Sam’s Club Plus members lose important benefit in August – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Starting August 19, Sam’s Club is increasing the minimum order value for free shipping.

Free shipping is only offered on “qualified orders of $50 or more,” according to the wholesale membership warehouse. Otherwise, there is a flat fee of $8.

Certain categories may be excluded, resulting in variable shipping costs.

Sam’s Club’s Plus membership, which costs $110 per year, has long touted the exclusive benefit of free shipping with no minimum purchase. The basic membership costs $50 per year and does not include free shipping or free curbside pickup.

The Arkansas-based company justified the change by saying that introducing a minimum order value would “make it easier for you to get the products you want, the way you want, and when you want.”

However, some customers are not happy with the change.

“My wife teaches full time,” @RickGuimaraes6 posted on X. “I’m a 100% disabled veteran and we live an hour’s drive from the nearest (Sam’s)… we will (immediately) be downgrading our membership to the basic membership level and looking for another way to shop.”

In a response, Sam’s Club said it acknowledged that “these changes will require you to make decisions for your household.”

@blitzburgh058 said on X that free shipping for Plus members is a huge benefit, especially for seniors on fixed incomes who “can’t afford to spend at least $50 just to get products they can’t physically afford themselves.”

“The saving grace for a senior community where I volunteer was free delivery,” the X-user added. “That’s no longer available.”

Others say they turn to Costco as an alternative.

“Since you’re eliminating free shipping for Plus members (except for orders over $50), will you lower our annual membership fee?” @WadeDukes posted on X. “If not, I’ll be moving to Costco when my current membership expires. Bad business move!”

Sam’s Club responded that in many cases Plus members are “not affected by this change.”