In the summer, Costco is 10 miles away and Sams is 200. In the winter, Sams is 10 miles away and Costco is 200. We are members of both and find each has its own special advantages. If both were in Kalispell, I would probably stay only with Costco for all the reasons stated above.

Member of both here. But 90% of my business goes to Costco mainly for reasons stated by others posting here!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: EasyFire,

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
Question for you more experienced shoppers with Sam’s and Costco: are their house brands pretty similar?

No, not close.

Costco sources many of their products locally, which in-turn supports local tastes and economy. WalMart, as pointed out in another thread, works hard to squeeze their suppliers; vendors need to have an exit strategy when dealing with WM. Go to a Costco in CA and you'll find about 40-50% of their product is different than a TX or an IL store. That said, not all Costco's in a region are equal, some are better stocked in the premium items: more TV's, audio, computers. Some are better at food: wider variety of meats, dairy and fruit. Some are better for alcohol, where I'm at, the Costco's have at least 3 aisles of just wine, along with another two for spirits..then there's the beer. This differentiation is much more noticeable during the holidays, limited editions, special promos, gift packs, etc..

Costco I think is also more responsive to member concerns. They recently eliminated Polish dogs from the food court, in favor of adding some non-meat dishes due to member requests. While I disagree with that move as the polish was the best tasting item, it did reflect that management will act if enough voices are heard. In the case of Costco, the more 2A supporting members, the louder our voices to blunt any anti-2A policy moves. If you're not a member, you don't have a voice.

Wish I could join too but the closest COSTCO is over 265 miles away. We have a local Sam's Club but I dropped them a decade ago.

Kirkland products are top notch on everything I tried. Their Beef is excellent also.

Don't forget to sign up for the Costco Citibank visa. In addition to the 2% you get back from your $120 membership, the Costco visa adds an additional year to the warranty on electronic items, you also get cashback 1% on everything, 2% on Costco, 3% on travel and drug stores, and 4% cash back on gas. They do only pay it out once a year in Feb. though.

Our Executive membership has paid for itself every year since the first year we joined.

There are very few items that Sam's has that Costco does not. We have both memberships, but maybe go to Sam's once or twice a year, usually at Christmas. We go to Costco weekly.

Made my money back several times with their tire warranty.

Went to both Costco and our local highest rated in the area butcher shop (where there was a massive line "take a number please") and bought Top Sirloins on the same day for the same price per lb. Grilled them side by side. Costco's were better. But, the Costco pack was 7 of the things.

After being a Sams Club member since the 80's, 3 years ago I bought a Costco membership.

Yesterday, I let my Sams Club expire.

Locally, the employees at Costco have a better attitude, the store is cleaner and the selection is larger.

My wife works for Costco. I can tell you they treat their employees as well as they treat customers. It’s a great place to work and they pay fairly. I’m very happy she works there.

Joined to take advantage of their hearing aids, and really have been impressed (with the store and the hearing aids).

You'll love it! I carried both memberships for a while. I rather drive 19 miles through downtown to get to Costco, than drive 5 miles to the Sam's near my house.

I joined initially to save $400 on a Quickjack. Their gas is considered top tier and 40 cents a gallon cheaper for premium than any other station around. The gas price alone is making me consider renewing my membership for next year.

I have both. Both stores are about 2 miles from each other. I go in Costco and its clean and organized. It’s always busy. The staff is engaged with their tasks and helping customers. Check out is pretty fast.
At Sams it’s just not the same. Staff is engaged with each other, especially at the service desk. The times I’m there it doesn’t matter if I self check out or not, its not busy and everything is slow. No pulse.
I got a good deal on tires I could not not get at Costco. The savings paid for the membership.

Costco has a better seafood section. The King crab legs are the cheapest in town.
Good luck with membership (wallet)

A Costco cashier’s simple mistake made the woman at the exit think she’d thwarted Bonnie and Clyde from making off with a package of blueberries. Using her outside voice, she announced that we had 16 items in our basket, but had only paid for 15. What?
“Do you want to pay for those blueberries?” Yeah, sure. I think we got exact change. “I’ll have to get my supervisor.” Well, ok. Supervisor asked us again, “Do you want to pay for that item?” Sure, here’s exact change. “Did you pay with a credit card?” Yes. “Then, you’ll have to go back to the cashier.”
On second thought, you can keep those berries.

Oddly enough, we main reason we went there was to shop for a new refrigerator and clothes washer. My wife really liked that model refrigerator, but she now knows her new fridge and washer won’t be coming from Costco.

they started pissing me off four years ago , when they opened a new store and it took them 18 months to find their asses with both hands.

Now they piss me off on a regular basis with their discontinuation of stuff and their relocating merch through out the store on a daily basis.

after five years of carrying Clauson pickles , they just stopped

When I asked where they were , in
the store yesterday , they lied and sent me back looking ,
then when I ask the same damn clerk for help, he tells me that they have been discontinued

I only visit Costco 14 - 15 times a year and I think they disappoint about 50% of the time now.

I wonder if Wal Mart bought them out ?

quote:

Originally posted by kx90: ...We just picked up a pack of Kirkland brand toilet paper but haven't used it yet , been using the Cottenelle Ultra so we'll see. Unfortunately the Costcos by us don't carry the Cottenelle...

LOL! Try to put that gigantic roll on a roller! You have to tear it off sheet by sheet!

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
they started pissing me off four years ago , when they opened a new store and it took them 18 months to find their asses with both hands.

Now they piss me off on a regular basis with their discontinuation of stuff and their relocating merch through out the store on a daily basis.

after five years of carrying Clauson pickles , they just stopped

When I asked where they were , in
the store yesterday , they lied and sent me back looking ,
then when I ask the same damn clerk for help, he tells me that they have been discontinued

I only visit Costco 14 - 15 times a year and I think they disappoint about 50% of the time now.

I wonder if Wal Mart bought them out ?

It's a warehouse store not a supermarket. Inconsistent product flow, minimal service and large quantities are part of the deal.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:

after five years of carrying Clauson pickles , they just stopped

When I asked where they were , in
the store yesterday , they lied and sent me back looking ,
then when I ask the same damn clerk for help, he tells me that they have been discontinued

I wonder if Wal Mart bought them out ?

My Costco is carrying Famous Dave’s Signature Spicy Pickle Chips. I don’t do hot and spicy anything. This label is wrong, they are not spicy. I really like these, I’ve got a good number bought and stashed.

Whether Sam’s or Costco or whoever, I’ve learned if there is something I like, go back and buy the heck out of it. I seem to recall VTail recently rueing they didn’t have some sort of cherry.

If you like it, buy it, you snooze you lose, buy it cheap and stack it deep.
.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:

I seem to recall VTail recently rueing they didn’t have some sort of cherry.

Packages of dried cherries. Think about raisins, which are dried grapes. Now apply a similar process to cherries. They are back in stock. YAY!

Now they have discontinued a really good smoked salmon. It was a box that contained ten individual serving packets, about 2.5 ounces each. I check the freezer area that contains fish, each time I go to the store, but no joy.