Costco vs Sam's

[Sportymonk]

I found Robrecht's thread about Costco and Sam's but it focused on buying a Pilot and it ended (for now) in 2003.

I found the tip on here about the Garmin Nuvi 650 on sale at Costco's her (thanks folks!) and am wondering which is better for general purchases or is there a difference. The wife and I are members of Sam's but while we were over in Raleigh yesterday and we went by a Costco's to look at it but unfortunately, it was about to close. From what we could take a very quick look at from the door, it looked the same as Sam's Club. My wife has heard the Costco is more "family friendly".

Sam's is ok, they opened one in Rocky Mount where I live but I am over in Raleigh a lot so location wouldn't be a big deal. In fact, each Sam's Club is a little different and the water we like (Talking Rain) and other products are available at the Durham and Raleigh stores but not in Rocky Mount (requested they stock them but they won't. Customer request form is a joke).

Anybody have a preference? Know several have commented on great refund policy at Costco.

BTW, I am about to order the Nuvi 650 for Christmas as non-members can order for a 15% fee.

[CMasten]

If I understand your question Sporty,

We have a Sams Club here in So Cal and a CostCo within a mile.

I used to shop at both but now only shop at CostCo. The quality, service and prices were better for what we were after. The Return policy is the best in the business and the selection was better but that may vary from region to region.

The other item is that Costco has a brand called Kirkland that is outstanding, they make everything from Jeans to food and its always top notch against the competition. The pricing and value of Kirkland is always superb. I dont care for Walmart and Sams is just a warehouse version. Costco is a whole other level IMO.

The food and grocery selection at ours is enough to keep me from shopping the local grocery stores, that alone saves my family of four thousands each year

Hope that is the feedback you were looking for

[jay]

I've never been in a Sam's because of my aversion to Wal-Mart, but agree completely with CMasten's comments about Costco and the Kirkland branded products.

[macphanatic]

Costco as a company is heads and shoulders above Walmart/Sam's Club. Last I read, 85+% of Costco employees have had health benefits and made significantly above minimum wage for years. Walmart was the exact opposite and only recently started offering health benefits as they were shamed into it. Let's not even talk about how Walmart has browbeat suppliers to the point of near financial failure.

[netman88]

We don't have Sams Club in our area but we do have Costco.

I would also have to agree Kirkland brands are pretty good for the price.

Costco prices are so and so but the return policy is really good (haven't use it much though).

In the SF Bay Area, getting tires is another story. The wait is like a 1 day event, I prefer Discount Tires instead for that.

[jdeanski]

I'm a member of both. When Costco moved to town I thought I could drop my Sam's membership but it just hasn't worked that way. From a pure business perspective Costco is more profitable with almost half the stores of Sams. Both Costco's Kirkland brand (named after their origional home town) and Sam's Member's Mark products are first class. Costco's customer service seems to be better than Sam's BUT Sams is coming on strong. Price wise it's six of one, half dozen of the other. On the product side Sam's carries many more SKU's than Costco but as with both a product may be in stock one week and gone the next. Brands may change also.....Hellman's mayonnaise one week and Kraft the next, depends on who's gives the best price. I'll continue to carry both memberships.

[larryziegler]

Originally posted by jdeanski
I'm a member of both. When Costco moved to town I thought I could drop my Sam's membership but it just hasn't worked that way. From a pure business perspective Costco is more profitable with almost half the stores of Sams. Both Costco's Kirkland brand (named after their origional home town) and Sam's Member's Mark products are first class. Costco's customer service seems to be better than Sam's BUT Sams is coming on strong. Price wise it's six of one, half dozen of the other. On the product side Sam's carries many more SKU's than Costco but as with both a product may be in stock one week and gone the next. Brands may change also.....Hellman's mayonnaise one week and Kraft the next, depends on who's gives the best price. I'll continue to carry both memberships.

I am in agreement here. I, too, belong to both Sam's and Costco. Both are within a half mile of each other, and just a couple of miles away from where I live. Both do an excellent job of pricing and customer service. Sam's has the better bakery and optical dept than Costco, but Costco has more offerings than Sam's and sells gasoline as Sam's doesn't here. They do compete, but they also compliment each other here. I can use my AMEX or ATM card at Costco, while I can use my Sam's Club card or Mastercard at Sam's.