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Sams v Costco

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CreditJim
Established Contributor

Sams v Costco

My Costco membership will be up soon, and after moving last year, I have a couple of Sams Clubs much closer to my new house than any Costcos. What are the main differences between the two? I like Costco's backup policy on their products, although I've never had to use it. Are they equally good value, everything being said?

Quicksilver 51k | Discover It $45k | Bonvoy Business $38k | Lowe's $35k | Costco $33.5k | SWACU $30k | Ink Preferred $28k | USAA Rewards $25k | Ink Cash $22.5k | Ink Preferred $22k | Amex Blue Business Plus $17k | Freedom Flex $16k | Freedom $14k | CSR $10k | Amazon Store $10k | Amazon Business $3k | REI $3k
Message 1 of 24
23 REPLIES 23
DrZoidberg
Established Contributor

Re: Sams v Costco

I'd choose Costco over Sams any day. But like you, I do Sams because it's 10 mins away as opposed to 40 mins for Costco.

Message 2 of 24
ExplicitElicit
Established Contributor

Re: Sams v Costco

Costco for me, I have both about the same distance though. I choose Costco because the value, otherwise I always find my Costco shopping experience a lot less stressful. Don't know why, but when I used to go to Sams it felt like Walmart and I really don't enjoy that store (funny I actually went tonight).

Message 3 of 24
coldnmn
Mega Contributor

Re: Sams v Costco

 

Stop into Sam's ask for a free one day pass at the service desk and see if you like it.

Discover IT $17k / US Bank Ace (VSig) $13.5K / US Bank Cash+ (VSig) $13.5k
Sam's Mastercard $15k / Walmart Mastercard $10k / Blispay $7.5k PayPal Ex MC $10.8k
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Gardening Date 7/01/16 / MyFico 08: EQ 801 / TU 777 / EX 771 / 06/08/17
Message 4 of 24
CreditJim
Established Contributor

Re: Sams v Costco

I'll try it for a day, but I also do not like the Walmart experience, so probably won't like Sams. Not that I particularly like shopping full stop!

Quicksilver 51k | Discover It $45k | Bonvoy Business $38k | Lowe's $35k | Costco $33.5k | SWACU $30k | Ink Preferred $28k | USAA Rewards $25k | Ink Cash $22.5k | Ink Preferred $22k | Amex Blue Business Plus $17k | Freedom Flex $16k | Freedom $14k | CSR $10k | Amazon Store $10k | Amazon Business $3k | REI $3k
Message 5 of 24
coldnmn
Mega Contributor

Re: Sams v Costco


@CreditJim wrote:

I'll try it for a day, but I also do not like the Walmart experience, so probably won't like Sams. Not that I particularly like shopping full stop!


Maybe so, but the new Sam's card doesn't look to bad with the 5% 3% 1% rewards. Some prices are good some not so much. Just like anywhere else including Costco know your prices. For me Costco is 100 miles away defeats the savings.

Discover IT $17k / US Bank Ace (VSig) $13.5K / US Bank Cash+ (VSig) $13.5k
Sam's Mastercard $15k / Walmart Mastercard $10k / Blispay $7.5k PayPal Ex MC $10.8k
CareCredit 5k / Husq $5k / Cap1 QS $4.5k / Barclay Ring $5.35k / Citi DC (WMC) $12k
Gardening Date 7/01/16 / MyFico 08: EQ 801 / TU 777 / EX 771 / 06/08/17
Message 6 of 24
09Lexie
Moderator Emerita

Re: Sams v Costco

I have both memberships. Each serves a purpose for me, so I'll keep them.  As far as shopping, Costco ALWAYS has long lines and at least the Sams Clubs I frequent have self checkouts. 

 

 

Message 7 of 24
ExplicitElicit
Established Contributor

Re: Sams v Costco


@09Lexie wrote:

I have both memberships. Each serves a purpose for me, so I'll keep them.  As far as shopping, Costco ALWAYS has long lines and at least the Sams Clubs I frequent have self checkouts. 

 

 


Lexie your Costco does not have self check out lines? I was under the impression they all did these days, at least mine does and a few others i've visited. 

Message 8 of 24
mongstradamus
Super Contributor

Re: Sams v Costco

The Costco we have here on east coast don't have self check out lines either



EX Fico 804 11/16/16 Fako 800 Credit.com 11/16/16
EQ SW bank enhanced 11/16/16 839 CK fako 822 11/16/16
TU Fico discover 10/19/16 814 Fako 819 Creditkarma 11/16/16
Message 9 of 24
bdhu2001
Valued Contributor

Re: Sams v Costco

I choose Costco:

  1. Value: when I buy stuff at Costco I find good quality products.  Doesn't fall apart, taste bad, rot quickly.
  2. Exchange policy.  I love not having to worry, even if it's rarely used (2 returns in 11 years).
  3. Quicker lines, including self check out.  When I went to Sam's club they seemed to try to keep as few lines as possible & had the Walmart feel of cheap not inexpensive good value for money.  For instance I bought a workout outfit & the bottom of the top ended up being unfinished. 
  4. Knowlege of the way Sam's club treats their employees and the fact that I'm subsidig their profit with my tax $s, because they don't pay living wages was the last straw.  a) I don't find good value. b) they're greedy & don't provide good service (i.e most lines closed) c)Double dipping: using Food Banks and my tax $ to supplement employee's wages when they make billions per year.
Original Mortgage maturity Sept 2044; Refi maturity Dec 2030
Starting Score: EX 751 EQ 720 TU 737 on 4/9/14
Current Score: EX 849 EQ 835 TU 843
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