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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 8, 2018 19:58:32 GMT
We've been Costco members forever and will continue to be. There is a Sam's Club near our Costco that is actually easier to access and looks to never be busy. We got a flyer in the mail: Join for $45 and they give you a $20 gift card. So we went and joined this morning. Didn't buy much, just looked around. Did buy gas on the way out. There were only 2 other cars at the pumps!
What we liked was that we both got membership cards for the $45 and we can use any credit card to check out. I understand that you can download an app and scan/shop as you go and bypass the check lines ~ which were non existent this morning. We actually went through self-checkout.
So which items do you go to Sam's for over Costco?
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,368
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Aug 8, 2018 20:04:00 GMT
Costco user here. No Sam's Club around, nearest one is over an hour away.
I love Costco's return policy!
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janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,174 
Location: Alabama
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Post by janeinbama on Aug 8, 2018 20:11:21 GMT
Sam's refrigerated Salsa is delish, Eggland's eggs, I prefer their Sharp hunk cheddar, potato chips large variety- 2 bag purchase, and they mark down seasonal merchandise, not like COSTCO who returns it. We like their ribeye steaks better. I swore we would not be a 2 card family  , but Sam's is more convenient from my office so here we are. |
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Aug 8, 2018 20:17:30 GMT
We're members of both and I LOVE the Sam's Club Scan & Go app. Love it, love it, love it. In addition to being very easy to use, the receipt ends up on my phone, so returns are easy because I don't need to find a paper receipt. (Costco doesn't require a receipt, but your do have to wait while they go through your purchase history to find the item if you don't provide a receipt.)
The app won't let you check yourself out if you have alcohol (and possibly other items). Makes sense.
I like SC for individually wrapped treats & pastry items for school/club/team parties and sales. They have a very large selection.
The beef jerky my kids like is at SC.
The most important item Sam's Club sells, however, is York Peppermint Patties. It's worth the membership just for those. (Costco sells some fake-o brand, and usually only during the holidays. Ugh.)
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MaryMary
Pearl Clutcher
Lazy
Posts: 2,975
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Post by MaryMary on Aug 8, 2018 20:23:05 GMT
I love Costco. And I refuse to shop at Walmart, so even if I had a Sam’s in my area I wouldn’t shop there.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 13, 2024 9:09:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2018 20:26:14 GMT
I shop at Costco. It's much closer to us, so more convenient. Sam's club is about 10 miles further.
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Post by pierkiss on Aug 8, 2018 20:29:36 GMT
Costco. We do not give our money to the Walmart family. So no Sams Club for us.
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Post by alexa11 on Aug 8, 2018 20:38:04 GMT
I'm a Sam's club member- no Costco for like 30 miles. I haven't been in awhile, but I always buy my tires there- free balance and rotations.
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 8, 2018 21:02:04 GMT
My friend had both cards and several years ago said that Sams was better for office/home stuff and Costco was better for clothing. She said she thought the food was pretty close depending on what you loved to eat.
I live 7 minutes from a Sam's and we have been members for 15+ years. Love that it shares the same parking lot with a Walmart (only time I go to Walmart is when I am at Sam's). The place is a few years old and has good parking and it is super easy to get in and out of. They built our Costco in the busiest part of town and it has horrible parking. It probably takes me 4 to 5 times as long to walk into the door at Costco than Sam's, so we keep our membership.
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Post by internetmama on Aug 8, 2018 21:11:00 GMT
We prefer Costco but it’s about 30 minutes away and Sam’s Club opened about 3 minutes from us. So, I couldn’t justify the drive. Our Sam’s is never crowded and neither is their gas station. It’s my favorite place to get gas now for that reason.
The thing that makes membership worth it is the fresh squeezed orange juice. That stuff is so good! I’ve never had a bad avacado from there and we always buy the cherry tomatoes (good value and quality). The berries are usually very good too. Bagged broccoli is fresh and lasts. Fresh morzarellla is a good price. Oh, the baked in store baguettes are very good quality too and often hot from the oven. Cakes are good if you need a big one.
I don’t think they have as many books or movies as Costco and I do miss the quality of the clothes at Costco. The white bath towels are super nice for about $7 each. More luxurious than Costco ‘s which I also like. Just tried the 450 thread count sheets and they seem nice and had labels inside they said “top”, “side”, etc. Brilliant!
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,950
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Aug 8, 2018 21:11:17 GMT
Costco is really close to me compared to Sam's, but I'm beginning to dislike Costco for many reasons, but the number one reason is their deceptive practice of pawning off old product with new. For example, buy a package of ground beef, start to break it apart, bright read meat on the outside, dark gray meat on the inside. Found this time and time again. 6 Avocados to a bag. One is so ripe it is mushy, but the other 5 are hard as a rock. So, I have to say meat is better at Sam's. Seems to be better priced as well. At the holidays, it seems Sam's has more "goodies" such as cookies and candies and "gifts". I would always find nice things at Sam's for my grandson to use as teacher gifts and for other gift exchanges he participated in. I would look and look at Costco and nada.
