Sam's vs Costco

Updated on March 24, 2009
W.L. asks from Fort Worth, TX
14 answers

We have been Sam's members for 20+ years and never lived anywhere there was a Costco. Our Sam's membership is about to expire and I wondered if there is much difference. We only have one child at home anymore so we do not buy in bulk like we used to. I would love to hear from people who have shopped at both to hear your opinions.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks so much for all of your help. I will go visit Costco because the answers are overwhelmingly anti Sam's

Featured Answers

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I am Costco all the way. Better quality.

I am VERY ANTI-Walmart and anything that has to do with a Walmart or Sams. I will not go into either for anything.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.S.

answers from Dallas on

Have had both, and personally prefer Costco. I think Costco's products are much higher quality. I think the best comparison is: Sam's (Walmart) vs. Costco (Target). If you prefer Target, you will prefer Costco.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Dallas on

I hate sam's and LOVE Costco. They are cheaper and the store is so much nicer and the checkout lines go MUCH quicker.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Dallas on

We have had both memberships, but we let our Sams membership expire a long time ago. We love Costco and shop there frequently.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Dallas on

I have had memberships at both. I did not renew my Sam's card. I think Sam's is better if you are a small business and buying stuff for resale (like concession stands). But I would much rather shop at Costco. The bakery and prepared foods area are terrific. The clothing/gift items/housewares items are limited in variety, but are of great quality and value. I have also used Costco's auxillary services (blinds and curtains) and found that it offered great quality and service and a good price.
Costco only takes American Express or cash or check, and I think Sam's now offers another credit card besides Discover.
There is some variation in what is carried by both stores. Once in a while, I go to Sam's with a friend to take advantage of some of their special items. But we usually go to Costco several times a month.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

We shop at Sam's even though I hate WalMart. We had a Cosco membership for a while and my husbanc and I were meeting there one evening for shopping. I didn't take my purse with me and when I walked in the door the person there gave me a hard time because I didn't have my membership card on me. I had to literally call my husband and have him come to the front of the store. I won't go back.

I've never had a problem with the check-out lines at Sam's. I was there this past Saturday with both my kids and was out the door quickly.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.L.

answers from Dallas on

This may not help, but we shop at both! They actually have very different products. We get all of out frozen fish i.e. Blackened, Terrioky and wild Salmon from Sam’s and we get our Organic Fruits, Veggies, Cheeses, Milk and Coffee from Costco.

Costco also has a nice line of beauty products and we just purchased a bedroom set online, the furniture is definitely better quality.

They both have the basics… Peanut Butter, Bread, Milk, Beer, Pizza, but I defiantly think their specialty products differ and Costco is a little higher end but the membership is also more, so it depends on what you personally like.

Good Luck, go for a trail day :-)
E.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Dallas on

We belong to both and I agree with the others. Costco definitely.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.A.

answers from Dallas on

We have a membership to both. We live closer to Sam's so we do go there more. I have been checking in to prices and Sam's is cheeper when it comes to toilet paper and paper towels. Costco dosen't carry Pampers. Costco's memership is 10.00 more than sams it does have higher end products We bought our new tvs there stuff like that. It all depends on what you are shopping for. Get a day pass from both and try it out. Or go online and look.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.W.

answers from Dallas on

I have had both and got rid of Sam's about a year ago. I prefer Costco to Sam's they are much cleaner, the employees seem friendlier to me and the lines are not as long. They have a great selection and really good prices. They really do sell completely different items it seems. Costco seems to have a lot more healthier and organic food that Sams.You can always get a guest pass at Costco and check it out. I don't think you can buy anything with the pass but you can walk around and see if it would work for you and your family.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Dallas on

My hubby has a Sam's card through work. My mom has a Costco card, so we get to use both places. I personally prefer Costco. It just seems cleaner and the lay-out is better, but Sam's has things Costco doesn't have and vice-versa. Honestly I don't know if I could choose one over the other. Costco roasts their own coffee and thus have much better prices. Sam's has the best sausages and bratwursts which my hubby loves.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.C.

answers from Dallas on

I shop both. I actually preer Sams but costco has something thats that Sams doesnt.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Dallas on

I have a membership to both. Sam's is more closer to our house and therefore more convenient. But Costco sold me when I heard about their return policy. They guarantee everything. Most things seem to be priced about the same. The generic items I have purchased at Costco have been far superior to those purchased at Sam's.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.K.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with the previous post that Sam's is geared more towards small business owners while Costco is geared more towards the individual households that prefer better quality products/organic/nicer brands. Costco does seem more expensive at times, but they do have some really good food, especially if organic is important to you. It's basically worth it for us to go there because of cheese, coffee, dried fruit and nuts, organic pasta sauce, organic chicken broth, snack food, and I'm sure a few other things I can't remember! I don't care so much about the nicer brands for household items or beer and wine, but my friends who do say you get great deals on these sorts of things at Costco. The other items we buy at Costco (paper products, dog food, diapers) aren't usually cheaper than Sam's, Target, or Wal-Mart (although definitely cheaper than the grocery store), just more convenient because you're buying more of it at one time. Oh, and their eye glasses department is outstanding. One of the only places that gets your prescription right and has a good selection of frames at low prices.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches