Sams or Costco, which do you prefer?

D

desertjean

Well-known member
Our Sams is relocating to a bigger, better location...almost directly across from an existing Costco. We've always shopped at Sams (mainly because when we lived on the East Coast membership was a job perk), but now that they are going to be so close to each other I have to ask. Which one do you prefer? Is it worth having memberships to both or would it be a waste of money?

My main purchases at Sams are generic OTC drugs, dry goods, meat and cheese. Oh, and shirts for hubby.

 
I prefer Costco for prepared foods such as pizzas, cakes, baked goods...

...and any other foods prepared in-house, for cook-at-home convenience.

My FIL has a membership at Sam's after being a Costco member for years (Sam's made him an offer he couldn't refuse), but he's going back to Costco.

He says Costco leans towards better quality items across the board, and Sam's has a tendency to expose it's Walmartian roots, albeit in a somewhat subtle way.

I vote Costco.

Michael

 
It probably depends on your location...the Sam's Clubs in Austin

had many items I haven't seen here in Florida. I used to be able to buy the large tubs of Kalamata olives at Sam's in Austin, but the Sam's here quit carrying them.

I joined a Costco 50 miles away because they had the olives and other stuff that the Sam's and BJ's here in town don't have. Then I found out how good their meat is. But the Costco in Tampa doesn't have some of the items others have mentioned buying at the ones they shop. They are each different. We joined BJ's for cheaper gas, it paid for the membership, but that's where I found dried porcini, peppadews and non-marinated baby artichoke hearts in a jar that are so good.

I don't go to Costco every week, so I use Sam's for for the fill-in stuff. If they were close together, I'd choose Costco, I find the Sam's Club here has less of the more interesting "gourmet" stuff.

You should check Costco out, you might find items you would buy if you had a membership.

 
Ask for a one day pass to Costco - then you can check it out for yourself. I'm sure with the new

Sam's being built near them, Costco will be trying to recruit more members.

I've been in both, and where I live, Costco is much better than Sam's as far as quality and selection. The only reason I would like Sam's is because they carry 1/2 and 1/2 year round, and Costco does not.

 
From another board, I don't think you can get a pass to buy anything.

you can get a pass to walk around and look, but not to buy.

 
I check Sam's and Costco in the several places we travel because they

all carry different things depending on location. Not wildly different, mind you, but I love shopping in other parts of the country.

 
it must be a regional thing...

ive gotten a pass to costco with my bj's card to shop at a 5% surcharge.

 
I suggested the pass so she could compare the offerings, though I've gotten buying passes

from Sam's in the mail once or twice a year. I'm not sure if Costco does similar.

 
I had an overlap for about 8 months...

I found that overall I liked the food better at Costco, but I can't speak to the vitamins. For me, just as big an issue is the philosophy of the organization - Costco really values its employees and its founder has really admirable ethics. I posted some information in thread 1624 if you want to read more.

 
Oh, I agree about the pass. Never have gotten one for Sam's or Costco

but have even gotten a free year's membership at BJ's. I was just quoting someone's experience in trying to get into a Chicago area Costco--couldn't do it.

 
I've tried all sorts of vitamins, Costco included and, ironically...

the ones that seem best, and my doctor likes best as well are: Nature's Code 90-Day Complete Vitamin System, sold by QVC. They sell them by age..for instance, women under 50 or over 50, and the same with men. And include just about everything you need.

YOu can go to www.qvc.com and look at A52972

 
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