Sams Club vs Costco?

[Rule3]

We have been a Costco member for a long time. Just got a discount to join Sams for $25, OK, nothing to lose.

SAMS is a lot closer than Costco.(only advantage I see)
Both parking lots are CRAZY

Maybe I just used to Costco but SAMS just seems like a over grown WalMart. I was not impressed with it

Crazy to see cars in a 2 mile long line to save 10Cents for gas!

Anyway if you belong to both whats your opinion??

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Been a Costco member for decades...my dad-in-law is a Sam's member so I've been to both. To me...they're more or less interchangeable...same kind of products if different brands.

Costco is where I go far more often....both about the same distance so that's a wash.

 

[Tom S.]

Maybe I just used to Costco but SAMS just seems like a over grown WalMart. I was not impressed with it

Stands to reason since Sam's Club is owned by WalMart.

 

[Jack Flash]

I had a Sam's Club membership years ago but I never really liked the place and quit going.

Now I have one at Costco and like it much more.

 

[sceva]

Stands to reason since Sam's Club is owned by WalMart.

This: The Sam in Sam's Club is Sam Walton as is the Wal in Walmart

 

[rockquarry]

I had a Sam's Club membership years ago but I never really liked the place and quit going.

Now I have one at Costco and like it much more.

I've never been in a Costco. Why do you like it better than Sam's?

 

[s&wchad]

We've had a Costco membership for years. Their eggs, Charmin TP, rotisserie chickens and Motor City frozen pizza makes it worth the cost. We also belonged to Sam's Club years ago, but they closed their local stores.

They have different stuff. If Sam's Club was still close, We'd belong to both. $25 per year is nothing...

 

[servmgr64]

We belong to both and use them frequently. I use Costco most because it is closer to our house and that is where i buy fuel. My wife like Sam's club better. I think Costco is generally a little higher priced on some items but it also evens out. I think it is a coin toss. I like to use the one that I am closest to when I need it.

Scott

 

[LVSteve]

We've had both. As to which is best depends on the individual store where you live, I think. For example, I detest our nearest Costco because the growth here means that we need another store on this side of the valley. Currently, that store varies between insane and manic. The car park is marginal in size, and access to the gas pumps is so-so and they don't sell diesel. Worse, the whole corner where it is located is a major accident hotspot and they have just started two years of work on the nearby freeway that gives us the quickest ride home.

The nearest Sam's has a monster car park and is also pretty busy, but not stupid like the Costco. Their gas station also doesn't sell diesel, but other Sam's locations in town do.

When it comes to the selection at both stores, I think it is a wash. Just lately Costco has not had eggs, and sometimes the cereal choices are limited. My wife has just let her Sam's membership go, so she generally goes to Costco on her own. I do most of the gap filling shopping at the local Smith's and Albertson's.

 

[DWalt]

My Sam’s membership of many years is mainly because there are two stores that are located much closer to my house than is a Costco. I have no complaints about Sam’s Club, but have never been inside a Costco. Second reason is that I own a fairly significant amount of WalMart stock which has been very, very good to me over the last 30 years.

 

[mtgianni]

I use Citi card through Costco a lot. My February check for rewards was $836. We also got a check in August for $140. Membership is paid for with the August check. We have never run a balance. There are three Costcos within 150 miles of me, 180 miles to a Sams Club. I have never been in a Sams.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

We've been Costco members since 1986 . We also belong to Sam's and BJ's , we're a well rounded family . Mostly we do on line orders for Sam's , just don't much care for their stores . BJ's lets you use coupons , double even , so it's worth it . Sometimes you can find specials , you can get a year for $25 .

 

[IAM Rand]

When I joined Costco I started with the basic membership. I quickly learned that the executive member ship was the way to go. I have not had to pay for my membership ever since. The money we get back pays for the membership and then some. Bought a car through them and got life time oil changes for free.

 

[djohns6]

Sam's is much closer . And I like the Scan and Go feature . No checkout line for me .

 

[The Big D]

Closest Sam’s is 58 miles away and closest…

…Costco is about 90 miles away.

Have never been in a Costco but really dig Sam’s. When I stay at the beach in January-February there is a Sam’s about 5 miles from me. I am there 3-4 times/week…sometimes just wandering around.

That said, recently was in State College, PA, and visited Sam’s for nothing in particular but did find a VERY LARGE Keter deck box that was only $100. That’s way below MSRP. Was driving the Corvette so made plans to go to Sam’s closer to home and grab one.

Did scoop another couple items and upon checking out was told I was too early. Seems I had only the basic Sam’s card and needed Sam’s Plus (think that’s what it’s called) for early buying. Never knew that.

Best part is”plus” was on a special deal so upgraded, ordered the box online with free delivery (only with “plus” benefit), and thus saved myself a few hours drive and a few gallons
of gas.

Bottom line: I Sam’s Club.

Be safe.

 

[ladder13]

Living in the land of convenience, Sams is 2.6 miles away, Costco 8.5 miles, we belong to both.
We much prefer Costco and look forward to the new one being built 3.2 miles away.
When it’s built we will dump Sams which we really use just for gas. It’s on my way to the gym.
Costco has Top Tier gas, Sams not, so that makes the switch easy.

 

[Rodan]

We've had both. As to which is best depends on the individual store where you live, I think.

This.

The merchandise is mostly interchangeable.

When we were in Northern AZ, we originally went to Costco, and switched to Sams when it opened. Better location, parking lot wasn't as crazy and the fuel site was much better. Eventually they closed that Sams and we had to go back to Costco, but by then they had at least opened a new fuel site that was 3 times the size with better access.

Now we have to travel ~90 miles to Tucson, and again the Costco site is poorly located, with awkward access to the highway and a cramped parking lot. So we go a few miles further to the Sams, which is also located in proximity to a couple of restaurants we like for lunch.

I do dislike the way Sams has gone to a phone app to replace membership 'cards' unless you get their CC. I don't want your **** on my phone, and I don't want your CC. Not sure what Costco is doing these days, we haven't been in over a year.

 

[margethatcher]

I drive on Costco tires, wear their glasses and buy 75% of my other durable goods. Having said that, I hate Costco's DEI policies.

 

[SMSgt]

Sam's is nearby. It has cheap gas and booze. New Costco is going up a little farther away. Used Costco years ago in another state. It was much like a Sam's as I recall. Either way my shopping is fairly limited at both. Don't need a five-gallon can of baked beans from either.

 

[SMSgt]

This.

The merchandise is mostly interchangeable.

When we were in Northern AZ, we originally went to Costco, and switched to Sams when it opened. Better location, parking lot wasn't as crazy and the fuel site was much better. Eventually they closed that Sams and we had to go back to Costco, but by then they had at least opened a new fuel site that was 3 times the size with better access.

Now we have to travel ~90 miles to Tucson, and again the Costco site is poorly located, with awkward access to the highway and a cramped parking lot. So we go a few miles further to the Sams, which is also located in proximity to a couple of restaurants we like for lunch.

I do dislike the way Sams has gone to a phone app to replace membership 'cards' unless you get their CC. I don't want your **** on my phone, and I don't want your CC. Not sure what Costco is doing these days, we haven't been in over a year.

No annual fee, no interest (Paid off every month), and cash back. Sam's pays me to use its card. What's not to like?