Which is better - Sam’s or Costco?

[Hermanator 7068]

Have both within 5 minute drive. There are a few things I go to Costco for but 80 percent of the stuff I get at these places (toilet paper, bottled water, tide pods, cascade, etc) I get from Sam's simply because it's so much faster to get in and out when you can scan and pay on your phone then skip the checkout lines. Why Costco hasn't invested in this yet is beyond me. 

Gas is the same at both places. Produce is surprisingly good quality at both considering Walmarts have shit produce. Sam's does a shrimp cevice that's become a family dinner staple. 

[Surly Bevo 24966]

2 minutes ago, Hermanator said:

Why Costco hasn't invested in this yet is beyond me. 

It’s tough to keep your employee friendly rep if you come through with a big technology axe. 

The simmering conflict over unionization may be the tipping point. 

[LonghornJones 837]

There's a hot redhead with attitude that works checkout at the Costco near me, so I think Costco is better.

[closetohumping 17442]

There aren’t many Sam’s out here in California.  Quite a few Costcos

[Parliament 14260]

Calloway is “mid tier?”  What’s high end?

[Gil Bang 25961]

9 hours ago, closetohumping said:

There aren’t many Sam’s out here in California.  Quite a few Costcos

Only 1 in San Diego, but it looks like there's about a dozen in greater L.A./Inland Empire area

[closetohumping 17442]

34 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

Only 1 in San Diego, but it looks like there's about a dozen in greater L.A./Inland Empire area

Oh no.  I have no desire to goto either place

[tx 3 putt 76980]

3 hours ago, Parliament said:

Calloway is “mid tier?”  What’s high end?

they put out an above avg golf shirt

just left costco, the milf’s were out in full force 

[Zepol87 9188]

2 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

Only 1 in San Diego, but it looks like there's about a dozen in greater L.A./Inland Empire area

Damn I haven’t seen a Sam’s anywhere out there. Not sure what age achievement I’ve unlocked but costco clothes are solid imo

[Upgrayedd 5813]

23 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

Only 1 in San Diego, but it looks like there's about a dozen in greater L.A./Inland Empire area

 

55 minutes ago, BeardIP said:

Makes sense-- Sam's is HQ'ed in the South and grew footprint in South and Midwest first. Costco being HQ'ed out of Seattle I think it is, obviously would have the larger and older footprint on the West Coast.

Price Club was the So Cal warehouse store until they merged with Costco.  The OG Price Club (now Costco) is in San Diego 

[Gil Bang 25961]

And the guy that started Price Club?  

Sol Price.   

Price was the founder of FedMart, and was forced out.   

[Wally Fairway 5550]

On 1/18/2024 at 7:13 PM, tx 3 putt said:

they put out an above avg golf shirt

just left costco, the milf’s were out in full force 

maybe you should get a digital camera when you are Costco, because you know we have rules and such. It isn't like you are new around here.

[boilerhorn 1387]

On 1/16/2024 at 11:17 PM, Hermanator said:

Have both within 5 minute drive. There are a few things I go to Costco for but 80 percent of the stuff I get at these places (toilet paper, bottled water, tide pods, cascade, etc) I get from Sam's simply because it's so much faster to get in and out when you can scan and pay on your phone then skip the checkout lines. Why Costco hasn't invested in this yet is beyond me. 

Gas is the same at both places. Produce is surprisingly good quality at both considering Walmarts have shit produce. Sam's does a shrimp cevice that's become a family dinner staple. 

Sam's scan-and-go is fantastic.  Surprised more people do not use it.

Thanks for the ceviche recommendation.  Never saw it there before, but picked up some today.  Quite good.

[MrBig 5414]

On 1/16/2024 at 11:17 PM, Hermanator said:

Sam's does a shrimp cevice that's become a family dinner staple. 

