Sams has scan and go. Next time you’re waiting in a long ass line at Costco, think about using your phone to scan, pay and gtfo
the lines move pretty quickly at the Costco I go to, at least for self-checkout which is what I always do
So far, Sams is winning on the strength of their scan and go app and better prices. And since the Costco down the street opened, there’s less people in the Sams, net win for me. Oh, and the Sams deluxe nuts not only have five nuts to Costco’s four but it’s cheaper too. I did buy a set of tires from Costco and it was cheaper on sale and a pretty easy process. And Costco wins on the eye candy hands down.
Costco if you need fancier stuff, but otherwise, either will do. Costcos are usually a circus, but I think both have curbside pickup. I owned a Costco membership about 15-20 years ago just to get cheaper car insurance. The only time I went into a Costco was to get the membership card. I never used it for anything else. I only had that membership for about 2 years. There's a Costco just down the road from me and that place is a zoo during normal hours. I wouldn't want to be caught in that mess. I never had been in a Sam's or had a Sam's Club membership until about a month or so ago when I saw a really nice paper shredder (lol) for a really nice price from the looks of it. The membership was something like $45 and I got a $45 Sam's Club gift card for joining, so ... duh. I joined and got the shredder... and a bucket of M&M's. Shut up.
I've never been a Sam's member, but until the pandemic, when I let it expire (duh! not gonna pay to be a member when I can't go in and check out the stuff), I was a member of Costco. Certain things are a terrific buy, especially if they're on sale (things go on sale pretty often). Televisions, AKA displays, can be a fantastic buy. I purchased two there and saved several hundred dollars. They have the major brands. Cameras, different kinds of electronics. Our local one has a good selection of wine, but it's constantly changing. If you get something you like, go back right away and stock up, because it doesn't last long and you might not see production from a particular vineyard again for a couple of years. It's not Spec's, but it can definitely beat their prices from time to time. I stayed away from their steaks, fish, and chicken. Maybe it's OK, but I didn't get it there. If they have the coffee beans you like, odds are that the prices are great for large bags. I might join again, if the pandemic ever ends. :-(
As an aside, we are strongly considering using Costco’s car buying service to buy our next car. IIRC AAA also has a similar service.
I wasn't aware of their insurance discounts. I just matched up my current coverage with their engine and it saves me $220/yr. hmmm... A fun game we play at Sam's is 'spot the calf tattoo'. Large people love calf tattoos...ostensibly due to the vast amount of real estate they have to cover.
