Heidi Renee Mason

25 Dog Friendly Stores Beyond Service Animals

November 5, 2018 By Heidi Renee Mason 109 Comments

There are a lot of great reasons to have a dog, but if you want to take your furbaby with you to run errands, you might wonder which stores welcome pets, and which ones prohibit them. Check our list of 25 dog friendly stores – beyond service animals – before you head out with your pup.

More Dog Friendly Stores Than You Think

It wasn’t long ago that dogs weren’t allowed in a retail setting unless they were service animals. The times are changing, and today, many mainstream retail stores welcome your dog to come inside and shop with you. This relaxed pet policy has dog owners everywhere rejoicing. The convenience factor is wonderful, not to mention that you can avoid leaving your pet at home unattended for long periods of time. Although some stores still uphold a strict no-pet policy, more and more retail chains have amended their rules to welcome both you and your dog.

Stores That Are Dog-Friendly

It’s important to note that the final decision on whether or not dogs are allowed at certain stores is ultimately left up to the individual store manager, so even if a chain is dog-friendly, your local store may not be. It’s always best to call ahead and ask before taking your dog along.

Anthropologie is dog friendly.
Apple store is dog friendly.
Barnes and Noble is dog friendly.
Bass Pro Shops are dog friendly.
Bebe is dog friendly.
Bloomingdale’s is dog friendly.
Crate and Barrel is dog friendly.
Foot Locker is dog friendly.
Free People is dog friendly.
Gap is dog friendly.
Home Goods is dog friendly.
JoAnn Fabrics is dog friendly.
Kohl’s is dog friendly.
Lush Cosmetics is dog friendly.
Macy’s is dog friendly.
Marshalls is dog friendly.
Michael’s is dog friendly.
Neiman Marcus is dog friendly.
Nordstrom is dog friendly.
Old Navy is dog friendly.
PetCo is dog friendly.
PetSmart is dog friendly.
Pottery Barn is dog friendly.
Restoration Hardware is dog friendly.
Saks Fifth Avenue is dog friendly.
Saturn car dealerships are dog friendly.
Sephora is dog friendly.
TJ Maxx is dog friendly.
Tractor Supply Co. is dog friendly.
Urban Outfitters is dog friendly.

Stores That Are Not Dog-Friendly

It’s important to note that stores which are not pet and dog-friendly will still allow service dogs to enter their retail space. They won’t, however, allow pet dogs on their premises.

Belks is not dog friendly.
Best Buy is not dog friendly.
BJ’s Wholesale Club is not dog friendly.
Costco is not dog friendly.
CVS is not dog friendly.
Dillard’s is not dog friendly.
Home Depot is not dog friendly.
JC Penny is not dog friendly.
KMart is not dog friendly.
Lowe’s is not dog friendly.
Party City is not dog friendly.
Rite Aid is not dog friendly.
Sams Club is not dog friendly.
Sears is not dog friendly.
Target is not dog friendly.
Walgreens is not dog friendly.
Walmart is not dog friendly.

As you can see, more and more retail establishments are realizing that pet owners enjoy bringing their furry friends along on shopping sprees. It’s a great way to break up the monotony of walking your dog on the same trails and sidewalks. It’s also a wonderful tool for pet socialization and introducing your dog to new people and environments. You may also enjoy getting your dog’s expert opinion on a new pair of shoes he can chew, or even a new couch for his daily naps. Shopping with your pet just might become your new favorite pastime.

We would love to make this list comprehensive so dog lovers know where they can and can’t take their pets. If you know of a store that is pet-friendly or one on this list, which is no longer dog friendly, please leave a comment so we can ensure this list is the most up to date.

Have you taken your dog with you shopping? Let us know your experience with specific stores in the comments below!

For more on pets and how they can affect your finances check out these articles:

How Much Does a Dog Cost? It’s More Than You Think
Five Ways to Make Money if You Love Pets
How to Save Money on Dog Food

(Photo courtesy of Anders Porter)

Sam’s Club Hours and Holiday Schedule

October 9, 2018 By Heidi Renee Mason 5 Comments

Sam's Club holiday schedule and store hours

Sam’s Club strives for customer satisfaction, especially since it’s competing with Costco. This occurs by offering wonderful prices, special membership benefits, and easily accessible store hours. There are very few days throughout the year when Sam’s Club closes. And, on some holidays the warehouse remains open, but with reduced hours. Before you head out to shop, make sure you know the Sam’s Club holiday hours and schedule.

