Sam's vs Costco

[Guest db99wj]

I have had a membership at Sam's, the company that I was on no longer has one so I will need to purchase an individual membership.

Sam's is $40

Costco is $50

Not only vote, buy why?

I need to justify my cost. I usually would buy some frozen chicken breasts, drinks if a deal, canned goods, TP, etc. There might be a larger purchase once a year.

I understand the cool factor of each and it appears that Costco even might have a better selection. Costco is a little further drive than Sam's.

Have any of you done a cost analysis on how much you have to spend to recoup your savings.

[Guest tennesseevolz]

Costco's max mark up is 14% that is reason enough for me to be a loyal patron-- + you can return anything you buy w/ out question with the exception of tv's, computers, cell phone's, Ipod's and a few other items-- We had a Hoover vac that broke after 3+ yrs, took it back, and they said to pick out a new one. Great place, great svc, and quality products.

[brooksjr]

Costco, Wal-Mart duel in political arena

old article but it's still why i would use sams

[Garufa]

Costco, Wal-Mart duel in political arena

old article but it's still why i would use sams

So you would prefer to send your $$ to China? Is that more or less important than Costo being run by a Dem? Sam's = WalMart = send all your money to China and stop buying American.

Knoxville is not fortunate enough to have both options, but I know that my family down in the Big M enjoys both.

[brooksjr]

no matter where you shop it's all made in china. costco carries the same brands as sams i believe. i am almost certain that everything at costco is not american made.

Edited September 20, 2009 by brooksjr

[Guest clownsdd]

You need to add neither one. Wouldn't give either any of my $$$

[Guest m&pc9]

I voted for sam's, We dont have a costo's.

[Guest db99wj]

You need to add neither one. Wouldn't give either any of my $$$

Outstanding.

[TripleDigitRide]

I voted for Sam's. Because it's only a two minute drive, and I have a membership there.

I'm sure Costco is fine, but I've never shopped there.

[Chucktshoes]

Having had memberships at both at different times, I prefer Costco. Better service, better selection and quality. Their Kirkland's line of products is truly first rate, not your average store brand.

[Guest clownsdd]

Question, and I know it's about $$$'s but if you watch for sales, specials etc, you can get just as good a deal on just about everything either of them sell.

Why pay for the "privilege" of buying something?

Costco (from what I have seen on various forums) is typically anti 2A and Sammy ain't much behind them. Try doing an oc or let your weapon get exposed and see what happens.

JMHO

[buck1032]

I shopped at Costco out in CA before I retired back here. With that said we, the wife and I, are members at Sam's now. I liked Costco better. Maybe the stores are different from one coast to the other, I dont know. But I just liked them better. Just my 0.02.

[Guest db99wj]

Question, and I know it's about $$$'s but if you watch for sales, specials etc, you can get just as good a deal on just about everything either of them sell.

Why pay for the "privilege" of buying something?

Costco (from what I have seen on various forums) is typically anti 2A and Sammy ain't much behind them. Try doing an oc or let your weapon get exposed and see what happens.

JMHO

I do, I shop at Kroger, spend around $200 per week. I use coupons, don't by "brand name" stuff just because it is name brand, unless, it is better. With that said, before I went with Sam's years ago, I looked at everything and the cost savings was justified. I was paying $15 under a business membership, as I mentioned, company is no longer paying it, all but has gone out of business, and I will need to renew at the $40. I do realize that everything there is not a deal, you have to be careful.

I'm also tired of buying crap at Kroger, like the 6.5lb bag of frozen skinless, boneless chicken breast for 15.99 and be pieces, be freezer burnt. I think they unload and they sit, melt some, then re frozen. With just this chicken, I could justify my $15 in the privilege to shop there and then some. But I never really bought a lot of other grocery items. With 4 kids, it could be beneficial in buying cases of food (dry, canned and frozen) and wondered if anyone has done a cost comparison.

