I am a member of Sam’s Club and Costco

Navigating the world of membership-based retailers can be daunting, as each one offers unique benefits to shoppers.

Many popular stores, such as competitors Sam’s Club and Costco, require a subscription to shop, but choosing between them can be difficult.

While choosing groceries at the store can be challenging, choosing between different retailers can also be a challenge in itself.

From price to selection to product quality, there are many factors to consider when purchasing a wholesale club membership.

To help you decide, The US Sun spoke exclusively with Lora McLaughlin Peterson, a member of Sam’s Club and Costco.

The shopper and mother of three lives in Los Angeles, California, and shares home and life hacks with her over 321,000 TikTok followers (@lorafied).

The buyer shared that she is a member of both wholesale clubs because each has its own strengths.

She noted that she would “miss something with everyone” if she were to cancel her membership.

SAMS CLUB

Peterson advised shoppers to choose a retailer based on “where you are in your life.”

For example, she said Sam’s Club is a better option for young parents with small children.

“Sam’s Club has better prices on kids’ items like diapers and accessories,” she said. “If you’re a team parent or need to provide snacks for games or classes, Sam’s Club is a better deal.”

The shopper also noted that Sam’s Club is generally the better option for those looking to save as much money as possible.

As Peterson pointed out in her TikTok video comparing competing retailers, groceries at Sam’s Club are cheaper overall.

From glasses and contact lenses to fruits, vegetables and produce and the food court, shoppers can get better deals at Sam’s Club.

“The bottom line is that Sam’s Club is cheaper,” she said.

Sam’s Club’s low prices are also reflected in its membership fees: The lowest membership level is $10 cheaper than Costco’s.

Peterson also pointed out that Costco announced a membership fee increase earlier this month, while Sam’s Club reduced its membership fees through the end of August.

“To me, this is another sign that Sam’s Club is committed to remaining the leader in the low-price segment,” she said.

COSTCO

Although Sam’s Club offers better prices overall, Costco makes up for its slightly higher costs with better item selection and product quality.

“Costco has better quality, so I prefer to buy some items there, even if they are a little more expensive than Sam’s Club,” Peterson said.

She pointed out that Costco has a better selection and prices on organic foods and that the retailer offers consumers better toilet paper.

The shopper also mentioned that Costco’s optical department offers a larger selection and better customer reviews for glasses and contact lenses.

Additionally, Peterson noted that while prices in Costco’s food court are higher, the retailer offers a wider selection and higher quality.

“The quality is higher across the board at Costco,” she concluded.

Peterson explained that the pricing of both retailers impacted the ambience of both retailers.

“Even though they’re both big-box stores, they feel completely different. Costco has better lighting and nicer displays, which gives the impression of a more upscale shopping experience,” she said.

“Sam’s Club still focuses on the bare essentials, which gives the impression that you’re likely to get the absolute lowest prices here because they don’t focus on frills.”

Although the two businesses are different, there are also some similarities.

For example, Peterson highlighted that both offer instant savings and relatively similar coupon books.

Competitors also offer the classic fried chicken for under $5.

In related news, Sam’s Club customers rave about a tool that has revolutionized the checkout process.

In addition, The US Sun previously spoke to a retail expert about the key choices between Amazon and Walmart+.