I joined Sam’s Club after I canceled my Costco membership – it offers an alternative I can’t find at other bulk stores

ANNOYING queues at Costco checkouts are too much of a nightmare for one shopper - who’s ditched her membership.

The feisty shopper has more time on her hands after switching to Sam’s Club for two good reasons, she said.

The former Costco member complained about wasting her day at the major warehouse retailer.

"I’m glad I canceled my Costco membership," she fumed on X/Twitter

"For one, you never see crazy lines for checkout like this at Sam’s Club. We just scan our stuff with our phones and go home!"

The shopper was referring to the retailer's Scan & Go checkout option.

This allows users to shun queues as they can scan and pay in the app.

But they must show their digital receipt on the way out.

Her rant comes weeks before an 8% hike in Costco's annual membership fee for shoppers living in the United States and Canada.

I’m glad I canceled my Costco membership.

From September 1, customers who buy goods at Costco Wholesale stores will see fees rise by $5 to $65 annually for the basic Gold Star Membership, and by $10 to $130 a year for its Executive Membership.

This compares to an annual fee of $50 for basic perks at Sam's Club, or $110 for its Plus option. The last time Costco hiked prices was in June 2017.

The former Costco member is not the first to publicly declare her switch of allegiance.

Part of the problem is that paying members still have to comply with strict receipt checks at store exits.

"Costco is p***ing me off lately. Now it’s not enough to show your card you need to show them your picture too!?" seethed one shopper on X.

"Then I get to the cash & can’t use my Costco cash for my membership renewal cause it’s under my husband's name when we have the SAME membership!!!! So annoyed."

COSTCO V SAM'S CLUB

Others have ranted against the retailer for upping membership fees - particularly as Costco Wholesale is a multi-billion dollar global retailer with warehouse club operations in eight countries.

"Here's everything you need to know ---------> Cancel Costco and move over to Sam's Club," another member wrote on X.

"Gotta hit em where it hurts. If enough people canceled, I'm sure they'd rethink their move lol."

Lindsey said she would prefer to buy at Costco's rival instead.

"Scan and go to Sam's club beats Costco all day every day," she wrote on Facebook.

Costco vs Sam's Club membership

Below are the comparisons between Costco and Sam's Club memberships

Costco memberships

Gold Star membership - The Gold Star membership costs $60 and can be used at all Costco locations. It also includes a Household Card.

Business membership - The Business membership costs $60 and is valid at all Costco locations worldwide. Members can add Affiliate Cardholders for $60 each. The membership is available with purchase for resale but members must provide Costco with the appropriate resale information.

Executive membership - The Executive membership costs $120 annually and includes a free Household Card. Executive members receive annual 2% rewards on qualified Costco purchases. Members receive additional benefits and greater savings on Costco Services and extra benefits on select Costco Travel products.

Sam's Club membership

Club membership - The Club membership offers shoppers bonus offers, same-day delivery, instant savings, members-only fuel savings and more.

Plus membership - The Plus membership offers shoppers everything the Club membership does plus free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, pharmacy savings, and optical savings.

Before entering, Costco members must present their membership cards at the door to shop at its nearly 900 warehouse stores.

The wholesale retailer enforces a strict membership-only policy which means only customers who pay an annual subscription can access exclusive deals online and in-store.

COST-WOE

But, finance expert Noel Lorenzano warned in a YouTube video that shoppers are cutting back on spending amid rising inflation and "climbing prices."

"Consumer spending is OK, but confidence is declining," he said on Saturday.

"With inflation, it makes total sense. My issue is the quality at Costco has gone to s**t," complained one shopper on Reddit.

"So I will definitely downgrade to regular and may just cancel entirely."

FOOD COURT ISSUES

There have also been gripes about problems buying favorite food staples at Costco after it changed the system.

The retailer has changed its food courts, replacing their number-calling process with a digital kiosk ordering system, followed by a single file line for order pick-ups, per The Street.

"Was stuck behind people buying 6 ice creams, 4 hot dogs, and 4 slices when I just wanted a cheese slice," complained one shopper on Reddit.

But things aren't always 100% better over at Sam's Club, said shoppers.

One customer slammed their local store after being forced to wait 20 minutes for an employee to scan their groceries.

The angry shopper and his wife abandoned their cart packed with groceries worth over $300 after refusing to use a self-checkout kiosk.

And another Sam's Club member said that new anti-theft measure may push him to Costco.

Since their installation in 2023, Sam's Club customers have had to walk past AI cameras on their way out of the store.