Household Tips

I have been a member of Sams Club for years. I compared prices on many items between Costco and Sams Club. On 90% of products Sams club beat Costco hands down. There was a recent study also done by a independent and they agreed with my findings.

Sams club smashes on any competition hands down

If you're looking to save money, go to Sam's. If you care more about companies treating employees the "american" way, go to Costco. Personally, I prefer Sam's purely for their prices. We have both memberships (for free through work), and I hate going to either one as we always spend more $$ than I want to. All products they sell are the same with just different stickers. TRUST ME, Sam's or Costco DO NOT HAVE FACTORIES producing anything. Kirkland = private label. Super Value = private label. Even the meat standards are the same. All beef is graded by a USDA (government official) at the meat processing or slaughter house anyways. CHOICE is CHOICE, PRIME IS PRIME, SELECT IS SELECT, NO ROLL is inconsistent, could be any of other grades mentioned. Fresh Produce - most of the fruits and vegetable sold at both places come from the same places. Sam's don't have farms in california or Chile,Honduras or ANYWHERE...the same goes for Costco! The other day at Costco, I asked the "seafood expert" where the lobsters they had a special on, was from, and also if they were cold water or warm water lobsters...he didn't have a clue..or didn't even know the difference between cold and warm water lobster. I find that the Sam's we go to is normally less crowded on any given day. There was a post in here that said 90% of what one store sold was made in China...i thought that was a pretty stupid statement and quite an ignorant and uneducated statement. Anywho, I hope they both continue to stay in business, as I like the competition -- savings for me!

hi we like costco better than sam's club.

I am always at the Cranberry PA Costco and I have never seen it dirty. The only "mess" is around the sample ladies trash cans that can over flow but their sample ladies are much cleaner than Sams.

I would love to compare Costco to Sam's Club, but the closest one is about 3 hours from me and I live 45 minutes from 3 fairly large cities in Iowa. Costco needs to spread their wings so to speak.

I find that a Costco membership is worthwhile for the meat alone. The steaks are "almost prime" quality for less than choice prices. The lamb chops and legs are Australian, absolutely delicious, andabout half the supermarket price. Plus I feel good about doing business with a socially responsible employer.

I've been a costco member since their was a price club next to me and they bought it out. I never lived near a sams club till recently, where I have all 3 clubs (BJs, Sams, and Costco). I figured Costco would be the best as thats what I've always heard, and they are pretty good, but my friend brought me to Sams to try it out. I noticed all the prices were cheaper on pretty much everything there. I was looking for a big TV at the time, and I knew Costco's return policy was good (6 months) but he told me Sams was better (he returned an expensive piece of furniture without a box that was over 6 months old while I was with him, they asked no questions). I looked at the TVs at Sams, and they were also MUCH cheaper about $200 less then the same model at Costco). I chose one, but they were out of stock, and they upgraded me to one that was another $200 more for free! I joined, and all their products are cheaper (except gas), membership is cheaper, lines are shorter, and they have more variety and better quality stuff. The only part of Costco I liked better was the Deli so I kept the membership at both, but then they changed the products I liked there to much worse ones, so now I just cancelled my membership to Costco. The lines are much shorter at Sams, prices are better, and more variety. Costco is MUCH better on the free samples though, but its not worth the money. Sams club also doesn't care about bringing guests, whereas Costco is often strict on how many, what guests can buy and how they can pay for it (if at all).

Costco has fewer locations but they seem to be located in wealther neighborhoods. So they get free publicity from hollywood and other stars!

I have been a Costco member for about 3 years and was contemplating on switching to Sams (Just because I moved closer to Sams, which is now a few blocks from where I live.), But I must say I am completely satisfied with Costco... I live in Hawaii and with the gas prices (blah-blah-blah), it is sufficient to say Costco is better, because they have the cheapest gas . I dont know about the mainland and other cities, but Sam's in Hawaii doesnt have a gas station. Also, (@ BJ) Costco changed my tires for free. I have never been into Sams, but I think a trip to the store will let me make a better choice... BUT again... GAS, closing in on $5 (Whew!!!).

