got some FANTASTIC deals there (last time I needed bed sheets, I got a 10 piece bedroom set that included sheets cheaper than *just* sheets - dust ruffle, comforter, etc etc for $20!! The cashier was even shocked!)

We don't have gas at ours (wetland issues) so I can't attest to that, but it is worth it for us regardless



OH, and go the day after xmas - toys are at least 1/2 off, as is all the deco AWESOME!!!

 

[cindycastle30]

I go to Sam's Club at least twice a week. The prices are very consistent which I like. They always have the coolest stuff for the yard and holidays. Plus their items really are well made and hold up. Their return policy is also very good. We hardly ever have to return anything to Sam's but when we do it is hassle free. We have bought many gift items that were very unique and well priced. After christmas they have awesome mark downs, remember to keep your receipt as they will price match if an items price goes down. My parents got $200 back on an air hockey table they bought my kids for christmas, no hassle, I thought that was really cool. They give you 90 days for price match which is way better than 2 weeks at most stores. Also their video games are usually priced a few bucks cheaper than regular stores. Like everyone else said the bakery and rotisserie chickens are the greatest. The membership fee is worth it in my opinion. I love Sam's Club!!

 

[heartsy77]

I like our sam's although we don't have BJ's I buy garbage bags, tomato sauce, lo carb wraps, flowers (dirt cheap) hot dogs, dog food, cat food, litter etc. I also love their seasonal items: gingerbread house kits, cute stuff for kiddos classmates for class parties etc. I love their books and video game items.

 

[Mom3girls]

I've gotten gas maybe five times from our Sam's and they have NEVER asked to see our Sam's club card. Don't get a membership just for that reason without checking into that.

 

[sunshine1178]

I've gotten gas maybe five times from our Sam's and they have NEVER asked to see our Sam's club card. Don't get a membership just for that reason without checking into that.

That probably varies from state to state. I remember that when I lived in Louisiana, the Sam's gas was open to the public, but members got a $.10 discount. Here in Illinois, I think that I have to put my membership card in before the pump will start up. (But I could be wrong -- because my closest Sam's is in Cook County, the gas there is more expensive than the gas in my hometown.)

I think that the kids' clothes are a great deal. My four year old got Levi's for about $10, and the Carter's infant/toddler outfits are $8 or $9 -- cheaper than the Carter's outlet store, and way cheaper than Kohls!

 

[sherry7]

I've gotten gas maybe five times from our Sam's and they have NEVER asked to see our Sam's club card. Don't get a membership just for that reason without checking into that.

Maybe that depends on the state. Here in PA, I have to swipe my membership card, or the pump won't even work.

 

[auralia]

their baby formula can save a small fortune i figured we saved 1000$ in my daughters first year over name brand.

 

[LONES]

Our girls are now 3 and 5, but when they were younger we saved a lot of money on formula and diapers, so it was definitely worth it for us then. Honestly, we don't use it as much as we used to anymore, but I would say even if we only used their bakery department it would be worth the $40.00. A half sheet cake is about $17.00. At our local grocery store, a quarter sheet cake is closer to $25-28. Also, they have very good buns and breads for when you have a larger gathering.