Sam’s Club Vs. Costco Prices

We only have a Sam’s club and BJ’s in the area, and Sam’s is definitely better than BJ’s is. That said, I don’t mind shopping at either Walmart or Sam’s club because 1) the employees CHOSE to work there, whether as a last choice or no other option. If they don’t like it, they know where the door is, and 2) at least they have a job. If there were not working at Walmart, they may very well be not working at all, and would be entirely dependent on the public and government. And NO, I do not have any affiliation with Walmart other than being a weekly shopper there.

Costco pays employees a liveable wage and gives them benefits. The Waltons, who own Sam’s and Walmart, do not pay a liveable wage, decent benefits and don’t give folks the number of hours that they need. Meanwhile, the Waltons rake in billions. I would rather pay a few cents more and do fair trade. Unfortunately, there is no Costco in Maine.

I personally have shopped at both Sam’s and Costco and prefer Costco. With Costco is not just about the price but how the business is run from employee benefits and willing to work with the employees during illness and other family issues.

very interesting. Just confirms what I suspected all along. (used to have a membership at both at the same time). Sam’s is just generally cheaper for most of basics (especially since Sam’s has sales on items too–like the Costco beating deals and regularly does on the tp and paper towels…two of the items that were both beat out by costco). Costco has far more fun stuff and good name brands, but if you want basic groceries with no frills. Sam’s is better! (also here in Houston, Sam’s customer service is not great but Costco’s is atrocious!!! That is partly why I eventually dropped the Costco card).

Back in 2004 I did a cost comparison between Costco and Sam’s. I began doing the shcpping for our Christian School and preschoool; I had a Sam’s membership, the secretary had Costco. In order to see where we could get the best bang for our buck I shopped both several times to compare prices and items we used. For the most part, even in 2004, the prices were pennies in difference between the two stores. What made the difference for us was that Sam’s had more of the products we used in the school and preschool than Costco did. I have since moved to a different state with no Sam’s Club, but Costco is available. Knowing it is pennies difference, we went ahead and joined Costco.

Years ago I had problems with the business practices of the Waltons and Walmart/Sam’s Club, but as one comment made earlier (and the conclusion I finally came to) was that the people who work at Walmart/Sam’s are there by choice. They could go elsewhere. And in today’s economy, most stores are now applying the same tactics or similar in order to get business. I don’t think there is even such as thing as a conscience free place to shop any longer. Most businesses are doing something that one way or another you can find fault with (whether from business practice or whom they target).

I have a membership to both and the prices are very similar, but they are worlds apart. I prefer Costco. Their employees are friendly and the quality on stuff is much better.

Thanks ladies. this is great. I will say it looked like you were comparing regular fruit to organic which is not a fair matchup. otherwise, I would still pay more to go to Costco because the employees are paid/treated better and the CEO doesn’t have an exorbitant paycheck like the Waltons line their pockets with. Costco by far!

The quality of the house brand for Costco s Sam's club out of the water. I had a membership to both for one year and dropped Sam's. Costco has a great return policy too. The downside for me is that they don't carry Pampers diapers which are better than Huggies. But at least I can order them off Amazon for the same price as sam's

Sam’s Club does what I want a big discounter to do, offer me lower prices. I find a better selection there for less. I feel you have to buy pricier items at Costco when I’d be happy with a lower price for less. And I know people who are happy working for Walmart. Those that aren’t can work someplace else I’d say — it’s a free country. So I’ll go to Sam’s & you go to Costco and we’ll both be happy (:

My daughter has been telling us what she said above forever – "Why do you have memberships at both?" Well, our Sam's Club has consistently NOT carried the items I have seen in other Sam's Clubs 100 miles away, and so I have made several trips looking for those items only to find I wasted my gasoline. When I inquired about this I was told that the management of each club is allowed a set number of items of inventory and they have to make choices. I was also told that each Sam's club managers are responsible to negotiate and settle on complaints, such as the 6.5 hours it took one day to rotate my tires on their tire plan. So, Laura, we are going to let our membership expire this year and stay with Costco.

If you aren't picky for food quality, go to Sam's. But, for our family, we love Costco variety of Organic options. Especially meats. It would be helpful if you fully compare what each has to offer.

Minute Men and the Defenders of Liberty! So, you're saying Costco wants to sell alcohol to children????? What exactly is anti-children alcohol legislation??? Just some ridiculous hyperbole from a radical?

I will gladly pay more where an employer is responsible and takes care of their employees.

I do not shop in bulk only 2 of us. But COSTCO pays there employees about $15 an hour and has benefits and SAM's much less just at over barely over minimum wage part time mostly so no benefits. I would shop at COSTCO for being more responsible then save pennies.

I have shopped at sams for years. They just opened a costco nearby last month, so I bought a membership. With all the fanfare, I really thought it would blow me away. Really didn’t see much different, except a newer store. I priced checked the items I usually buy, and most were close or slightly cheaper at sams. Their clothes selection was mostly store brand while sams had a lot of name brand. Both have unique items, so it depends on what you are looking for. Membership more expensive at costco. I will continue to compare, but if not further impressed will likely drop costco as it is further away from where I live.

I found this very helpful for a comparison as I recently got a Costco membership at our new Costco in Centerville, OH. Although Sams is closer and I love, love, love their pretzels and other inexpensive snack bar items. I have found that Sams no longer sells Epsom Salt but Costco does.

Costco may cost a little more, but the grocery, meat, produce selection is in a whole different class than Sam’s Club. I go into Sam’s Club every few years to check out their products to give myself piece of mind that I am shopping at the right store. Honestly, the last time I went to Sam’s Club I was repulsed by what I saw. The food was sub-par, improperly packaged, and improperly stored. It was a complete mess. If Costco closed its doors I would not even consider a Sam’s Club membership unless some things seriously changed. The Walmart grocery section is much nicer than Sam’s Club. I wonder why they got it so wrong being it’s the same company. I know these stores can vary, and I will say that I have only been in my local Sam’s Club. Others may be better. I have been to dozens of Costco stores and I know some stores are much nicer than others. I have only seen one Costco (in Newark, NJ) that was a complete mess, but they still had a decent grocery section.

Honestly, I have access to both stores and choose Costco any day, hands down. Quality of food is important to me. I prefer organics when I can afford them and cook a lot of our food from scratch. For me, the selection is what keeps me coming back. They have more affordable, organic options from produce to frozen to meat. It’s also (I know this is nitpicky but) about atmosphere. Sam’s is dark and dreary while stepping into Costco is bright and open. I hate shopping but if I have to, I want to go someplace with light. I pinch pennies but will pay a little more for items of higher standards.
Also, I have worked in 5 separate Walmart stores and still, if I have a choice, avoid it like the plague. I have worked produce and grocery and you wouldn’t believe some of the things that go on in those stores.

Sams club has a free online shopping program that has never failed to make me want to hug all of the employees who shop for me and check me out!!!!! I have 3 small boys and am homeschooling and I for real want to hug them every time!!!!!!! Saves so much time to spend 15 minutes online in my kitchen with my pantry right in front of me, instead of shopping in the store!! Pick up is so easy and I almost always have help loading kids and groceries into the car or I can have my husband swing by on his way home from work without worrying about his impulse buys!! Also helps me with our grocery budget!!! If the cart gets past $200 I can just delete the things we don’t really need and it makes shopping with the monthly coupons so much easier! We use their credit card on monthly gas costs and the money back programs wind up paying for our upgraded membership and a few bags of fancy coffee a year!!

I see that you are comparing two different regions of the country. I thought that they priced their items regionally? I thought that the prices were adjusted to be lower in the South to accommodate for the cost of living in that area.