The only problem I had with Costco was that I didnt get my brochures regularly, but that was no issue becuase I could always get one, and another, and an extra when I went to the store... Even if you forget your coupons, the Cashiers had brochures/booklets of coupons they scan for you. I havent renewed my membership for a few months now, but I still get the brochures anyways...

I think Sams @ Honolulu would have to be exceptional before I could really change my mind... Costco 99.99% now

Yea! Their Pizza rocks...

I have been a member of Sam's for 10 plus years and think they are just ok. I would belong to Costco's except they are not very convenient. The main objection I have to Sams is that they are so right wing that they seem to always have all there TV's set on the Republican Broadcasting System (Fox).

Hi i have worked for Costco for about five years. I am a regular hourly clerk employee making 19.75 hr/40hr plus $4,400 bonus yearly garanteed.
Also full medical, dental, vision and 401k benefit etc. I started at $10 hr and has payed off working hard. Costco takes care of their employees that why employees take care of their members. That why i have a great day working at Costco.

Never buy large items like spas at Costco. (2-2-08)
The company- Infinity spas gives me the run around for service and poor workmanship of their product. It is almost worth the additional 2K to have a local service rep a someone that answers the phone. Remember the name INFINITY SPAS-- worst company i have ever delt with and must deal with until the warranty expires.

I was in a Walmart not long ago and overheard a couple of employees talking. They looked so tired and one said her hours were being cut back this week. The other one said, she didn't know how many she would get next time. What a frightening way to work, not knowing how many hours you are getting. Maybe they were on call, I don't know. Another time, I heard a similar thing being said by employees.

While in a Walmart on a weeknight, there were 4 cashiers open, plus the self-checks. The 4 lines had 6-7 people/families with full grocery carts waiting. I guess the cashiers were checking on prices because I don't know why it was so slow. The people were standing back into the aisles and everyone was tired. If it is busy like this in the evenings and they cannot give good customer service, the customer has to sacrifice several hours just getting in and out of there. Another cashier was in an empty booth next to our line and joking around with other employees - like they were on break or uncaring about the lines of tired people. Yes, I want good prices but my time is valuable too.

i started working for sams club about 18 months ago in the cafe department for 9.05 an hour and since then i was promoted to team lead makeing 11.15 an hour(also including my 90 day raise and yearly raise) and i have begun training to be a manager where the base salary is 43000 a year. so i think that sams club is a great place to work. but to each his own.

let me tell you something. Ihave never heard of walmart until i was 18. I grew up in new york city. and they refuse to let a dirty disgusting low pay treat employees bad and members bad be built in that city. if u support sams u support the greedy ass waltons. 90 percent of their stuff is made in China. Costcos quality is the best in my opinion costcos have almost half the stores sams have and still beat sams by 20 billion last year. That should at least tell u something

Costco has a 2 Year Warranty on ALL Electronics - - That's a WINNER in my book.

I am a happy Sam's Club member in the midwest, but had the opportunity to be in Cranberry Township, PA. I visited the Costco since I had never been in one before. It was very filthy, poorly merchandised, and not appealing at all. And this was in an upscale community! This may have been an isolated case, due to poor management, but it was enough to keep me from becoming a member of my closest Costco, about an hour away from my home.

I just had to comment on BJ's comment about Sam's club employees making more money. That's completly untrue. Sam's club employess make A LOT less money. Like I said in an earlier comment Costco pays their employees very well and that is why they love their jobs and the customer service is so great. I also wanted to comment on Sarah's comment saying that Costco is looked upon as dirty and unworthy of their membership fees. It's the other way around her in Jacksonville, Florida. Sam's club is very dirty (just like Walmart) w/ the exception of one that was recently built. I can't imagine that ANY Costco would be dirty seeing as they have very strict rules and a lot of regular inspections. I know our Costco is VERY clean. My mother was a Sam's club member for 15 years and recently switched to Costco and LOVES it, and their pizza, lol.

