Sam's Club question

[tifnglen]

I was wondering if a Sam's Club membership is worth paying the $35(i think) a year for. I have no kids or husband so its just me. TIA

[34saving]

Depends on how you shop. If you shop sales in other places you'll probably never recoup the fee. If you buy when you want to . . .then Sam's might be competitive enough.

++ If you need tires or glasses (or some other medical stuff) the savings at Sam's will probably pay for membership.

-- Sam's does not keep very competitive hours and it almost always takes a long time to get out (at least around here.)

[JBinKC]

If you are single no way. I think those places are way overrated. Not only you have to buy in very large quantities. You cannot use a credit card other than American Express. The only items that I think are cheaper are items that are not typically offered on sale in stores like generic OTC medicines and vitamins, milk and foodservice sized items. For tires Tirerack.com or discount tire direct has better prices.

[spendless]

If you are buying for one vs a family....maybe not cost effective. Walmart or Walgreens/CVS might provide a better option for you without the $35.00 fee.

BTW....I think you can shop with a friend who has a SAM's membership card and either pay with cash or reimburse them after the transaction.

[Ima saver]

I really don't think so. Not for one person.

[rdeel2000]

Sam's Club will issue you a one day pass so why not take advantage of this and spend some time in the store. Take a notebook with you and write down the prices of items you normally buy at the grocery store, also write down the size (ounces, etc.). Now take that list to the grocery store and compare prices. You might be surprised how quickly the difference adds up to $35 over a years time. I usually tell people that if you drink one gallon of milk a week, that will more than pay for your membership since milk is usually at least $1 a gallon cheaper there. Keep in mind that if you purchase anything using your one day pass it will cost you and extra 10%.

[shelbylovesmelby]

We were considering getting a membership there again. However, I find shopping the sales & aldi's a better buy. Though like a pp said tag along w/someone who has a card & have them buy u what u want & pay them back once u leave the store.

Also it's next to impossible to leave that place w/o spending almost $50 +.

The check out lines here are awful as well.

I wish they took coupons

[toys]

For years, I had a Sam's club membership and always passed along the 'good word' about their great bulk deals. Well, a few years ago, I let my membership lapse. Sam's always had some good deals, never exclusively cheaper... but with a lil research good deals could be found.


I just recently went into the local Sam's club again to see if they were still worth it. I was utterly stunned! I took my price-book (list of prices for my regularly purchased items) to do some comparison shopping. I needed only check a few major categories to know that I will not be buying another Sam's club membership. I checked various office supplies, a few name-brand candy items, a sampling of meats, produce, and other staples, in addition to coffee (creamers and such). Not one, not one single item was a better discount than I could find at multiple other stores.

The gas prices are still decent (although not better than Kroger). The tire prices are still decent (although not better than Tire Rack). I dare not check the electronics... but I would be willing to bet that decent prices can still be found from time to time. However, it was clearly, significantly, not so on the necessities, the main reason I used to shop there.


What happened? When did Sam's Club stop being a bulk-price leader? I am so disappointed (with them), but reassured (with my other, especially grocery, stores).

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by toys

I just recently went into the local Sam's club again to see if they were still worth it. I was utterly stunned! I took my price-book (list of prices for my regularly purchased items) to do some comparison shopping. I needed only check a few major categories to know that I will not be buying another Sam's club membership. I checked various office supplies, a few name-brand candy items, a sampling of meats, produce, and other staples, in addition to coffee (creamers and such). Not one, not one single item was a better discount than I could find at multiple other stores.

I think people get a very false sense of security from the warehouse clubs. They just assume they are getting a good price when that often isn't the case. We have belonged to BJ's a couple of times in the past when we got a free membership but we didn't go more than once or twice. The deals weren't that good and the shopping experience certainly wasn't as nice as at the regular grocery store. We visited Costco recently to check them out and also couldn't find any persuasive reason to join. It is easier, nicer and generally cheaper to shop at Wegman's.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Costco is cheaper than regular stores where I live. Depends on where you live and what stores you have available.

What's wegmans? Or Aldis?

[marvholly]

Large
Wegman's is a chain grocery in some areas-apparently no yours and certainly NOT mine.

Aldi is a discount, no frills, bag your own grocery. they have mostly private label items and some name brand. Their nam brands are NOT cheaper than a store special + coupon. They do NOT take coupons or credit cards. All cash or debit cards.

I like a LOT of their private label items-mostly those that have a national standard like milk, cream cheese, OJ, pasta, can veg, tomatoe products, dry & can beans, cheese....Sometimes a produce item is cheaper than I can get at my normally VERY cheap produce stores (pineapple this week for 1.29).

