Sam's vs Costco

[Guest jdavis]

i prefer shopping at the smaller stores i pay a little more but i feel like im helping out the little guy anyway.

[Guest grimel]

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.

Only you can do a cost comparison for you. I can buy at Kroger the things I USE cheaper than Wal-Mart excepting a very few items (only groceries). If you will use it up before it goes bad, buying in bulk USUALLY will save way more than $40 a year. I could save that much in ONE trip to Sam's. You must know the prices at your regular food store and only buy what is the same or lower priced at Sam's/Costco.

I'd like a Costco available locally because the friends I have who have moved here from a place with Costco lament the loss and settle for Sam's.

[xd shooter]

One question I have is : will Costco take a Visa check card?

Sams will not, only Discover. If Costco will take my Visa then I may try them next time.

[Guest db99wj]

One question I have is : will Costco take a Visa check card?

Sams will not, only Discover. If Costco will take my Visa then I may try them next time.

Our sams does, you have to put in your pin number

[xd shooter]

I don't do the PIN number. My card is swipped as credit.

Makes me look COOL to swipe my "credit card" for a 12 pack of Pepsi Light!

[Guest faust921]

Ive had a Costco membership and I've been to Sam's. I think Costco is better in terms of food, and product offerings and the service is generally good. Downside is the only plastic they took was AMEX, which I think is the worst of all credit card companies. Be ready to bring cash for major purchases like furniture. (my debit card maxes out at $600). Ok for wines and beer but the local wine shops have better selection for wines and I'd rather spend my money locally.

Mostly, I do not like the politics of their management - Liberal Anti-Gun Democrats. Big campaign contributors to the gun grabbing leftists. Costco sells gun safes but you can't carry there, so forget it. A good hot dog does not justify sacrificing my principles. If you like my money you can like my gun.

[Oh Shoot]

I do, I shop at Kroger,... I looked at everything and the cost savings was justified..

Yup. I figger I get my $35 back (Sam's Biz Member) in 4-6 weeks in just food savings alone. Probably in two months in just meat alone.

- OS

[Guest db99wj]

I went with Sam's and have definitely saved the money, how much, not sure but I have found several things that we use allege time and am saving $4 or $5 bucks each item.

One example are cokes, 5.98 at Sam's. On a great sale they are 7.98 on sale at kroger or 9.98 regular price. So around $4 per trip. Even at a case every 2 weeks a savings of over $100.

I have a list of prices, prices per oz or unit cost that I need to put into a spreadsheet during my free time but I know I'm saving money. I'm spending a little less but I'm getting a lot mor food.

[strickj]

Finally a good thread revival!

We're finally getting a Costco down here.

I usually don't buy many groceries so I'm not sure if i will actually save anything or not though.

i

[StPatrick]

I've had a membership at both, and I no longer bother with Sam's. I can't recall anyone in this thread quitting Costco to join Sam's, but several have done the opposite - that's pretty strong for anecdotal evidence.

[kb4ns]

I've always liked Sams compared to Costco. I've had a Sams membership for many years. I only had Costco for one year. I argued for the longest time with one of my wife's friends about which was better. Tired of arguing over it, she and I ended up taking a notebook and a pen to Costco and noting the prices / quantities on multiple different items. We then left and went to Sams. Sams was cheaper on almost everything. The only exception; electronics were a hair cheaper at Costco. The only real upside I saw was that the food selection looked a little bit better at Costco, but not enough to justify a membership. My wife's friend got a Sams membership that day and said she wouldn't be renewing her Costco since it was about to expire.

[DaveTN]

I won’t pay to shop at either of them.

My wife says she gets better deals and better quality products at Kroger.

But Kroger doesn’t sell gun safes, Tools, Computers, or 55 gallon drums of mayonnaise. So you have to go to others stores for those things.