We Finally Know Which Is Better: Costco Or Sam's Club 

Which do you prefer?

After being a Costco member for a number of years, I switched to Sam's club after becoming a parent. They offer far more brand choices at better prices and the curbside pickup is a total lifesaver when you just can't make it into the store. The store is also never as crazy/chaotic as Costco is. TEAM SAMS CLUB!

I've had both over the years but Sam's Club has ended up being my go to.

Sams Club all the way. Costco is overpriced and lacks selection of items I need. Costco doesn't take AMEX, that's a huge fail for me.

I've always liked Sam's over Costco. Reasons: I prefer the layout of the Sam's Club near me, Costco is always crazy packed, and I've noticed certain items being more expensive for less at Costco than at Sam's (example: the last time I compared a large box of name brand oatmeal at Costco and Sam's, you got less in the box (Costco = 50, Sam's = 54) and it cost more at Costco (I think it was like $1 more at the time).

I have a membership to both. I have a Sam’s plus card. I love early shopping hours for + at Sam’s. And using the scan n go on the app is a game changer. My Costco membership was a gift and for the above reasons I will not renew Costco.

I used to be a Costco person, not for years now. I switched to Sam’s and couldn’t be happier. Sam’s was ahead of the rest already when COVID hit. I was already doing curb side and scan and go with them along with self checkout. Costco had neither and did poorly trying to catch up with Sam’s with the self checkout. Costco requires you to buy a minimum of $75 worth of food online in order to ship for free while Sam’s doesn’t put a minimum order amount and my order could be as little as $5. Also, I noticed the quality and variety of the produce at Sam’s is much better. Most produce items are organic and last way longer than their Costco counterpart. Which leads me to believe Costco produce isn’t as fresh as you would think. I also get rewarded every month from Sam’s with their “Cash” I could mention many more reasons why I made the switch and couldn’t be happier. Sam’s has more variety of products and their clubs are bigger than Costco and you could return any item back no questions asked and without time limits.

Also if you need gas, it is cheaper with a Sam’s Club and Walmart in the same area sharing a gas station.

About 12 years ago I had a Costco membership. At that time they only took American Express cards, so I had to open an account for that card. I always had trouble using the card at their gas pumps. I also needed to use a handicapped cart for shopping, my Costco only had two for the whole store. One was always broken, the other always already being used or plugged in to recharge. A while later something changed, they stopped using A.E. cards. I didn't renew my membership after that. I might look into Sam's Club now.

Uh y’all forgot the Members Mark brand. It’s sams in house brand

The one and only thing that Sam’s Club has over Costco, and was missed on this list, SC has scan and go. You can scan all your items with the SC app, pay and leave. No need to wait in long lines. I have Executive Membership for Costco and basic for SC. I go to SC when I’m in a hurry and use the scan and go feature.

BJs easily the best. I’ve used all three… BJs has a real deli and is the only club that takes coupons

You missed one key point, my time. Sam's club let's me use their app to scan as I go, allowing me to skip the checkout line. They also have a better (IMO) loss prevention strategy, scanning random items in the cart, instead of counting. That method is faster than counting. There's also the fact that Sam's club ships to me when I'm traveling. I tried to buy a computer online from Costco and Costco cancelled my order everytime. They said they could only ship it to my home address. They wouldn't let me have it shipped to the store nearby. I currently have both memberships, but I'm much happier with Sam's. I feel more valued by Sam's. Sam's club also shows me the in-store price of items from the app. Costco you have to go to the store to see the in-store price.

I use both because Sam's doesn't carry my dog's food. I like the scan and go feature but I do like the selection at Costco.

Sam’s also have there own brand items for saving. It there items labeled Member’s Mark.

I shop Sam's and ALDI'S mostly, some Food Lion

Team sams here. Costco is insanely busy esp weekends. Sams has a lot of pros. Curbside pick up, scan and go. Cheaper. And you get money back .

I have a Sams membership and am quite happy with it. My annual renewal is coming up and thought about switching to Costco for a year to try it out. I don't know yet.

This is like a Walmart vs Target debate

We shop at Sam's because it's cheaper including the gasoline plus they are more friendly. But I have to admit, Costco caries better quality products specifically many foods that are Keto approved. I hope they both stay in business because I really like them both 👍

Funny thing. Was at Sam’s Club today. That is 75 miles (one way) from where I live. The Costco is 140 miles (one way) from home. Wish we had a closer Costco

obviously costco is better because its not walmart

I need a new car battery, and after doing my research project farm recommended interstate batteries so after seeing the price of the product from different vendors Costco, even with a one year membership will still be more affordable than any other option

The quality of Kirkland products is so much better, IMO.

