So can anyone tell me why I should shop at Sam's Club?

[Pinksink]

Originally Posted by cuzisaidso What do you get there that are great deals?

There are several reasons....first you have to decide if you have room to buy in volume. I just sent my son off to college. He only drinks bottle water...no soda, no coffee, juice or anything....just bottle spring water. I took him to Sams after he moved into his apartment and he bought 10 cases of 32 ct 16.9 oz bottles for less than $47. Believe you me, that will not last him the semester with this FL heat. If he were to go to other stores, he might be able to catch a sale for a 24 ct for $4.99,even a rare $3.99 ,(usually see it for $5.99 and $6.99) but what 18 y.o is going to use coupons and/or search for coupons and sales. For the most part I will be lucky if he does any shopping other than to pick up milk for cereal and perhaps bread. Especially with his heavy schedule this year.
Another item: Publix sells 40oz Jif peanut butter for $5.89, and a twin pack of the same for $9,99. Sam's club has the twin pack for $7.88.
If you are having a party, fantastic place to pick up stuff. Salad, hot dogs hamburgers etc for school event, Bread/sub rolls...can't beat the prices. I personally am not a fan of their deli meats and subs, but I have been brought up on Boars Head.

I am a publix shopper and dispite their sometimes high prices, since finding HCW have learned how to REALLY save with coupons and the bogo. (Thank You HCW!!!!) I have been spreading the word for my family and have even posted a link for this site on our family's private website so that my family from all over the country can benefit.

The key to Sam's, as in any store shopping, know your prices before hand. Know that you are truly getting a bargain.
One of the Biggest benefits to shopping there is the click and pull feature online. I would never attempt to do any big shopping without it. You shop online before 5 PM and they have it ready for you the next morning. You just go up to the click & pull wagons, and pull the sheet off to pay. They will move the cart and load your car with the stuff. When you are dealing with heavy items like water etc, it is a lifesaver. (you can even keep shopping lists of items so that you have one click convenience)


I could go on with regard to items that I find there like clothing for my son, Pasta, etc that I have not found in other stores...but in reality, you have to look at all that is available for yourself. And much of it you can see right online at Samsclub.com. Not everything is listed there....but a good number of items. And if you Find something you bought in there, just put the item number, no searching...just read your receipt and input the item number to your shopping cart.

I won't be doing the shopping I did there with my son off at college, but it sure has come in handy!

[soapstone]

We buy dog food. A 55lb bag of Purina is only $21. A 17lb bag would cost that much at the grocery store.

[pilesoflaundry]

I have a deep freezer and a food saver so I buy all my meats there. But the very last time I went I noticed a lot of prices have jumped so I don't know how much longer I will shop there. Although I love their own brand of chicken breasts, boneless skinless with rib meat and they are HUGE. I only need 2 or 3 of them to feed all 5 of us. So if I keep saving the $40 in meat purchases then I will keep the membership. I have a bjs too so more and more is not bought at sams.

I buy sugar in 25lb bags. I use a lot of sugar and bake frequently so that only lasts me about 3-4 months. It's cheaper than 5 5lb bags.

Things like fruit snacks, shampoo etc. is not a money saver unless you never coupon and going to the store less frequently saves you gas.

I also buy dvds, books, pajamas for the kids. Those things are usually 2-3 dollars cheaper than anywhere else. (the exception is occassionally walmart). French fries are a good price and their own brand of take and bake pizza is awesome.

[twinmommyboyz]

Love the Member's Mark Trash Bags there. We change our trash once a day and for 15.00 it lasts all year and they don't split like some other cheaper brands. (As good as the name brands)

[OBUmom12]

The membership is worth is just to be able to use the gas station to me! It saves me at least $.04 per gallon. I did the math, and for the miles that I drive it doesn't save me too much per month by the time I pay for my membership, but it adds up over the year. Plus, if I get all my gas there, then the membership pays for itself in my savings in gas, so when I go in, I don't feel like I just HAVE to find something and buy stuff I don't have room for just to get my money's worth for my membership.

[sharimomo5]

Okay...
I used to do Sam's ALOT more before I started couponing...BUT there are some things I just can't get a better deal on.
Things to keep in mind before you read my list:
1. I have 5 kids
2. I run a small catering business out of my home (use lots of baking supplies and produce)
So, with that in mind:
I get sugar (10 lbs Domino for $4 and change, 25 lbs for $10 and change), flour (bread flour and all purpose in 25 lb bags $7and change...I think), Heavy whipping cream ($2.69 a quart), milk ($2.99 a gallon), frozen blueberries ($9.62 for 48 oz. bag) 2 lb. container fresh strawberries ($4.76...OFF SEASON!!), salted butter ($7 and change for 4 lbs), cooking oil (don't remember price...sorry), horizen organic chocolate milk 18 ct. box single servings ($12 and change...GREAT PRICE). That's all I can think of off the top of my head. I can tell you that BJs has the best price on unsalted butter...but Sam's has a MUCH better price on ALL fruit, when it's in season...especially apples...as long as you can do something with 5-6 lbs. of apples. Oh...I think Sam's has the best PRICE on nuts, BUT, I think Trader Joe's nuts are a close second. Trader Joe's nuts DEFINITELY taste fresher. HTH

[tammielynn1969]

Originally Posted by Timedess look around. shop one day, with a 'guest pass'. but they do mark up your purchases w/o membership. i get yeast (bulk), olive oil, vanilla, nuts there. i used to get a lot more there than that- before i found hcw! i will be discussing with dh whether we will renew our membership next june or not. $35 isn't worth it to me anymore- not when i now know i CAN do better elsewhere! the only deals i haven't found almost as good or better are on the vanilla and olive oil. i can stock up on the vanilla before we 'quit', and i doubt i'd use an EXTRA $35 per year buying 'other' olive oil!

Membership is now $40 and you can not use the pharmacy or develope pictures without a membership in our Sam's club unless you have a guest pass

[drilllady]

I have to agree with iTrader, the best feature is the click and pull. Order online by 5pm and it is ready in the cart waiting for you the next morning. Take the list and have them scan it, pay and you are off. You don't have to get the items out of the cart at the register. Sams shopping in 15 minutes. This is especially helpful when I have my 4 kids with me. I always put a note to use a regular cart and leave room for the baby seat to open. One time they put my order on a flat bed cart and I had to have help out to my car and that took 20 minute to get someone.

I buy juice boxes, members mark baby wipes, milk, and water bottles every time I go. Their celery and grape tomatoes are a good price too.\

[tnlady]

This is my first post! I just wanted to say that I finally took the plunge to try the Sam's brand toilet paper. The giant pack runs around $15 and I haven't figured up the price per roll yet but I know it is less than the other giant packs. I was afraid to try it because I am a bit picky. Anyway, I PREFER the Sam's brand. We use fewer sheets per "event", (not sure how to put that politely) because each sheet is a bit thicker than other brands. I highly recommend trying it.

Some staples that I pick up almost every visit is powdered sugar and brown sugar, strawberries (they are cheaper both in and out of season), large bags of Kraft shredded cheese, box of Easy Mac, giant bag of Baking Soda - I use it like crazy b/c I put a cup in every load of towels. The giant bags of chocolate chips is a good deal, too.

[phlack]

I have yet to find cheaper toilet paper other than Sams.
Except when Winn-dixie had their $25 freebies...and even then they were just 4 small rolls.

-Mike