Sam’s Club Holiday Hours for 2018

January 1 (New Year’s Day): Sam’s Club is closed on New Year’s Day (Monday)
January 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day): Sam’s Club is open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday)
February 14 (Valentine’s Day): Sam’s Club is open on Valentine’s Day (Wednesday)
February 19 (Presidents’ Day): Sam’s Club is open on Presidents’ Day (Monday)
March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day): Sam’s Club is open on St. Patrick’s Day (Saturday)
March 30 (Good Friday): Sam’s Club is open on Good Friday (Friday)
March 31 (Easter Saturday): Sam’s Club is open on Easter Saturday (Saturday)
April 1 (Easter Sunday): Sam’s Club is closed on Easter Sunday (Sunday)
April 2 (Easter Monday): Sam’s Club is open on Easter Monday (Monday)
May 13 (Mother’s Day): Sam’s Club is open on Mother’s Day (Sunday)
May 28 (Memorial Day): Sam’s Club is open on Memorial Day (Monday), but closes early
June 19 (Father’s Day): Sam’s Club is open on Father’s Day (Sunday)
July 4 (Independence Day): Sam’s Club is open on Independence Day (Wednesday), but closes early
September 3 (Labor Day): Sam’s Club is open on Labor Day (Monday), but closes early
October 8 (Columbus Day): Sam’s Club is open on Columbus Day (Monday)
October 31 (Halloween): Sam’s Club is open for Halloween (Wednesday)
November 11 (Veteran’s Day): Sam’s Club is open on Veteran’s Day (Sunday)
November 22 (Thanksgiving Day): Sam’s Club is closed on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday)
December 24 (Christmas Eve): Sam’s Club is open on Christmas Eve (Monday)
December 25 (Christmas Day): Sam’s Club is closed on Christmas Day (Tuesday)
December 31 (New Year’s Eve): Sam’s Club is open on New Year’s Eve (Monday)
January 1 (New Year’s Day): Sam’s Club is closed on New Year’s Day 2019 (Tuesday)

Sam’s Club is closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. They are open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm for all members on Memorial Day. On the Fourth of July, all members may shop from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Sam’s Club is open on Labor Day from 7:00 am until 6:00 pm. All of these times are local and may differ from location to location. It’s always best to contact the location closest to you for updated openings and closures. The Sam’s Club website states that “regular club hours and specialty departments may vary by location.”

Download a free, printable Sam’s Club holiday schedule here.

Sam’s Club All Members Store Hours 2018

Outside of Sam’s Club holidays, members can generally shop these times throughout the year:

Sam’s Club is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until 8:30 pm
Sam’s Club is open Saturday from 9:00 am until 8:30 pm
Sam’s Club is open Sunday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm

Sam’s Club Business and Plus Member Store Hours 2018

If you are a business or plus member, you will have extended hours. Throughout the year, you will be able to access Sam’s Club during these hours:

Sam’s Club is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm
Sam’s Club is open Saturday from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm
Sam’s Club is open Sunday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm

During normal, non-holiday hours, Sam’s Club is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm exclusively for its Business and Plus members. Regular Sam’s Club hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until 8:30 pm for all members. On Saturdays, Plus and Business members can shop from 7:00 am through 9:00 pm. Sam’s Club is open to all members on Saturdays from 9:00 am until 8:30 pm. On Sundays, the hours are 10:00 am through 6:00 pm for all members.

If you’d like to verify these hours or if you have any questions about hours on specific days of the year, The Sam’s Club customer service phone number is 1 (888) 746-7726.

(Photo Credit: Nicholas Eckhart)

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Can You Get Better Deals at Costco or Walmart?

July 6, 2015 By Heidi Renee Mason 12 Comments

Walmart and Costco are both known for deals. Walmart has everyday low prices, and Costco’s prices are low when you factor in that you are buying in bulk, and therefore are getting a lower unit price. Which place will give you the most bang for your buck, though?

Costco and Walmart have both received press lately on how they treat their employees. Walmart has been criticized for poor treatment of employees, while Costco is praised for nurturing its workers. Does the way the retail giants treat their employees make a difference to the customers who shop there? Is this something the average consumer even considers? Which store really offers the best deal?

Costco: Higher Quality, Higher Price

Costco specializes in bulk items. They tend to offer more organic food items, and the majority of the merchandise in the store is high end and of excellent quality. Customers searching for items of higher quality are often willing to pay a little bit more. Plus, the argument can be made that items of higher quality will last longer, making them a more cost effective purchase in the long run.

Also, the fact that Costco sells the majority of merchandise in bulk means that the actual unit price per item is probably lower. Costco seems to cater to folks in the upper middle class who are out to get a bargain. They do not offer a wide selection of items, but the items they do carry are of the highest quality.