Sam’s has great seafood. I used to get a bunch of Costco salmon and shrimp (both fresh and frozen) but there was a noticeable drop in quality over the past year and a half. I took a chance with Sam’s shrimp and salmon and it’s actually pretty good.

[Evil Bill Obrien 3286]

On 1/16/2024 at 12:15 PM, Wally Fairway said:

In general I like the quality and selection of items better at Costco, use their travel services (mainly for rental cars) and have used the link to Zurich for life insurance. Sam's feels exactly like what is is - an extension of Wal-Mart, locally the one closest to my work closed years ago, so now it is further away and part of a retail property with too much traffic.
Costco return policy is the best, I didn't know what to get tWife so I went to Costco and spent more than I should have on Ipad, kitchen counter, top appliances, couple other seasonal items, and she said it was too much .... so returned it was. Win/Win

Also - there is another option, BJ's Warehouse opened a location less than 2 miles from my house, and it is smaller and seems the brands I like, but their gas is inexpensive, not quite a low a Costco with the credit card rebate, but It isn't worth it to drive 15 miles to get gas.  I wouldn't stop at a BJ's, as I'd rather go to a grocery, or somewhere else for electronics, etc

I easily make back my Costco membership cost on just rental car and hotel savings for a few trips each year, everything else including gas savings just gravy on top.

[Sam Lin 3559]

Costco pork in particular always cooks weird and unsatisfying. Sam's wins there. Sam's has beef dino ribs in cryopack that they crosscut on site into galbi slices, Costco galbi is precut and vac packed. Costco beef is a tad cheaper and usually has more out on display for choosing the perfect steak.

Sam's definitely has a lot more individual packed snack and food items for the bodega resale guys. Cheese cracker sandwiches, single flavor Quaker pouches instead of the 3flavor assortment pack, many more varieties of chips, pretzel mix, etc.

Sam's has a lot more in the "ready to eat" and "heat to eat" items.

[Gil Bang 25961]

On 1/28/2024 at 6:07 AM, Evil Bill Obrien said:

I easily make back my Costco membership cost on just rental car and hotel savings for a few trips each year, everything else including gas savings just gravy on top.

I use autoslash and it beats costco pricing about half the time.

[Harrison Stafford 3335]

A dozen roses cost me a whopping $18.38 (tax included) at Sam’s.  Their selection of flowers was overwhelming and I couldn’t believe how good the flowers looked.  My dudes, you are missing out if you don’t go to Sam’s the next time the occasion calls for flowers.  

 

Edited February 19 by Harrison Stafford

[Sam Lin 3559]

Pro Tip: the occasion always calls for flowers.

[Harrison Stafford 3335]

12 minutes ago, Sam Lin said:

Pro Tip: the occasion always calls for flowers.

You must be Florist Gump.

[Pato del Muerto 52507]

Got into the Costco game yesterday for the dog food prices, but we shopped around. Got my first look and later taste of their enormous $5 rotisserie chickens.  That’s a deal, friends.  
 

funny though that I noticed the appliances because we just bought a w/d set, and when I looked we had gotten a better deal at the Lowe’s sale by a couple hundred bucks.  Don’t get the extra year warranty though, for what that might be worth.  Might be that I caught it at one of the biggest appliance sale holiday weekends. 
 

 

Edited February 20 by Pato del Muerto

[Zepol87 9188]

We do the rotisserie chickens on every trip. From 1 we get gyro night, chicken flautas and a little left for a salad. Great deal 

[fattyflattie 4639]

Think both are doing the rotisserie game now. We have both and I haven’t been disappointed with the food at either.  

[rage-a-holic 4402]

On 2/19/2024 at 6:15 PM, Zepol87 said:

We do the rotisserie chickens on every trip. From 1 we get gyro night, chicken flautas and a little left for a salad. Great deal 

Rotisserie chicken in a pita is not a gyro.

1 hour ago, fattyflattie said:

Think both are doing the rotisserie game now. We have both and I haven’t been disappointed with the food at either.  

