Sam’s Club vs Costco, which is better? This is a question that many are asking. Whether you’re shopping for groceries, furniture, computers, or any of the hundreds of other products on offer, deciding which one is the best can be tricky.
We have Costco and Sam’s Club a short drive away. While both of these stores are economically better than your average supermarket, it is possible that one of the two clubs can save you more money than the other. Finding the best deals on the market combined with the best prices and quality products is no easy task.
Warehouse clubs have long been a popular choice among shoppers; they allow you to buy in bulk, view many different types of products, and save money in general. However, some people argue that it is difficult to lead a modest lifestyle due to the additional costs of purchasing in such large quantities.
While either one is a practical choice, there are a few things to keep in mind before choosing one of them. Both Costco and Sam’s Club charge an annual membership fee. Someone could be closer to you. Or you might not like the range of products on offer here.
Sam’s Club vs Costco: What’s That Putting Me?
The down payment for a membership may scare some people off. While the annual membership fee may seem hefty, the amount you get in return is more than the price.
Costo and Sam’s Club offer different types of membership plans from basic to premium. The Premium Plan gives you access to cash rewards and more substantial discounts that will benefit you the most if you prefer to buy in bulk. Are the additional benefits worth it? The short answer is yes, in the long run.
Costco costs
Costco’s standard membership is offered as Gold Star ($ 60 per year) and Gold Star Executive ($ 120 per year). In addition, students receive a $ 20 gift card upon registration, and military families receive coupons for free groceries and other savings over $ 60.
A Gold Star (or Basic) membership gives you a free home card and access to all Costco locations, including international stores. The Gold Star Executive membership also gives you a 2% annual cash reward on Costco and Travel purchases, as well as additional discounts on selected Costco Travel purchases.
Bulk buying is a great business investment, and this is where Costco’s business membership proves its worth. Business ($ 60 / year) and Business Executive ($ 120 / year) have the same benefits as their standard counterparts, plus the ability to buy for resale and add more people to the membership ($ 60 each).
Let’s say you have a coffee shop and want to buy coffee bags in bulk. You can buy them at better prices and with added benefits if you are a member of the Business Member Scheme. Costco offers a number of other benefits, including life insurance and personal identification, that can be beneficial to business owners.
Sam’s Club cost
Although Sam’s Club is a few dollars less expensive than its competitor, members enjoy many of the same benefits. They have a similar policy as Costco, students and military families are given a one-time gift card upon membership, and prices are on average about $ 20 cheaper.
For club memberships ($ 45 per year) you get one free membership card and up to eight additional memberships for an additional $ 40 each. This is useful if you want to add another family member to your membership. In comparison, Costco only offers this bonus to business members.
Plus membership ($ 100 per year) provides benefits, including $ 10 back for every $ 500 spent per year. It also offers early shopping hours, allowing you to get ahead of the crowd and view deals faster than others, and free shipping for most online orders, making it easy to get money on deals from the comfort of your home.
Costco pays more attention to lifestyle and health products. Plus memberships also include five free prescriptions and discounts on glasses.
Sam’s Club vs. Costco: Who’s the Best?
So which is the best for the price? Sam’s Club offers comparable benefits but is generally cheaper than Costco. While Costco offers a higher cashback, it is most valuable to those spending thousands, namely business members, not a standard club member.
As for payment, you can pay by card or cash at both stores. Costco only accepts Visa cards, while Sam’s Club accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express cards. They can be used both in store and online, depending on your preference. Another benefit of shopping at Sam’s Club is that some stores have started to provide members with free internet access, which allows you to use your smartphone to compare prices locally to ensure you are getting the best possible deal.
Who has the best seats and best access?
Both warehouses are located around the world. However, in the US alone, Costco has 539 warehouses, and Sam’s Club has approximately 599 warehouses, and they are in the lead. Maybe the best chance to find a Sam’s Club warehouse near you.
However, Costco has promised to build more warehouses across the country in the coming months and years.