When you buy items that are of higher quality they’ll last a lot longer. Pair this with option of buying in bulk for reduced prices and you have what makes Costco so appealing.

Walmart: Lower Quality, Lower Price

Walmart does not cater to those looking to buy in bulk. Walmart is the place where someone goes to buy one can of soda, not the 48 cans of soda you would purchase at Costco. Walmart is also not widely known for carrying high quality items. Walmart offers a huge selection, and their prices are low. Clothing and furniture items are not high quality, though, and will more than likely not last a very long time.

Walmart does not offer a wide variety of organic or high quality foods either, so those looking to buy organic are probably out of luck. While you can buy items fairly inexpensively at Walmart, the lower quality items are probably going to wear out much sooner than an item of higher quality.

So, even though you may find prices that are lower at Walmart than at Costco it’s not an apples to apples comparison. When you take into consideration the lifespan of the item you’re buying it looks like Costco will be the winner in most cases.

Costco for the Win

All things considered, it seems that the better deal can probably be found at Costco. When you figure in the unit price and factor in that you are purchasing high quality items, it seems that Costco will get you the best deal. It might also be a bonus to shop at the store with the happiest and best-treated employees.

Costco or Sam’s Club: Which Is the Better Choice?

July 1, 2015 By Heidi Renee Mason 12 Comments

When making the choice of which membership warehouse will get your business, does Costco or Sam’s Club win out? Is one better than the other, and if so, which factors play into that decision? Costco and Sam’s Club are similar in many ways. Their appearance on the interior is nearly identical. Both offer discounted merchandise based upon the fact that you are buying in bulk. Both charge a membership fee for the privilege of shopping in their stores. However, in spite of all of their similarities, there are differences as well. Discovering these differences and using them to your advantage will be key in deciding which warehouse giant will get your membership.

Location

Costco stores tend to be located closer to wealthy suburbs and higher-income areas. The vast majority of people shopping at Costco tend to be more interested in higher quality merchandise. Alternately, Sam’s Clubs tend to be located in regions where folks are more budget-challenged and are looking for a better deal on the quantities of items.

Cost Factors

Sam’s Club’s membership fees are cheaper than Costco’s by $10. This may be a huge factor to take into consideration for those who are reluctant to shell out the initial membership fee. Sam’s Club also offers more in-store benefits to their membership, whereas Costco’s benefits are more out-of-store benefits, such as auto insurance and travel discounts. Sam’s Club also offers a cash back option to its highest membership levels, and Costco does too.

As far as prices go, Sam’s Club appears to have overall lower prices. They offer Membership Mark and Dairy Chef foods as their in-house brands. Costco offers Kirkland. However, it seems that even though Sam’s Club’s overall prices are slightly lower, the packaging sizes are often smaller than at Costco. This would technically make Costco’s unit prices cheaper.

Sam’s Club offers its customers more payment methods than Costco, so this could be a slight advantage. Costco often has long waiting lines, whereas Sam’s Club now offers a “Click and Pull” option. With “Click and Pull”, you can place your order online and pick it up at the store the next day. This is a convenience that Costco doesn’t offer.

Return Policies

Costco has its renowned return policy, where they seem to allow you to return virtually anything without a receipt. Sam’s Club has a more traditional return policy, requiring a receipt for a full refund. Costco doesn’t offer delivery or installation services for any in-store purchases. The customer must transport and install items themselves. On the other hand, Sam’s Club delivers and installs furniture and electronics. They also offer 24/7 technical support on electronics purchases.

Costco vs. Sam’s Club: Which is Better for You?

As you can see, the similarities between Costco and Sam’s Club are many. It is important to research each store to see which perks will benefit you the most. Depending on what you hope to achieve with your membership, one may be a clear winner over the other in your opinion. In my opinion, however, this race is too close to call.

(Photo Courtesy of Ken Teegardin)

Are Costco Tires a Good Deal?

June 27, 2015 By Heidi Renee Mason 13 Comments

Costco, the warehouse giant, is notorious for saving shoppers money. Customers can find everything from food products to home appliances and electronics. You can get prescriptions, eyeglasses, insurance, and even a car. Did you also know that you can purchase tires for your vehicle at Costco? The question is whether or not it’s a good idea to purchase Costco tires. What are the advantages as well as the disadvantages of such a purchase?

As someone always in favor of the bad news before the good, let’s begin with the disadvantages.

Costco offers no advance appointments for either tire installation or balancing and rotation. This is probably not a deal breaker unless you have one specific day or time-frame in which you are available to get your tires done, or if you are in a hurry.