Also, their bar & grated cheese is frequently cheaper than sales at other stores. This week cream cheese is a GREAT deal at 0.89 vs 1.33 being the cheapest I have seen in weeks.

[toys]

I just recently discovered Aldi's for the first time. I was thrilled... at first. Then after buying from them a few times, I learned better. Their products are not as close to (or past) expiration as the more 'discount' or 'salvage' type grocery stores, but they do appear to be 'on the way out'. I bought a few staples: milk, bread, juice, etc. Everything was expired within a few days. It was disappointing. I thought I may have found a bum batch and tried again. I bought similar staples plus a few shelf stable items. Again, I had the same result. I opened a bag of chips and it was old and stale. I guess as long as you plan to use the products immediately, Aldi is ok, but, for me, there was not enough shelf life to last even a few days.

I have never lived in a place with a Wegman's... looking forward to giving them a try someday. I think there is a Costco an hour away... might be worth a look-see.

Thanks for the info... all.

[elessar78]

We did an analysis of our expenditures this past year using mint.com this past year, because it categorizes spending by merchant, type, etc.

Without fail, outside of housing and child care our trips to Sam's Club were the biggest outlays. Sure we felt like we saved on ZipLoc bags, etc, but our spending there was out of whack with everything else by a considerable amount. To me, that meant that we were spending more than we normally would on these items. Yes, it probably lasts longer but as a whole it did not reduce our spending.

We stopped going. Our budget was always kept, but post-Sam's Club we have more left over and we're not left wanting for any of the stuff we used to get there. Our average trip to Sam's Club was about $80 and we'd go 2-3 times a month.

I believe, psychologically, it eggs-on one's consumption. "Hey we have a lot of this stuff!" I think one tends to ration more if you feel supply is limited.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by elessar78

I believe, psychologically, it eggs-on one's consumption. "Hey we have a lot of this stuff!" I think one tends to ration more if you feel supply is limited.

I think this is true. The same psychological issue impacts obesity. That's why you often hear the recommendation to use a smaller dinner plate. We tend to eat what's there. Give us more, we eat more. Give us less, we eat less and are just as satisfied. So when you go to the warehouse store and buy the super jumbo size and you may subconsciously use more of the product than you would had you bought a smaller package.

[marvholly]

toys
I have never had an issue w/Aldi stuff being that close to the expire/best buy dates at my stores. I guess you just have to watch them at your store.

Now I DO have that issue at one of my local independent markets so I ALWAYS check dates there.

[toys]

I did not find any near or past expiration dates on the Aldi stuff. That's why I was so surprised at the lack of shelf-life. I always check dates, especially in discount stores. Of course, you can't check dates on bread...

Speaking of dates... Piggly Wiggly: wow. I doubt it is a chain wide issue, but I visited one while I was in Atlanta. I spent half an hour in the store, just checking dates. I could not find anything safe to buy... and it's not a discount store.

With that particular Aldi, I had to wonder if it was not a bad storage or transport practice. Maybe foods were not kept at proper temperatures during shipment? Maybe they don't like the Texas heat?

Anyway, I have not totally given up on Aldi. I will try them again in another city, someday. I doubt I will have the same open-heart policy for Sam's Club (except maybe for electronics).

[cooliemae]

You have to remember though that Sam's club was primarily built around the small business concept and it has only been recently that the company has moved towards the individual consumer.

Speaking as a member who using Sam's to supply a good portion of my business needs, the prices are pretty competitive versus having the products delivered. A good example is a case of 20oz Gatorade bottles which cost me $14.22 at Sam's. Pepsi Co. would be more than happy to deliver to my store, but they would charge me $28.00 for the same 20oz case. They cite weight which leads to higher gas prices and insurance for workers. The other thing that Sam's club has going for it that I use quite extensively is the Click'n Pull feature. It really makes my life easier to place an order for $1,200+ worth of product and have it already boxed and ready to go.

Of course, as an individual consumer their prices aren't necessarily competitive and I have to watch prices closely to make sure that a "good deal" is really that. Things like diapers (which my thoroughly enjoys using) are much cheaper on Amazon where I can use the subscribe and save & mom's savings features, plus shipping is generally free. I just bought 198 count of pampers cruiser 4 from Amazon for $33.50 shipped for free whereas same wants $39.98 for 160 of the same diapers.

So I guess I'm lucky that the business pays for my Sam's Card because I can still use it for personal purchases, which means I don't feel like I have to try and recoup the membership fee!

[gattaca]

I just saved $30 on generic Zyrtec from Sam's. Also, some of their meats seem to be of better quality. You have to watch your prices.