Sams vs. Costco

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Replies

  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    I would never buy vegetables there because they are often old or half frozen.

    That sucks. The ones around us have some of the best fresh fruits and veggies. especially the berry selections. We have a local Sprouts we do most our F&V shopping at, but I still buy quite a bit from Costco too.
  • kenzietate
    kenzietate Posts: 399 Member
    If Costco were closer to me, then I would totally be their. They have great employee policies, they are a great corporation, and the CEO makes a normal wage instead of a crazy amount of money.

    They both are great though for bulk buying. If you have the freezer space, it is worth it. Whole chicken is $0.98/lb but you have to buy 2 chickens at once. Chicken, pork, beef, really all meats, even lunch meats are cheaper by the lb but you have to buy a lot more of it than a regular store. So if you can divide and freeze it is AWESOME! TP is a lot cheaper that way too. You do have to be careful though because you won't find a great deal on some types of items.

    My husband and I payed $45 for the year membership and we calculated how much we saved by buying just meat alone at Sam's and by the second visit it had already paid for itself.
  • ckspores1018
    ckspores1018 Posts: 168 Member
    We have to drive 45 minutes to our Costco. We go once a month. We buy meat and dog food and paper products (TP, Paper Towel, Ziploc bags). We also get laundry and dish soap there. Sometimes I'll get a book or a video game. We also buy our movie passes there. (2 tickets, 2 drinks and a popcorn for $24)

    To us, the $50 a year membership pays for itself in dog food alone. We save about $780 a year on dog food and so much more on meat.

    I would never buy vegetables there because they are often old or half frozen.

    Wow, that's really too bad. Our Costco has the best produce out of just about any store in my area!
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    I have and use both but I prefer Costco. I will use whichever is closer when it comes to getting gas. In my opinion Costco has a better warranty and return policy. Your membership is your warranty. I also agree with the comment about added value at Costco. When price shopping I have notice the same product at both stores for the same price but I notice with Costo the item size might be just a little bigger. I bought my last cell phone at Sam's club and I did prefer their warranty over Costo for that but both store warranties far exceeded buying it at cell phone provider. I also am single with four fur kids and I find myself at Costco about once a week. I have storage so buying bulk cleaning supplies, paper towels, etc., is more convenient for me then putting these on my grocery store run. I also buy my meats, fruits and veggies there and of course alcohol. And I find coconut oil, flax, chia, vitamins, and other supps a lot cheaper there then regular stors. I also get my pet products there and use their pharmacy for my dogs at a considerable price difference then picking up at the vet. Obviously, I love Costo. Lol.
  • Gingerbearman
    Gingerbearman Posts: 8
    Sam's and Costco are mostly the same - price wise and selection wise. Some items Sam's has and some items Costco has... They'er both about the same on value and products...

    Some will tell you that Sam's Club is bad because it's part of the Walmart group and, therefore, must be just as evil as Walmart. Of course, Walmart is not really any worse than just about every other major national retailer out there... Trust me, I know. I've worked for over 20 years in the retail world - from store level to corporate level positions.

    Biggest complaints about Walmart are always about benefits, pay rates and working hours/conditions... I got news for the WM haters out there... There are very few retailers that pay more than minimum wage and even fewer that offer benefits to part-time employees... and fewer yet that have "all full-time" staffs.

    As for our original question - find out which offers a better value for YOU. Both are highly competitive on prices, even if they're different brands... Find the best match for you.

    Me? I have both. We've been a member of Costco since 1986 and a member of Sam's since the mid-90s. There are better bargains in different departments at both stores... Sam's seems to have better records on purchases (when it comes time for returns) but....
  • Gingerbearman
    Gingerbearman Posts: 8
    I like Costco better because1) they treat their employees well 2) are not a WalMart company and 3) their food is better.

    Actually, Sam's treats their employees more like Costco employees... Why? Because they're part of the same union. At least by me.

    I'm tired of everybody saying "Walmart is bad" and"Walmart is evil"... Trust me... nearly EVERY large scale national retailer is going to be just as "bad" or as "evil" as Walmart... I would say that at least 80% of the retailers out there pay minimum wage and do not offer benefits to part-time employees... I worked for one of 'em, and they were a "higher end" and much smaller scale than WM...
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    I have to add that the Kirkland brand vodka is fabulous (rumored to be repackaged Grey Goose) and their wine isn't too shabby either.

