Real serious question here, folks..

[Bini]

What is the difference between Costco and Sam's Club? Which one do you prefer and why?

[applepansy]

There is really not much difference other than who owns them. They are both warehouse stores. I shop Costco because my husband's job pays for the membership.

My sisters, on the other hand, shop Costco by choice. They go in on the membership fee together and get a spouse card.

I don't know if I'd shop Sam's Club again. I'm sort of used to Costco.

[Bini]

DH and I are Costco members but we're interested in checking out Sam's Club. We heard that they're a bit cheaper.. Maybe not? What we do like about Costco is their Return Policy - they accept everything!

[Vort]

The difference is that Sam's Club is owned by Walmart and Costco is owned by, well, Costco, I guess. Both are membership-based "big box" stores.

[prisonchaplain]

Costco is a little better on quality. They also treat their employees better. On the other hand, Sam's is often somewhat cheaper, and I've heard they sell more food in smaller quantities than Costco. Ultimately, it depends on which is closer. I would maybe drive an extra mile for Costco, but more than that I would just shop at whichever was closer to me.

[pam]

They are about the same to me. Though I have found Costco's quality of produce and meat to be a better quality than Sam's club. I used to have a membership to both. Now I just use Costco.

[anatess]

Costco for me. Some stuff is cheaper than Sam's and some are more expensive. Costco has more better quality stuff and they have better Customer Service.

[Anddenex]

I can't speak for any Costco and Sam's Club except for the one hear in Provo (Sam's club) and the one in Orem (Costco).

Costco to us, has better food choices and the food is of a better quality. Sam's club tends to have better deals, and different products for camping and other things that are not food.

For example, Costco had a raft and Sam's club had a raft, Sam's club raft was much better than the raft Costco was selling.

[miztrniceguy]

For me, the things I buy are better priced at Sam's. When ours was up one year we tried Costco. Went once. Never went back. They didn't have some of the things we regularly stock up on in the sizes we were used to, and didn't have some at all.

That being said, I don't go to Sam's that often, as it is not very convenient. My membership has expired. A lot of the things that we had stocked up on are running out, so I anticipate a trip soon, and that it will be about $700.

[pam]

It may also depend on which one you started out with. If you were a regular Sam's club member out of the gate you might prefer it over Costco. Vice versa. I started with Costco and that's the one I'm staying with after trying both.