Sam's club vs. other warehouse clubs.

Walking Man · Apr 30, 2005

I recieved a free one trip pass to BJ's wholesale club, and I was pretty impressed. Having only had experience with Sam's club, which is pretty good, BJ's was right on par with Sam's club, but had more items that cater to what I like overall. They're both different, but have a lot of the same stuff.
BUT the best part was that BJ's isn't own by Walmart......
and it's a lot less crowded (yay!)
I'm just wondering how other forumites feel about the various wholesale clubs. Thanks.

cockroachfarm · Apr 30, 2005

I like 'em! Usually have the best price on stuff I might be interested in - computer accessories, etc.

If you regularly shop in more than one state at Sam's Club like we do, you might want to keep their unusual 'pricing' policy in mind: it is based on personal income levels in the immediate marketing area. I was told this a few years ago by the store manager of a Niagara Falls, NY store when I asked why the Iomega Zip Drive I had purchased a week earlier at our Clearwater location was $20 cheaper in his store!

mschwoeb · Apr 30, 2005

Well, I have never heard of that, but I do know that we comp our prices alot, so it depends on what local stores sell things for also. The Sams Club that I work at is almost right next to a Costco, so many of our items are cheaper than at the Sams 10 miles away.

And I love the deals that can be had when there is a last one item or something that was returned, can get computers TVs and the like for half of sometimes if you talk to the right manager.

k5blazer · May 1, 2005

I don't find the Sam's club in our town to be a bargain. The Wal-Mart down the street has better prices for the things I need. Don't buy the unusual pricing concept. Sam's in cities with higher personal incomes seem to have better prices that the one in my town. Same for a lot of other things like gasoline. I think they know they got us as its too far to drive for bargains in other towns. I also live in one of the poorest counties in the nation.

Walking Man · May 1, 2005

What's really funny is that I just received a 60 day pass to BJ's (one day after posting).

I really like it there. It seems a lot more personal to me. Did I mention a lot less crowded too! Yeah, we're going to do a little comparison shopping, but even the prices are a tiny bit higher, I'm willing to bite the bullet. I'll keep you guys updated.
Also, I certain we're saving money by going to Sam's club. My wife and I both work full time, and buy things like, Hot Pockets, in bulk saves us a lot because we don't eat lunches out much any more.

cockroachfarm · May 1, 2005

k5blazer said:
....Don't buy the unusual pricing concept.....

I don't either - and I've been in marketing and advertising for over 30 years.

But, that's the explanation I received from the manager of that store. (I couldn't make up an explanation like that if I tried.)

uncle Alan · May 3, 2005

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Traveling all over the USA visiting family,friends & staging my army group reunions [ 6 ] we find there is a very broad spread of prices ,particularlly food. In our home area, Daytona,being a tourist attraction ,is more pricey than Deland,18 miles away. Gas is usually 6-9 cents a gallon cheaper. Hard goods are rather complex. Have noticed that as a town grows & more competition arrives prices fall a bit on appliances.
We use Sam's rarely because some items run out & there is a large wait until they are replaced. I recently bought a military friend a large sectional flag pole kit & it was $78.00 at Sams. When we moved a bit inland I wanted

one for our new home. OUT. Asked anticipation date. "We get them when they send them " .
Bought identical kit from Lowe's for $ 128.00 .Evidently they are a dump for overruns .

Remember when employees at the Great Wall-Mart of China wore large tags " Buy American ?"

Times are 'a changing . Uncle Alan

akjon · May 3, 2005

I have been pretty happy with Costco. They heve pretty good stuff (mostly), and their day-to-day prices tend to be about what you would consider a good sale price at Target or wherever. Their sales (usually in the form of coupons) can save you considerably more.