costco vs. sam's club -- opinions?

[devohoneybee]

So, my new home town has both Sam's Club and Costco, which I've heard are pretty much the same. I'd like to join one. Any opinions on one versus the other?

Comments

[dorothy1901]

It's my understanding that Costco has a much better reputation than Sam's Club WRT the way it treats its employees.

[devohoneybee]

ah, that would make a difference. thanks!

[adonnchaid]

Costco. No question. Partly because they carry Foster Farms chicken, which I like much better than the brand Sam's carries, but mostly because of the dreadful corporate and employee policies of the Wal-Mart companies.

Before Sam Walton died, Wal-Mart was looked up to as an example of how a good American company behaved. He bought only American made goods, he treated his employees well. After he died and the company got into the hands of his heirs, they went after nothing but profits. Cheap, imported goods, employee policies that leave them without benefits. The company is now an example of how *not* to be a good corporate steward.

[devohoneybee]

ahh, i didn't realize that was what happened to Walmart. thanks for the info!

[rhi]

Yeah, unfortunately. Sam Walton's policy about lawsuits was, 'Let's see if we can figure out what went this wrong and fix it.' He's also the man who taught the South that a man driving an old pickup and wearing beat-up jeans... might just be able to buy and sell your company.

[raine]

Costco. For one thing: they don't turn around and resell the same stuff at a sister chain for a higher price. (Sam's Club is the warehouse division of Wal-mart.) One word of warning: last I knew, they were still negotiating with Coca-Cola on pricing, so they'd pulled all Coke products from the stores.

That said: sometimes a warehouse club isn't the best buy for the buck. I used to belong to both, but that was when I was sharing a house with more than my husband and buying things in bulk made sense simply because we were able to go through them fast enough.
http://money.aol.com/top5/general/best-warehouse-club-buys-1 is a list of best warehouse club buys
http://www.walletpop.com/economizer/article/worst-warehouse-club-buys/705826 worst warehouse club buys

For me, it's a matter of proximity. The Fred Meyer's a heck of lot closer than Costco, and that's worth gas to me even if the markup might be more on some things.

[devohoneybee]

thanks for the links! I'll check them out. the overwhelming response is Costco. i had no idea.

[adonnchaid]

I totally agree that you do have to shop prices. Not everything is cheaper at Costco, much as I love it :) But just to get the "two to a package, vacuum packed" Foster Farms boneless, skinless chicken breasts is worth the membership. Just chuck those packages in the freezer, and take them out as needed. That, and office supply sorts of things.

I live alone, and I stock up on mostly dry goods there, not perishables. You know, though, Julia Child once said she shopped Costco meat because it was always so fresh, because of the massive turnover they do.

[dragonfly]

CostCo for the same reasons adonnchaid and dorothy1901 said. Keep in mind they sell primarily in bulk, so you use them to seriously stock up.

They also carry excellent quality products like clothes or appliances at darn reasonable prices. They remind me of Base Exchanges. Not a lot of variety, but what they do carry is tasteful and good quality.

[devohoneybee]

*nods* I've been to a costco with a friend who had a membership and got luggage and some other cool things there. I've never been to a Sam's Club and just thought it was pretty much the same. Thanks for answering!

[dragonfly]

You're right. Sam's Club is rather the same in products. But Costco is a blue company and Sam's is red. Booo.