Depending on your location, you may find that you have a choice of both, but other cities may only have one option. You can find the nearest Sam’s Club using their store locator and the nearest Costco using their warehouse locator. Online shopping is also always available.
What are the benefits of shopping for me?
While both stores offer great products, they represent value in different ways. Costco is renowned for its voluminous and organic products; it has many advantages in terms of buying large quantities of natural, fresh produce at once. Sam’s Club is renowned for its regular size products that can be purchased at better prices than regular supermarkets; you will save money without having to buy in bulk.
Costco offers
Costco claims they have about 4,000 items. Their goal is to keep only good quality products. They tend to sell a lot of expensive brands. In terms of groceries, you will find both good quality food and drinks. Kirkland products are the main feature of the line, which is very popular with customers.
Sam’s Club offers
Sam’s Club food range varies. While the exact amount is unknown, they pack more in their stores than Costco. They have more popular brands with a wide variety of meats and products. They also offer high quality products under Member’s Mark’s own brand at member-only prices.
Overall, Costco is the best choice if you are looking for organic products or buying in bulk. Sam’s Club has a lot to offer with a range of mid-range products at exceptional prices. As for what’s cheaper, Sam’s Club offers a variety of brands to suit families and students alike.
Sam’s Club vs. Costco: Will I Benefit From One More Than The Other?
Both memberships offer a wide range of benefits, from glasses to flu shots, and they both have slightly different targeting areas. Sam’s Club focuses more on lifestyle, while Costco focuses more on insurance, but both offer services that are not heavily advertised.
Costco offers:
Pharmacy, flu shots, vision / hearing exams, tires / battery, gasoline and car maintenance, photography, business services (including insurance), travel, car shopping program, and in-store restaurant.
Sam’s Club offers:
Pharmacy, flu shots, optical / hearing center, tires / battery, gasoline and car maintenance, business services (including insurance), travel, car shopping program, and in-store restaurant.
Find the difference? This is not possible because warehouse clubs have incredibly similar privileges. However, where they may differ is in the quality of these services and the customer experience.
If you prefer to shop from home, both Sam’s Club and Costco offer impeccable online services. You can get your groceries to go in just a few hours, usually the same day if ordered early enough and through Instacart.
You will find that they have relatively similar shipping services. Note that you will pay more for Instacart at both clubs than at the store. This can be a great side event for those looking for a job where you work alone most of the time.
Both warehouses have a 90-day return policy, so if something doesn’t match the invoice, you can return it and get your money back if kept during that 90-day window.
Sam vs. Costco: still undecided?
Both have their advantages, and that’s okay. Most of the time, it all depends on personal preference, budget, and what exactly you are looking for. Sam’s debate against the Costco Club is almost as controversial as the FIRE movement.
Costco has an advantage over Sam’s Club in terms of production and cost in terms of quantity, while Sam’s Club offers a broader range of mid-range products that generate significant savings.
What do the experts say?
Both of these big wholesale clubs have annual membership fees, so which warehouse store is better?
If you study the public reviews, you will find that the Costco Wholesale Club has a slightly higher rating than Sam’s Club. Costco is rated 3.79 out of 5 stars and Sam’s Club is rated 3.53 out of 5 stars.
By focusing only on the positives of both, we can see that the decisive factors for both are:
Costco:
- Large selection of organic products – there are good quality products.
- Kirkland Signature proprietary brands provide excellent quality at reasonable prices.
- Costco Travel offers good travel discounts – if you are a business person or travel frequently, this can be a huge benefit.
Sam’s club:
- Name brands – they have a wide range of choices across the board.
- Free shipping for all Plus memberships – you can shop online easily.
- Lower membership fees than Costco – about $ 20 less yearly subscription.
- Accepts all credit cards for safe and secure payments.
The choice between Sam’s Club and Costco comes down to a small difference in price and services offered, as well as in the quality of the products provided. Whatever your preference in terms of quality and price, one of these two warehouse clubs will surely benefit your family or business.
This article originally appeared on The Money Mix and has been republished with permission.