Costco vs. SAMS

SAMS doesn't exist in Canada, or at least it doesn't in Vancouver so the only option for when I was living there was Costco. 

Now that I'm in Chicago it comes down to proximity - there isn't a SAMS in the city that I know of, and there are 2 Costco locations that are fairly easy to get to on the L train, or we can rent a Zipcar for an hour to get all the shopping done. 

We looked into CostCo once (long time Sam's members) and I think the membership was more expensive.  Since they seemed pretty much the same, we just stuck with Sam's.

I would say other than the membership, we also chose based on location.

P.S. and Sam's is on the bike path with a path connecting it and everything!

^^^This and because apparently Costco has one of the best business models for management/employee relations.  I don't know exacts but it's something like  top mangement won't earn X more than the lowest wage employee.  Their cashiers are some of the highest paid in the industry, shockingly all w/out a union.

Oh, and their stuff is just better

BJ's...

My issue with Costco is the lack of lines.  The major one in Sacramento only has 6 lanes, and only 2/3rds are ever open.  At a busy time, lines would be halfway to the back of the store.  My BJ's has something like 25 lanes.

It's been a while since I've been in a Sam's, but electronics seem to always be cheaper at Costco (and just about identical at BJ's)

Costco, hands-down for me.

I guess it depends on what you buy there, but I find the stuff at Costco is higher quality (higher quality meat, more organic foods, more choices). Their electronics and other stuff are definitely higher quality than what you'd get at Sam's - I bought an SLR camera and leather couches there over the past few years, and those items alone payed for my membership many times over with what I saved. I also like the Kirkland branded stuff - clothes, toiletries, office supplies.

Sam's started in 83.  Costco in 83.  BJ's in 84.  PACE also started in 83.  The only reason I remember them was that my parents had a membership with them in the mid 80s.  It was in Allen Park.  We lived just west of Ann Arbor.  It was way too far of a drive lol (like 40 miles each way).

I'm not usually much for "causes"....but I wouldn't step foot in a store that had anything to do with Wal-Mart ownership.  In fact, I'd be fine with every Wal-Mart and Sam's store in the country spontaneously combusting.

Costco for us.

I have been a member of Sams and currently a member of Costco.  It has been several years since I have gone to Sams so I am not sure if this is even an accurate statement anymore. It seemed to us that Costco had more consumer items and Sams had more business ones. Costco gave us more choices in food products and office products that we use. I really like their electronics selection and service. I have purchased four TVs over the years and numerous other electronics items and have had very good service with Costco. 

I am biased against the Walton empire; but would stick with Costco either way. 

Price Club actually came first, which was merged/bought out/bought Costco in 93.  So I'd say that they all "copied" Price Club.

I'm a BJs guy myself... mainly because one of my buddies was the GM of the store by me.  He is no longer there but I just kinda stuck with it.

I like to think of Costco as Target and Sam's as Wal-Mart.  Same thing yet totally different.  If you like Wal-Mart, you'll like Sams.  I prefer Target.

1stTimeTri - 2013-02-03 12:26 PM

scorpio516 - 2013-02-01 8:57 PM

BJ's...

. BWA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I didn't know they offered those at either store.

Yea... in bulk too!!

Somehow I just knew that some sort of comment like that was in the works.... 

1stTimeTri - 2013-02-03 11:26 AM

scorpio516 - 2013-02-01 8:57 PM

BJ's...

. BWA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I didn't know they offered those at either store.

Membership has it's rewards...