Was this a big deal?

[va32h]

I called a friend of mine, who is a member of Sam's Club, to ask if she planned on shopping there this week, and if so, could I come with her because I needed to get some snacks and drinks for an upcoming event for my job. I have never asked her anything like this before. In fact, I have never asked any favors of her before.

She said yes, but then started talking about her husband and buying clubs and pirated software, and I wasn't actually following her line of thought until all the sudden she said "so if this is going to become a regular occurrence, you'll need to pay for your own membership."

Well I didn't say anything for a couple minutes, and she said "oh I knew that was going to come out wrong." So I said, no, it was fine, I should have thought before asking, that it really was an imposition, and I would just take care of it myself, that I thought Sam's had a guest pass or something, so I could still shop but pay a surcharge, or I'd just go to WalMart.

So then she starts protesting that no, she didn't mean it like that, and of course it wasn't a problem for her, but she just knew her husband would be upset if it happened repeatedly. She offered to meet on Friday evening, but I still felt weird about it. So I just said not to worry, forget I asked, etc. and we made some lame small talk and hung up.

I don't know why my feelings are hurt about this, but they are, a little bit. I honestly didn't think it was a big deal to ask, since we live so close to Sam's and I know she goes there regularly.

 

[famofsix]

I called a friend of mine, who is a member of Sam's Club, to ask if she planned on shopping there this week, and if so, could I come with her because I needed to get some snacks and drinks for an upcoming event for my job. I have never asked her anything like this before. In fact, I have never asked any favors of her before.

She said yes, but then started talking about her husband and buying clubs and pirated software, and I wasn't actually following her line of thought until all the sudden she said "so if this is going to become a regular occurrence, you'll need to pay for your own membership."

Well I didn't say anything for a couple minutes, and she said "oh I knew that was going to come out wrong." So I said, no, it was fine, I should have thought before asking, that it really was an imposition, and I would just take care of it myself, that I thought Sam's had a guest pass or something, so I could still shop but pay a surcharge, or I'd just go to WalMart.

So then she starts protesting that no, she didn't mean it like that, and of course it wasn't a problem for her, but she just knew her husband would be upset if it happened repeatedly. She offered to meet on Friday evening, but I still felt weird about it. So I just said not to worry, forget I asked, etc. and we made some lame small talk and hung up.

I don't know why my feelings are hurt about this, but they are, a little bit. I honestly didn't think it was a big deal to ask, since we live so close to Sam's and I know she goes there regularly.

I would call Sam's and see if they have a trial membership and mention you have a friend who is a member (I know BJ's does). Then if they do, I would call your friend back and see if she wants to "go with you". Otherwise, I think I would see if your job or credit union has a reduced or trial price for membership. From her response, I think it would be too weird to tag along with her and use her card for the purchase benefit. I don't think you were asking anything wrong though.

 

[Lizzy2]

Some people are really into rules and obviously her husband is OR maybe someone has taken advantage of them in the past and they are a little burned. My Mom has a membership and she buys stuff for me all the time and she doesn't think anything of it and she is a highly,moral, rule following kind of person. Sam's maybe be losing a small membership fee but ultimately they are selling more merchandise which is the goal. I know it was a weird converstion but it does sound like your friend sounds bad about it so if I were you I would just let it go.

 

[hentob]

So then she starts protesting that no, she didn't mean it like that, and of course it wasn't a problem for her, but she just knew her husband would be upset if it happened repeatedly..

Why would her husband care? You weren't asking him...you were asking her. Is he a bit of a control freak?

I don't blame you for not going now. I would feel weird.

 

[lulugirl]

I don't think asking was a big deal at all. When I lived on Long Island I used to go w/ a friend who had a membership at Sam's. I never even had to ask, she knew I liked stocking up on stuff and would just invite me.
Your friend's reaction struck me as kind of odd.

 

[DawnCt1]

How bizarre. I have a neighbor who doesn't have a membership to Costco and when I go and often ask her if she wants to "tag along". Costco wants to sell "stuff" so I have no problem taking someone else who wants to buy stuff. I can't imagine ever telling anyone that they will have to buy a membership. I don't blame you, I wouldn't go with her after that either.

 

[MushyMushy]

I didn't know there was such a rule.

Actually, I just looked it up and there isn't. I didn't think so.

General Policies
• Children and Guests: Our Members are welcome to bring their children and up to two guests to SAM’S CLUB. A Member must accompany children and guests – at all times. Only a Member may purchase items. Children may not be left unsupervised. Parents are responsible for their children. Members are responsible for any items opened or damaged by their guests, children, or themselves.

