topic Re: Sam's Club in Among Friends

Sam's Club

Group 5 minus 1 — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 13:52:50 GMT

We are thinking about joining. Any comments? If a one day membership is available we will give it a try.

Re: Sam's Club

Perkup — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 17:48:04 GMT

We have had a membership since Sams opened a store aabout five minutes from our home. They have two membership types - one that allows you to shop early morning hours and the other that begins around 10:00. DH wanted the early morning one, but we never went that early, so changed to the cheaper one. We use it sparingly, since we were only two people and they sell in bulk. Now I'm down to one, and use it even less. I do get great buys on things like paper towels and tp, as well as great bird seed. I buy my batteries there too. I could save on other things, but the sizes are too large or the quantity too big for me. Do try the one day thingy and look for yourself. You will know if it works for you after a thoughtful walk-through.

Just bought a car battery there this morning. Mine pooped out.

Re: Sam's Club

jaxs mom — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 14:07:40 GMT

It's ok, but Costco is 50x better quality both in food and in clothing and other items. I had a Sams membership whem we moved to an area without a Costco and really they don't compare.

Re: Sam's Club

henderson — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 14:08:15 GMT

I'm a member of Costco and Sam's. If I had to choose one, it would be hands down Costco. With that being said, I do find some items that I purchase at Sams and I found a coupon on their website when I was ready to renew. I got a membeship renewal for $35. Check their website as they always run specials for new members. I think that last one I saw was $20 off for new members. I'm able to use my Citibank Visa card which I got from Costco so I get money back on that card. I find that Sam's employees are not as friendly or helpful and my store doesn't always look clean. Unlike Costco, they have a line where you can scan items yourself so you don't have to wait in a long line. Costco's refund policy is amazing -- they will even return your money if you don't like a food item (don't need a receipt or packaging). I think you can shop one day at Sam's without their card and pay an extra 5%. Costco will allow you to walk their store to look, but not purchase (except prescriptions).

Re: Sam's Club

brandiwine — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 14:11:57 GMT

We have been long time Costco members and recently Sam's offered a $25 dollar membership for 2 so we decided to try it as well. Sam's doesn't offer as many things as Costco and in my opinion, not as good a quality (sheets, towels, clothes). They do carry more snack items if you're into that. I found organic pine nuts at Sam's for a much better price than Costco. If you can get a special offer for a 1 year membership, I'd try it just to see if you like it.

Re: Sam's Club

TaylorBrown — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 14:43:23 GMT

I have been a Sma's Club member for about 20 years. I love it! We have a family of four so the larger sizes of items come in handy. I compare prices for regular size to see if it really is a better deal at Sam's. I have to say that sodas are not! Their meats are very good. I have yet to purchase paper towels or toilet tissue from there but plan to in the near future. I usually take my children with me when I shop there and we always stop by the snack bar and get a pretzel or pizza.

They used to have a one-day pass. I would visit your local club and ask if you can just walk around to see if you want to get a membership.

Re: Sam's Club

bootsanne — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 14:49:47 GMT

I'm a member of both. I have the $100 membership from Sam's and the regular one from Costco. I get cash back from Sam's at the end of the year usually a nice bit. Costco has a better selection, store is always well lit , clean, and plenty of check-outs. Only drawback is lack of close locations. Closest is 40 miles away. Sam's has 3 locations around me, but the stores aren't nearly as nice as Costco and the one location always has long lines with few checkouts. Sam's has terrific buys on closeouts. They both offer coupons. I guess all in all, I buy more at Sam's because of the closeness.

Re: Sam's Club

Group 5 minus 1 — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 15:16:33 GMT

Thanks for all the replies. We are going to try the one day thingie.

Re: Sam's Club

GCR18 — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 15:21:50 GMT

I've had a membership to both Sam's and Costco. Prefer Costco. Definitely try the free membership for the day and see if they carry brands or items that you use. What I didn't like about my local Sam's was the customer service. I had a couple reasons to go to the desk, the line was always long and they weren't very friendly.

Re: Sam's Club

Melvin-QVC — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 15:46:00 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC because it's unkind.

Re: Sam's Club

sunshine45 — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 15:53:15 GMT

have been a member of sams club for probably 20+ years.

would not be without our membership......we have a business membership and pay $100 a year.

i am there about every two to three weeks.

i am like a kid in a candy store when i get there.

Re: Sam's Club

RedTop — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 16:50:38 GMT

Sams Club is the only available option here in southern WV; I do not have a membership. As a state employee, my teacher daughter can pay a discounted price to have a membership, and has done so in the past. Sams Club is 4x the mileage between my house to Wal-Mart, and we decided it's just not worth the trip.

