Costco vs. Sam's Club

SvilleKid · 04-24-2011, 03:37 PM

The nearest Costco's for me is just too far away to make it price competitive. However, I let my Sam's card go this past winter for several reasons:

First: I have had awful warranty problems with Sam's on tires (Goodyear), plus the last tires they changed out (with me paying 75% on tires less than 25% worn), they used standard lug nuts on my Nissan Pathfinder (on 3 of 6 lugs on one front tire), ruining the lugs, and costing me 4 hours in time repairing the damage because I did not find the problem until months later when I was doing a brake inspection, prior to giving the SUV to our daughter. Sam's would not claim responsibility, but they were the last one to handle the tires/rims!).

Second, I found that many of the food items were more expensive on a can by can, or lb by lb basis than I could get at Walmart!!! WTF??? No use paying Sam's a fee every year, driving 20 miles one way, when there is a Walmart 1 mile away that is cheaper on most of the items I purchase. Electronics were almost always cheaper at Best Buys or Staples, with about the same driving distance, and a better support staff at either over Sam's.

Finally; about the only advantage I was finding at Sam's was bulk quantities. Once I found that cans of tomato sauce, or bags of rice, or boxes of sodas or so-on were cheaper on a individual basis at the local stores, I lost all reason for buying in bulk.

We had membership in Costco for several years, but seldom went because it was too far away. However, I will say that I saw a much better selection of middle to upper end products at the Costcos that we did visit from time to time (over at least half a dozen cities) as compared to Sam's.

Sauer Grapes · 04-24-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

snipped.

To second one of his points, we hit up Sams yesterday, bought a 155 oz. thing of cascade, went to walmart later that day and saw it was more than $1 cheaper for the exact same thing. Wasn't worth the trouble to buy at walmart and return to Sams, but it's pretty annoying to pay for the privilege to pay more.

04-24-2011, 03:37 PM	#1
SvilleKid Yes I am a Pirate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 33°46′08″N 86°28′16″W / 33.76895°N 86.471037°W Posts: 2,776 Trading: (52)	Re: Costco vs. Sam's Club The nearest Costco's for me is just too far away to make it price competitive. However, I let my Sam's card go this past winter for several reasons: First: I have had awful warranty problems with Sam's on tires (Goodyear), plus the last tires they changed out (with me paying 75% on tires less than 25% worn), they used standard lug nuts on my Nissan Pathfinder (on 3 of 6 lugs on one front tire), ruining the lugs, and costing me 4 hours in time repairing the damage because I did not find the problem until months later when I was doing a brake inspection, prior to giving the SUV to our daughter. Sam's would not claim responsibility, but they were the last one to handle the tires/rims!). Second, I found that many of the food items were more expensive on a can by can, or lb by lb basis than I could get at Walmart!!! WTF??? No use paying Sam's a fee every year, driving 20 miles one way, when there is a Walmart 1 mile away that is cheaper on most of the items I purchase. Electronics were almost always cheaper at Best Buys or Staples, with about the same driving distance, and a better support staff at either over Sam's. Finally; about the only advantage I was finding at Sam's was bulk quantities. Once I found that cans of tomato sauce, or bags of rice, or boxes of sodas or so-on were cheaper on a individual basis at the local stores, I lost all reason for buying in bulk. We had membership in Costco for several years, but seldom went because it was too far away. However, I will say that I saw a much better selection of middle to upper end products at the Costcos that we did visit from time to time (over at least half a dozen cities) as compared to Sam's. __________________ Ceilin' fan it stirs the air, Cigar smoke does swirl. The fragrance on the pillow case, and he thinks about the girl. Thanks, JB, 1975.