costco or sams club?

FanOfFanboys

Going to get a membership to one tomorrow. 

Leaning Costco. Never had, just based on their reputation. I have had Sams club a few times

any reason to pick one over the other?

RRP

This gets kicked around here quite often and I believe the majority think COSTCO is best. However we are in the minority and though we joined COSTCO earlier this year I intend to go back next week and cancel our membership. I think it depends as not all SAMS nor COSTCOs are created equal. 

HeavyG

Costco all the way. Even if they were worse than Sam's (they're not) I haven't given any of my money to the Walton's for three decades and don't plan to change that now.

I do agree with @RRP tho - the stores can vary from region to region so check them both out. Costco has a 100% money back guarantee (I'm guessing Sam's may also) so join, use them for a month or five and if you don't like them cancel and get your membership fee back.

Mickey

Have both but it would be Costco if only one. 

Legume

Mickey said:

Have both but it would be Costco if only one. 

Same.

Brason

Mickey said:

Have both but it would be Costco if only one. 

Same but only because Costco is 2 miles and Sam's is 30 miles away.

FanOfFanboys

signed up this morn. did the executive. immediately spent $200 ha
much better meat selection, higher quality beef, and much lower price than any local grocery stores or meat markets have

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I have both. Sam's is cheaper but Costco has better stuff. I would do Costco if I just had one but I sell them both a lot of stuff so I'm in both quite a bit. 

If I had a restaurant or a business, I would do Sams because it is definitely cheaper on similar product. But for personal use, Costco has way more fun things (Prime beef, upscale cheeses, better wines etc)

Legume

Executive is good, we always get money back.  If you end up liking it, consider getting their visa - it's a good deal, doubles your warranties at Costco, very good cash back %'s on stuff at Costco and stuff not at Costco.

Foghorn

We had both for a while.  Now we only have Costco.

Aviator

We have both mainly due to some things available at Sam's are not carried by Costco. Go mainly to Costco and only a few times to Sams. 

Hans61

Costco prime packer brisket 2.99/lb is reason enough 

Hans61

Agree with @HeavyG don't like Walmart corp

GoldenQ

We just cancelled SAMS due to Costco having better quality meats and cheeses and etc in Pearland

Focker

RRP said:

This gets kicked around here quite often and I believe the majority think COSTCO is best. However we are in the minority and though we joined COSTCO earlier this year I intend to go back next week and cancel our membership. I think it depends as not all SAMS nor COSTCOs are created equal. 

Is it the jaccard treatment that sent ya over the edge?
Sam's is literally a 2 min drive.  We are getting a Costco eventually in Davenport, not sure I'll make the switch and drive the extra 15 minutes.  I may reconsider the extra drive for the Costco ground unicorn everyone raves about.

My Sam's stocks Revolution brew, handles of Evan for $21, quality meats, cheeses. Nathan's big a$$ hot dog and a pop is less than 2 bucks.  

Plus I'd have to pay an extra nickel for each can in IA......Fock that. Lol

WeberWho

I used to have a membership to both Sam's Club and Costco. I think Costco was a little cleaner and better cuts of meat. Sam's was closer and cheaper. Sam's Club won us over. I can be to Sam's Club in under 8 minutes. Costco was 15-20 minutes away. Location was the key factor.

Take a tour of both clubs. See what both have to offer. One might better suit you than the other

RRP

Focker said:

RRP said:

This gets kicked around here quite often and I believe the majority think COSTCO is best. However we are in the minority and though we joined COSTCO earlier this year I intend to go back next week and cancel our membership. I think it depends as not all SAMS nor COSTCOs are created equal. 

Is it the jaccard treatment that sent ya over the edge?
Sam's is literally a 2 min drive.  We are getting a Costco eventually in Davenport, not sure I'll make the switch and drive the extra 15 minutes.  I may reconsider the extra drive for the Costco ground unicorn everyone raves about.

My Sam's stocks Revolution brew, handles of Evan for $21, quality meats, cheeses. Nathan's big a$$ hot dog and a pop is less than 2 bucks.  