This isn't about 2A. They don't post so I don't care what corporate thinks. I also don't OC 99.9% of the time so that issue won't come up anyway.

My question is what I stated, trying to figure out if the $40 or $50 is worth it, since I have only paid the $15 (I haven't had the membership in over a year) and which place has the better deals.

[poak]

Having shopped quite a bit at both, I prefer Costco.

Even though I think Sam's store brands are slightly cheaper, I believe Costco's are of noticeably better quality.

When my girlfriend and I go, we usually stock up on huge bags of frozen chicken (individually vacuum sealed to stope freezer burn ) and other meats, cheese, spices (they're incredibly cheap there), toilet paper, and paper towels. I'm not the spread sheet type, so I can't tell you our exact savings, but it's been noticeable (even factoring in the membership costs).

[bukowski548]

Having had memberships at both at different times, I prefer Costco. Better service, better selection and quality. Their Kirkland's line of products is truly first rate, not your average store brand.

All of this plus Costco's meat is much better. If you have dogs the Kirkland's dog food rates very high in comparison to other brands.

buk

[TNTitan]

Sams FTW. Used to be a costco member for years, but they changed stock so often.. drove me crazy. Once we found a product we liked, they would discontinue it or get shipments sporadically. Sams is much more consistent. Also - Sams gas in Cool Springs is 100% gas (ethanol free baby, one of only 2 stations in South Nashville that I am aware of that is ethanol free)

p.s. +1 to bukowski548 .. my dog still eats Kirklands lamb and rice dog food because it is vastly superior to anything at Sams. My parents get it for me now. At $20/bag, nothing comes close to it for quality vs cost dog food.

Edited September 20, 2009 by TNTitan

[poak]

If you have dogs the Kirkland's dog food rates very high in comparison to other brands.

buk

Good to know. We've got 3, and Science Diet is putting me through the ringer.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I only have the choice of Sam's but agree with db99wj in that some things are good deals, others, not so much. The savings at the optometrist are worth it to me, as are buying bulk items. I think one of the biggest disaster preparedness items to have is toilet paper. My fat ass can outrun most anybody with a sandpaper bottom.

Our new place came with a standing freezer, so I'm going to be packing it with a variety of meats, and Sam's sells bulk, so it works for me. I need to find a good butcher and find out what a cow would run. Or even half a cow.

[S&WForty]

We buy nearly everything at Sam's now. We go to Kroger/Schnuck's after scanning their ads for sales and get only what's on sale. It seems all the staple items come from Sam's.

Everyone I know that has had both said Costco beats Sam's in brand names and perks, but nothing has made me want to switch. I usually only buy food and other grocery store type products, but when I got an iPod Touch a year ago, it was $20 less than Walmart and all the big electronics stores.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I've started looking for coupons online and set up a free email for free samples and offers. I'm trying to keep the outflow of cash as lean as possible due to the nation's lovely economic state.

[Guest clownsdd]

Thanks for a very good response db00wi.

[dralarms]

I voted Sam's. Don't have the option of Cosco and have to drive 1 hr to Sam's but still saves me money.

[Guest HexHead]

I used to belong to both but let the Sam's membership go. I found Costco has more stuff I like and generally, the stuff they carry is of much better quality that what Sam's has to offer. They also have a coffee that we love and would join each year just to be able to buy that coffee.

It's their Jamaican Blue Mountain blend (10% JBM), 2 lbs. for $9.99 and it doesn't clog up my grinder. We've tried other coffees, but always come back to this one.

[Guest canynracer]

I had both...I cancelled Sams, and kept Costco...better customer service, and better selection/prices...its worth the drive from Lakeland for me!

[Guest abailey362]

I have sam's and use it a lot (especially since there is one connected to my new store). sign up as a business membership (just list an employeer as the business) and it saves u 5 bucks and you get the longer hours.

toilet paper pays for a years membership, and gum. if you chew gum a couple of 10 packs will save you $10 or more.

There are lots of things at the clubs that are not good deals, but you just gotta buy smart.