They've both been doing it for 15+ years.

[Sam Lin 3559]

Pss

18 hours ago, rage-a-holic said:

Rotisserie chicken in a pita is not a gyro.

But if you put it on a tortilla, you have chicken fajitas!

[jimmyjazz 45963]

18 hours ago, rage-a-holic said:

Rotisserie chicken in a pita is not a gyro.

I'm sure he's saving up for his own vertical spit.  Bonus: pastor tacos and shawarma.  Let's be super authentic instead of just trying to feed our families!

 

[rage-a-holic 4402]

13 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

I'm sure he's saving up for his own vertical spit.  Bonus: pastor tacos and shawarma.  Let's be super authentic instead of just trying to feed our families!

 

He can eat whatever the fuck he wants and call it whatever he likes....I'm merely pointing out that rotisserie chicken in a pita is not a "gyro", just like rotisserie chicken in a tortilla is not "chicken fajitas" and balled up chunks of rotisserie chicken dipped in McD's BBQ sauce is not "Chicken McNuggets"

[Zepol87 9188]

It’s not that serious 

[jimmyjazz 45963]

5 minutes ago, rage-a-holic said:

He can eat whatever the fuck he wants and call it whatever he likes....I'm merely pointing out that rotisserie chicken in a pita is not a "gyro", just like rotisserie chicken in a tortilla is not "chicken fajitas" and balled up chunks of rotisserie chicken dipped in McD's BBQ sauce is not "Chicken McNuggets"

User name checks out.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't a claim of authenticity.  Try the decaf, or maybe some pot.

[rage-a-holic 4402]

2 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

User name checks out.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't a claim of authenticity.  Try the decaf, or maybe some pot.

I'm calm, hippie

[jimmyjazz 45963]

52 minutes ago, rage-a-holic said:

I'm calm, hippie

Well, at least I know we've never met in real life.

[safe sex 11735]

Quote

Gyro, a Greek dish of roasted meat served in a pita, usually with tomato, onion, and tzatziki, a cold, creamy sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and various spices. Gyro meat—typically lamb, beef, pork, or chicken—is roasted on a vertical skewer and sliced off in thin, crispy shavings as it cooks. The dish is popular around the world, and many variations exist.

From Brittanica. 🤷‍♀️

[Pato del Muerto 52507]

Put down the rage-a-hol

[rage-a-holic 4402]

24 minutes ago, safe sex said:

From Brittanica. 🤷‍♀️

Next time just google "gyro meat recipe/marinade" which normally includes garlic, oregano, cumin, marjoram, ground rosemary, ground thyme, ground black pepper and sea salt....i.e., not what you find on a Sam's/Costco rotisserie chicken.

 

[jimmyjazz 45963]

I'm confused.  I could have sworn Sam's and CostCo marinated their rotisserie chicken with authentic Greek gyro herbs and spices before cooking.  Dream shattered.

Here's an idea:  maybe use a few of those flavors to amp up a tzatziki sauce?  Serve with some cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta on pita?  No?  Sacrilege?  For fuck's sake.  He's feeding a family on "Gyro night" which is pretty much like "Taco Tuesday" or "Fuck It I'm Exhausted Pizza Friday".

[TXLNGHRN10 341]

We've had both, stayed with Sam's. The prime beef is just as good as Costco, better paper products, better "professional" catering and cleaning products. 
Electronics are about the same. 

[BabaYaga 15300]

Do they sell liquor at Sams?

[KYHorn 17076]

4 hours ago, BabaYaga said:

Do they sell liquor at Sams?

Yes. Separate entrance

[Carl Spackler 3483]

This thread now pertains to my interests because, after living only near Costco stores for the past 20 years, I'll be moving to a location that has both a Sam's and a Costco in close proximity.  The two stores are within a half mile of each other.  Hell, there's even a Wal-Mart close by, too, even though I have vowed to never step foot in a Wal-Mart again.    

