We’re all looking for ways to save money, and buying groceries in bulk is one way to do that.
Consumers who buy in bulk can do so save 27% According to LendingTree analysis, their purchases were compared to those who did not purchase. Two common places where people go to buy in bulk are Costco and Sam’s Club. But which of those warehouse stores is best worth your time?
Some things depend on preference, but here are the benefits of a Sam’s Club membership compared to a Costco membership.
1. Subscription cost
Costco has three different as a subscription. Sam’s Club offers two, and they are $5 to $10 Cheaper than Costco.
Costco Tier:
- Gold Star Membership: $65
- Professional Membership (for resellers):$65
- executive membership:$130
Sam’s Club Level:
- Club membership:$60
- plus membership:$120
A fee is paid annually to each retailer.
2. Accepted Forms of Payment
Costco shoppers need to be more conscious of their payment methods. Sam’s Club 14 accepts Different Methods of Payment During Costco 12 accepts.
Costco members who want to use a credit card or run their debit card as a credit card can only do so if they have a Visa card. Meanwhile, Sam’s Club takes all Visa, American Express, MasterCard and Discover cards.
Another cool thing about Sam’s Club is that you can use not only Sam’s Club gift cards but also Walmart gift cards.
3. Checkout Process
Sam’s Club lets you skip the line — even the self-checkout line. Sam’s Club’s app has one Scan and Go feature This allows customers to scan barcodes on the items they are purchasing while walking into the store.
Customers are able to see how much they are spending as they shop. And at the end of the trip, they can simply pay on the app and show their digital receipt to the staff on the way out.
4. Pricing
Recently compared prices at Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s all dishesSam’s Club prices were cheaper overall.
“It beat out other warehouse stores in six categories and tied with Costco in one, making it clearly the best-priced warehouse store I tested. At Sam’s Club, you’ll find inexpensive items including olive oil, chicken breasts, milk, ground beef, coffee, and eggs,” writes Emily Hunt for AllRecipes.
By comparison Sam’s Club may only beat Costco by a few cents, but with today’s prices, every penny counts.
5. Free Prescriptions
Sam’s Club can definitely help members save a bundle medicines. People with a Plus membership can receive a free 30-day supply of the following 10 medications:
- amlodipine
- donepezil
- escitalopram oxalate
- finasteride
- Lisinopril
- metformin
- Montelukast
- pioglitazone
- sertraline
- Vitamin D2
Additionally, people with a Plus membership can get over 600 generic medications at $10 or less and save on many brand-name medications and pet medications.
This program is only available at participating pharmacies, so be sure to check with your Sam’s Club to make sure you’re eligible.
costco Offers members-only savings on certain medications and transparent pricing but does not list free medications on its website.