I am interested in getting membership to either Costcos, BJs, or Sams Club. Do any of you have an opinion about which is better as for as selection overall? How about the yearly fees? I am just trying to find a way to shop better and save $$ since I've been told this is a great way to do it. (We are a family of 5. Myself, 27, my husband, 24, my 2 sons, 8 and 2.5 mnths, and my hubby's sister, 15)
Thanks in advance.
We love Coctco. Since Sam's is owned by Walmart, we would never buy a membership there with all Walmart's scandals and unfairness to it's employees.
We are Costco fans. We have a business membership at $50/yr. I personally believe the quality of Costco brands and the regular brands of products sold are higher quality.
I stock up at Costco with my basics. A lot of canned goods, TP, paper towels, etc.
I am an anti Walmart/Sams person. The products you get from them are NOT the same name brand you get elsewhere. This is noted all over the financial network programs. Check out the history of Walmart and other Walmart business practices discussed on the financial network news. Walmart negotiates the cheapest price and then the suppliers go cheap and use DIFFERENT and cheaper materials to make Walmart and Sam's products. Example: a Kitchen Aid Mixer at Walmart is NOT the same Kitchen Aid mixer you get elsewhere.
You probably will get a cheaper price at Walmart/Sams but you will also get a cheaper product.
I like the overall vibe of Costco better than Sam's. I have also found better selection there. I don't pay for it so I don't know abouth the cost.
We love Sams Club,,,has more locations around town. Gas prices are great (more locations to use). Pharmacy prices great (more locations to use) No problem on returns. Used for car rental thru their website...big discount! I am about convienence location, location!
We have a Sam's club membership. I don't know about the others - but I like Sam's. Where else can you go, get your oil changed, pictures printed, buy groceries, an appliance, some clothes and have a slice of pizza all in the same 1/2 hour? lol
Actually, I needed to rent a car last week for a trip - when asked if I had a AAA membership - I had to say no - but said that I had a Sam's club membership.....and viola'.....the price went down! I know that they have a lot of other benefits too. We own our own business, and for business memberships they have extended hours too - so it's a little less crowded in the morning etc.. Good luck!
Don't know about the other two, but at Costco you can get a membership that gives you cash rewards. I think it costs $100. At the end of the year we usually get about $300-400 between the Amex and Costco rebates. That more than covers the cost of the $100 membership. So it's worth putting out the extra fifty bucks to get the more expensive membership.
Couldn't live without Costco.
We love Costco! We also buy the upgraded membership and earn the rewards, which more than cover the cost. We get 2 rebates every year: one from American Express and one from Costco. They also send out coupons every few months, so we stock up on our favorite items when there's a coupon (like paper towels, toilet paper). I like the Kirkland baby wipes and laundry detergent a lot. I also love their selection of kids clothes, books, and toys! We have purchased everything from tires to contact lenses to birthday cakes there, and have always been happy with the quality and price.
