Discount showdown: Costco vs. Sam's Club

By Allison Linn

Our pals over at Cheapism recently took a look at two bastions of discounting – Costco and Sam’s Club – to see which of the big two members-only, bulk discounters is worth the price of admission.

The verdict: Cheapism said both were exceptional deals, and much cheaper than going the traditional supermarket route. But Sam’s Club, a unit of Wal-Mart, won out by the slimmest of margins.

What made it such a close race? The folks at Cheapism said that in their shopping cart test, Sam’s Club was nearly $12 cheaper overall, but that was partly because Costco offered some items in larger quantities. By unit cost, Costco was 3.6 percent cheaper.

What’s right for you? It depends on what you would be using the membership for. In its final verdict, Sam’s Club got higher marks for things like pharmacy and electronics, while Costco was the victor in areas such as auto services and online shopping.

Do you prefer Costco or Sam's Club?

 

Results with 39 short comments
Total of 5,482 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

62%
Costco
3,398 votes
20.6%
Sam's Club
1,132 votes
4.5%
I don't like either
249 votes
12.8%
I like both
703 votes
Display Comments:
Costco

I used to belong to both...eventually I dropped Sams because it felt too much like Walmart.

    #1
     - William Wallace-1933236
     - 2:21 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
    Costco

    Costco is great, but bulk sizes tend to 'bulk' up the customers. MOSTLY fat people at Costco. Also, move the samples to the side.

      #2
       - JoeNY
       - 2:25 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
      Sam's Club

      I'm a member of both but, I find that Sam's has more of the food brand I prefer.

        #3
         - trogger
         - 2:29 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
        Costco

        Costco carries higher quality products than Sam's Club.

          #4
           - BlueMist
           - 2:33 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
          Sam's Club

          I have to say Sam's because it's only 1 hour away. The closest Costco is over 2 hours.

            #5
             - FLH-3743548
             - 2:39 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
            Costco

            Sam's is 23 miles away and Costco 5.

              #6
               - Freedom Fighter-3096518
               - 2:48 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
              Sam's Club

              Location, location, location. Sam's is 3 miles away and right by my wife's work. Costco is 10 miles away. It's a no brainer.

                #7
                 - It's what we do, dude
                 - 2:50 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                Costco

                Costco rules!! I do not shop at WalMart because of their business practices and therefore would never shop at Sam's.

                • 1 vote
                #8
                 - Texas Debbie
                 - 3:01 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                Costco

                much easier to manuever around the store

                  #9
                   - mike-1770477
                   - 3:03 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                  Costco

                  Costco is FAR superior in some products, especially Kirkland brand vs Member's Mark, but their customer service is FAR FAR superior to Sams

                    #10
                     - youknowitstrue-3743641
                     - 3:05 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                    Costco

                    Walmart and Sam's Club feel cheap and cold. Costco offers a better experience. Definitely worth an extra $12 a cart.

                      #11
                       - tombones
                       - 3:15 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                      Costco

                      Simlar prices, better selection, brighter and cleaner stores.

                        #12
                         - JoeMc-3743720
                         - 3:30 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                        Sam's Club

                        I like Sam's Club but now that my children are grown, it simply is not feasible to buy in bulk any longer. It works for paper products.

                          #13
                           - ldupontd
                           - 4:04 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                          Costco

                          Costco has outstanding merchandise (great buyers), quality, pricing, and return policy. Sam's is nearby also, but we "Love Our Costco."

                            #14
                             - KenB4
                             - 4:53 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                            Costco

                            I just like the store, can't say why.

                              #15
                               - cgtrav
                               - 5:01 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                              Costco

                              The quality of benefits and pay that Costco gives their employees is great. Ie. It isn't Wal-Mart like Sam's is.

                              • 1 vote
                              #16
                               - StephAce
                               - 5:53 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                              Costco

                              GAS! Sam's club by us don't have gas and the Costco is always 20 cents cheaper a gallon than the gas stations

                                #17
                                 - Kthix10
                                 - 5:54 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                                Costco

                                Costco service is much better.

                                  #18
                                   - tontosh-2444879
                                   - 6:13 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                                  Costco

                                  Costco is all we have here.

                                    #19
                                     - debtfree-1174430
                                     - 6:29 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                                    Sam's Club

                                    I love Sam's. But I've learned where the deals are & where they're not. Gas, diapers, formula, meat, & dogfood-- great! Toilet paper, no.

                                      #20
                                       - Kristen-515
                                       - 6:47 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                                      Costco

                                      Costco carries higher quality items compared to SAMs Club. Therefore, getting far better bargains- you can't beat their refund policy.

                                        #21
                                         - CarmD
                                         - 6:57 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                                        Costco

                                        Costco is the hometown favorite and I would NEVER set foot in a Walton family property!

                                          #22
                                           - EMDF9A
                                           - 8:31 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                                          Costco

                                          Costco: Better food, products, system, online shopping
                                          Sam's: Wacky hours, membership & payment rules-AND they don't take Amex-Preposterous

                                            #23
                                             - Mama Gaga
                                             - 9:21 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                                            Costco

                                            Sam's Club's computers carry a one-year free warranty. Costco's carries a two-year free warranty! Where would you rather buy your next PC?!

                                              #24
                                               - Lindsay Lohan's Lover
                                               - 9:29 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                                              Costco

                                              I like Costco and it's customer service.

                                                #25
                                                 - murrdog
                                                 - 9:59 pm EDT on Wed Jul 13, 2011
                                                Explore related topics: , , ,
                                                Advertise | AdChoices

                                                Discuss this post

                                                Author avatarLeave a Comment:
                                                You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead.
                                                Newsvine Privacy Statement
                                                As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
                                                Advertise | AdChoices

                                                Most popular posts

                                                Advertise | AdChoices