Frighteningly enough, when I clicked this show, a n ad from Target was the first thing to pop up.

Costco ! Period!

prices very on EV charging because the prices are generally set by the local utility company and then on top of that whatever amount the location wants to profit per kilowatt. For example, if a kilowatt is $.35 and the charging location decides they want to make $.10 on each kilowatt then they sell that kilowatt for $.45 and that is why price is because it depends on those type of factors on all EV charging not just at Sam’s Club or Costco

Considering getting a membership but could not decide which, Walmart isn't my most fav. store so Sams is similar so I dunno. To me its like Walmart or Target yea Target is a few bucks more but my experience is always better there. Still debating.

Might be my area but sams club is always a mess, sticky floors and old smells. Terrible customer service and rude employees that act inconvenienced that you’re even there. I’ve never had a bad experience at a Costco.

It's Sam's Club for me, all the way. Costco is only a half mile away. Sam's is over a mile away. Worth going further to Sam's. Sam's is cheaper for everything that we get. There's a few things that I like at Costco. I go there about once a month. I don't go enough to justify a membership. I currently have an executive membership at both. I like being able to go early to Sam's. I Don't ever show my membership at the deli???

I use all three. Costco, Sams AND BJs. The one thing BJs has that the others don't is an ACTUAL deli. Fresh sliced meats and cheese at half the price of grocery chains. They all have their pluses that are individual that the others don't. Plus who doesn't like to get lost and enjoy a plethora of samples all day long.

I live in a poor state in Oklahoma, and the Walmart and Sam's people make between $16-$19 an hour. That's alright, given where we live, but that might be low in Dallas or Miami.

I got Costco and I have Sams, I got Sams first. Biggest issue is they are always out of stuff, I can never get everything I need just like Walmart

I just got gas at Costco. It still is less expensive. Sometimes it may be the same or almost the same but Costco seems to be less over all. I've even eaten at Sam's but I always feel sick after a few min. I just can't handle their food wraps. Some of the items that Sam's has seem to be less expensive but are cheap in quality. They just seem cheap inferior low quality items. Yup, still heading to my local Costco. That's right, I'm going to kick the 🏈 this time. Lucy where are you at!?!

I'm team Costco

Apples to apples, Sam's Club is slightly cheaper on many items, with a wider variety of goods. Sam's 'executive' membership is cheaper and offers free shipping, Costco doesn't.

Sooooo.... I use instacart and I don't pay a membership fee for Costco!?! BJ or Sam's either. So I don't see a lot of incentive is a used mostly delivery.

I’ve been to Costco once.But, we usually always go to Sam’s Club.

Both have decent things. Just depends on what you like.

Canadian costco does not accept Visa. We had to hit the ATM and pay in cash

Sam's club for me, always.

I’ve had no problem using my MasterCard at Costco for the past couple years now.

SC is best

Sam's club win because of scan and go.

scan n go, nuff said

Scan and Go!!

Ppl can still go to food courts at Costco. And they don't have salads or hamburgers.😮

Sam’s Club definitely due to the ease of access. Costco is almost 10 miles away from the freeway. It is extremely inconvenient for me.

You can't compare employee salaries when you aren't factoring locality

I've not shopped at Sams for many years. I know 15 years ago Costco blew Sams out of the water. However a year ago I got a free year trial with Sams so I gave it a shot knowing full well I'd probably cancel after the year. Boy was I wrong. Sams has a less cluttered layout and more name brand items. Don't care for kirkland foods as they are pretty sketchy quality. Overall Sams has all the items I need and the checkout is 1000X better. I merely scan items as I shop on phone and WALK OUT. The person at door will do a quick audit of items and off I go. Also the people at sams are very nice. They are never rude. At costco they are very rude. At least at my store. The customers at costco are very aggressive. Maybe because the store is cluttered and more congested. Parking lot is also stressful at Costco whereas at Sams its easy in and easy out. When self checking at Costco they make me scan and put heavy items on scale. And then put back on cart. A huge ass PITA. And now they make me show my ID every time. And they know who I am as they are the same old goats that have worked their for 20 years. Then its a longer wait at door and again death race 2K outside in the parking lot. In short, I dread going to Costco now. And I actually enjoy shopping at Sams. The shopping experience IMO are day and night better. Also my neighborhood walmart has so many self checkouts that I can just walk up and start scanning immediately. And they provide a scanning gun so I don't have to lift heavy items out of basket. Walmart/Sams have taken it to another level. I don't like shopping anywhere else now.