I LOVE costco, not just for shopping but my husband works there. This is the BEST job he has ever had. I wanted to brag a little bit about how well Costco takes care of it's employees. 1.) Every employee starts out at 11 dollars an hour, even if your only a cart pusher. 2.)You don't have to wait for annual reviews and beg and plead for raises. Depending on the dept you work in you get raises based on how many hours you work and it's a set amount. For example, my husband works in the meat dept. He was highered at one dollar more than the average worker because he has a skill. He got a 50 cent raise every 800 hours. Then after so many of those he got a dollar raise every 1200 hours. He started at 11 dollars an hour (when the highering rate was 10 dollars), has been working there three years (this June) and already makes 18 dollars an hour! The "top out" rate for his dept is 21 an hour he will be making that by the end of this year. After you reach your "top out" rate you get two bonuses a year 2 thousand twice a year! 3.) They have the best benifits. We have a son who was born with a very serious heart problem and a ton of other complications. He spent the first 6 months of his life in a hospital. My husband got Family medical leave act (FMLA) and when ever our son is sick there is no question and NO complaints. My husband calls out and gets his personal or vacation days. The year my son was born he ran out of days to use to pay for the time he was out so the employees started to give their extra days to him! I know that by law, here in FL, you have to get so many days of FMLA but they don't cap it for him and they don't moan and complain when he needs to use them. They also have a GREAT 401K policy and this year they saved money paying for the health benifits so they gave each employee 100 dollars in their 401k and this doesn't include what they already match. All of my sons Drs shop at costco (and he has 10 specialist and 4 therapist). Also if you have an excutive membership you get 2% cash back on ALL of your purchases at costco. If you are a business that spends a lot of money with them it could actually pay for the memebership, which is 100 a year. I could go on and on and on about how great they are but this comment is getting long. I just want to say my brother-in-law works there, my husband, and about five of my husband's childhood friends because the company is the best to work for and be a member at. BTW, regarding the return policy if you bought your product before the 90 policy they just implemented it's still covered under the old policy and you can return it.

I am glad it's a free country, we are entitled to our preferences. I don't see Costco in the news exploiting elderly, women, and raping communities and small businesses like Sams/WalMart does. We support our preferences with our dollars, and I have never seen quality at Sam's like I do Costco. I see happy employees at Costco and no company is perfect... Best to all for voicing opinions, it's very entertaining.

I read these comments and have had a lot of experience with both clubs and I find better customer service at Sams. As far as meat Sam's offers a double your money back freashness garuntee in all its fresh departments. They also will change and fix your flat tire for free even if you purchased the tire somewhere else. They pay about a dollar an hour more in wages. For every costco thing you say I can meet or beat it with something about Sams. Thanks but I chose to no longer be a member at Costco and have been a Sam's member for a long time now and plan to stay that way.

I only go to Costco.Never went to Sams.To be honest there is no sams in my city.And by far only 1 costco in my city.So i go for Costco.I LOVE THERE PIZZA.

I was a Costco member almost from the start. I didn't renew my membership and joined Sam's Club a few months ago.
It's better in my opionion because Costco does know what its doing anymore. Staples, that I liked, were being constantly replaced by inferior brands. If Sam's start to do this, I'll bounce to BJ wholesale. I don't care about atmosphere or some pursumed cache-hell your shopping in a wearhouse.

Way to go with the disinfo, Donna. Next you'll regale us with how Target is owned by the French and NOT Dayton-Hudson from Minneapolis.

The reason Costco is cheaper is because it is owned/operated by China, while Sam's club is owned by America....still paying more and shopping at Sam's.
Posted by: Donna Clifford | November 5, 2007 11:14 PM
-----------------------------------------------

Claim: Costco warehouse club stores are owned by China.

Status: False.

The URL for this page is http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/costco.asp

Wal-Mart Saves the World
By David Axe EmailAugust 20, 2007 | 11:00:00 PMCategories: Strategery

Why is a military show-down between the U.S. and China unlikely now or in the future? One word (or is it two?): Wal-Mart. Astute reader Geoff Edwards writes in:

The URL for this page is http://warisboring.com/?p=545

NOTE: Edited to avoid reproduction of articles without permission. See links to articles for original content.

