In this review:
Sam's vs. Costco Verdict
CATEGORY |
COSTCO |
SAM'S CLUB |
WINNER |
WHY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Memberships |
$55, $110 |
$40, $100, $35, $100 |
Sam's |
Membership is cheaper and there are more in-store benefits. |
Shopping Cart Test |
$227.08 |
$215.65 |
Sam's |
The overall price was cheaper and the quantities slightly more manageable for those with limited storage space. However, the per-unit price (of a single pound of steak or ounce of milk, etc.) was 3.6% lower at Costco. |
Departments |
Smaller selection |
Larger selection |
Sam's |
While both stores have similar departments, Sam's seems to offer a larger variety of choices in most departments. |
Payment Methods |
Cash, check, debit, store card, Amex |
Cash, check, debit, store card, MasterCard, Discover |
Sam's |
Again Sam's Club comes out on top, with more payment options. |
Coupons and Extra Savings |
Mail and email |
eValues with higher membership |
Costco |
Costco wins big time here with coupons mailed and emailed to members, while Sam's requires an upgraded membership in order to access coupons. |
Pharmacy and Wellness Services |
Low prices |
$4/$10 prescription plan and extra savings for Plus members |
Sam's |
Sam's has the better value with the $4/$10 plan and additional savings for Plus members. If Costco offers anything similar, we couldn't find it. |
Optical |
Eye exams, frames, and contacts |
Eye exams, frames, and contacts |
TBD |
Cheap contacts, frames, and eye exams make both the winner. |
Hearing Services |
Basic hearing tests and hearing aid check with cleaning |
Basic hearing tests |
Costco |
Costco provides a valuable hearing aid service in addition to hearing screenings, which is a step beyond what Sam's offers. |
Health Screenings |
Osteoporosis and heart screenings |
Different health screenings every month up to a $150 value at select stores for the first 100 people |
Sam's |
The information is straightforward and easy to find, plus the value is huge: Most screenings offered are a $150 value. |
Electronics |
Good selection plus a 2nd year extension on the manufacturer's warranty on TVs and computers. Free tech support |
Good selection plus a free extra year with purchase of a warranty and free 24/7 technical support |
Sam's |
Sam's Club wins with its extra year on any warranty purchased plus free technical support; Costco offers no tech support. |
Delivery and Installation |
Limited installation -- TVs only |
Full delivery and installation |
Sam's |
Costco doesn't offer delivery and installs only TVs. Sam's Club wins this one with full delivery and installation services (for a price). |
Auto Services |
Discounts on car purchases and auto insurance |
Free tire repair, battery testing, and wiper blade installation |
Costco |
Auto insurance and car buying discounts are a far better value than the free tire repairs, battery testing, and wiper blade installation available at Sam's. |
Financial Services |
Check printing, refinancing and online investing for individuals and 401(k) plans, credit card processing, payroll services, and check printing for businesses |
Credit card processing for businesses, as well as check printing and small business loans |
Costco |
Costco is the runaway winner, with many more financial services for individuals and businesses than Sam's Club. |
Online Shopping |
Good experience |
Had to register three times before being recognized as a member, and site was very slow |
Costco |
We had to register at Sam's online three times before the site recognized us as a member and sent us a confirmation email. We also found the site to be very slow while browsing products (though we didn't order anything). |
Photo Printing |
13 cents for 4x6, 38 cents for 5x7 |
17 cents for 4x6, 38 cents for 5x7 |
Costco |
It's cheaper to get prints at Costco, which come out looking pretty good, and the range of printing options is better. |
Gas |
$3.84 |
$3.75 |
Sam's |
Sam's takes this category based on price. |
Travel |
Discounts on vacations and car rentals |
None |
Costco |
Sam's eliminated its travel services, so it doesn't even compete. |
Number of Stores |
426 |
609 |
Sam's |
Sam's has more stores, but in some states Costco has a lead. In California, for example, Sam's has only 35 stores and Costco 119. |