Sams vs Costco

[LI0NSFAN]

I have to decide if I want to get a Costco or Sams membership, because there are so many of you out there that like to debate who is better I thought I would let you convince me which to get. I live closer to Sams but am near the Costco regularly so the location is not a big deal.

JUst need to know which one has better brands, better prices and customer service.

 

 

 

[Peace]

In my opinion (we shop at both), costco has better men's clothing, raw nuts, and organic ground beef, oh ...and furniture... if that is your thing.

Sam's Club is the original for me... Don't go there much, but I'm sure there are things that are better/cheaper there. I look forward to the replies.

[10-Ring]

Costco doesn't like my gun being in their store so this one is a no brainer for me.

[LI0NSFAN]

Costco doesn't like my gun being in their store so this one is a no brainer for me.

Was not aware they were posted. I have only been to a couple and all were in different states and was not looking for posted places when on vacation. I may have to swing by and check out the door.

[Dolomite_supafly]

You can actually get into Costco to check it out. You can even shop in Costco without being a member. Go to the door worker and tell them you want to buy a gift card. You buy the gift card then use the gift card to shop. You pay with the gift card and any amount owed after that can be paid for like any other store.

[Raoul]

I find that I no longer need to buy mayonnaise by the gallon.

[Oh Shoot]

Was not aware they were posted. I have only been to a couple and all were in different states and was not looking for posted places when on vacation. I may have to swing by and check out the door.

 

From reading regarding this over the years, seems they come and go regarding postings, depending on state.

 

Of course, Kwik got them to originally post in Nashville years ago. But their official policy is no firearms, or at least was -- I had a link to their corporate statement regarding firearm carry in their stores (which was NO), but I see it's no longer valid, so don't know if that's still available somewhere online or not, or whether they've changed it, which I doubt.

 

- OS

Edited September 12, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[JAB]

You can actually get into Costco to check it out. You can even shop in Costco without being a member. Go to the door worker and tell them you want to buy a gift card. You buy the gift card then use the gift card to shop. You pay with the gift card and any amount owed after that can be paid for like any other store.

 

Interesting.  The one time I have been to Costco, we asked about being allowed to 'preview' or some such (had been told that they allowed this.)  We were given a piece of paper with a code on it that acted as a temporary/preview 'membership', for lack of a better term.  Of course, that was at the Knoxville location just a month or two after they opened so I don't know if they are still doing that or not.  I didn't purchase a membership but a friend who was with me did.  I can use hers if I want to go back but haven't had the opportunity, yet.

 

I had read on this forum, before, that all Costco locations are posted so I specifically looked around the entrance and didn't see anything that I believe qualified as a legal posting (in fact, I don't recall seeing anything about 'weapons' at all.)  Again, though, that was shortly after they opened so they may have just not put up the sign, yet.

 

Overall, I think I liked Costco better than Sams.  Mostly, though, that was due to specific items that caught my attention.  For instance, Costco's had a huge cheese selection.  I also think Costco might have been a little better on their fresh meat prices (but haven't been to Sam's lately to confirm.)  A lot of things seemed pretty much equal, though.

[cannoncocker]

Try both.  IMO, you will find reasons to shop at each.  Costco has less of a selection in many areas, but higher quality overall.  Both have great steaks, but Sam's cuts them the way I like them (thick).  My prescriptions are cheaper at Costco.  Cookies are tastier from Costco.  Sam's Club has a better selection of men's clothing and life sustaining cheese cake.

 

Take Dolomite's suggestion, try them both with a gift card.  I did, and have memberships at Sam's and Costco.

[KahrMan]

I have had both and now just have Costco.  The Nashville Costcos are not posted.  I was in the Cool Springs location today carrying.  

 

Costco seems to have a little better quality merchandise than Sams.  Their store brand, Kirklands, is a good brand.  I have bought a lot of Kirlands merch from batteries to trash bags to food and its all been good quality.

 

To me, the difference between Sams and Costco is like the difference between Wal MArt and Target.  They both have the same basic stuff but Target is nicer.

[monkeylizard]

What KahrMan said....except I know the one in West Nashville has a large "No firearms permitted on property" sign between the entrance and the exit. It's not 39-17-1359 compliant, but the intent is clear. I haven't seen that same sign at the Franklin location.

 

We used to have Sam's, but switched to Costco. Mrs. 'lizard likes their eyeglass frame selection better.

Edited September 12, 2013 by monkeylizard

[TerryW]

Can't say about Sam's but Costco is really really good about returns.  Almost too good.  Almost.....

 

Love the Costco white tees(not a racist).  They are thick and really last.

 

My biggest complaint is, again don't know about Sam's, if you buy something in one Costco across the country, the one at home may not carry it.. I've don't that, found something I liked in Portland, OR.  Came home and my store has never heard of it.

[Will Carry]

I carry at Costco in Raleigh NC.  I still like Piggly Wiggly.

[Guest Ceolas]

http://www.wnd.com/2012/06/cops-gun-down-man-for-legally-carrying-firearm/?cat_orig=diversions

 

Costco's response to concealed carry...