SCREW ALL OF YOU PEOPLE! I WORK AT SAMS AND IT IS MUCH BETTER THAN COSTCO! CHEAP AND WANNABE PEOPLE GO TO COSTCO AND THE REAL PEOPLE THE BIGGER SPENDERS COME TO SAMS! AND SAMS MAKE MORE MONEY THAN COSTCO ANYDAY! NO CALCULATE THOES SALES!!!!

I'm a photo technician at Sam's and I can honestly tell you I love my job and my fellow employees. I really think that your experience at these warehouse clubs depends upon... that's right... Location, Location, LOCATION! Where I'm from (York, PA), Costco (and BJ's) are looked upon as dirty and unworthy of membership money. However, I've heard of many nice Costco's, too. I think if every Sam's Club was like the one I work at, Costco would be out of business. But hey, you can't please everyone all the time.

I joined Sams way back in the eighties when I got back from boot camp them moved to Seattle and let mt membership expire and joined Costco.Moved back to florida two years ago and joined Sams again because it was closer. To be honest each has its benefits but I would probably keep memberships to both if Costco was closer to me but since the drive time is double for costco I don't think it pays to go there, especially at $3 plus for a gallon of gas.
I will be testing Sams liberal return policy shortly. I purchased a JVC camcorder a little over 2 years ago and used it 4 times. It has just stopped working after sitting on the shelf for about a year. Now JVC should fix the problem because I have googled the problem and it is obviously a design flaw but it appears they want you to pay to have it repaired so i will take it back to Sam's and buy another non JVC camcorder. i don't know if you think this is abuse or not but I don't think a $400 camcorder should die on the shelf after only 2 years so I hope Sam's will put pressure on JVc to do the right thing. I'll let you know.

i WORK FOR SAMS, AND COSTCO iS RiGHT ACCROSS THE STREET. i LOVE iT. WERE NOT A UNiON! :)

The reason Costco is cheaper is because it is owned/operated by China, while Sam's club is owned by America....still paying more and shopping at Sam's.

Late 90's to 2000 was a Costco member, liked it but moved across town and Sam's was closer. Immediately liked the greater selection of food at Sam's. Did the grab one bag, when I should have taken two for the price; the cashier help get another one. I go to these clubs for meat prices. Sam's has by far a much larger selection of meats and cuts. Price is the same. Moved to California (2007), Sam's clubs are few and far between. Back to Costco, still the selections of meat is very limited. Paper towels, you have a choice of 1 type of towels, toilet paper maybe two or three choices. Sam's has much more variety. Dairy, you can buy organic milk or organic milk. 1 choice only. Cream cheese? most days none. Butter, not today. The selection of beverages at Costco is much smaller than Sams. Costco has a better bakery with a greater selection of breads. Costco has more seafood, but that might be because we now live closer to the ocean. Shopping carts are placed half way down the side of the building at Costco; Sams have them as you enter the building and the greeter helps steer a cart your way when you come in. I think Costco puts the carts at a distance so you will be prone to grabbing one in parking lot to save you the hassle of getting one from the cart pool. Electronics prices are very similar, Sam's has a greater TV selection. The pharmacy, I've been to this Costco 6 times and have not seen the pharmacy open. Don't know what gives with that. Vitamin and supplement selectin at Sam's is about double the selection. My vote is for Sam's, although they are more crowded. I don't know why either one sells gasoline, you can go down the street anywhere and get the same or better price without the waiting in line and entering two cards at the pump. Both should try to stop pushing their credit cards and get along with the world standard, accept them all!! Oh, also the selection of fresh vegetables and fruit is better at Sam's.

I tried to return some chicken potstickers (too much filler and/or MSG for my taste) to Sams Club thinking it wouldn't be a problem since when I used to go to Costco (none in Charlottesville, VA) they'd accept food returns without problems. The Sams Club employee said "we don't take back perishables"

Costco's old friend... Actually I only returned one electronic device to CostCo in my life. I don't find their deals that good. The one thing that made me consider buying from CostCo was the old return policy as that gave it an edge and allowed me to consider paying more than some other online sites. Plus, their shipping costs are often pretty high.

