Sam's Club & Costco is there a difference:if So which is better?

[DaLittle B]

I informed one of my bosses,I'll meet him at the meeting tomorrow,I ordered dog food online,and I want to make sure it doesn't get porch pirated.His native St.Louis assistant,smugly replied "Why don't you just buy it at Sam's club, it's probably cheaper anyway.." I said I don't like the idea of paying to shop at a non convenient Walmart...So he starts on Sam's Club,and Costco..Blah,Blah,Blah...

We have 2 Sam's clubs,both the opposite side of town where I live.No Costcos...I have no Idea about Costco...

Is there a difference (is one a better value,better stuff,better prices,etc) between Sam's Club,and Costco? If So which is better?

FYI Sam's Club doesn't carry the brand dog food I bought,and the "Other brand" I'm feeding While a good price I guess,I don't have anywhere to put 50lb bag of it...

[BuccaneerBrad]

Costco tends to have more variety but their prices are higher.  They give great service though.  Sam's Club is owned by Wal Mart.  You know how it is with Wal Mart.  Dominate on price and lack everywhere else.

[Dave Gray]

I find Costco and WalMart to be remarkably similar.  They have different things at any given time, because they make deals with vendors to get items in bulk.  They may have desk chairs one day and not the next.  It just depends.  But they do have standard food and basic needs stuff all the time, as well as electronics and clothing.

They both charge a membership, (I'm not really sure why -- I think it keeps their costs down or something).  And they sell in bulk -- large containers of stuff.  They each have their own generic brand (Sam's Choice and Kirkland) that are quality knock-offs, IMO.

We occasionally shop at both, just depending on where we are or what we need. 

[Phishfan]

Sam's Choice is Walmart. The Sam's Club product is Members Mark. I agree that they are both very similar. Location would be the only thing to make me choose one over the other.

[CF DolFan]

I have both a Sam’s card and a BJs card. We shop at both as they have typically same but different deals. If I were the choose one I’m not sure I’d have a legit reason as they are so similar.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Sams cosco and BJ are all basically the same.  Each have certain deals that are better than the others but overall about equal. Although one definitely has the best name. Who wouldn't want a BJ membership? 

[DaLittle B]

Thread Hijack...
Wait,wait,Wait...Wait...I have a store?
I have a wine,a beer,a curse,a religious rapper (assumption,based on name),a long defunct local strip club,and a store!

End Hijack...

I always felt having to pay to join Sam's Club* a bit of class discrimination,while trying to market a Walmart to a higher earning people,the cost to join kinda says no poor people.Add the Fact that BOTH the Sam's Clubs here are on the South where more higher income people tend to live here in town.

*(To my Knowledge Costco,and BJ's doesn't have free stores available to everyone like Walmart-Sam's Club)

Man it sucks living in Podunk

[CF DolFan]

Thread Hijack...
Wait,wait,Wait...Wait...I have a store?
I have a wine,a beer,a curse,a religious rapper (assumption,based on name),a long defunct local strip club,and a store!

End Hijack...

I always felt having to pay to join Sam's Club* a bit of class discrimination,while trying to market a Walmart to a higher earning people,the cost to join kinda says no poor people.Add the Fact that BOTH the Sam's Clubs here are on the South where more higher income people tend to live here in town.

*(To my Knowledge Costco,and BJ's doesn't have free stores available to everyone like Walmart-Sam's Club)

Man it sucks living in Podunk

Hahahaha ... now every time I go to BJs I'm going to think of you, BJ.

We have a Sam's and a Wal-Mart Super store within a mile from each other and I can't say I've noticed a difference in clientele. Sam's is only like $50 a year for my family and I can save that on one grocery trip. Now if I hit the Wal-Mart on the other side of town then it might be considered different ... but I hit all three.

[Dave Gray]

Also, gas.

The cheapest gas in the county is available at these places.  I think the membership helps keep these kinds of numbers down, so the place isn't just packed with people exploiting one deal, though I can't say for sure.

If anyone could go there, without a membership, the line for gas would always be down the block.

[Sunstroke]

I've never had a membership to either, but I occasionally go to our local Costco with a friend, just to fill up my tank and get some of their delicious and uber-cheap hot dogs.