We have both a Costco and Sam's Club but I am debating which one is better, or if they are similar. What do you like or dislike about either one?
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COSTCO. I've been in 1 or 2 Sam's, and I like Costco way better. It just seems classier, which doesn't really even make sense, but I just like the feel (and variety of products) better at Costco.
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I prefer Costco, mostly because they pay their employees better and I like that. Otherwise I don't remember much of a difference.
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costco!! so much better, as a company to support and as a store to shop in. they have coupons, sam's doesn't. more selection, more organic/natural products, often better prices, better warranties, in house kirkland's brand is always great. the only thing i can think of that i prefer sam's club for would be tires, they had lower prices on tires for my SUV and they have a good warranty on them, so i use my mom's sam's membership just for tires =) i drive 45 minutes to go to a costco when sam's is less than 10 minutes away and bj's is 15mins.
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We have both. I've compared prices and they are pretty much equal, maybe a few cents more at one than the other but it generally balances out. We'll keep both because there are some items that only Sam's carries (my razor blades) and some items that only Coscto carries; plus we only pay for the Costco membership as the Sam's is gifted to us.
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I don't have Sam's Club but I have Costco and BJs and I don't think anything compares to Costco's quality products and like what @FutureMrsMcK said, how well they treat their employees.
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COSTCO! It's such a great company, and Kirkland brand is really good!
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Definitely Costco - great products; much, much better company in terms of how they treat/compensate their employees.
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I have never been to Sam's so Costco!
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Wow, looks like Costco is preferred. Does anyone know the membership fees?
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@Bao: I think they have 2 family membership tiers: Gold Star, (which is I think the basic membership) for $55 and Executive Gold Star for $110. I'm not totally sure of the difference (DH just bought us a membership in December, and I wasn't there for the sell), but I think with the Executive you get 2% store credit if you spend more than $2400 a year (or $200/month, which happens easily). I think there are other benefits as well, but their website doesn't make it clear (unless I'm totally missing something) so I'd go talk to the customer service desk.
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I think basic is like $50/$55 at Costco. We ended up with their Amex card because you get 2% cash back on everything in the form of a Costco check.
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Also if you go visit, ask if you can have a visitor pass before purchasing a membership! Usually they will let you!
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@Thehistoryofus: That's a good idea, is that just to look around and see if I think it's worth it?
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We have both. We normally buy more household type items from Sams Club and more food from Costco. I'm no help!
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Costco is more consumer friendly while Sam's is more for retailers. Prices are slightly higher at Costco but they offer more consumer goods. We shop at Sam's mainly because that's where we purchase our goods for our shop from since they're cheaper and we get tax exemption. We go to Costco when I need food and beverage for the house that Sam's doesn't carry.
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@Alivoo01: How much is Sam's membership fee?
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@Bao: $45 for basic and $100 for Plus membership. With the Plus membership, you get a certain amount of cash back with purchases over $500. The $500 rolls over each time, so if you don't hit $500 this time, you can add to it each time you shop. So $200 this trip, $100 next trip, $200 the following trip = cash back on your 3rd trip because you've hit $500. There's no limit on how much cash back you can earn also.
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@Alivoo01: oh that's a perk!
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Costco! Love it.
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@Bao: @FutureMrsMcK: the exec membership is 2% back on all Costco purchases. They send you a rebate check at the year. If you didn't make enough purchases to justify the exec membership upgrade, I've always gotten the difference back in cash. E.g. If my rebate check was $45, they'll give me $10 at the customer service desk.
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@sunny: Oh good to know, thanks!
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I truly like the shopping experience more at Costco, but we go to Sam's more since it is 5 minutes away compared to 30. I do go with my brother to Costco using his card sometimes, and I find that I spend way more money when I need to there, due to their huge selection (and they have many kids brands that will especially design something for Costco, such as Hanna Andersson, Baby Lulu, etc). So I actually try to stay away unless I really need something from there.
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I love Costco!
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23 comments