[monkeylizard]

I think WND may not be telling the whole story there, but either way, yeah, that story always makes me think twice about keeping my Costco membership. In the end, I rarely go there because I don't really need a 5 gallon jar of pickles and 250 tube socks. I keep the membership because it keeps Mrs. 'lizard happy with her glasses and contacts.

[Oh Shoot]

Sam's does me fine, still have biz account, $45/year, a bit cheaper than Costco,  get extra free card for my mom, get in at earlier hours if I want, etc. It's much closer to me, and next to a Wally's also. Majority purchases are groceries and save at least 25% over same from Kroger overall, and more than that on meat. Plus, I'm just not gonna pay for a membership to spend at two places.

 

I'd likely be just fine with using only Costco too, if they were the closer store.

 

Oh, one other perk, I can get Sam's/Wally gift cards with my Universal Credit Card kickback, but not Costco.

 

- OS

Edited September 12, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[Xtarheel]

I was in the Knoxville Costco about a month ago and I saw no postings. Used to belong to Sam's but Costco is closer. Costco's 1/4 lb. polish hotdog and soda w/free refills for $1.50 calls me in occasionally. Have gotten some great deals on Kirkland (Duracell at the time) batteries.

[10-Ring]

I have read that since Costco is a private club so therefore they can prohibit firearms on their premises without a posting because supposedly it is in your membership agreement.  

[Guest The Itis]

I've had friends buy vehicles through Costco, and I'm not sure if Sam's Club offers that service. The money saved basically justified a Costco membership for life.

[TrickyNicky]

One nice thing about Costco is being able to get tires there. What's the big deal? You may ask.

Where else can you get name brand tires at a great price with a fantastic warranty, and use that warranty while on vacation half way around the country? When I was living in LA I had originally gone out there on a vacation and just ended up staying. My car was in Tn with my folks who eventually ended up driving it out to me in Ca. Before they left they put on new tires as they'd been driving on my old ones for at this point a little over a year and they were already old. Fast forward a few months to me waking up to a flat tire. No biggie, throw on the donut, head over to Costco and an hour later drive off with a brand new tire and rotation for the others. Cost out pocket for that? Zilch, nada, nothing.


Hard to beat their chocolate chip muffins either.

[bersaguy]

Well I go to Sams Club about 1 time a month to stock up on stuff I have my gun on me and never had an issue but I do carry concealed. I stock up on pet stuff for Kasey and maybe some bread and items that I use a lot of. Normally I go with a couple buddies that also need stuff so it makes the trip worth the short drive we have. On that Costco shooting I can believe part of it but part of it seems far fetched. Several of the guys I hang around with are actually LEO's and when they are off duty in plain clothes they still carry concealed. A couple of us were at a neighborhood Big Lots and a plain clothes store security guy saw my gun when I reached up on a shelf and he confronted me and told me I would have to leave the store because I was armed. I politely explained that the store was not posted and all the time my buddy is standing about 8 or 10 feet away. The security man became very loud and was about ready to actually physically try and escort me out of the store and then he said if you don't leave I will call the police and he whipped out his cell phone. My buddy had seen all he wanted and he walked up and removed the cell phone from the guys hand and held up his badge at the same time. He said you don't need to call us, I'm already here and this man is a friend of mine, Then we all took a walk back to the managers office and had a long talk and when we left the Security guy was already gone because he was fired on the spot and told to leave and we talked to the manager for a few more minutes and we left. He said Big Lots does not have any rules pertaining to legal carry in any of their stores and armed citizens are welcome in all their stores. Just wanted to say that Big Lots is carry friendly if anyone shops in them. But the same thing could have happened to me that happened to that man in Vegas because of a stupid store security wanta be cop. The guy that confronted that man just like that guy that confronted me don't stop to think they may be confronting an off duty LEO which has all rights to be armed just like any one with a carry permit has the right to carry a gun. We are just a little more limited with no carry zones that off duty LEO's are not. 

[monkeylizard]

I have read that since Costco is a private club so therefore they can prohibit firearms on their premises without a posting because supposedly it is in your membership agreement.  

That wouldn't make it against any law to carry. They can say "no blue shirts on Tuesdays" in their membership rules but that doesn't make it against the law. All they can do about your blue shirt on a Tuesday is ask you to leave and revoke your membership. Same as having a handgun if the only prohibition is in their membership rules.

 

The only way to make it against any law would be to have a proper sign posted.

[TripleDigitRide]

From what I've seen, Sam's is the "Wal-Mart" and Costco is the "Target". I have a Sam's Club membership through a friend, so that's where I usually go. I have another friend who has a membership to Costco, so if I need something from there, he will pick it up for me.

[Oh Shoot]

One nice thing about Costco is being able to get tires there. What's the big deal? You may ask.

Where else can you get name brand tires at a great price with a fantastic warranty, and use that warranty while on vacation half way around the country?

 

Um, at Sam's. They'll also fix a flat for free, even if you didn't buy the tires there.

 

- OS

Edited September 13, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[TrickyNicky]

Um, at Sam's. They'll also fix a flat for free, even if you didn't buy the tires there.
 
- OS

But, but, but... What about those chocolate chip muffins smart guy?