Inflation is still a lingering problem for many people. If it's been wreaking havoc on your finances, then you may be considering a Sam's Club membership.
Though you'll spend $50 a year on a basic membership to Sam's Club, and $110 a year for a Plus membership that gives you cash back on your purchases, it may be a worthwhile investment. A Sam's Club membership could result in massive savings on the items you buy to keep your household running.
Then again, Walmart, which owns Sam's Club, is also a great source of low-cost products and essentials. And you may be pleased at the savings you're able to reap by shopping there.
It raises the question: Is Sam's Club really so much cheaper than Walmart that it's worth a membership? And the answer is, it depends.
Sam's Club wins for bulk purchases
You'll find a world of discounts at Sam's Club compared to big-box retailers like Walmart. But the true savings tend to arise in the context of bulk purchases. The quantity discounts you can get at Sam's Club are really hard to beat.
Let's imagine your kids really love Kit Kats. If you were to buy them individually at Walmart, you'd pay $1.32 apiece. But a bulk pack of 36 Kit Kats at Sam's Club is $33.98 online, or $0.94 per pack (and you might even find a lower price at your local warehouse club store). And while 36 packs is a lot, if you know you'll go through that much candy before it goes bad, then it's hard to argue with the savings.
Walmart may be cheaper for individual items
When it comes to groceries and household essentials, Sam's Club will generally win out over Walmart in terms of price because you're getting a discount for buying in bulk. But this doesn't mean Sam's Club always has the less expensive price.
For example, right now, Sam's Club has boys' swim trunks available for $9.98. But at Walmart, you can find boys' swim trunks for as low as $7.80. However, this is one example, and there are many individual items carried by Sam's Club that are less expensive than at Walmart.
So if you're not sure whether it pays to join Sam's Club, you really need to ask yourself one question: How often do I expect to take advantage of bulk discounts?
If you have a larger family and plenty of storage space at home, then you may be more likely to purchase bulk items frequently. And that makes the case for getting a Sam's Club membership. But if you don't expect to do much bulk buying, then you may want to save yourself the membership fee and simply scope out sales at Walmart and your regular supermarket instead.
A Sam's Club membership can easily pay for itself via the savings you enjoy on groceries and other essentials. But if you're not going to be doing much bulk buying, then you might end up wasting your money by committing to that $50 or $110 annual fee.
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FAQs
Sam's Club wins the price comparison battle, but with some important caveats. The warehouse store typically sells items in bulk or, at the very least, in larger sizes than you would find in a typical package at a regular retail store like Walmart.
Is it cheaper to shop at Sam's or Walmart? ›
Sam's Club wins for bulk purchases
You'll find a world of discounts at Sam's Club compared to big-box retailers like Walmart. But the true savings tend to arise in the context of bulk purchases. The quantity discounts you can get at Sam's Club are really hard to beat.
Does Sam's Club match Walmart prices? ›
Sam's Club
According to Sam's Club's website, you can request to match another Sam's Club's pricing, but clearance or marked-down items won't be matched. Sam's Club does not price-match competitors.
Is it worth joining Sam's Club? ›
Everyone knows that becoming a Sam's Club member can save them money. But there's a way to take your savings to the next level: An upgraded Sam's Club Plus membership offers you a 2% reward on your Sam's Club purchases, plus free shipping, select free prescriptions and more great perks.
Can you save money with Sam's Club? ›
Instant Savings is a Membership benefit that delivers on our promise of Savings Made Simple by offering our Members a way to enjoy additional savings on top of our already terrific prices at Sam's Club on products and services in the Club.
What are the benefits of shopping at Sam's Club? ›
Membership Benefits
- Member-Favorite Perks. Members-only gas prices. ...
- Plus Member Perks. 2% Sam's Cash™ for Plus. ...
- Sam's Cash. ™ ...
- Only at Sam's Club. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. ...
- Exclusive Savings. Members-only gas prices. ...
- Fast & Convenient Shopping. Early shopping for Plus. ...
- Health & Wellness. ...
- Tires & Installation.
As is the case with Walmart, Sam's Club receives all of its meat from within the United States. Some of the beef providers of Sam's Club include National Beef, Swift, Farmland, and Nebraska Beef, just to name a few. Sam's Club has several animal welfare acts set up, both for grazing animals as well as chickens.
Is the 14.99 Sam's Club membership real? ›
The Sam's Club $14.99 promotion is hosted by StackCommerce and offers new members a substantial discount on a 1-year membership, which normally retails for $45. Also included is a free $10 Sam's Club eGift card, a limited-time bonus.
Can I use my Sams card at Walmart? ›
The Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® and the Synchrony Bank-issued Sam's Club® Mastercard® are "open-loop" cards, meaning they can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. (Walmart and Sam's Club also offer "closed-loop" store cards, which can be used only within their respective brands.)
Which is cheaper Costco or Sams? ›
Costco's membership fees are more expensive and the prices of basic products at Sam's Club are generally cheaper. Costco has more stores worldwide, but Sam's Club has more stores in the U.S.
More than that, weekdays — especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays — are also when customers are more likely to find the best deals on fresh, high-quality food. “When shopping at Sam's Club, look to go on Tuesdays or Wednesdays,” said Samantha Landau, consumer expert at TopCashback.com.
How to shop at Sam's Club without membership? ›
Guest Membership
- Guest membership charges a 10% service fee / surcharge per online order.
- Guest membership is not available in-club or for making club purchases. ...
- Create a guest account during online checkout.
- Guest memberships are not eligible for the Satisfaction Guarantee.
Since neither club provides bags (the most they do is let you use an empty box that they have piled up near the registers) they don't care. It is up to you to figure out how to transport the items from the shopping cart to your residence.
Can I use my Walmart membership at Sam's Club? ›
While Walmart Plus does not include a Sam's Club membership, fuel discounts are available at Sam's Club fuel stations. Other gas stations that participate in the Walmart Plus fuel discount are Walmart, Exxon, Mobil, Murphy USA, and Murphy Express.
Which is cheaper, Sam's or Costco? ›
Costco's membership fees are more expensive and the prices of basic products at Sam's Club are generally cheaper. Costco has more stores worldwide, but Sam's Club has more stores in the U.S. Costco has a larger store foot print in terms of total square footage.
Does Sam's Club pay more than Walmart? ›
The average U.S. hourly field associate now makes close to $18/hour. Walmart's starting hourly wage rates vary by region and role and have the following ranges: For store formats (e.g. Supercenter, Neighborhood Market grocery format): $14 to $32 per hour. For Sam's Club: $15 to $32 per hour.
Are Sam's Club and Walmart the same? ›
Sam's Club Company Facts
A division of Walmart Inc., we are the membership warehouse club solution for everyday living. Our President and CEO is Chris Nicholas and our headquarters is in Bentonville, AR. For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2023, Sam's Club's total revenue was $84.3 billion.
