Costco, BJ or Sam's Club, which do you prefer and why?

[New.Dad]

I might join one of these, although I am not sure if it makes sense, we are a family of 3 (baby is 8 months) and am not sure if the savings make up for the membership fee and the limited selection available at these warehouse clubs. Any opinions?

[vicrock]

When we lived in VA, we had all three available - and for a while were members of all 3. We dropped BJs after a year, and kept Sams and Costco.

Out here on the left coast, there are not many Sams, and Costco is everywhere, so that is all we have now.

Costco and Sams have similar but different merchandise -and it is, I think, a matter of personal taste. There is also that pesky Wal-mart connection to Sams, if you are politically inclined against them.

[elmo3]

I *loved* BJs. I merely tolerate Sam's Club, and can't wait for the Costco to open this fall. I will then be Wal-Mart free.

[microchip13]

Costco.

I find they're pretty good, and they do have good and cheap fast-food ish stands, as well as the gas.

[Racer X]

Costco treats their customers AND employees with dignity and respect. Costco has just about the lowest retail sales employee turnover rate in the country.

I refuse to do business with a company like Sam's Club or Wal-mart.

[Go To Top]

Sam's destroyed the wheels on my Blazer when I bought new tires there. Their insurance paid off. Hate them tho.

I've been with Costco forever starting with Price Club in the 80's I think. I try to avoid as much as possible cuz I spend much to much there. Returns are the best.

[Maddog]

Costco, no question. Great store. Just know that if you are shopping there and see something that you are sort of interested in, it is better to buy it, think about it and return it if you decide against it, than to not buy it. They buy large lots of stuff, and when its sold out, it is gone.

[rgG]

I love Costco. They have great food and appliances, too. I bought our washer there last year and just bought an LCD TV for my in-laws. I was a member of BJ's for a while and liked them, not as much as Costco. Costco is now a lot closer, so I only have the Costco membership.

I also do not shop at any Wally store, so that leaves Sam's out for me.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Sam's Club is part of Wal-Mart. It is an evil company that has fake morals.

They have done a magnitude more damage to the working poor in the US than any other company since the child labor laws were passed. They would use 8 year old orphans from Bangladesh as slave labor for cashiers if they could get away with it.

[Effin Haole]

I prefer a BJ over those places anytime.

But for shopping, give me Costco over any other type of "club" store.

Their liberal return policies along justify the relatively cheap membership fee.