Each membership club has its own perks and Sam's Club is no different. I have belong to all 3 in the area for the past 5 years. Costco, BJs, and Sam's Club.
First tip, always buy your cauliflower at Sam's Club, it is consistently at least 50 cents cheaper a head than BJs. Perhaps a silly thing to note, or not, if you love cauliflower (or follow Keto and make faux mashed potatoes all the time)?
Produce does tend to be more economical at Sam's than at Walmart and BJs which is almost always $.20 to $.75 cents more per produce package. I know this because I go to BJs for my must haves first like Rao's 40oz and organic chicken broth, Finlandia light Swiss cheese and Finlandia butter triple pack (no one else carries this and we LOVE it). After, I then go to Sam's because there is something I'm missing or want, for ex, wanted lump crab meat and BJs only has chicken of the sea brand sourced in Indonesia. No thanks, don't care if it says wild caught.
For the record, Sam's club had no lump crab meat whatsoever. Costco is the clear winner there with Phillips lump crab fo around $22.
Each has pro's and con's. BJs has a selection of fresh herbs and more premium products in produce, sometimes. BJs also carries more premium meats and cold cuts such as Applegate which Sam's does not. Costco is the clear leader for meat, seafood, organic, variety, selection, uniqueness, and sometimes price. It's not exactly comparing apples to apples.
Second tip,buy your gas at BJ's. My car takes premium. I consistently save at least $.50/gallon going to BJs, which also happens to be the most convenient to me.
Third, and back to Sam's. As Sam's is what this review is actually about...has my favorite rotisserie chicken though I hear Cosco's has the best price and they actually lose money on it but customers keep coming back so they don't increase the price.
Sam's also had some amazing January 2020 deals on Samsung 65" TV for less than $600 and 75" for under 1k. All three are competitive with electronics but Costco offers the best selection of the three and free warranty when you pay with their Credit Card, a $600 value.
Now, Let me tell you where Sam's beats both its competitors this week AND historically from my experience. Sam's has the best quality for price in Men's outdoor wear, especially jackets. Yesterday, I picked up 3 excellent jackets. A lighter weight fleece black jacket by Free Country for $14.98. Another heavier, double layer, water resistant, multi layer and multi zipper (good looking dark gray winter jacket) also by Free Country - $19.81! What? I checked that price 3 times. And a warm easy to roll up and store when needed as I travel in and out of people's homes for work, black puffer jacket (not Down), by Nautica for $29.98. These are by far the best quality, styles, fit and deals I have found in outerwear between the 3 membership wholesale clubs this Winter Season. I basically bought 3 nice crisp to cold to much colder and rainy weather jackets for $65 plus tax, much less than the typical price of just 1 with less features.
Why 4 stars? Sam's has the least appealing environment and feel. When trying on clothes, it is the only one that has no mirror anywhere. I walked around for 10 minutes looking. Staff is not as customer service oriented and often not at all aware of or considerate to shoppers.
Overall, we keep our membership because it balances out. And we are also kind of addicted to the Member's Mark fresh cilantro salsa 48oz for $5.98 (and Keto compliant if that's your thing) as well as the Jack Snack 100% real cheese snacks for $ 7.48 that they make and are delicious.
Membership is $45 a year and we more than save that by shopping at Sam's. You just have to pick and choose and don't rave without your awesome fresh zoodles either. read more