I am less likely to buy any electonics or computer gear from them in the future with the policy as it stands.

Sam's does accept Mastercard now.
They have been since November 2006.
Thursdays at Sam's aren't busy either.
Just Sunday's are bad, and if you hate lines don't go on Sundays. Utilize your business hours.

I'd heard that low-cost prescriptions are another great benefit of shopping at Costco.

This week, I found out that's true. When I quit my FT job in Dec, that meant no more health insurance and no more $5 prescriptions.

My doctor told me about a few places that offer rock-bottom prices on prescription medicines (like WalMart). He also told me that Walgreens (where I HAD been getting my scripts from -- since it was close) was one of the most expensive.

So I checked it out. He was right.

(FYI: The most you can get at any one time is a 3-month supply for most prescriptions.)

Brand A blood pressure medicine
Walgreens: $46.17/3mos
Costco: $8.43/3mos

Brand B blood pressure medicine
Walgreens: $24.95/3mos
Costco: $11.55/3mos

Birth control pills
Walgreens: $31.99/3mos
Costco: $24.05/3mos

So, if I remain on all 3 med's, I will save $59.08 every 3 months when I refill my prescriptions each time.

This also goes to show how different scripts vary in prices. Look at Brand A of the bp med... that one alone is almost a $40 savings when you buy it at Costco!

Just thought I'd share my recent findings...

No there has been no policy change at Sam's club. What you should do is go in to a sam's club location and tell them you need to return your gps. Bring the confirmation email with you. You shouldn't have any problems.

I shop Samsclub.com often. Recently I bought a GPS in April, 2007. I have trouble to understand the woman's TTS (text to speech) voice, so I decide to return it. I got a red note: "this item is beyond allowable return time frame" and I couldn't process my return. I sent an email to customer service and ask about return policy change, but I got reply says he (or she) can process for me if I give my order number. No return policy change question was answered. Is this a policy change of Samsclub?

FYI, "fire spitting" Paul, I can only explain your anger at Costco's new policy by one thing. You are one of those who intend to abuse the policy deliberately and count on having a new model of electronics every 1-2 years for the price of one that you bought a century ago. Right? Because otherwise if you noticed that change in the policy applies only (90 days return) to televisions, computers, cameras, camcorders, portable music players and cell phones. Nothing else in the store is affected by the new policy. Here you have it. Enjoy your low end, made "who knows where" products in the unhappy, "no speaking" English, where employees run from you instead of helping facility named Sam's Club.

Just to clarify the return policy is 90 days for new purchases and only applies to (TVs, Computers, Camcorders, MP3 players, and cameras.) If you purchased an item before the 90 day return policy was instituted you are gradfathered into the old unlimited return policy (so keep your receipt). Costco also launched a concierge service that offers phone support and also helps facilitate repairs if you have surpassed the 90 days, but are still under manufacturer warranty. Not to mention that Costco negotiated a longer warranty period. To be honest most people that were making returns after 90 days were only interested in a free upgrade program, not because the item was defective. And in those cases most defects are apparent within the first 2 years so the warranty will correct any issues.

(Costco Employee)

I am a member of both-Costco and Sam's club. I travel three hours to go to Costco in Albuquerque. I buy only Kirkland coffee for my cafe.But they are cheaper in the products i do buy and you can't beat the price or quality for their meats. On the other hand, Sam's club in Pueblo is only 2 hours away and they have Caninos brand sausage and chorizo i need for my cafe. I prefer COSTCO-love it.

Hi. Where is Costco in the United States?

I'll have to disagree with you on #6. Most of the time I'm the one searching for a box to pack things in and I don't have large purchases. My shopping also occurs during less crowded days and hours.

I've never been to Sam's or BJ's.

