I have been going to Costco forever which I love their products and especially their return policy, but now I live at the area that Sam's Club is closer than Costco... Mostly I heard that Sam's Club and Costco are pretty much the same... Now My questions to all the fellow moms that what do you think of each of them, which one do you like and what do you like about them??? Thanks for the help. ^_^
We don't have a Costco in my area, so we do Sam's Club. My GF says her and her husband love Costco for food. That store offers more food options vs the other. I would not know personally, as we are only able to shop at Sams.
As a person who has been a member of both....Ill never go to sams again after having realized Costco. Im picky about food and costco has the better stuff in bulk. Agave nectar, Nutella, Kids Cliff bars, Organic pasta,zucchini souffles, morningstar farms products(mock meat), more whole wheat breads...etc..
We always had Costco and 5 years ago when we moved to the NorthEast, our only choice was Sam's. For the most part, they carry many similar items. I notice Costco has a little higher end stuff and more organic items.
We've bought more big ticket items from Costco, I think overall, I prefer it. We currently have Costco, but if we want something specific from Sam's, I go with my MIL.
I was just talking about this yesterday. A Sams is being built right up the street from my house, where Costco is about 10 miles. After careful consideration will plan to stick with Costco. Lol It rocks!
I had both for a year to try them and compare. I had Sam's for years and years as it had been the only option at that point. In the end I never re-signed with Costco as I found myself going to Sam's. Could be it was just more familiar to me.
I buy most of my fruit, alot of my meat, milk, eggs, some frozen things (like waffles), bread (love my Oatnut =), yogurt, cereal, peanut butter and jelly, seasonings, some baking mixes, all my cleaning supplys, baby formula (I do home childcare and supply the Sam's Club brand). I also get TP and paper towels there. I do the bulk of my shopping there, then go to a local grocery store to fill in the gaps. Works for me.
Costco does have those nummy cakes with the filling I think??? Yum!
I'm faithful to costco. =)
Better options of food. The quality of foods is great too. The return policy is excellent (they made my daughtrs bday cake vanilla instead of chocolate, we didn't know until we cut into it...went back and they refunded us completely).
I alwyas find multiple things in their cupon book that I need. I like their generic brand for certain things (wipes was one of them). I just never really find everything I want to get in bulk at Sam's Club.
I used to go to Sam's Club, but I found that the quality was lacking. They just don't research their products that well before putting them on their shelves.
I love Costco. Costco only sells good stuff. Their food products are excellent and they're always trying out new items, which I love. We buy cereal, dog food, batteries, lightbulbs, alcohol, just about everything there. The prices are great.
The only thing I don't usually buy at Costco is fresh produce. It's just not as fresh as what you find in a good grocery store or farmer's market and I'm picky about my produce.
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I had a chance to check out both by going with friends to each. I really found they were both the same. Where I live, the Costco parking lot is small and awful, so I chose Sam's Club for the parking! :-)
But I think it's personal preference, and really very similar.
Amanda G could have answered for me, for the things I buy, Costo. No question! I had both membership for a few years. For a long time we only had Sams. Then once Costco opened, we really live equal distance (2 different directions) from each one and I found myself still going to Sams for a while. But then I noticed I hadn't been into Sams for over a year and gave up the membership.
As others have mentioned, the quality seems much better. The overall selection is better for the things I buy. And their return policy is amazing.
I don't think they're the same at all. I find that Costco has much higher quality products and more things that I want. There is a Sam's closer to me than a Costco, but I had much rather go to Costco.
Costco, definitely. I'm currently a Sams Club member and there's just no comparison to Costco. Sadly, when we moved, Costco became an hour away, and Sams Club is 10 minutes. To me the differences are these: 1. Costco has way more natural and organic food choices. 2. Other food offered is "healthier". For example, Costco has a bunch of low-sugar cereals. Sams has Coco Puffs and Captain Crunch (plus others, of course). 3. Costco has great coupons. 4. Non-food items offered at Costco are higher quality. Costco sells Carters cotton pajamas. Sams sells polyester ones.
We found far more items to buy at Costco than we do now at Sams.
I go shopping with my mom a lot (she's a member of both) and I prefer Costco! If I ever decide that it's economically appropriate for me to shop in bulk, I will join Costco. Their customer service, product selection, and store brand (Kirkland) beats Sams Club hands down!
I have Sam's Club, I have not been to Costco in a while to say too much, for me they are simmilar but there are different products that I cannot get at Sams. There is not a Costco that is close to the area so I am sticking with Sam's.
From everything I have heard, Costco all the way. We have both in our area, but I only joined Costco. They have awesome, organic, affordable produce. Lots of organic items in their grocery area also. I have heard that some things are available at Sams and not at Costco, but overall, Costco's selection is superior.
I am a Sam's Club memeber, but that is because it is through work and no Costco in the area. I think that my work would go with Costco if it was in our area, the closest is about an hour drive.
To me Costco has WAY more options then Sam's Club, and as someone else pointed out Costco has healthier options then Sam's Club.
If I was with-in 30 mins of a Costco I would choose Costco over Sam's Club.
I love Costco, and miss it very much. I've been to Sam's Club several times (after we moved; before we always went to Costco), and I just really like the choices at Costco a lot more. It seems like Costco has a lot more choices in food, especially (as other people mentioned) organic foods. In my area, Sam's and Costco are literally across the street from each other (the strangest thing I've ever seen), and Costco's parking lot is always much more crowded than Sam's. My parents prefer Sam's simply because they don't like how there are too many people at Costco. :-) Go walk through Sam's and see if you can find the products that you usually buy, and if you can't find any or all of them, it might be worth it to go to Costco instead.
I've been a member of both and if they were both within the same driving distance, it would be Costco all the way. Even if Costco were slightly farther away, I'd still make the drive. Now if I had to drive an hour to get to Costco and only 10 minutes for Sam's Club, well, obviously, I'd go with Sam's Club.
Costco! If your drive isn't that much farther, go to Costco!
I used to have both memberships and even though a lot of the inventory is the same I felt their offerings were completely different. When it came time to renew I only wanted to support one membership and Sam's Club won by a landslide because that's where I shop the most and who I rely on the most.
I think it is a totally personal choice based on how you shop, what you eat, and how you buy. Only you can answer that. Fortunately Sam's does give visitor's passes so you could check them out a few times. Costo does not offer guests to come and shop. Being that you are 'used to' Costco you'll probably find it worth the drive to go back there. The only thing I miss are the 5 cheese take and bake pizzas from Costco. I didn't feel they were worth the $50 membership though :-(