The Sam's Club Thread

[CapnCy]

Sams prices are cheaper for almost everything i get. Frozen fruit/veg, TP/paper towels, laundry stuff.

Yeah, i used to play the "find the best deal/rebate" for toilet paper at Target (when they have the gift cards when you buy a certain amount). Their TP is high quality.

The other thing about their app...if you like the cafe, can now order ahead and skip the line.

 

[Gonzo]

We used to have Costco membership but switched to Sam's when daughters started going to ISU, since there's a Sam's in Ames they could go and stock up on stuff.

I do think it's funny the superiority complex Costco members have looking down their noses at Sam's members. Lol. Nothing screams "Midwest Rich" like a three-stall garage and a Costco membership.

 

[Mr Janny]

Sam's Scan and Go is superior to Costco, and the location is significantly closer to where I live than the closest Costco, but that's where the competition ends. We have membership at both, but I average a Costco run about every 3-4 weeks, whereas I might go into Sam's, 3-4 times a year. Mostly use it to buy classroom snacks, Kleenex, and whatnot, to give to the school.

 

[intrepid27]

Until Costco gets a scan and go app, I'll stick with Sams.

I've never been in a Costco because Sams is 7 minutes away. I will say that Sams app is great.

 

[dafarmer]

Scan your own items while you shop. Swipe right to checkout. Walk through their arches and you scan skip the receipt checker. You don't have to deal with anyone.

What happens when you find something else, can you void the first item. I always find something better to try.

 

[CyclonimusPrime]

I live in Ames and have both a Sam's Club membership and Costco membership (and use both frequently). They both have positives. For Ames, their gas is always considerably cheaper which makes having the membership a no brainer. The electronics/clothes at Costco are really good and just meh at Sam's Club. Food items are mostly a wash (with each having positives/negatives) while the bakery is way better at Costco. In my opinion, Costco > Sam's, but it isn't a massive gap. Both are solid places. TP and paper towels are my go-to items at Sam's.

 

[cycloner29]

Where did I see that Sam's was going with Just Scan and Go..... I never use the Sam's app for some reason even at the gas pumps. I guess I better start.

Two words why my wife loves Sam's...... Rotisserie chicken. She also gets the Premier Protein drinks and gets me the Aspire Energy Drinks.

 

[Gonzo]

Sam's Scan and Go is superior to Costco, and the location is significantly closer to where I live than the closest Costco, but that's where the competition ends. We have membership at both, but I average a Costco run about every 3-4 weeks, whereas I might go into Sam's, 3-4 times a year. Mostly use it to buy classroom snacks, Kleenex, and whatnot, to give to the school.

That does work pretty slick.

We were at the Ankeny Sam's a month or so ago and I saw Big Daddy Moe Cason in there strutting his way back to the meat dept.

 

[AgronAlum]

What happens when you find something else, can you void the first item. I always find something better to try.

Yep, just remove it from your cart. It's set up just like a grocery store POS system. It also gives you a running total as you shop.

You can also just wait until the end and scan everything at once. There is a quick scan mode where it doesn't make you hit scan item every time.

The app works for paying at their pumps too.

 

[bos]

It’s just frozen patties of shredded sirloin to make Phillies at home.

Target has one now in their fresh meats section that rivals Garry. I have some of both in my freezer, but have been leaning towards the other lately.

 

[NickTheGreat]

Sams has a far better selection of briskets, butts, ribs, etc. I've only been to Costco 6 or 7 times in my life, but it's been quite lacking in that area.

Also, as mentioned earlier, the pay and go is one of the best things human beings have invented. Right behind penicillin, and ahead of sliced bread

 

[do4CY]

Member's mark pork carnitas. Put it in an air fryer for 10 minutes and then shred it. It's some good stuff

 

[CycloneSpinning]

We used to have Costco membership but switched to Sam's when daughters started going to ISU, since there's a Sam's in Ames they could go and stock up on stuff.

I do think it's funny the superiority complex Costco members have looking down their noses at Sam's members. Lol. Nothing screams "Midwest Rich" like a three-stall garage and a Costco membership.

I think the opinions are actually location specific…more than company specific. If your best option for Sam’s is the West Des Moines location, you should choose Costco. Sam’s products and prices are fine, but the employees are not good at what they do. Try to return an item…or just ask a question…and you’ll decide Costco is where you want to be. Ankeny or Ames…Sam’s is just fine…

 

[Arkansas Cyclone]

Where did I see that Sam's was going with Just Scan and Go..... I never use the Sam's app for some reason even at the gas pumps. I guess I better start.

Two words why my wife loves Sam's...... Rotisserie chicken. She also gets the Premier Protein drinks and gets me the Aspire Energy Drinks.

They have awesome chicken and for less than $5. There's nothing here in NW Arkansas that can even come close.

 

[CyCoug]

I have both right now. If you drop Sams for a bit you can usually rejoin on a special for $20 or $30 for the year. Costco doesn’t negotiate on their memberships.

 

[Clonehomer]

I think the opinions are actually location specific…more than company specific. If your best option for Sam’s is the West Des Moines location, you should choose Costco. Sam’s products and prices are fine, but the employees are not good at what they do. Try to return an item…or just ask a question…and you’ll decide Costco is where you want to be. Ankeny or Ames…Sam’s is just fine…

Hence my love of their app. There should be no reason for me to ever interact with them. Which is the way it should be. People are idiots in general.

 

[garn91]

Other than not being associated with Wal-Mart, I don't get the obsession with Costco. I live in Ankeny and Sam's Club has everything I need.

 

[JP4CY]

We have both Sams and Costco and we've managed it well.

Besides what others have mentioned, Sams has sushi to go and Costco doesn't. And if youre OK with refrigerated sushi, it's a really solid price and product.

 

[baller21]

We’re Costco members because it’s much closer for us but even if proximity wasn’t an issue I’d choose Costco just because they treat their employees better.

 

[nfrine]

Sam's rotisserie chicken rocks.