Jay,

You don't ned a two year warrantee if you have unlimited returns!!!You just take things back if there is a problem 2,3,4 years!! And as far as tech support goes, when is the last time anyone paid for tech support for TV or any other consumer electronics? It's only software that sometimes charges and that is changing. Now everything is run from knowledge bases on the net. Think about the last few times you used telephone support. Were you satisfied? Probably not. It is an exercise in frustration to call these people when you need something. And Sam's Club has been aware of abuse of their return policy for years. I read their analysts reports. They have committed to another path though than Costco. They realize the long term approach pays bigger dividends in the long run. Let's face it Walmart, who owns Sam's has a lot deeper pockets than Costco will ever dream of. It pays to go with a winner!

Paul you also forget to mention two years of warranty (included) and plus free technical support.
:P
But don't worry when Sam's club notices high rate of abuse, it won’t be long before they change their policy too.

Costco carpped the bed....they gave into the money grubbers on Wall St (they are a traded company) and they changed their return policy to 90 days:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17350641/
Sam's Club on the other hand is taking care of it's customers by keeping an unlimited return policy. Richard Galanti needs to understand I will cancel Costco and renew my Sam's Club. Only an idiot would keep Costco in their wallet now. It costs Sam's Club to keep unlimited return policy but they are not just interested in the dollar. Costoco showed their true colors. Sure some people abuse such a policy but you can't let a few bad apples spoil it for everyone. Cheers for Sam's Club for thinking beyond the end of their noses. The product mix is nearly identical between the two companies and prices are also evenly matched. I am going to buy a 50 inch plasma TV this year. Costco and Sam's Club both have them. Where am I going to go drop my $2000? You got that right! Now who looks foolish with the shorter return policy?

I have been shopping Costco for years and I love em. I will much miss the return policy and to that extent it will affect the amount I buy there. I'm wondering if anyone knows what is Sams Club's return policy?

Check again. Costco just changed their return policy to a crappy 90 days. See if I ever buy anything from them again. They are often overpriced so now there is almost no reason to buy any electronics purchase from CostCo. Advoid them like the plague. I am definitely not renewing my membership.

The return policy at Costco is not one year (atleast not at my warehouse). It is in fact unlimited. You can return any item to any Costco for any reason at any time (as long as you bought it at Costco), except for computers, those have a 6 month return policy, and then after that the manufacturers warranty kicks in for another 6 months. We had a guy return a 4 year old PLasma TV a few weeks ago because he didn't like it anymore. He had his receipt so we returned it in full. We can look up your receipt for you in the computer, but just keep in mind if you don't have your receipt, most likely you will receive a Cash Card (gift card) for the return, so hold on to your receipts if you want cash or credit back.

Another Plus for Costco. The employees are treated very well. The lowest any employee will get paid at Costco is $10 an hour, and from there employees get a raise for every 800 hours they work. A Cashier at Costco topped out on their wages earns around $40,000 a year. Also we get amazing benefits. I pay about $80 a month for benefits which includes 401K, Health, Prescription Drug PLan, Dental, Short Term Disability, and Vision.

It really is a great company to work for, and a great place to shop.

Jay -
Oh yeah! I forgot about that one. The employee at the store here in Brentwood/Cool Springs, TN told me the same thing.

And the kicker: She said you don't even need your receipt! They can look in their system to see when you bought something at Costco.

Yep... that's another "plus" for Costco.

We also have a one year (not one month) return policy. Six months on Computers.

Sam's has almost twice as many Clubs as Costco 600 vs 350. Costco with their headquaters in Seattle has a much better selection of Seafood like Sushi, Clam Chowder, Fresh Shrimp and Scallops. Costco also sells upscale wine.

This is TOOOOOOooooo funny...

This morning, I'm watching Regis & Kathie Lee, or Kelly, or whatever it's called.

They have a viewer call in to try & win the spin-to-win contest. She's from Billings, Montana.

Kelly asks her if she's ever seen celebrities around there. To which she replied: "Yeah, I saw Tom Brokaw at Costco... He was in the meat department."

Regis gets in a few funny remarks about how "Tom Brokaw was just going in to buy a few pork chops at the Costco and he gets spotted..."

When Regis ends with: "Costco, who incidentally has great meat!!"

I guess they're onto something with their meat at the Costco stores across this country!