Anyway, just in the way you described it, I was a little stung by her attitude.

 

[Southern4sure]

The stubborn side in me would refuse to go no matter how much said friend begged. I have a membership at Sams and I take friends and pick up stuff for others all the time. Sams does not keep track of what you spend to a point of limiting you..they dont care!!!! I love the company of my friends and they help with the loading....

If I lived closer, I'd take you to Sams and we would have a great time!

ETA: My friends pay for their own items. The cashier uses my card and they pay however they want, even by check.

 

[MushyMushy]

The stubborn side in me would refuse to go no matter how much said friend begged. I have a membership at Sams and I take friends and pick up stuff for others all the time. Sams does not keep track of what you spend to a point of limiting you..they dont care!!!! I love the company of my friends and they help with the loading....

If I lived closer, I'd take you to Sams and we would have a great time!

Me too!

The more I think about it, I think the friend was actually rude.

I always thought it was common knowledge that a member could take up to two guests.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I wouldn't go. I'm just pig-headed like that!! Make up some excuse that you can't go on Friday night then go find a One-Day pass and go on your own. Maybe their website has them?? I get them in the mail all the time..............

 

[teacherforhi]

My friends pay for their own items. The cashier uses my card and they pay however they want, even by check.

We do this as well. My mom has a membership and I go with her. We purchase our items separately. No one has ever said anything to us about it.

 

[alliecats]

I would NOT go with her. I don't think you asked anything wrong. But even if you did, the time to say "if this is going to become a regular occurence..." is not the one and only time you asked. Talk about borrowing trouble. The time to say that is if you've already asked more than once.

I wouldn't go with her no matter what, since it's obviously a touchy issue for them and her DH sounds like a control freak. It would have hurt my feelings too.

ETA, I bought tires from Costco with my sister and her card and they KNEW it and THEY told me to use my own debit card rather than have her write a check and me pay her back later. I do not have a Costco membership and told them that. So it doesn't sound like it's something these clubs get riled up about.

 

[momrek06]

How bizarre. I have a neighbor who doesn't have a membership to Costco and when I go and often ask her if she wants to "tag along". Costco wants to sell "stuff" so I have no problem taking someone else who wants to buy stuff. I can't imagine ever telling anyone that they will have to buy a membership. I don't blame you, I wouldn't go with her after that either.

I agree with Dawn...how BIZARRE ..I had a friend that was a member of BJ's and I went with her a few times (before there was one even near me)...as soon as they built one near me, I got my own membership. I only really get soda/water/juices for the college kids. So going with DGF was awesome.

Like Dawn said, STORES WANT TO SELL THEIR GOODS...and MOST now do have that "guest pass"...just so you can see if you would like it well enough to join.

OP, I think your friend was rather rude with her rambling about "buying clubs and pirated software" !!!!! And does she have a controlling DH, what has he got to do with this at all.... !!!!

GO TO WALMART BY YOURSELF!!!!

 

[tevagirl]

I'm afraid I'm another one who wouldn't go now if my life depended on it. I don't think you asked anything of her that was out of line or a big deal.

Geez.

 

[ilovepcot]

I'd be looking for more "down to earth" friends.

 

[Lars624]

I go to Sam's with my Mom all the time & I they let me pay even though she's the member.

I have a Costco membership & one of my friends who doesn't have one comes with me all the time......I think your friend was wrong to even have mentioned that you should buy a membership....it's no big deal to take a guest

 

[binny]

not a big deal at all.


I have a Costco membership through work my friend has one for Sams. She goes with me all the time and since Sams club just opened today we havent been yet but that is our plan.
I write a check to Costco for the whole order and she writes me a check to cover her share.

I really dont get the big deal.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Call me stubborn, but I wouldn't go with her, either!

I would tell her that it seems to be an issue for them and that you don't want to cause a problem. Then either go somewhere else or go with someone else.

It's not at all the same thing as pirating software, which I am very against and won't do. When a person pirates software, the company loses a sale and the $. In this case, Sam's would have made money off of your purchase. Not quite the same thing.

If it's not against Sam's Club policy, why should it be against her DH's policy?

 

[FreshTressa]

Well, not a big deal in you asking at all.

But, she felt uncomfortable, and that is that. I would not feel like she does, but she feels that way and that is her perogative.

Anyway, don't let it come between your friendship!

 

[Disney4Drew]

Ummm, no...not a big deal at all. She sounds like a goofball.