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Post by papersilly on Aug 8, 2018 21:12:47 GMT
we used to have both. Costco for home and Sams for the office because there was no Costco nearby. i never did like Sam's.
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,616
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Post by basketdiva on Aug 8, 2018 22:30:39 GMT
The most important item Sam's Club sells, however, is York Peppermint Patties. It's worth the membership just for those. (Costco sells some fake-o brand, and usually only during the holidays. Ugh.)
My Costco stocks York Peppermint Patties. Almost bought a box of them Saturday.. They are in the regular candy aisle year-round
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,873
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Aug 8, 2018 22:40:13 GMT
Costco has a better snack bar! ;-)
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,633
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Post by janeliz on Aug 8, 2018 23:07:40 GMT
We have both, though Sam’s is 5 minutes from my house and the Costco is about 30 minutes away. So Sam’s it is.
I think Sam’s has really stepped things up in the last few years, and the scan and go app makes things perfectly pain free. I love it.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 8, 2018 23:10:09 GMT
Costco is really close to me compared to Sam's, but I'm beginning to dislike Costco for many reasons, but the number one reason is their deceptive practice of pawning off old product with new. For example, buy a package of ground beef, start to break it apart, bright read meat on the outside, dark gray meat on the inside. Found this time and time again. 6 Avocados to a bag. One is so ripe it is mushy, but the other 5 are hard as a rock. So, I have to say meat is better at Sam's. Seems to be better priced as well. At the holidays, it seems Sam's has more "goodies" such as cookies and candies and "gifts". I would always find nice things at Sam's for my grandson to use as teacher gifts and for other gift exchanges he participated in. I would look and look at Costco and nada. The color difference you're noticing is usually caused by the lack of oxygen penetrating below the surface layer of the meat. When ground beef goes truly bad, on the other hand, other signs of spoilage are normally present, including an off odor, a sticky or tacky feel, or a slimy appearance. Every package of ground beef I have ever bought is just like you described so you're blaming Costco is not their fault. I think their meat is wonderful. |
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Post by mygigiscraps on Aug 8, 2018 23:26:14 GMT
We have the Sam's plus membership. It's more expensive the first year, but they do a percentage as cash back in November, as well as free shipping on the website and earlier hours at the store. I've already earned enough to cover next year's membership plus a $20 refund.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,138
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 8, 2018 23:41:24 GMT
We have both. Sam's is closer, but I do more shopping at Costco. However, if you bake your own bread (which I do sometimes) Sam's often has yeast in bulk. Costco does not carry it. Sam's has had the Ghiradelli chocolate melts for candy makers, although now they just have the chocolate chips, but Costco only carries Nestle chocolate chips and sometimes their own brand of chocolate chips, which is less sweet. We like the Costco brand, but if I want to make candy, I want the Ghiradhelli.
They have a broccoli and cheese chicken breast that we like and a chicken cordon blue (Barber foods). I can't remember if Costco carries those or not. I'm a bit loopy from meds following surgery, so it is hard to think and type. Their fresh fruit is good, but so is Costco's.
Some of the nicest bath towels I have ever found were at Sam's. I gave into temptation and bought the towels and bath mats. They are so thick and soft, but they still do a good job drying you off. Some of the soft towels don't.
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Post by JustKim on Aug 9, 2018 0:12:20 GMT
Costco. We do not give our money to the Walmart family. So no Sams Club for us.  |
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Post by mom26 on Aug 9, 2018 1:33:36 GMT
We have memberships to both and would probably go totally Costco except for Sam's Scan and Go app. Once you go Scan and Go, you cannot go back, lol.
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Belle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,309
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Post by Belle on Aug 9, 2018 2:14:57 GMT
Sam's refrigerated Salsa is delish, Eggland's eggs, I prefer their Sharp hunk cheddar, potato chips large variety- 2 bag purchase, and they mark down seasonal merchandise, not like COSTCO who returns it. We like their ribeye steaks better. I swore we would not be a 2 card family , but Sam's is more convenient from my office so here we are. Costco does mark down merchandise. Anything ending in .97 cents ($10.97, $8.97 etc) is marked down. |
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Post by refugeepea on Aug 9, 2018 2:30:05 GMT
We don't use our membership much at Sam's. It's close to an hour away and Costco is farther. We usually find better deals on food at the grocery store with coupons. We seem to consistently buy toilet paper, gas, and Finish dishwasher tabs. They usually have some kind of good monthly deal.
I do know I love Costco's chocolate covered raisins (their store brand) vs Sam's Club.
