Costco and Sam’s Club can both give customers some great membership perks .
However, some shoppers see differences between the two and are bigger fans of Costco than rival Sam’s Club.
Do you agree with why customers are ditching Sam’s Club for Costco instead?
Costco Secrets: 7 genius hacks all Costco shoppers should know
1. The produce isn’t great at Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club and Costco both have fresh produce, but some shoppers think the choices at Sam’s Club are subpar.
“All the fruit is trash,” lamented Reddit user dmiller1987.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Sam’s Club is too much like Walmart
Sam’s Club is owned by Walmart, and both stores share some options, which has hurt them with some customers.
“Sam's Club is empty because it's just Walmart with bigger items,” explained Redditor DeepSouthDude, while SplinterCell03 said, “I just want nothing to do with Walmart.”
3. Costco has a better store brand
Costco and Sam’s Club both sell products under their store brand labels. Costco’s Kirkland Signature is on the shelves, while Sam's Club offers Member’s Mark.
However, not all store brands are the same. “Kirkland trounces Member’s Mark for me,” said one Redditor.
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4. It’s not as clean at Sam’s Club
Both stores can get dirty, but some customers noticed that Sam’s Club isn’t as clean as Costco.
“Just dirtier than any Costco I’ve ever been in,” said Reddit user Lessa22 who explained that the local Sam’s Club wasn’t “call the health department” dirty but it didn’t seem like workers cared about basic cleaning tasks.
5. Baked goods are better at Costco
Both Sam’s Club and Costco have bakeries where you can order baked goods or pick up cakes or cookies.
However, the “bakery is better” at Costco, according to Costco members and Redditor Soundfires.
6. Costco has better organic choices
Sam’s Club has around the same number of U.S. stores but only in two other countries.
“Costco is the closest,” said Redditor Theopolis55 while Reddit user lhfitz76 said, “Still hold on to my Costco membership because they are closer to my home.”
7. Costco is nicer to employees
Costco gets a better rating on Glassdoor, with 74% of employees saying they would recommend working there to their friends, while only 52% of employees at Sam’s Club would recommend working there to their friends.
“Costco is generally good to its employees,” said Reddit user moniquecarl while Redditor Appropriate_Shake265 appreciates that Costco pays its employees better and gives them better benefits.
8. Items are out of stock at Sam’s Club
Popular items can go out of stock quickly, but sometimes, that can be extra frustrating and encourage Sam’s Club members to leave for good.
Redditor CBus-Eagle said they ditched their Sam’s Club card for Costco because “our Sam’s Club refuses to have the rotisserie chickens available throughout the day.”
Make Money: 8 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially 9. Sam’s Club isn’t always the best deal
One reason to shop at a membership store is to get extra deals and discounts. But Sam’s Club might not have the discounts you expect.
“Sam's is cheaper on some things, but not everything,” said Redditor tdaun.
10. Costco has more unique items
If you’re looking for something unique and special when shopping, you may want to skip Sam’s Club and go to Costco.
“Costco brings in a lot more unique and higher-end stuff,” said Pizookie123. “Costco shoppers always have something to be excited about.”
Bottom line
Whatever you prefer, Sam’s Club or Costco can be a good option if you’re looking for ways to save money on groceries .
Both stores can get pricey because you’re buying in bulk, so make sure you have enough in your budget for a trip to either store.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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