Plus I'd have to pay an extra nickel for each can in IA.  

No - SAMS is much closer not only in miles, but traffic since SAMS is back roads for me, but COSTCO is in EP and no quick way to get there from here. I'm not knocking COSTCO at all - just saying I'm happy with our SAMS.

Gulfcoastguy

Sam's is 20 miles away to the west and Costco is 45 miles to the east. I have a good grocery store a quarter mile to the south. Easy decision.

Focker

Costco's prime meat.....

Fred19Flintstone

Sam's is local here, but Costco is 30 minutes away.  I've had pretty good luck with Sam's meat so I'm sticking.  I've never even set foot in a Costco!

JohnInCarolina

Agree with the above sentiment to avoid giving more money to the Walton family unless you can't help it.

We've had a Costco membership for about five years now.  It's great.  They do a great tire service in addition to what everyone else has mentioned.

tarheelmatt

JohnInCarolina said:

Agree with the above sentiment to avoid giving more money to the Walton family unless you can't help it.

We've had a Costco membership for about five years now.  It's great.  They do a great tire service in addition to what everyone else has mentioned.

Echoing what John has noted and customer service is wonderful.  

I left Costco for Sam's because of a great deal Sam's had through work that pretty much gave me the membership and a gift card.  It was pretty good, but kept comparing it to Costco, and was never pleased.  When my membership expired to Sam's, I went back to Costco.  

OhioEgger

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Sam's is cheaper but Costco has better stuff.

This is the key for me. Costco's quality is unsurpassed. Anything with the Kirkland brand name on it is going to be top quality at a good price and that's what keeps me renewing my membership every year.

JohnInCarolina

OhioEgger said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Sam's is cheaper but Costco has better stuff.

This is the key for me. Costco's quality is unsurpassed. Anything with the Kirkland brand name on it is going to be top quality at a good price and that's what keeps me renewing my membership every year.

The spare ribs are great.  I've yet to find another brand that has anywhere near the same quality or as much meat on them.  And it's pretty cheap too!

NPHuskerFL

Each has their own benefits. On beef Costco has Prime whereas Sams typically only carries Choice. Costco also has a more diverse and fresher seafood dept. 
We have membership to both. Costco is a good hour click out for us so I carry a small cooler  with me just in case I'm close by. 

northGAcock

FanOfFanboys said:

Going to get a membership to one tomorrow. 

Leaning Costco. Never had, just based on their reputation. I have had Sams club a few times

any reason to pick one over the other?

I made the switch from  Sams to Costco recently. My Sams was near by....however the Costco is across town. I will say this, and I mean no disrespect to those employed by Sams.....there is a major difference in the quality of employee between the two stores. I am a Costco man now here in Columbia. The Costco is 22 miles from me now. No regrets.

tarheelmatt

northGAcock said:

FanOfFanboys said:

Going to get a membership to one tomorrow. 

Leaning Costco. Never had, just based on their reputation. I have had Sams club a few times

any reason to pick one over the other?

I made the switch from  Sams to Costco recently. My Sams was near by....however the Costco is across town. I will say this, and I mean no disrespect to those employed by Sams.....there is a major difference in the quality of employee between the two stores. I am a Costco man now here in Columbia. The Costco is 22 miles from me now. No regrets.

Teefus

We were Sam's members for years. Once we got a Costco it was a total game changer. No contest. Not even close.

caliking

Have both. Sam's is maybe 5 mins away, Costco is 10 mins. We rarely go to Sam's except for certain things. But as mentioned above, Sam's does seem better for small business owners, catering services, etc. Costco seems to have better quality food and other items overall. Bought 2 wifi surveillance cameras for about $150 less than Amazon. 

And don't forget other services - mortgage, HVAC, car buying, tires,  etc. 

TN_Sister_State

The only complaint i have about costco is that their pork butts are boneless. I prefer a bone in pork butt. Other than that we are all costco with the costco visa. 

YukonRon

The liquor store is superior. Costco has the stuff I want. Prime brisket @2.99/#.
Duh.
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