Costco vs Sams Club

[bokelley]

We currently have a Sams Club membership, we get it free with DH parents business. But that may soon be ending. I have heard that Costco does coupons, anyone know about that? What do you think is better?

[scarlett09]

Yup, Costco does have coupons, we get a set in the mail once a month. We enjoy belonging to Costco, even if we don't go as often as we should (it's hard when it's just the two of us). Their gallons of milk are cheaper than the milk at the grocery store and I am in love with the corn tortilla chips they sell, as well as many other things. I have never belonged to Sam's Club, so I have nothing to compare it to. Hopefully someone will chime in who can draw a comparison between the two to help you make your decision.

[Tenacious_D]

We've been Costco members for at least 6 years and tried BJ's for 3 months...and went back to Costco. We just love some of their products and I need my occasional dollar slushie in this heat

[fluffhead]

I was dragged kicking and screaming into Costco membership, but once your household exceeds a certain size, it becomes worthwhile if only for diapers and formula. They have coupons, and you don't even need to bring them - you just ask the checkout person to do coupons and they'll do it.
Produce is excellent, and I bought a really nifty branch pruner which has saved me from calling my tree guy numerous times.
DW tends to overshop there, so it's usually me that goes, and I get annoyed at the people veering over two aisles to access the free food sampling stations....and sometimes I get a really giant container of cashews....which is not a Good Thing.
Sorry, never been to Sams.

[SoonerTexan]

Never been to Sam's. My parent's have a Costco membership and I occasionally go with my mom, but DH and I probably wont pay for one because it's just the two of us and we don't have a whole lot of space.

It was GREAT for the wedding, though--we got most of the wine, beer, and mixers for the bar there and they let us return unopened bottles. We almost bought a couch for our new place there too, but it wouldn't fit our living room. $15 sheet cakes are awesome for big events, and I love their cheap rotisserie chicken. DH loves the $1.50 hotdog combo, and if there were one closer to us, that alone probably would have been enough for him to want a membership.

You have to be careful, though--some things are great deals, and some are really just a whole lot of stuff for the same amount as you would pay at Wal-Mart.

[Deebs]

I've been a member of both. Now that we're in central IL, there is no Costco. I seriously "order" my Costco items from my family who brings them down from Chicagoland. Sam's and Costco aren't even comparable. The quality and selection is far superior at Costco.

DH and I have been Costco members for 14 years and my parents have been members since they merged with Price Club. We have been happy with their Kirkland products, especially the coffee, and their customer service is great. I've only been in Sam's once and it just felt like a Wal-Mart.

[DCJenn]

Sam's- I'd sooner cut my leg off. (same reasons as why I won't shop at Walmart- everything is made in China and they cover Viagra for their male employees but not birth control for their female employees.) But I rejoined Costco. To remind you as to the significance of this- I shop at the Army base and get ridiculous prices and don't pay tax. but yet, there are still items that I'll buy at Costco.

Jenn

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

So my understanding is that Costco was originally a restaurant supply store where Sam's/BJs were basically the food version of Walmarts. This is why people tend to assume the quality can be higher from Costco (which I agree with). But I also agree that some things are a good deal but that some things are the same price as they would be at other stores.

[radwife]

Costco lover here! There's only 2 of us and we still go at least once a month. We're always finding some fun impulse buys (most recent was a camping lantern), but we get a ton of regular stuff there too. We regularly get paper towels, napkins, garbage bag liners, coffee, frozen chicken breasts, dish washer and laundry detergent, batteries, yogurt, tampons, electric toothbrush heads, lemon juice, brown sugar, mac & cheese, potstickers, cleaning wipes, granola bars, pop etc. etc. you get the idea! I don't think we've ever escaped with a bill under $100, but the stuff lasts forever. Our new Costco sells liquor which has shown some incredible extra savings. We also love a lot of the Kirkland Signature products.

When we moved for med school we had a Sam's membership for about 6 mo because there wasn't a Costco within 100 miles. It just wasn't the same. I actually ended up emailing Costco asking them to open a store in our city since I missed it so much. Oddly enough they did, but I think it had little to do with my email.

[ladymoreta]

Sams member here, but if we had a Costco, I'd switch in a heartbeat. Sams was originally just for small businesses, and that's still their primary target market. It shows in the selections of products they have, and I can get necessities there, but it's not as much fun as the times I've been to Costco - less great deals on random stuff, and less products geared towards individual families.

[scrub-jay]

You have to be careful, though--some things are great deals, and some are really just a whole lot of stuff for the same amount as you would pay at Wal-Mart.

I love Costco, but totally agree with this, don't assume it is less expensive because it is sold in bulk! However, in the summertime - LOVE THE FRUIT!!! Especially berries! We stock up on blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries and freeze for the rest of the year, best prices anywhere! Yum!

[v-girl]

I love love love Costco!!!!

And Costco's return policy can't be beat. They will take back nearly ANYTHING w/o batting an eye. Their stuff is actually high quality, too. And I've already gone on and on about their Organic Peanut Butter. Plus, they do make an effort to carry local items. Our local coffee Roasteriee brand is carried there -- just in a bigger bag w/a great price. LOVE them.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Sams member here, but if we had a Costco, I'd switch in a heartbeat. Sams was originally just for small businesses, and that's still their primary target market. It shows in the selections of products they have, and I can get necessities there, but it's not as much fun as the times I've been to Costco - less great deals on random stuff, and less products geared towards individual families.

Ditto!