Is it really worth getting a Costco or Sam's Club Membership? (sell, sale)
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We have a Sam's Plus membership ($100/year). We upgraded when we discovered that the additional cost, $55, compared to the regular membership cost of $45 was offset by savings on a single prescription for my spouse. Since he refills it 4-5 times a year, that savings alone pays for the membership.
Most states require both Sam's Club and Costco to fill prescriptions for non-members. You need to tell the greeters that you are filling a prescription and they will let you past WITHOUT a membership card.
Honestly, when I was spending $500+ a month on prescription drugs about five years ago, the difference between Walmart and Sam's Club was that Sam's was $3 cheaper. However, as Sam's had one pharmacist as opposed to four at Walmart and the lower sales volume at the pharmacy, I was finding myself having to wait longer for my prescriptions or coming back for items they did not have. That offset any savings.
As for Costco, my friends would swear that their prices were the lowest, but I found them to be 10-15% HIGHER than either Walmart or Sam's Club.
Thank heavens that I changed insurance coverage and have my medications filled through mail order. It is so much more convenient and a bit cheaper.
I didn't read all the posts on this thread. So please forgive me if this was answered already.
Can a non-member get a 1 day pass at Costco, to check out the store and shop there 1 day? If yes, do you need a coupon or 'special' to do this, or can you go any time? I assume you pay a higher price when checking out because of being a non-member when using a 1 day pass.
I never stepped foot in a Costco. I want to go there one time and shop and check out the store.
For Sam's club I go once every 2 or 3 years and use a 1-day pass that I either find online (and print) or it might be in a local newspaper.
I do remember years ago a work supervisor had a Metro (warehouse club) card and used it often. But he was a Boy Scout leader and often needed to buy in bulk for camp outs.
Most states require both Sam's Club and Costco to fill prescriptions for non-members. You need to tell the greeters that you are filling a prescription and they will let you past WITHOUT a membership card.
Honestly, when I was spending $500+ a month on prescription drugs about five years ago, the difference between Walmart and Sam's Club was that Sam's was $3 cheaper. However, as Sam's had one pharmacist as opposed to four at Walmart and the lower sales volume at the pharmacy, I was finding myself having to wait longer for my prescriptions or coming back for items they did not have. That offset any savings.
As for Costco, my friends would swear that their prices were the lowest, but I found them to be 10-15% HIGHER than either Walmart or Sam's Club.
Thank heavens that I changed insurance coverage and have my medications filled through mail order. It is so much more convenient and a bit cheaper.
I'm surprised someone would say Costco was the cheapest - that is not what they aim for. What they offer is high quality merchandise at consistently good prices. Not necessarily the cheapest and for many items, you can find things for less if you work hard at comparison shopping plus use a coupon (which Costco does not accept, except for their own). For many people, time has value as well and they find a benefit in knowing they can purchase an items when they want it for a good price rather than having to wait until they can find it on sale somewhere.
Walmart is often cheaper, because their quality is lower. They don't stock all the same brands, and even for the name brands they sell, they are often lower quality with fewer features or smaller sizes, manufacturered or packaged specifically for Walmart. Not for everything of course, some items are the same everywhere, and Walmart either gets better pricing based on volume or they are willing to sell as a loss leader because it gets you into the store and they make their profit on the other items you buy once you are there.
I'm surprised someone would say Costco was the cheapest - that is not what they aim for. What they offer is high quality merchandise at consistently good prices. Not necessarily the cheapest and for many items, you can find things for less if you work hard at comparison shopping plus use a coupon (which Costco does not accept, except for their own). For many people, time has value as well and they find a benefit in knowing they can purchase an items when they want it for a good price rather than having to wait until they can find it on sale somewhere.
Walmart is often cheaper, because their quality is lower. They don't stock all the same brands, and even for the name brands they sell, they are often lower quality with fewer features or smaller sizes, manufacturered or packaged specifically for Walmart. Not for everything of course, some items are the same everywhere, and Walmart either gets better pricing based on volume or they are willing to sell as a loss leader because it gets you into the store and they make their profit on the other items you buy once you are there.
I am talking about pharmaceuticals, not general merchandise. The person who claimed that Costco's pharmacy prices were lower was an employee.
Ok seriously someone please explain this to me. My bf and I went to Costco yesterday to check it out. We've never been and it was beyond A ZOO. I couldn't figure out why there was sooooo many people there. It was crazy. We then went to Sam's (which I have a membership at) and there was like 50 people in there. They are across the street from each other. Why such a difference? We checked pricing and they were basically on point with each other if off by very little....
Ok seriously someone please explain this to me. My bf and I went to Costco yesterday to check it out. We've never been and it was beyond A ZOO. I couldn't figure out why there was sooooo many people there. It was crazy. We then went to Sam's (which I have a membership at) and there was like 50 people in there. They are across the street from each other. Why such a difference? We checked pricing and they were basically on point with each other if off by very little....
I agree, though you will find dissenters. I prefer the selections that Costco offers as well, and I even like Costco's Kirkland brand for many products.
It depends. We probably will not renew our Sam's Club this year. We are downsizing, just dh and I, kids have moved out. We recently moved, and all the cleaning products, household items, toiletries, etc I had bought in bulk I ended up tossing. We are now in a 900 sq ft apt, and space is at a premium compared to our 2200 sq ft house we just left. It just all depends on how fast you would go through things, and how much storage room you have.
For RX drugs, well, we have ExpressScripts insurance which is the same copay at any pharmacy. Eyeglasses can be a bargain at Sam's, I don't know if you can purchase eyewear without a membership? Also, their gas is usually the cheapest in town, but you need a membership, so, you need to do the math on that.
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