Are you team Costco, or are you team Sam’s? The problem with either one of these clubs, is it requires an exclusive membership. To be able to join and get this exclusive membership, you have to pay a fee. So what exactly are you getting for that fee? A promise of lower prices and packages of toilet paper that are so large, it requires two shelves in the linen closet.
I recently wandered both clubs. From the interior lay-out, they are almost indistinguishable. You are greeted by big screen tvs and then paraded past the books, apparel, office supplies, and kitchen gadgets before ever getting to the milk.
So no real difference there. But what about the prices?
Well, if you want to use price in determining which club to join, I jotted down a few prices. Please do not mistake this for a complete break-down on price comparison on every item in the warehouse. People, I have a life! It’s taken me two weeks just to type up what I did jot down. The prices I compared were for items I knew both warehouses sell. I have a much longer list of Costco prices here. For price comparison sake, I tried to do as much apples to apples as I could and I hunted for organic products ~ since that’s the way I roll.
Here is how they compare:
In case you are wondering, KS stands for Kirkland Signature, the Costco brand. And MM stands for Member’s Mark, the Sam’s Club brand.
What do you think of the price comparison?
For me, I buy organic milk, and I tend to buy it at Costco about twice a month. If prices at each warehouse stay the same for the next 12 months (and we all know there is no guarantee of that!) I save $47.76 over the price of buying it at Sam’s Club. So to me, that says I belong to the right club. Go team Costco!
Oh wait. I also buy dates almost every time I shop Costco. So, over the course of the next 12 months if the prices stay the same (and we all know there is no guarantee of that!) I’m spending $24.24 MORE at Costco than I would if I shopped Sam’s Club. Go team Sam’s Club!
Huh. Looks to me like both clubs offer savings. So how do you choose? No really. I’m asking. How do you choose? Leave me a comment & let me know!
Your post is very timely as I have always been a BJ’s shopper but was thinking about checking Sam’s club. You’ve given me a great starting place.
Personally, I am Team Costco because I agree more with their business practices. One is going up in my area, and I’m really excited!
I choose based on their labor practices. Costco wins — no contest.
I am a Costco shopper. I walked into my first one just a few months ago after buying a membership at a bridal show and I love it. I tried to do Sams a few years ago, but it just didn’t grab me like Costco did. I think it was the store layout and general tone and feel. I feel depressed at Sams. I feel efficient at Costco. I have no idea why, but that’s how my brain has laid it out for me.
I prefer Costco for two reasons. One, they seem to offer more organic products than Sam’s and I try to choose organic whenever it’s available. Also, their Kirkland brand seems to be of better quality/taste than the MM. I am not certain of that, it’s just my opinion based off of one experience. Either one is great for savings, though, especially on non-grocery items such as (but not limited to) clothes, small appliances, books and toys.
I appreciate your breakdown. Thank you SO much!!
Funny that you bring this topic up because we have a membership to both places; my father added me to his Sam’s membership for free and my mother-in-law gifted us a Costco membership last year. I have to say, I nearly never went into Sam’s but I’m in Costco twice a month. I find they blow Sam’s away with their selection of organic products (at least here in Colorado). BTW, the figs are indeed the best, most inexpensive and healthy snack ever. Love ‘em!
Kim, Costco currently has figs???? I’m so there! Costco does seem to blow Sam’s away in their organic selection, don’t they? Thanks for commenting, Andrea
Thank you Jann’e! I’m glad my breakdown helped, Andrea
Apri, I have to agree that Costco just seems a bit of a brighter store, doesn’t it? Thanks for sharing, Andrea
Cindy, Wouldn’t you think Walmart/Sam’s would have improved things for employees by now? Disappointing. Thanks for commenting, Andrea
Amanda, We just got our Costco a few years ago. I love, love, love it! Glad you are getting one soon too! Andrea
Lara, We don’t have a BJ’s in our area or I would have included them. I’ve heard that with their coupon policy they can have some screaming good deals though. Thanks for commenting, Andrea
we wound up choosing on the “feeling” of the place. we just loved shopping at costco much more! so, that’s where we’ve been, ever since!
Jennifer, We like the feel of Costco as well. Something about it just feels that little bit more upscale, doesn’t it? Even though the lay-outs are so similar between the two. Thanks for commenting, Andrea
All we have is a Sam’s so my choice is made for me.
Costco provides their workers health insurance. That’s how I choose.
Jim, The way Costco treats it’s employees is definitely a great reason to support them over other warehouse clubs. Thanks for commenting, Andrea
Note, this is a slightly edited version of my previous post – spelling corrections and added a couple words.
I belong to both clubs and have 2 of each in my immediate area. I used to work at The Wholesale Club that was bought out by Sam’s in the early 1990′s.
- At Costco they have great lighting which has a psychological uplifting effect and makes it feel upscale. Sam’s uses cheap fluorescent lights that make it feel dingy.
- Costco lines move faster because they have 2 people at each register – per the original Price Club format. Sam’s lines move slower because they economize (falsely) and have one register person.
- There are products at each the I like and can’t find the equivalent at the other. Stouffers Lasagna at Sam’s is Yummy. The Costco equivalent is great for dieting – you don’t want to eat the Kirkland equivalent. Bounty towels at Sam’s have a half sheet perforation, only whole towels at Costco. Sam’s has Era, Costco does not. What meets your needs depends on your personal taste.
- As the chart shows, prices are uneven. If you buy certain things regularly you can price compare and figure which has it cheaper – most of the time – prices fluctuate a little.
- I am under the impression that Costco raises their base price on certain things, then publishes the coupons. The Coupon price makes it still cheaper than the original base price but the saving is not as big as it may appear during the coupon run. This is an impression and limited price watching and seeing the base price of an item drop after the coupon offer was over so do your own watching. I have not figured out the coupon pricing at Sam’s as I just got into watching for them. I really dislike that they both went to coupons – something not in the original Price Club model. It tells me they are playing games with margins rather than making the item as cheap as possible.
- The cash register people at Costco are generally young and attractive. The cash register people at Sam’s and Wal-Mart are from a wider walk of life. Many would not be hired at Costco or other public facing retail positions because they have obvious defects – skin discoloration, mental deficiency / autism, etc. BTW, I was in Wal-Mart the other day and got on an unusually short line. Then looked up to see that the cashier’s face was covered with Neurofibroblastoma. Hollywood could not have done a better job. She turned out to be a sweet pleasant woman but some people who got on line behind me ended up moving to a longer line. Many Sam’s/ Wal-Mart employees would not be hired at Costco.
- Produce is generally better at Costco. I also think it is a little more expensive – until you consider what you might throw out if you have a bad orange or apple in a bag.
- Both have seasonal items that you better grab when you see if it is something you want.
- You can tour both without a membership and in some cases they allow you to shop without a membership and pay a 5 – 10% premium. So try it and see what works for you. If you find yourself buying a lot then the % difference will pay for the membership.
We shop at Costco not only for the organic options but also we try to stick with companies that treat their employees fairly. Go Costco!
Nichole, The fair treatment of employees is the best reason to shop Costco! Thanks for the reminder, Andrea