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,177
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Aug 9, 2018 3:00:00 GMT
We've only had Sam's Club in my area, although the one closest to me, in between work and home closed, so I haven't gone as much to the one that's not as convenient.
A Costco is currently under construction. It will be not too far away from the remaining SC. We will probably go check it out and maybe try a membership there to see if we like it.
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Post by allison1954 on Aug 9, 2018 3:04:30 GMT
We don't use our membership much at Sam's. It's close to an hour away and Costco is farther. We usually find better deals on food at the grocery store with coupons. We seem to consistently buy toilet paper, gas, and Finish dishwasher tabs. They usually have some kind of good monthly deal.
I do know I love Costco's chocolate covered raisins (their store brand) vs Sam's Club.
Our Costco quit carrying the chocolate covered raisins ! |
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Aug 9, 2018 3:14:56 GMT
We don't use our membership much at Sam's. It's close to an hour away and Costco is farther. We usually find better deals on food at the grocery store with coupons. We seem to consistently buy toilet paper, gas, and Finish dishwasher tabs. They usually have some kind of good monthly deal.
I do know I love Costco's chocolate covered raisins (their store brand) vs Sam's Club.
Costco switched the factory/recipe for their chocolate raisins. They're not as good now. They were out of stock for a few months and I was very excited when I saw them back in stock. Unfortunately, the gap must have been due to the change. Huge disappointment. So sad. |
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Aug 9, 2018 3:16:08 GMT
We don't use our membership much at Sam's. It's close to an hour away and Costco is farther. We usually find better deals on food at the grocery store with coupons. We seem to consistently buy toilet paper, gas, and Finish dishwasher tabs. They usually have some kind of good monthly deal.
I do know I love Costco's chocolate covered raisins (their store brand) vs Sam's Club.
Our Costco quit carrying the chocolate covered raisins ! Keep an eye out for them. They're back at my store, but not as good. (See above.)  |
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,950
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Aug 9, 2018 3:31:40 GMT
Costco is really close to me compared to Sam's, but I'm beginning to dislike Costco for many reasons, but the number one reason is their deceptive practice of pawning off old product with new. For example, buy a package of ground beef, start to break it apart, bright read meat on the outside, dark gray meat on the inside. Found this time and time again. 6 Avocados to a bag. One is so ripe it is mushy, but the other 5 are hard as a rock. So, I have to say meat is better at Sam's. Seems to be better priced as well. At the holidays, it seems Sam's has more "goodies" such as cookies and candies and "gifts". I would always find nice things at Sam's for my grandson to use as teacher gifts and for other gift exchanges he participated in. I would look and look at Costco and nada. The color difference you're noticing is usually caused by the lack of oxygen penetrating below the surface layer of the meat. When ground beef goes truly bad, on the other hand, other signs of spoilage are normally present, including an off odor, a sticky or tacky feel, or a slimy appearance. Every package of ground beef I have ever bought is just like you described so you're blaming Costco is not their fault. I think their meat is wonderful. Maybe I didn't explain it well enough. This was obviously old rolled with the new. It even separated the old from the new, like if you tried to mend a hamburger patty and it is not pressed firmly enough, it will come apart. I have showed it to several people and they agree it is old with new. Oxygen would not be penetrating or mayb you meant a lack of oxygen. |
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Post by Scrappyhappy on Aug 9, 2018 3:35:07 GMT
We belong to both. Sam’s does have the cool scan and go app that we use a lot. We are also business members at Sam’s, I love that I can get in to shop at 7:00 in the morning.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Aug 9, 2018 3:57:29 GMT
The color difference you're noticing is usually caused by the lack of oxygen penetrating below the surface layer of the meat. When ground beef goes truly bad, on the other hand, other signs of spoilage are normally present, including an off odor, a sticky or tacky feel, or a slimy appearance. Every package of ground beef I have ever bought is just like you described so you're blaming Costco is not their fault. I think their meat is wonderful. Maybe I didn't explain it well enough. This was obviously old rolled with the new. It even separated the old from the new, like if you tried to mend a hamburger patty and it is not pressed firmly enough, it will come apart. I have showed it to several people and they agree it is old with new. Oxygen would not be penetrating or mayb you meant a lack of oxygen. This sounds like it might be an individual store issue because we’ve never seen that with any of the meat we’ve bought there. It’s always been very fresh and very good. We only have Costco now even though there are several Sam’s near us. The Costco stores are so much cleaner and nicer. I like that I get a 2% kickback with my executive membership and can tack on another discount when I use my Costco Visa card. We booked our upcoming vacations through Costco’s travel agency and will get a 5% discount on everything between our membership and credit card rebates, plus we’ll get a Costco gift card for several hundred dollars per trip once we get back on top of all that. |
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, but Sam's is more convenient from my office so here we are. 
