This City Is Getting a Sam’s Club - Without Any Checkout Lanes

Sam's Club is getting ready to open a brand new location for shoppers to save money , this time with some major changes. The new store opening in Grapevine, Texas next week will be the first of its kind to function without any checkout lanes.

I nstead it will require customers to exclusively use the Sam's Club Scan & Go app to do all of their shopping.

Designed to speed up shopping, it’s a process that has caught on with some Sam’s Club buyers. According to the President and CEO, about 30% of Sam’s Club members use Scan & Go regularly, and about half are digitally engaged.

But if you're not a tech guru or stopping in to buy more than just a handful of items, you may not be so happy about this change.

So, how exactly does the Sam's Club Scan & Go feature work? Here are 10 things you need to know if you'll be shopping at the newest location.

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1. The Scan & Go feature makes shopping easier

Scan & Go is your ticket to skip the checkout line. You scan items as you shop around the store and leave the store. The items will be charged to a payment method stored in the app

Scan & Go has extra features to enhance your shopping experience, including a running total as you shop. That means you won’t have to face the sudden surprise of a $150 receipt popping up.

Being able to track your expenses in real-time might even help you save money on groceries . The technology also provides reminders for items you may have forgotten based on previous purchases.

2. Scan & Go is easy to use

Scan & Go is designed to be simple and easy to use. After downloading the app, you can scan an item’s barcode or use the “Find an Item” feature.

The item is then added to your checkout cart. Once you have finished shopping, you pay in the app. On the way out of Sam’s Club, you show your digital receipt to a store employee.

3. Look for the green rectangle when scanning items

When you see a green rectangle appear over the item’s barcode, you know that it’s been added to your cart.

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4. You really can just walk out of the store once you pay in the app

This is what makes Scan & Go so convenient: Once you pay in the app, you can walk out of the store. There is no need to stand in the checkout line.

To verify that customers have paid for what they're leaving with, the new location uses AI-assisted scanning technology at the store exits.

5. You can use gift cards and Sam's Cash with Scan & Go

You can use Sam’s Cash as one of your methods of payment in the app. You can do the same with gift cards, which you can easily add to your payment methods.

6. There is a dollar limit on Scan & Go purchases

You can only buy up to $1,000 of items daily using Scan & Go as your payment method. That likely means you can use the feature for the vast majority of shopping trips.

7. Scan & Go returns are like other returns

You return items purchased with Scan & Go the same way you would return anything purchased via the checkout line.

Open up the app, then go to “Account” and “Purchase History.” This is where you’ll find your Scan & Go receipts, and you can return items to the Member Services desk at Sam’s Club using these digital receipts.

8. You can’t use a tablet to pay via Scan & Go

If you want to use Scan & Go, you will have to bring your phone: Scan & Go is not available on tablets or any screens larger than 600 dpi.

9. You might be able to purchase alcohol with Scan & Go

In some states, you can purchase alcohol by bringing your cart and the app to a store employee to confirm your birth date.

If this is allowed, you will click “Pay” as soon as the employee confirms your age within the app.

10. Scan & Go has been around for a little while

Scan & Go has been around since 2016. The technology really began to shine as a contactless way of shopping in 2020.

Now, Scan & Go is the most convenient way to shop at Sam’s Club. There’s no need to wait in line. You also no longer have to wonder how much the items in your cart are going to add up to when you make it to the register.

Bottom line

When you shop at a big-box store, it can be easy to lose track of how much you are spending. Impulse purchases add up quickly, and before you know it, your cart is filled with items you didn’t exactly need.

Scan & Go is a smart way to save money by keeping a running tally of how much you are spending as your cart fills up. You see the impact of each item on your bottom line, and you know whether you are starting to break the bank.

Sam’s Club “feels much more like a grocery trip that then is augmented with really good quality [general merchandise] and really good quality treasure hunt items that we hope you buy because you’re passing them as you shop,” said CEO Chris Nicholas. So, will you be visiting the new location?

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).