Price important

They need to put a Sam’s Club in California high desert Hisperia

I'm not against Sam's club, but I just prefer Costco's.

Sams vs Costco Walmart vs Target Never go to Sams Really bad service Just like Walmart Price is Cheaper Service is Cheaper s well

Although only here on the east coast BJ's should have been part of this review, and a real review would compare prices. I just checked the price of Scotts toilet paper. Costco $29.99 Sam's Club $27.78 BJ's $25.99 So Costco does not seem to be the end all that so many people claim it is. I'll stick with my BJ's membership.

I like Costco better than Sam’s. I was Sam’s member but since moved then I going back to Costco. I was Costco member since 90’s after moved only Sam’s no Costco so I had to shopped at Sam’s . But now we have Costco no Sam’s .

Costco is better overall despite the Scan & Go feature with Sam’s. Also, the fact that Costco ONLY takes Visa credit cards is beyond annoying! I have both memberships and if I’m in a hurry, I go to Sam’s, but if I’m buying a lot more merchandise, Costco is the way to go for me!

Kirkland ANYTHING IS GOOD QUALITY IS MAGNIFICENT

Sams

Team Sam’s Club

Costco has the better hot dog. Buying CoQ10 at Costco when it’s on sale pays for my membership. But, Sam’s has more foods that we use, and the gas station doesn’t have the crazy long lines the local Costco does - and the gas savings pay for the Sam’s membership.

Costco all the way

Thing is, Costco treats their employees well. Sams/Wal not so much.

Living in this country for over 13 years, Costco was the only shop I went to that checks customers' carts after they paid. It just feels not very comfortable, I mean if you are afraid of shoplifters then just remove the self-checking. Is Sam's doing the same thing?

No, not sure if those are poverty wages

100% Costco

Location is a huge factor for me. There's a Costco a half mile from me, but I'd have to drive across town (30ish minutes) to get to the nearest Sam's Club. I think I'd prefer Costco anyway though.

Sams club Best club

Costco is a clear winner for my family but it depends on your needs. I have memberships to both, but I spend a great deal more money at Costco... Sam's does have a few things that Costco does not so we probably go every other month.

Speaking of 💳, the readers @ Costco r better cause Verifone>Ingenico

Costco is the best.

Kirkland is just a Costco House Brand ya.

Member mark quality poor Ex. Jeans

Sam's club bakery section is far superior in every way to Costco's... And Sam's Pizza is better.

No, thank you to working at either store not for me

Costco has better food. I get salmon from Costco consistently for cheap

Please people do your shopping at Sam’s, we don’t need anymore crowds at Costco. 😊

Costco has bigger and more locations, more effective gasoline and a better food court. If only they utilized "phone checkout", I wouldn't miss Sam's that much

Costco change there hot dogs they are smaller and don't snap like they used too

I'd hate having to pay yearly just to buy groceries

How come no one mentions EBT purchases?😮

Costco. Period. End of discussion.

Costco hands down!

Click bait, the famous “it depends on your needs”

The way I hear people speak....COSCO

Costco hands down! And Costco employees stay forever. That says a lot in my opinion 😉

Costco for me (no Sam's Club here). It's grouse!

Costco doesn’t have burgers and sliders just pizza chicken bake and hotdogs

Costco is way better than Sam's club

Sams allows you to pay with cash. Costco forces you to a card, a major issue for those who prefer to pay with cash.

Costco

No, no, no ,no… it’s the complete opposite: Sam’s Club now requires a membership to make purchases at the food court. Costco does not.

Horrible comparison

Kirkland coffee taste terrible! Yak! 😝

Sams is more up to date and modern technologically in every way including a better streamlined and user friendly website that is logical and can look up all inventory by store, category, shipping, delivery etc. They also have scan and go on their app. Costco don't even have a scan gun at check-out. Their website is also a worthless mess. Costco is behind in every way and less user efficient. Sam's also has a better snack bar, cutlery, wider options, tastier pizza and condiments (sealed packets) whereas costco is cheap and unsanitary with the pump option. Sams is better in every way including better prices and membership. The only way costco is better is they have a few more organic options than sams but that is all.

This is a no brainer.. COSTCO!! We all know Walmart business philosophy and Sam’s Club is Walmart and Walmart will go out of their way to copy Costco, so Costco 💯 %