Costco or Sams and Why?

[Bob Evans]

Are you a member of one of the two warehouse clubs and why? If you have been a member of both which do you prefe rand why?

[John Kennedy]

Was a member of Sam's first - it was a lot bigger than the old Costco. When Costco built a new, larger store, got a membership there, too. Never did notice any great difference between them. Kept the Costco because the new store sold gas. When Sam's built a new store about 3 blocks away I went through it, decided there was no significant difference and didn't renew Sam's. Probably spend more on gas than any other item.

[Anita F. Henck]

Which warehouse club have we joined -- Costco or Sams? Both. At least for this first year, as we got rid of a lot of stuff as we moved cross country and had a lot of household purchases to buy.

Overall, I like Costco better. The brands (of groceries) they carry are ones that we prefer. And, they have some specialty items (like Phillips Crab House crabmeat) that we really like. Notably, for me, just about every household item that we bought after we moved had been on the Consumer Report "preferred list". This included everything from telephones to garage shelving to pillows. And, they have gas stations at the Costcos here in California (they didn't in Massachusetts). Finally, it is a California event to eat at the outdoor food court -- a large non-fat chocolate yogurt for $1.25 or a Hebrew national hot dog and soda for $1.50 is a best buy!

However, when we went to buy a big screen TV, the best price for value was at Sam's Club. And, the savings was more than enough to cover the annual purchase so I joined Sam's, too, for this year. They have better options on some things -- notably more junk food options than Costco. And, they carry some brands (like Bose sound equipment) that Costco doesn't sell.

I'd visit both and see which matches your needs best. The most important thing is that it is close enough that you will use it frequently.

[Gary Swartzlander]

We belong to Sam's Club. There is no Costco in Jackson.

We love the meat at Sam's, it's always excellent quality and good price.

[John Kennedy]

Next time you're at Costco, try the Chicken Bake. Delicious!!

[Bob Wright]

I have found some great buys (as well as a ton of food samples) at Sam's. I think my best savings has been on tires and gasoline. I bought some Goodyear tires recently while I was on a trip. When I got home I was not happy to see that the same exact tire was $30 cheaper at Sam's. The new Super Wal-mart here is cheaper than Sam's for gas if you take advantage of a 3 cent discount for using a gift card. We do not have a Costco, so I have no basis for comparison. I do know that we avoid Sam's at times because you must buy some items in bulk, which is not always the best for our needs.

[BobHunt]

I think prices at Sams are lower than Costco. I havent been to Costco lately, we used to be members but let it lapse.

[Wesley Smith]

If we had a Costco in town, it would be a true addiction. Since the closest one is 50 miles away, it keeps me clean! When Costco came to Anchorage, it provided a tremendous outing. It was like a trip to the zoo or to a concert, a date, etc. The quality of stuff at Costco is outstanding. Their return policy is the best. They have Kirkland jeans that are in my size for less than $15.00. They have dress shirts in my exact size for $17.00 or less. They have outstanding grocery selection.

The CEO will not allow the company to pay him any more than twice the amount of the 2nd highest paid person in the company. So, in a day when CEO salaries are sky high, his salary is somewhere between 5 and 6 hundred thousand annually, plus stock bonuses. He visits stores on a nearly daily basis. All Costco employees receive health benefits. The company is very employee supportive.

We always shop for the best prices, but Costco consistently has the products we want at prices that are either the lowest or very competitive.

Friend,

Wes

[Jim Monck]

We have both.

Sam's gives a bigger size drink with their hot dog for $1.61 and has longer hours if you have a business membership (open at 7 AM). They also have more religious books.

Costco is closer to my granddaughter's parents fish and chips (Glory is the name and it is in Fairfield, CA). One of the girls is alway working so it is a great incentive to go to Costco.

Costco takes American Express, Sam's Mastercard.

Did I mention Costco is closer to where my granddaughters work?

Both have terrible customer service. Long lines at the check out when one or two more checkers would solve that. I think it is to create the idea that the lines are long because you are getting such great prices. Which by the way is not always true if you watch sales and clip coupons; not to mention the waste that can come from 2 people buying cereal in 100 pound boxes.