I always felt I needed to make the trip count, so never got out of the store under $300, then had to find room to store all those large sized items in the pantry and freezer. I can always find stuff to buy there, but just stick to Wal-Mart trips every few months.

Re: Sam's Club

Mominohio — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 17:34:19 GMT

I've had a Sam's Club membership for many years, and use their store quite frequently.

Everyone says Costco is better, but we don't have one within about 70 miles, and the one I did visit one time wasn't really any different than the Sam's in our area for selection or prices (but I was told it wasn't one of their newer and better Costco stores).

I don't really pay a membership fee, because of a cash back program they have, I make back the fee (or more) each year.

I like their produce a lot. Lots of selection, and good quality. I like their meat too, one of the few places that has a lot of choices of uncured meats in our area.

I like buying in bulk for many things. I know some people see no need to have 100 rolls of toilet paper in the house, or 20 rolls of paper towels. I do!

Certain things I buy, like batteries, cannot be had at a price anywhere close to what I pay for them when they are on sale there (yes, Sam's does have sales now, every few months, on selected things).

My only caution is that you may not be able to understand how much you will (or won't) use the option to shop there, when only going the first time. I think a lot of people go once, stock up and then think it won't be worth it to have a membership, as they won't need that stuff for many months.

Be sure to consider seasonal changes in merchandise that you won't see right now in just one trip, and consider the grocery aspect of it. I buy more groceries there than anything else.

All that said, the most frustrating thing about Sam's is that they change their merchandise frequently and you can't always get some things that you love and wish they would continue to carry.

Re: Sam's Club

momoftwo2007 — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 17:48:38 GMT

We tried both Sam's Club and Costco, and we prefer Sam's Club and now just have the membership to Sam's Club. We buy toiletries, food, fresh fruits, clothes, throws..etc. It's great and we love it!

Re: Sam's Club

3suwm5 — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 19:12:56 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 We do have a membership. If you have space for buying in bulk, I think it is worthwhile.

I mostly purchase meats I can freeze and fresh items I will use within a few days. I do buy bulk for things I use often.

Our membership fees are about $100.00 and so far, I feel it has been worth it. There are only 2 of us, so we'll see how things go.

Re: Sam's Club

patbz — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 19:33:44 GMT

I love two hours from Sam's and three and a half from Costco; I have both memberships. Even with a family of three years these work ( bulk). I prefer Costco but they are both OK.

Re: Sam's Club

chickenbutt — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 20:11:13 GMT

I tried it, years ago, when they first came to town and offered some businesses free one-year memberships.

Maybe what didn't help was that I have belonged to Costco for some 30 years and the first thing of note that I found Sam's Club to be inferior in several ways to Costco. One thing was that the merchandise was ot generally as quality as I'd have liked. in some ways it was a glorified Walmart - inferior quality meats and veg/produce items.

Also, as I would buy the same items the prices went up every single time I went. I felt like they offered lower prices when they first opened and systematically raised them after reeling people in.

I believe I renewed it once and let it go after that. I tend to be one to always pay my way so I felt like I should renew it, after receiving the first year free, because I did go there numerous times after that. But that was it for me and I've never looked back.

Costco, otoh, has been worthwhile all these years for us. JMHO, FWIW.

Re: Sam's Club

Q4u — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 21:27:09 GMT

I shopped for years at the old Price Club and loved it. It turned into Costco and developed some of their own brands and I loved it. We moved across country and there's a Sam's Club and yes, I joined and love it and they carry many of the same brands that Costco did.

I buy (and stock up) on my Keurig coffee there. They have the best meat in town. Fresh Strawberries are usually the best. I also love their lunch meat because it is fresh, big turn over in everything they sell. DH and I have the regular account and recently we gave DH's card to our oldest son. SC just put him on the record and took a new pic of him. He loves that place too.

It's just DH and I now so I don't have to load up on gunga sizes but they have so much more and I always have non-perishables stored that I rotate through (especially in the winter) because sometimes you get stuck out here with the snow and can't get to town, so it works out well.

Re: Sam's Club

x Hedge — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 21:41:23 GMT

@Perkup, I'm having trouble justifying keeping up my Sam's membership. It was convenient when I worked near one, I could stop in frequently. But now it's a 25+ mile round trip, and I'm adding in all those gallons of gas to the annual membership. Lov Sam's but don't think I'm saving much anymore.

Re: Sam's Club

sgraham30 — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 23:33:39 GMT

I currently have the Executive Membership at Costco, I get a 2% rebate every year. I also have the Anywhere Visa card that Costco accepts. Last year, between the 2, I got a rebate for $167, which more than paid for my Costco membership. I've belonged to Sam's Club in the past, I have nothing against them but I prefer Costco because they have a much bigger selection of fresh & frozen organic produce than Sam's does.