Costco or Sam's Club?

[jdoggivjc]

Wait a minute... You can't eat sausage for every meal?

Sounds like something Jenna Jameson would say...

 

[The_Architect]

Women won't if you keep covering it with Magnums :wink:

Or if you get married.

 

[VeloClone]

Good info. And yes we will be buying formula if baby #3 follows in the same path as the first two. How do the cost of diapers compare to a walmart, target, etc.

I guess my other main question for anyone out there is can you essentially go grocery shopping at a Sams or Costco (fresh veggies and fruit, etc.) and if so does it save you money.

My wife never liked the Huggies that Costco carried so in that regard Sam's would have been a better option for the Pampers diapers. We eat quite a bit of fresh fruit and veggies and buy a good portion of it at Costco. It is usually top quality. Most of the fresh food is a good buy but only if you are going to use all of the larger quantity it comes in. Some people buy the huge tray because it is a good buy then throw out half of it -- not such a good deal after all.

EDIT: By the way, I think the price of diapers at both are better than what you generally find at Target and Wal-Mart.

 

[cycoticfan]

Costco is $50/yr, Sam's is $100/yr.


Also, keep in mind that Costco is strictly cash/check/debit card. The only credit card they accept is American Express. I don't know how Sam's plays that.

Only credit card you can use at Sams is Mastercard. Also, I think Sams is having an open to the public event today and tomorrow. They usually add 10% but waive it if you buy a membership. They also have 30 day membership promos from time to time like around the holidays.

 

[GeronimusClone]

Or if you get married.

I think my sausage intake will keep that from happening.

 

[brianhos]

Been to both, we are members and shareholders of costco. It is so much cleaner and nicer than sams. They also pay/treat their employees really well, which shows. Heck we save the price of the membership every year in milk alone. It is over $1 cheaper per gallon. Costco also has a great electronics dept and really liberal return policies.

 

[kcdc4isu]

Costco is by far the better deal and a nicer place to shop.

 

[BasedClone]

Screw both, I do my grocery shopping at AJ's Market in Ames! That dude is the ****!

 

[cytech]

Costco is $50/yr, Sam's is $100/yr.

As far as I can tell the prices on products are going to be similar but the two clubs sometimes carry different products - for instance, Costco carries Huggies diapers and Charmin TP while Sam's Club carries Pampers diapers and Quilted Northern TP. In other words, it's hard to be "product loyal" at a wholesale club, unless you get memberships at both places (which some people do).

Also, keep in mind that Costco is strictly cash/check/debit card. The only credit card they accept is American Express. I don't know how Sam's plays that.

My Sams Club in Cedar Rapids has both Huggies and Charmin

Only credit card you can use at Sams is Mastercard. Also, I think Sams is having an open to the public event today and tomorrow. They usually add 10% but waive it if you buy a membership. They also have 30 day membership promos from time to time like around the holidays.

Sams takes Amex and discover too

And Today through Sunday Sam's Club is having a open house. I can't really comment on Costco as there is not one here in Cedar Rapids.

 

[tzjung]

Just an FYI....Costco's Pharmacy is the cheapest around. They have a corporate policy where they will NOT mark up drugs more than 10-15% more than what they buy it for. Thus they are by FAR the cheapest around. FWIW.

 

[CRcyclone6]

My Sams Club in Cedar Rapids has both Huggies and Charmin



Sams takes Amex and discover too

And Today through Sunday Sam's Club is having a open house. I can't really comment on Costco as there is not one here in Cedar Rapids.

and Visa debit. I like Sam's. Just got home from there. They had 4 diff kinds of steak to sample today, plus cod and some sort of spicy salmon. I've never been to Costco. I'm sure they're good to.

 

[BigBake]

+1 for Costco. A couple things to keep in mind.

- Go for the one closer to you.

- Never shop on Saturday or Sunday...it's a mad house and real pain.

- You'll never get everything on your list. Pick and choose things that are okay to buy in bulk.

- Watch the Costco flier. They have some pretty decent deals in them. I usually make my list based on what's in there.

 

[dmclone]

I don't use Costco as much as I should but I returned a HD projector after 3 years without any questions asked. That was worth the membership alone.

They have since changed their policy on electronics.

 

[Ciclone]

I'm in the Costco boat too, but just don't buy too much of the fruit/vegetables unless you eat like a family of gorillas. The stuff goes bad fairly quickly.

 

[CRAZYGREG]

CostCo is for yuppies that do not want to be associated with Wal-Mart

They are the exact same store!

 

[brianhos]

CostCo is for yuppies that do not want to be associated with Wal-Mart

They are the exact same store!

Correct, I do not EVER want to go into a wal-mart.

 

[Me State]

I'll put in my vote for Costco as well. Great place.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

I think diaper costs are fairly comparable, but Costco sends out coupons all the time and most of the time they include coupons for diapers or wipes or both. Just buy 2-3 boxes of either when you have the coupon, they don't limit you to just one.

We buy some veggies and fruit there but not all, just because we can't eat that much. Frozen veggies are a pretty good deal, fruits are a bit more hit-and-miss.

Milk is cheap. Eggs are cheap. Cereal isn't too bad most of the time. Specialty beers and liquor are a pretty decent deal.

I thought in Iowa anyone (not just members) can go in and buy liquor because of the state's bootlegging laws.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

I thought in Iowa anyone (not just members) can go in and buy liquor because of the state's bootlegging laws.

According to this article you are correct unless you live in Alaska:

Now, here’s the dirty little secret: You don’t have to be a Sam’s Club member to buy wine, beer and spirits from a warehouse location. Anyone can walk in and buy alcohol without being a member, said Koehler. The only exceptions to the rule are Sam’s Clubs in Alaska.
This little-known policy, triggered by various state and federal laws, also applies to other warehouse stores such as Costco and B.J.’s Wholesale, Koehler said. (See list of exemptions here.)


Sam’s Club adds booze online; no fees for warehouse alcohol sales - Fast Food Maven - The Orange County Register

 

[BirdDog]

Joined Costco a couple of months ago and really like it. Not a great selection like a regular grocery store but very fresh produce and great bakery. Get the Executive at $100 as you are guarenteed a min. of $50 back, and probably more if you shop alot.