Costco Vs. Sam's Club

I buy most of my produce, deli meats and cheeses and fresh meat from the local Farmer Market and always save a ton. Having said that, we have a membership to Costco. I shop at Costco not only for the quality and price (although you really have to know what you'd normally pay at the supermarket, since not everything is cheaper at Costco), but also because of their business practices. They pay a living wage (more than minimum wage) to their workers and aren't associated with other companies that practice predatory pricing (Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, also founded Sam's Club). Costco adheres to a Code of Ethics that recognizes their members, employees, and suppliers (in that order). Their business motto is "Take the High Road and Do What is Right." I believe in shopping at companies I can respect in addition to offering good value and products.

1 mom found this helpful

We've had a membership at Costco for years and tried Sam for a few months and HATED it. The quality of Costco is much better (in my opinion) for about the same cost.

I believe that Walmart/Sam's Club do not give to the schools, or support something in regards to that. I have also heard of the unfair workplace environment.

We used to have both but ended up using Costco more so we stuck with that membership. I have been to both of the stores you would shop at. I do like the quality and freshness of fruits/veggies at Costco better.

I think Costco has higher quality items. They typically carry name brand items with slight differences sometimes even better with just changing to the Kirkland name. My mom used to shop at Sams and we did a price comparison once on Frozen Chicken and a couple of other things and Costco won on pricing. Also we utilize the executive membership at Costco which pays you back 2% on purchases including the gas so it pays for our membership every year and if it doesnt Costco will refund your money. And above everything I don't shop or support Walmart or Sam's Club due to their hiring of illegal immigrants, unfair pay and treatment of workers, and anti-union tactics. They even went as far as locking workers in overnight and not allowing them to go home. I can't shop there and feel good about it.

Hi A.,

I personally shop at Costco. Higher quality over-all. I use to be a Sam's Club member, but after going to Costco I would never go back. I know they are re-doing part or all of the Costco on Stephenson right now, not sure if it's cosmetic or heating and cooling?? Why don't you call and get a free pass for both and try them both out and see what you think... both offer a satisfaction guarantee, so if you go to Sam's for a month and don't care for it you can go to Costco, or vice a versa.

Came back to read other responses and I wanted to say I agree with Erin 100%. I didn't want to get into it with people about that being one of my reasons. Did you know Costco gives benefits to even their part-time employees. And un-like Sam's Club, you have to punch out within 2 minutes of your time. No working over for no pay.... Bravo Costco!!

Good Luck!
J. in Macomb

I prefer costco. I think their quality is better, and they rotate less product. I stopped going to sams club a number of years ago, because they stopped carrying the uncrustables and a couple of other products that I purchase regularly. They do rotate out some of their stuff, but many of the staples are there every week.

It is really your preference. I have had memberships at both. I am with Costco now and stopped Sam's based on the cheaper gas prices at Costco. But the food really depends- you have to check out both yourself and see who has more of what you eat. They both rotate items but both stick to certain brands as well...but as for the prices, they even out in the end, I tracked both for quite awhile, years in fact. It looks like Sam's is cheaper because the club fee is cheaper, but Costco has bigger quantities, so it evens out. Having said that, I liked Sam's when it was just my husband and me because the smaller quantities didn't have us wasting food. So those are the differences. I suggest strolling through them both and picking which suits your needs! Hope that helps!

Hi A., I am a costco member but just in the past few weeks sam was offering a 10 week membership for $10.00 so I got one. I'm not sure for how long they are offering this deal but I was pretty impressed with what they had versus costco. I did like sam's lunch meat better and they also carried things costco doesn't like yo-baby yogurt and baby food, but costco also has some stuff sam's doesn't so check into getting that temperary membership and see how you like it. Good luck. T.