Time to get the Sam's Club membership, I guess, even though I'm not a fan of the Walton family.  

Edited February 29 by Carl Spackler

[Incredulity 11675]

On 1/20/2024 at 8:51 AM, Wally Fairway said:

maybe you should get a digital camera when you are Costco, because you know we have rules and such. It isn't like you are new around here.

Odds are very high he made his post on a device that has a built in digital camera.

[Gil Bang 25961]

On 2/29/2024 at 3:21 PM, Carl Spackler said:

This thread now pertains to my interests because, after living only near Costco stores for the past 20 years, I'll be moving to a location that has both a Sam's and a Costco in close proximity.  The two stores are within a half mile of each other.  Hell, there's even a Wal-Mart close by, too, even though I have vowed to never step foot in a Wal-Mart again.    

Time to get the Sam's Club membership, I guess, even though I'm not a fan of the Walton family.  

Sam's Club memberships are often on "sale".  Like $50 for the membership, but you get a $20 gift card and a free chicken.

[Gil Bang 25961]

PSA:  T mobile has a "Tuesday" promotion where they  give away chicken nuggets or Little Ceasar's breadsticks or similar bullshit.

Today it's Sam's membership for 20 bucks.  It's on the "T life" app.

And, either next week or the week after, they will give any tmobile subscriber a fee MLB network subscription, so all y'all can watch shohei. 

[tx 3 putt 76980]

Some rich mo’fos here, sam’s and costco memberships !!!

 

[fattyflattie 4639]

1 hour ago, tx 3 putt said:

Some rich mo’fos here, sam’s and costco memberships !!!

 

Lol. My Sam’s membership was like $8 last time.  Don’t remember what Costco was but it makes up for itself in fuel. 

[aggie08 21504]

I have two kids, so I begrudgingly have a Costco card and occasional go myself when I can't trade chores with my wife to make her go.

Nothing on this earth sucks the humanity out of me like a trip to a busy Costco. Walmart is at least occasionally entertaining and makes for good people watching. Costco just collects the most oblivious, uninteresting, zero peripheral vision having mother fuckers in the country. They could make those lanes as wide as a football field, and you're still getting cut off and stuck behind someone slowly meandering between sample stations.

[Grimas 669]

Tires and batteries always the cheapest at both compared to the tire "chains" but it's been a pain the past 2 years to just drop in to get a fix or rotation and need to book at least a week before... (Had to get the tires on kids cars at Sam's because no Costco in the town they go to university but I like that Costco uses nitrogen...)

[gsoda3 3262]

I love Costco. It's my Disneyland.

[Chips O'Toole 1324]

Yeah, I like Costco too.  I think it's because I have more "gatherer" than "hunter" in my genetic ancestry or something.  But, I will say that I pretty much hate going to the Costco near my in-laws in Dallas.  It's a huge pain in the ass.  The new Costco in Kyle is a fucking breeze compared to the South Austin one, which in turn is a joyous experience compared to the aforementioned north Dallas location.

I go to Sam's once or twice a year.  They have some good stuff, but much like Walmart, I walk in and immediately want to walk out.  I didn't know about the online pickup option though, that could be cool.

[rage-a-holic 4402]

pure crack and on sale this month

[Incredulity 11675]

I find Costco easier to navigate when entering a new location than other grocery retailers.  The layout may be different, but the groupings are all very similar.  I know if I get to produce, meat will be adjacent and dairy right there too.  Then over to drinks and refrigerated/frozen then a half dozen aisles of dry foods.  I am in and out as fast or faster than a regular store.

Step into a new grocery store... good fucking luck.  I know I am going to do 3 laps just trying to find the god damn mustard and good luck finding someone to help..

We do Costco runs for vacations at AirBNB's.    I fucking loathe dragging my kids out of a hotel room to a continental breakfast buffet, and any chance to avoid sit down restaurants when they were really young was a gift from above.

.