“Idiotic move”: Sam’s Club members are angry about controversial policy and are threatening to “move their business to Costco”

July 6, 2024

A CHANGE to Sam’s Club’s Plus membership plan that eliminated free shipping has sparked complaints.

Sam’s Club Plus members are upset that they’re losing this convenient benefit with their second-tier membership and insist that Costo might be a better alternative.

Sam’s Club made a big change and eliminated free shipping for its Plus membersPhoto credit: Getty

Plus members are extremely unhappy about this change and one has vowed to shop at Costco insteadPhoto credit: Getty

The annual Sam’s Club Plus membership costs $110 and free shipping was one of the best benefits.

Other Plus benefits include free curbside pickup, early access to shopping, and discounts on optical services and pharmaceuticals.

The change will take effect on August 19, and Plus members will only receive free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

Sam’s Club Plus member Austin Wright complained about X’s elimination of free shipping and tagged the retailer.

COSTCO-BOUND

Wright insisted that Sam’s Club membership was no longer worth it and that he would rather become a member of Costco.

“@SamsClub stupid move to remove free shipping for Plus members. I’m going to Costco,” Wright posted in June.

Sam Club’s official X-Account responded to Wright within just about an hour.

“Hi, Austyn. Thank you for reaching out to us. We understand your frustration with this new change. Please join the PM to continue the conversation,” Sam’s Club said.

Wright is not alone in his frustration over the elimination of free shipping.

“Not enforced at all,” says Sam’s Club fan, as circumvention of little-known membership rule allows friends to shop

Another Costco customer responded to Wright’s thread at Sam’s Club and shared that he was also unhappy with the change.

X-user and Sam’s Club customer Marylyn Carlyle chimed in, explaining how important the free shipping benefit was to her and asking for support.

“Your new shipping policy is a real burden on me. I am disabled and rely on Sam’s shipping to get the products I need,” they responded.

“Many of the items I buy are only sold online, so your new free offer (for $50 or more) from the warehouse doesn’t make sense to me. Please help.”

Membership and loyalty card offers from major retailers

Here you will find an overview of the loyalty cards of various retailers and their benefits

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Costco:

Gold Star Membership: $60 per year, shop at all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
Executive Membership: $120 per year, 2% annual rewards, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, online and store purchases, and two additional cards for home use.
Sign up for a Costco membership here.

Sam’s Club:

Club membership: $50 per year, bonus offers, same day delivery, instant savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, members-only fuel savings, tire and battery center, free membership and add-on memberships.
Plus membership: $110 per year, all the benefits of club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and discounts at the pharmacy and optician.
Sign up for Sam’s Club membership here

Goal:

Target group: A free rewards program where users earn 1% of Target Circle rewards on an eligible purchase, access deals and personalized offers, get a birthday gift, and have their say in how Target helps your community.
Target area map: A credit, debit or reloadable account card that offers users 5% off in-store and online, plus exclusive offers, free two-day shipping and an additional 30-day return policy. Formerly Target RedCard.
Sign up for Target Circle here

Walmart:

Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with a free 30-day trial. Offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum purchase, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, auto, Walmart+ travel, returns from home, mobile scan and take in-store, and early access to deals and new products.
Sign up for Walmart+ here

Sam’s Club reiterated its decision to eliminate free shipping for Plus members in a statement to The US Sun in June.

“At Sam’s Club, we are continually working to provide our members with an easier and more convenient shopping experience,” a spokesperson said in the statement.

“With this change, we are offering our members access to different shopping options and making it easier for them to get the products they want, when and how they want them – all designed to help them get more out of their membership.”

“As part of this effort, we are also improving the online availability of items. More items will be shipped free of charge and with no additional shipping costs to provide members with the most consistent club and online experience possible.”

Costco’s executive membership costs $120 and Gold Star membership costs $60 per year, the website says.

However, neither includes free shipping, similar to the new change at Sam’s Club.