Obviously these stores vary. People are addicted to their Costco. Apparently they have some good stuff but they dont have a trial period, much like Sam's. You can open a membership at either and cancel paying only 1 month pro-rated...I think.
I'm a Sam's club member. Been that since before they built the Costco in the city near me. I think I would get in financial trouble in Costco, they have some interesting stuff based on what I have seen other people having/buying. Sam's is not terrible, but you cant count on them forever. They will carry a product, a meat cut, frozen item, whatever, for some years and you get accustomed to getting that product...then one day...BAM...they no longer carry it now that you have built your meal plans on whatever that was. Paper towels, tissues and napkins are big items we buy there. Their brand of those products are as good as any.
The main reason I stay with Sam's...Peanut oil! That's right, I consider it the best oil for deep frying. Sam's has a large container of it that brings the cost down to "almost" acceptable. Walmart sells a fairly decently priced jug somewhat smaller, but the stuff is like gold around here otherwise. Costco here is useless for peanut oil.
I dont buy much meat from Sam's. I seldom make a menu, then go shop for it. I shop the grocery deals, then build my menus around that. I'm not a pro and dont cook for gatherings, etc. so I dont HAVE to go and buy a specific cut of meat, ever. I can wait until they are on significant sale. So much that both of my freezers are packed as well as using freezer space at my parent's next door! I just noticed butts at .99¢lb at a store I'll be near soon...sadly no freezer space! I COULD just go ahead and smoke one or two, but I'm just not craving PP the last couple years; but I use butts to grind my own, make chorizo, etc.. You need freezer space for those packages too! The weekly sales, the best of them, at the grocery chains, are far better prices than Sam's (and I would guess Costco). One thing I AM a bit of a pro at, is power shopping.
What others said about "security" at Sam's is correct here too. They no longer have the ridiculous "checkpoint" at the entrance demanding you "show your papers!". But you cant check out without an account (back in the day you could shop as a guest and pay 10% more).
I also second what others said about "scan and go". I love that, but you still have to go through the "show me your papers!" checkpoint on the way out. This can be several minutes of a line. That doesn't always work for them though. I didn't realize it until probbaly a day or so after, but I had failed to scan one of those aforementioned big jugs of peanut oil...the exit check missed it too. When I called to say I was sorry and how could I pay for it? They told me the only way to rectify it was to bring it back and scan it and pay for it, but they appreciated my honesty. For a special trip, that would be at least $6 in gas and an hour and half of my time. I decided to "keep the contraband" and do better next time. At least I was honest and remorseful.