If you show up to have your tires either installed or maintained, you are at the mercy of that day’s schedule. You may get lucky and have no wait time at all. On the other hand, it’s more likely you may have to wait up to two or three hours. You could spend this wait time shopping inside of Costco, but the downside to that is that you will inevitably spend more money.

Another disadvantage to buying tires at Costco is a lack of selection. Typically, Costco carries Bridgestone, BF Goodrich, and Michelin tires. There is no denying that these are among the top brands of tires, but you will not have the option of choosing from other alternative brands.

As far as pricing, Costco is generally fairly competitive. However, you could probably research and find lower prices at a discount tire shop. You may end up paying the same price, though, once you consider tire disposal and installation fees.

As far as advantages, the number one would probably be the lifetime warranty replacement of tires purchased at Costco. If you experience a flat tire, Costco will attempt to repair the tire or credit you for the amount of tread that is still remaining on your tire if it cannot be repaired. If the tire is fairly new at the time of the flat, Costco will replace it with a new tire.

The other perk that goes hand in hand with this is Costco’s lifetime rotation and balancing service. This could save you money over the course of owning your tires. The issue here, like with getting tires installed, is there is no appointment system. That means if you want to get a quick tire rotation, you don’t know how long it will actually take.

Costco also inflates tires using nitrogen instead of regular air. Tires inflated with nitrogen are said to stay better inflated than those tires inflated with air, and properly inflated tires can help save money on gas. Costco also offers cheaper installation prices in comparison to other tire shops, which could allow for a big savings.

Like most large purchases, there are pros and cons involved when making a decision. It seems that Costco’s competitive pricing and extended warranty and maintenance services may be worth the extra wait time you may experience by not being able to schedule an appointment in advance.

Besides tires Costco has other things for your car, check them all out in these articles.

Costco Gas Hours
Does Costco Do Oil Changes?
Costco Gas Calculator: Will I Save Money Buying a Membership if All I Buy is Fuel?

(Photo courtesy of David Goehring)

Is It Better to Keep Your Gas Tank Full or Empty?

June 26, 2015 By Heidi Renee Mason 9 Comments

With the rising cost of living, it’s getting harder and harder for people to make ends meet. Most of us try to cut corners whenever and wherever possible to save a few bucks here and there. After all, it adds up. One way folks try to save money is by getting the best gas mileage possible when driving their vehicles. Lately, there’s been a lot of debate on whether you should always keep a full tank of gas, or keep your it nearly empty. Which of these is the best practice, and do any of the methods really make a difference?

Full Tank of Gas or Empty?

It seems with overwhelming certainty that the agreed upon method is to keep your gas tank more full than empty. However, others believe that keeping a gas tank almost empty is best as there will be less weight in the car. Therefore, you’ll get better gas mileage. While this may be true in the short-run, in the long run, most experts say keeping your tank full will save you money.

Keeping a full tank of gas is most beneficial to your car over the long run. Your gas tank is an empty space, and whatever space is not filled by gas is filled with air. Air contains water vapor, which can condense on the sides of your fuel tank. This condensation can cause two problems. First, it can cause rust to develop on the sides of fuel tanks which are made of metal, which can cause problems in the future. The water vapors can also mix with the gas in the fuel tank, causing it to work less efficiently. This can be a problem for both plastic and metal fuel tanks.

Why Is a Full Tank of Gas Best?

According to Consumer Reports, gasoline acts like a coolant for your vehicle’s fuel pump motor. If your gas tank is very low, the fuel pump can suck in air. The fuel pump can then become overheated, which may lead to premature wear on the fuel pump, and eventual failure. If your fuel tank has dirt in it, it can become clogged as well. Consumer Reports goes on to advise never running your car below a 1/4 tank full.

It seems it is especially dangerous to run on a low fuel tank during the winter months. Cold temperatures can cause water to form on the gas tank’s empty walls. This water will go all the way to the bottom of the tank (since water is heavier than gas) and make its way into the fuel lines, where it can freeze. This will wreak havoc on your travel plans, not to mention it may cause further costly damage to your car.

Make Sure You Fill Up

So, while having less gas in your tank may make your vehicle lighter, it has the potential to cause a number of serious problems. It appears that the safest and most cost-effective method is to run your car on no less than 1/4 tank of gas at all times. This can help you avoid potential damage to your vehicle, as well as help you avoid the obvious problem of running out of gas on the side of the road.

What do you think? Full tank of gas or empty? Let us know in the comments below!

(Photo Credit: Sean MacEntee)

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