Costco vs. Sam's Club

[SvilleKid]

The nearest Costco's for me is just too far away to make it price competitive. However, I let my Sam's card go this past winter for several reasons:

First: I have had awful warranty problems with Sam's on tires (Goodyear), plus the last tires they changed out (with me paying 75% on tires less than 25% worn), they used standard lug nuts on my Nissan Pathfinder (on 3 of 6 lugs on one front tire), ruining the lugs, and costing me 4 hours in time repairing the damage because I did not find the problem until months later when I was doing a brake inspection, prior to giving the SUV to our daughter. Sam's would not claim responsibility, but they were the last one to handle the tires/rims!).

Second, I found that many of the food items were more expensive on a can by can, or lb by lb basis than I could get at Walmart!!! WTF??? No use paying Sam's a fee every year, driving 20 miles one way, when there is a Walmart 1 mile away that is cheaper on most of the items I purchase. Electronics were almost always cheaper at Best Buys or Staples, with about the same driving distance, and a better support staff at either over Sam's.

Finally; about the only advantage I was finding at Sam's was bulk quantities. Once I found that cans of tomato sauce, or bags of rice, or boxes of sodas or so-on were cheaper on a individual basis at the local stores, I lost all reason for buying in bulk.

We had membership in Costco for several years, but seldom went because it was too far away. However, I will say that I saw a much better selection of middle to upper end products at the Costcos that we did visit from time to time (over at least half a dozen cities) as compared to Sam's.