I Love Sam’s Club Member’s Mark Items, but I’ll Never Buy These 10 Items Again

It may seem like you can save money at Sam’s Club on anything, but like any value store, you’ve got to look for the right deals. You don’t want to waste money on a product that’ll quickly expire or not work from the jump.

We’ve rounded up a list of products that you may want to skip during your next trip and some alternatives that will still save you cash while you utilize your membership.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

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1. Member's Mark 400-Thread-Count Percale Sheet Set

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $34.98

Though these sheets come in many sizes and colors, they are not the softest bed linen set you can snag from Sam’s Club.

This 400-thread-count set gets wrinkled very easily, and the fabric is quite noisy when you’re trying to sleep. Thankfully, Sam’s does have other bedding sets with higher thread counts that give you the quality you want at an affordable price, so save your money on this particular set.

2. Member’s Mark Super Premium Paper Towels

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Price: $19.98

These paper towels may seem more cost-effective, but their quality doesn’t compare to name brands like Bounty.

These two-ply paper towels don’t have the quite same absorbency, meaning you’re using more to compensate for the low price. You can grab a value-pack of Bounty paper towels during your Sam’s Club visit, though, and still save in comparison to other retailers.

3. Member’s Mark Classic Roast Ground Coffee

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Price: $9.98

While it may seem like you’re getting more bang for your buck with this deal, it’s potentially wasteful for many households.

Buying this bag of ground coffee is a race against time since the freshness doesn’t last quite as long unless you’re drinking multiple cups per day. You’re better off buying a bag of coffee beans or K-Cups during your Sam’s Club trip so you can enjoy a fresher brew each time.

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4. Member’s Mark Adult Multivitamin Gummies

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Price: $10.78

This may seem like a good deal compared to name-brand vitamins, but the taste just isn’t there.

These gummies have a different taste than other multivitamins, which some may enjoy, but there is a noticeable difference in quality. You can get Vitafusion gummies for just a few dollars more on the same aisle, so your trip isn’t a bust.

5. Member’s Mark Ladies Everyday High-Rise Ankle Legging

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $9.98

While these comfy leggings can be great for exercising or running errands, the sizing isn’t accurate.

These typically run small, so if you normally wear a medium, you’re going to need to buy a few pairs to ensure you’re getting the right size (which is wasteful of your time and money). However, this superstore has other active legging options that are more true to size, just as comfy, and come in a range of colors.

6. Member’s Mark Banana Sundae Drizzled Kettle Corn

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Price: $4.98

In theory, this popcorn should’ve worked, but unfortunately, the artificial flavor is overpowering.

Plus, you’re likely not able to finish this bag before it stales unless you’re serving it at a party or movie night, which may not happen if you also don’t like the aftertaste. If you’re looking for a better sweet and salty snack, try the Popcorn Indiana Black and White Fudge Drizzle Kettle Corn from Sam’s instead.

7. Member’s Mark Milk Chocolate Soft Sea Salt Caramels

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Price: $10.48

If you have a sweet tooth, this may seem like a great find, but reading the nutrition facts might just change your mind.

Each serving size is just one piece, which has 20% of your daily sugar and 100 calories. Though this treat is likely not worth it, Sam’s Club has other (healthier) candies you can enjoy multiples of, like their dark chocolate thins.

8. Member’s Mark Laundry Detergent Power Pacs

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Price: $19.48

While these laundry detergent pods seem more affordable than name brands, you may have to use more than one in a load for a cleaner feeling and noticeable scent.

They also tend to bust open inside the box, leaving you with a mess and wasted money. You can still buy other laundry pods from Sam’s Club, including Tide and All Free + Clear while saving serious cash.

9. Member’s Mark BluLink Bluetooth Glucose Monitoring System

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $15.98

Sure, this may seem like an amazing deal on a glucose monitoring set, but you’ll end up paying more in the long run.

This monitoring system has negative reviews that mostly focus on how it doesn’t work and gives error codes more often than not, which isn’t helpful for keeping track of your glucose. Sam’s Club has other monitoring devices — they may cost a little bit more, but still offer big savings on a medical necessity.

10. Member’s Mark Liquid Dish Soap

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Price: $8.98

While this seems like a great bargain for its size, the bulk bottle may end up being more of a hindrance than anything.

Each bottle is over three quarts of concentrated dish soap, which becomes cumbersome to lift unless you use a smaller bottle to fill, but then the large bottle will take up valuable sink or storage space regardless. Instead, try buying the multi-packs of smaller bottles from Sam’s Club to place in bathrooms, your kitchen, laundry rooms, and more so you get more bang for your buck.

Bottom line

In order to really stretch your budget , make sure you’re buying products that make sense for your household and everyday needs. Sam’s Club has a ton of exclusive deals and products, but you want to be sure you can maximize your savings during each shopping trip.

Plus, there are plenty of items online that may have good reviews that just aren't your cup of tea anyway, so browse around to see what catches your eye and might just become your new favorite item.

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