As many of you know, we chose not to renew our Sam's Club membership this year.
Not for any particular reason, other than the fact that we were driving a bit out of the way to take advantage of was I used to call "madhouse shopping".
It really wasn't that bad... it just got old. And after being dues-paying members of the legendary Sam's Club for well over a decade, we began to lose sight of the real "benefits".
Fast-forward 5 months later, and we find ourselves dues-paying members of Costco now!
Here's why...
Great Prices On Electronics
A friend of ours (thanks, David!) told us about a good deal that Costco had on Viewsonic 22" computer monitors. It's #VX2235wm - the 22" HD wide multimedia LCD monitor.He got one. And since I've been scoping out monitors for the past few months, I thought I'd check it out.
My big, clunky 21" KDS monitor has served me well for many, many years, but I was hoping to save some desk space and widen the screen a bit -- with all the multitasking I do on computers 24/7. (I gave the flat screen that came with my new Dell to Jim back when he ordered his Dell -- without a monitor.)
Pictured at right is my *new* Viewsonic flat screen monitor.
Anyhoo... back to our review of Costco!
Why Costco Is Better Than Sam's Club
Granted, we've only been members at Costco for a few days... But first impressions go a long way, right?#1 The people there -- from the card checker at the door... to the receipt checker at the other door... the membership signer-upper... and the checkout cashier -- were very pleasant and seemed genuinely happy to be working there. That is something you don't see at most retail businesses these days!
#2 We went on a Thursday evening -- and there were no lines, no crowds, no "madhouse shopping" in this retail warehouse.
#3 Things were laid out about the same as at the Sam's Club. And it seemed they had the same food products, just under different "member" labels. (I'm sure I have a lot more to learn in this respect, and I'll be sure to add an update after I find more similarities and differences between Costco and Sam's Club.)
#4 Of the handful of food items we glanced at, things seemed a few cents cheaper than at Sam's Club. And the computer monitor I bought cost $70 more at Office Depot, and most other places, including online retailers.
#5 The store seemed very clean and orderly. The clothes were all perfectly and neatly folded on the tables. Food items rarely seemed out of place. It made a good impression.
#6 They box your stuff for you! That's right...there's a cashier and a boxer checking you out each time. One runs your stuff through the scanner & handles your payment. The other puts each item into a perfectly-sized box, all nice & neat. At Sam's, we always had to go on a mad hunt for "the perfect" box while we were waiting in long lines. Then Sam's Club eventually instituted a policy stating they were not responsible for putting your items into the box for you. (I guess they didn't have the time.) They would only put it in the crate, leaving you to box it up when you transferred the items from the crate to your car. Ugh!
#7 At Costco, they take American Express. At Sam's Club, they only accepted Discover Card and Debit cards. Recently, I think they've started to accept Visa or MasterCard. Still no American Express that I'm aware of, and that happens to be our credit card of choice -- for the no annual fees, cash back rewards, and low interest rates. We use American Express exclusively for both, our personal and business purchases. (So, if you're a business owner and you prefer American Express, choose Costco!.)
#8 Evidence that they "look out" for their customers... We grabbed a bag of fresh-baked bagels from the deli area inside Costco. At the checkout register, the cashier told us that the bagels are two (2) bags for $3.49. (We thought it was one bag of oversized 'everything' bagels for that price.) Since so many people only grab one bag (like us), they have a big 'ol stack of bagels in bags up near the front registers. I figured they wouldn't be as "fresh", but they were marked with the same freshness date as the ones we picked out ourselves.
The Biggest Difference: Membership Prices
At Costco, a membership costs $50 (which includes membership cards for 2 individuals) -- whether you get a personal membership or a business membership.On the other hand, at Sam's, it only cost us $35 each year (for the 2 of us to have "business" membership cards). Personal memberships are $40 for 2 individuals in a household.
Not A 'Pro' or A 'Con'... Just A Fact
It seems people are always talking about Costco, rather than Sam's, when discussing membership clubs these days.Even big-wigs and celebrities... I can't tell you how many times this week I heard a couple of "Hollywood stars" mention Costco when they were talking about something they recently purchased. Which just tells me that are probably more Costco store locations than Sam's Clubs... who knows?
Until today, neither I nor Jim had never had a Costco membership before. So this Costco stuff is all new to us. But so far so good. We're glad to be members.
I Found This Interesting...
On my way out, I asked the cashier/checker what she thought was the biggest difference between a Costco membership and a Sam's Club membership.She said:
"#1 our customer service.
Agreed.
"#2 our enhanced business membership privileges."
Ehhhh... we couldn't care less about these. They're just 'fluff' in our opinion. But they're obviously proud of 'em.
Then, I asked her about any differences in the food....
She said:
"The meat! I'm kind of a meat snob, and I used to only buy 'prime' cuts of meat. But now I buy all my meat here. It's not prime, but it's 'choice'."
The funniest part... You'd have thought someone set this up. The guy in line behind us said: "I'm a butcher. I used to have my own shop, but now I don't. I only buy my meat from here now. She's right. Their meat is really a lot better here -- especially if you know what to look for. I buy the larger cuts at a lower price, then cut them myself."
...I thought that was some very valuable information! Worth the price of admission, if you ask me.
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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.