Is Sams as good as Costco (for those of you that have access to both)???

Have shopped both.  Sometimes I kinda thought Costco was a bit higher end - then sometimes they seem equal.

I probably go to Sam's more, just cause parking is such a hassle at Costco.

I quit Sam's when Costco came to town.  In my experience, Costco is a cut above Sam's.  

Costco is, IMO, well ahead of Sam's--better staff, better quality goods under house brand label (Kirkland), etc.  I did go to local Sam's last year when they had one of the "open House" days for anyone to come in free on one day free membership.  I did not see anything that made me want to switch from Costco to Sam's.

Costco also has good American Express card rewards program--I have the business card executive membership--AmExp card with no annual fee, 1% back on all Costco purchases, plus 4% back on Costco gas purchases--adds up over the year.

It hasn't been mentioned, but Costco has the best return policy that I've ever seen.  No questions asked.  I took back the Sous Vide machine and just told them I didn't like it.  Ahead of me in line was a woman returning half of a flat of canned chocolate milk.  I asked the clerk if people could return stuff they've used like that, and she said "as long as it's half or more.  That woman does this every week".

I have not directly compared Sam's meat to Costco, so can't comment.  I do note I don't buy the boston butts at Costco because they do only have it deboned--just wait until butts on sale at local grocery and just replinish my freezer so I always have at least 2 in freezer.

 

I do buy chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, ribeyes, salmon, ground beef at Costco--best prices around.

I prefer Costco for everything except pork butts. Still go to Sams for the bone-in ones. I buy sub-primals of NY Strip at Costco for $8.75/lb and cut my own steaks. I haven't seen prime beef at Sams.

SaturdayFatterday said:

I think Costco's selection is far superior, and they pay their employees much better, which results in much better service.

Totally agree......went to Costco with the wife a few weeks ago and remarked how surprised I was at the friendliness and helpful nature of the staff and figured they must have a pretty decent comp plan.

I also feel Coscto is a cut above in quality and selection.....loved their meat and beer and wine selections.  Also seems more upscale and even cleaner to me, but YMMV.

I'm a die hard Costco fan, but I don't like their briskets anymore.  They changed the way they trim them. They removed the point and most of the fat.

Village Idiot said:

It hasn't been mentioned, but Costco has the best return policy that I've ever seen.  No questions asked.  I took back the Sous Vide machine and just told them I didn't like it.  Ahead of me in line was a woman returning half of a flat of canned chocolate milk.  I asked the clerk if people could return stuff they've used like that, and she said "as long as it's half or more.  That woman does this every week".

When I worked there, we had a guy that would buy a lawnmower in the Spring and return it for a snowblower in late Fall and vice versa. Another lady would buy cut flowers and then return them a week later because "they died too fast". Another couple would refresh their furniture every 2 years by bringing back all the old stuff and buying new stuff when they put it all out in the spring. 

I'd like to bury my face in Costco's standing rib roast or just wear it on my head!!

Been shopping both for over twenty years.  Costco is twice the store Sam's ever hoped to be!!  The Sam's store i shop is the worst in the entire S.E. United States!!  Gainesville, Fl. !!!  Now this is "over and above" the standard store policies, very poor management, and i have talked to corporate and they know they have big problems in this store.  I have slowly weaned myself away from this store.  The rotation of products, the proper refrigeration of products and basic store management is a complete failure in this store!!  Now for over ten years i shopped at another Sam's store and had very little to complain about --- WHY?  ---- manager !!!  My closest Costco is 63 miles away, but i am happy to shop in a clean, well stocked, properly rotated store!!  They have changed the management in the Gainesville store three times and always returns to a failure???