Costco vs Sams Club

Stuss

Any thoughts or opinons on this?

I see a lot of discussions about meats purchased @ Costco and very few from Sams.

maso

I'm not sure the price difference in membership. My understanding, given that we only have Sam's, is that Cosco tends to have better meat, that is to say more prime offerings. However Sams near me has very good choice. And you can get about any cut but sometimes you have to ask behind the counter. I'm sure Cisco is the same. 

You Can ask to look around first to decide which you want to join. Check out the rest of the offerings too. 

Lit

Just search the forum this comes up fairly often. Costco is always the favorite overall except one guy that says his Costco has bad meat. Not gonna name him but he's a real softie. 

BulletGrillHouse

Was a Sams member for 4 years, joined Costco 2 years ago when they opened in my area and will never go back to Sams, meat is key, but also the Kirklands products are great, and alcohol

drumdudeguy

I am about to quit Sams and go back to Costco. Way better!

Kent8621

we have both memberships, and use Costco every week and sams once a month.  the overall product selection is nicer at Costco but sams still offers stuff that is cheaper or Costco doesn't have.  sams has better prices on food prep items, butcher paper, foil and plastic wrap.  They also have a way better spice selection for bulk spices.  If you plan on buying meats and good cheeses Costco is the better deal in my opinion, my sams here rarely has meat that is worth buying.  All that said if I had to pick, I would personally go with Costco.

johnnyp

+1 on most of the above.  Better meats, including USDA Prime and the Kirkland Signature is an exceptionally well curated private label.

CigarCityEgger

We had a Sams membership until Costco opened up. Just a personal preference for their meat and Kirkland brands. Plus the jalepeno jelly that Costco carries

GrillSgt

We are Sam's members for our business. Never been impressed with their meat but honestly I would rate it above Kroger's and most major label grocery stores.

jak7028

Costco seems to have better quality across the board and some more specialty type items. Sams is more of a bulk walmart place where you load up on standard items.

Costco claims to have a straight 15% markup, so your commodity type items are not as good of deal.  Your specialty, typically higher markup items, can be great deals there.   

I dont live close enough to a Costco, but would have a membership of I did.  I live a couple miles from Sams and dont feel it is worth getting a membership. HEB and Amazon are good enough for me.

tarheelmatt

Not in your list, but I sure do love a BJ's!  

Stuss

@tarheelmatt - Big fan of BJ's too but not one in the area.  

DoubleEgger

tarheelmatt said:

Not in your list, but I sure do love a BJ's!  

Don't we all Matt? 

WeberWho

I had both and found myself 9 times out of 10 at Sam's Club. The main reason was location. Go check both clubs out and see what best fits you/family 

scdaf

The Costco Visa card with executive membership is a great deal.  We get a total of 4% cash back on everything we buy at Costco, which pays for the executive membership several times over.  Additionally, we get cash back on every purchase made elsewhere with the card.

If these points don't sway you, consider that Costco treats its' employees so much better than any of your other choices, paying well above the norm in retail and providing excellent benefits.  Most of the people working at our Costco when it opened 20 years ago are still there today.

Top this off with a 1/4+ lb. all beef hot dog with all the trimmings and a drink, with free refills for $1.50 and take home a 3 lb. rotisserie chicken for $5 and the choice seems simple.

Hungry Joe

I have both memberships. Costco is 12 miles further and I go there 9 out of 10 times I visit a warehouse store. It's just a better value with better merchandise. Better one time deals also. Sam's membership might be cheaper, I'm not sure. Costco just went up to $60 for two people I think.

I've shopped both in the same day at Christmas time and Costco was cheaper on identical items which kind of surprised me knowing how well they treat their employees. That cemented my loyalty.

danv23

Stuss said:

@tarheelmatt - Big fan of BJ's too but not one in the area.  

Used to be one in my area. Then i got married and they disappeared.

4Runner

We have both and have preferences of product at both.  Because Sam's is closer to our house, we tend to go there more.  I do not see a difference in quality of food in Columbia, SC.  In fact, prime at our Costco isn't prime in my book.  I'm spoiled as I have ordered online.   

bgebrent

Lit said:

Just search the forum this comes up fairly often. Costco is always the favorite overall except one guy that says his Costco has bad meat. Not gonna name him but he's a real softie. 

They have great briskets!  Floppy prime.

Focker

Costco labels this prime, just sayin'.

bgebrent

Focker said:

Costco labels this prime, just sayin'.

You need a Sams club then.   I heard BJ's is good too. No personal experience.

rifrench

When I think of Sam's Club, the sights at WalMart that I can't unsee run before my eyes. I just can't get past that to try Sam's. I haven't been to WalMart in many years....some women don't understand that they shouldn't wear stretch fabrics, or pajamas to the store.