The moral of my story is shop carefully unless you have granddaughters that work by Costco; then go to Costco.

[Jim Franklin]

Don't make enough purchases to warrant membership in either one. However I do get medications at the Costco Pharmacy. I do not understand joining by membership to have the right to shop at a store. Purchases at the pharmacy do not require a membership. Just seems kind of anti-free market to me.

[Jim Monck]

Jim: I just got a perscription at Costco yesterday and they had to see my membership card. Where do you shop? Maybe she just wanted to see my picture on the little card to verify my good looks.

[Jim Franklin]

Jim, I live in Boise, Id. where I get prescriptions. They even shipped me my medications down to Sun Valley, AZ for three years for less than I could get the same prescriptions for down there at another pharmacy. My family physician recommended them as having the lowest prices.

[Alisa Stoll]

We have a Sam's Club membership and have had it for quite a while. When Costco joined the area, our local newspaper did a price comparison on many items. Most of the time Sam's Club was cheaper. What the newspaper article indicated was that Costco carried more high end items and more exotic type items. Since we don't tend to buy those type of items and the price comparison favored Sam's Club, we stayed with Sam's.

Alisa

[Mark Metcalfe]

We get the free membership promotionals that pop up from time to time, around Christmastime. We then buy in bulk for our annual Christmas party. I see no appreciable difference between Sam's, BJs, or Costco.

I just have a problem with having to pay to shop!

Mark

[DA Weaver]

Neither. Both are so far away, it seems to be a waste of gas to go. As long as I watch the sales, I can usually get everything cheaper anyway. If I watch for sales, and use coupons as well, sometimes I not only get things for free, but sometimes they pay me to take their product home.

[Kent Campbell]

I am a Sam's Club member only because there is not Costco here in Oklahoma City.

[LoraineStanton]

We joined Costco during the promo they had when opening in this area several years ago. Currently we have a business membership which refunds our membership fee if we don't save at least that much during the year.

Their phrmacy has super prices! Some have even been half the price of a neighborhood pharmacy! I believe non-members can also use the pharmacy. Usually their gas prices are the best. Since my husbasnd and I live in a small apartment, we seldom buy groceries there.

[Ryan Scott]

I like Costo's fiscally responsible policies. Their CEO makes less than a million dollars (incredible for a company their size) and they pay a living wage (with benefits) for their employees. I'd be willing to pay a little extra to support a business like that.

[Andrew Henck]

When you can have lunch (a large slice of pepperoni pizza and a large soda) all for $2.75 like I did today, you have to appreciate Costco.

Just a thought.

[Susan Unger]

The CEO will not allow the company to pay him any more than twice the amount of the 2nd highest paid person in the company. So, in a day when CEO salaries are sky high, his salary is somewhere between 5 and 6 hundred thousand annually, plus stock bonuses. He visits stores on a nearly daily basis. All Costco employees receive health benefits. The company is very employee supportive.

This is good to hear.

Costco is the closest one to me, so it is where I have my membership. I am planning on buying our LINKS Christmas presents there.

[John Kennedy]

When you can have lunch (a large slice of pepperoni pizza and a large soda) all for $2.75 like I did today, you have to appreciate Costco.

Just a thought.



Hope you've tried the Chicken Bake - it's outstanding, and the free food isn't all that shabby, either. The grazing is definitely better on the weekend. I buy gas sometimes at Costco, but have found, around here (SoCal) that Arco (AM/PM) is sometimes a few cents cheaper.

Have had prescriptions filled at Costco some, but didn't notice any particular difference - the co-pay was the same. Stater Brothers, a large SoCal supermarket chain, has put pharmacies in a lot of their stores and they will fill prescriptions from a LONG list of generics for $4.00, with a 90 day refill for $10. (Not sure why it's so cheap - maybe it fell off of a truck)

[Cindi Hammons]

Sam's Club (inexpensive peanut butter and chicken breasts). I can't be a member of Costco because I have never seen one. :)

[Susan Unger]

Sam's Club (inexpensive peanut butter and chicken breasts). I can't be a member of Costco because I have never seen one. :)

Across the river from me there is another wholesale club called BJ's http://www.bjs.com/. I haven't been in it but did have some excellent apple pie from there.