    Agreed! They had a vendor for it one day and she said they basically come out of the same facility, just different doors!
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    5) They were the first warehouse store in my area to have self checkouts. Had it years before any Sam's did and I still haven't seen them in Costco.

    There is a Costco here that has self checkout and I love it. It's perfect for someone like me who sometimes just has a couple of items.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I love our Costco! To echo the Wolfman- Costco give you a rebate every year for 2% (I may have to get the Amex since we have an exec membership and would like 10% too).

    My household is just my husband and I so we don't load up on ketchup and such, but we get great deals on meat and produce. Also, we buy a lot of the ready to go meals. Best tatziki too.

    I will warn- the food court has footlong hotdogs and a drink for $1.50- hard to pass up.

    don't quote me on the 10%...I think it's something like that, but my wife handles all that business and she told me we should be getting back around $1,500...maybe I should take a closer look at that...I wonder if we're getting more and she's all, "yeah...just $1,500 this year sweetie...."
  • randrews0407
    randrews0407 Posts: 216 Member
    I have a membership at BJs

    *feels left out* :sad:
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    Another one for Costco. Their meat prices by me are unbeatable and their Kirkland Holistic Pet food is comparable with Blue Buffalo, but $20 cheaper...great for pets with food allergies.

    Plus, you can get HUGE bags of protein powder for like $30...just invest in your own renewable canister and instant money saver there.
  • tapirfrog
    tapirfrog Posts: 616 Member
    Costco, always. Their Kirkland brand really is good, their returns and guarantees can't be beat, and Sam's is Walmart.
  • bloominheck
    bloominheck Posts: 869 Member
    Ask yourself: How badly do I need a gallon of ketchup?

    :laugh:
  • bloominheck
    bloominheck Posts: 869 Member
    I love Costco...especially at Christmas. It is a great place for buying gift. I get great fresh veggies at Costco too.:heart:
  • EddieHaskell97
    EddieHaskell97 Posts: 2,227 Member
    Had both, kept only Costco because it's absolutely wonderful.
  • Booksandbeaches
    Booksandbeaches Posts: 1,791 Member
    I like Costco. We have the Executive Membership. We don't shop there every week, but when we do go, we stock up. We know what not to get from there. That's important too. I like the selection at Costco these days. You can even find organic vegetables and fruits there that previously used to be available at small speciality stores. When our child was in diapers, we always bought diapers and wipes from Costco. And who can beat their $2 kosher hotdog?!
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    the price of boneless skinless chicken breast is worth the membership to me ($1.77 / lb).

    ding ding ding! winner!
  • Deipneus
    Deipneus Posts: 1,861 Member
    I like them both about the same. They're about a half mile apart here. I seriously doubt either of them pays their employees much or pays decent benefits. It's all retail, not just one company.

    If you are making purchase decision based on the working conditions of the lowest workers, throw away your iPhone too. Conditions are horrible among their factory workers in China.
  • HawkeyeTy
    HawkeyeTy Posts: 681 Member
    I refuse to shop anywhere that makes me pay....to shop..
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    The main character in Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl made this observation: Republicans shop at Sam's Club; Democrats go to Costco.
  • elis_mama
    elis_mama Posts: 308 Member
    the price of boneless skinless chicken breast is worth the membership to me ($1.77 / lb).

    ^^This for sure! I agree....they have the best price on boneless skinless chicken breast. Plus, a TON of other things. Household goods are super cheap and their produce section is great. Love it! Sam's and Aldi are amazing.
  • Gingerbearman
    Gingerbearman Posts: 8
    I like them both about the same. They're about a half mile apart here. I seriously doubt either of them pays their employees much or pays decent benefits. It's all retail, not just one company.

    If you are making purchase decision based on the working conditions of the lowest workers, throw away your iPhone too. Conditions are horrible among their factory workers in China.

    ... and it is so true... you'd also have to stop shopping at a lot of mid-level and high-end clothing spots - as nearly all of the items are made over seas in possible sweat shops...

    There is NO way you can do the whole "don't buy from China" thing unless you want to have just about nothing in your home. And this is also very similar to the virtual "ban" on Japanese products from just a few decades ago. And yet now look how highly prized some people hold their Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, Sonys, and all the rest...

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