If you’re a bargain shopper, one of the biggest questions you’ll need to answer for yourself is whether you’re going to get a Costco membership or a Sam’s Club membership.
Costco has a very passionate — and opinionated — fanbase, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right pick for everyone. Here are a few reasons you might choose to be Team Sam’s Club instead.
Having shopped at both Costco.com and SamsClub.com, I can tell you that Sam’s Club hands-down has the better online experience. To start, the website is nicer to use and easier to navigate.
More importantly, though, you can shop Sam’s Club’s full inventory (minus the occasional store exclusive), including groceries and frozen items. You can even get most of the Sam’s Club items shipped (minus cold items).
Plus, while Costco’s website jacks up prices on the few items you can get shipped, Sam’s Club generally has the same prices online as in store. Even better, shipping on orders of $50 or more is free for Plus members.
2. You like to pay with non-Visa credit cards
This may be a niche annoyance for us rewards-minded folks, but one thing I really love about Sam’s Club over Costco is that I can use any credit cards I want. Costco limits you to paying with Visa credit cards in the warehouses.
To be fair, we’ve found a number of great cards for maximizing rewards at Costco. But some of us (me, it’s me) really want the freedom to use whatever card best fits our card strategy at the time.
I find Costco’s limitations particularly irritating when I’m working on a welcome bonus, since my wholesale club purchases could really help out on those high spending requirements. The best welcome bonuses are worth more than $750. It’s well worth switching my purchasing from Costco to Sam’s Club if it helps me earn those bonuses.
3. You hate waiting in the checkout line
It might be the introvert in me, but Sam’s Club’s Scan & Go is easily the second-coolest app feature I’ve ever used (No. 1 is the Merlin Bird ID app that identifies birds based on audio recordings of their songs!).
With Scan & Go, you simply scan items as you walk around the store and shop. Then, you can check out and pay right in the app. Smugly glide past the endless lines at the checkout lanes to show your digital receipt at the door and you’re done.
As someone who absolutely hates standing in lines (seriously, it’s the worst), Scan & Go alone is enough reason for me to shop at Sam’s Club over Costco.
4. You prefer Member’s Mark to Kirkland Signature
Despite what the devoted Kirkland Signature fans may think, Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark brand is easily comparable in quality — and, sometimes, better. It also has an equally huge selection of everyday and household essentials.
Our house has tried staples from both brands, and we’ve preferred the Member’s Mark items at least as often as the Kirkland Signature. For example, the Member’s Mark 3-ply tissues are a house favorite anytime we get the sniffles (the Kirkland Signature 3-ply facial tissues tear too easily).
5. You live closer to a Sam’s Club than a Costco
Never underestimate the importance of convenience when deciding between wholesale clubs. The best deals in the world aren’t worth bupkis if you have to drive two hours to get them.
Both Costco and Sam’s Club have around 600 locations throughout the U.S., so you have a decent chance of being close to at least one of the wholesale clubs. Given that products and pricing are fairly similar, deciding based on which has a closer location is as good a reason as any.
Either way, your budget will probably thank you
Ultimately, joining either Costco or Sam’s Club could be a solid pick for your household. Switching to bulk buying can help you save on all kinds of household goods, which is an excellent way to find more room in your budget.
