Kirkland Vs. Member’s Mark: Can Sam’s Club Ever Catch Up To Costco?

[@OTatime]

The dollar spend per visit at Costco is 93% higher than Sam’s Club. For 20 years, Sam’s has been trying to crack the code to getting a bigger spend per visit. There is a Walmart Corp mindset that prevents them from solving this. Their erroneous assumptions about price/quality trade off is the barrier. For example, rather than trust the expertise of category-leading national brands to make their private label products, Sam’s leadership mistakenly believes that they can find a smaller manufacturer which they can control…and hope that their members won’t notice the difference. A diehard Sam’s Club member may not notice or even care. Consumers who expect superior quality will trust Kirkland based on trust built one category at a time…one product experience proven each time members try a new category of Kirkland product. The difference is Sam’s Club hoping that the quality is good enough for the price; Costco is relying on the quality to far surpass their members’ expectations.

[@choleluvstoshop8134]

Costco researches and brings in top quality products. Walmart struggles with quality and customer service.

[@bayupran]

@topher7716 nice counter-argument lol

[@tylertass9983]

The Kirkland dishwasher soap pods are not good.

[@richardc020]

Agree as the feeling with Makers’ Mark is more value skirting lowest price while Kirkland is getting quality and reliability with most possible value inside that quality.

[@OTatime]

@@tylertass9983 Maybe your dishwasher is the problem. They work great.

[@ivanp2490]

I just switched to Sam's this year because the scan and go is a game changer. I love walking in, scanning my items and skipping the line.

[@brodriguez11000]

Kind of like what Amazon did with their stores.

[@ryantetreault3447]

@@brodriguez11000 well amazon"s AI was just a bunch of people in a call center in India but yes the scan and go is awesome

[@thefak9332]

You should reconsider that decision. Walmart and company usually underpay employees and is generally an unpleasant place to work in.

[@2Kriss2Kross]

I have both Costco & Sam’s Club. Costco has a leg up in quality while Sam’s Club is marginally cheaper. I find myself at Costco more and appreciate how they treat their employees but I wish they’d adapt scan & go like Sam’s.

[@rebeltheharem7028]

I also have both, but I usually go to costco, because their food court tastes better. Besides, for some reason, the lines in my sam's club is always longer than costco.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Came in to the comment section, to say the same thing.. We too, renew our membership to both places as a way for convenience. Not only in the travel time to reach either one, but to compare pricing..

[@2Kriss2Kross]

@@rebeltheharem7028Nothing at the Sam’s Club food court can’t take away my love for the chicken bake! Also the self checkout lines at Costco move briskly too most of the time which makes up for the lack of scan & go.

[@2Kriss2Kross]

@@Kiss__Kiss Sam’s and Costco are in opposite sides of town in my town. Having both is convenient depending what side of town we’re in if we ever need gas or need to pick up a few things.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

@@2Kriss2Kross I can respect that. Although I used to love chicken bakes as well, ate them for so many years!! that now I can't stand them lol.

[@JosueLamb]

i have been a loyal costco member for years but recently became a member of sam’s club. i must say i find myself buying most of my groceries and household goods at sam’s. i like how sam’s is not as crowded like costco. the scan and go feature saves me from waiting in long queues. and i honestly prefer members mark and the overall shopping experience at sam’s. i still go to costco for some staples but sam’s is my go to now.

[@HookemFishing]

I can echo this same sentiment with Walmart vs Amazon. Walmart delivered same day without membership! I don't have prime. Price is cheaper for a few things. Nevertheless, I've added Walmart delivery to to my list along with Amazon.

[@abvincent12]

100% agree. Fighting crowds and looking for items that are moved constantly at Costco is the worst experience available in retail.

[@kingzaire2444]

That’s cool bro. It’s still a no from me. Enjoy ✌️

[@asrr62]

The difference between Sam's and Costco is so much you can't tell which store you walked into unless you remember 🤭😆

[@reinakobe]

Same here

[@chueyang7221]

I'm a member at both. I love the scan & go at Sam's and wish Costco would have their own version. Their food court customer service is a night and day difference. Every time I go to Sam's they're always mysteriously "out of food." I've never had an issue with Costco

[@KinGizzard]

Scan and Go at Sam's is such a time saver. And the way they randomly scan a few items in the cart to make sure you paid for them is a clever way to prevent theft. But many Sam's Clubs shut down suddenly in our area before the pandemic and have not come back.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Exactly. With the exception of C-19 period (at Costco), where everything was empty at the food court. But that's self explanatory.

[@2Kriss2Kross]

Costco has the magical chicken bake, which nothing at Sam’s can compare to.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

@@KinGizzard This is one of the reasons, my better half still continues to shop at Sam's Club, for the Scan and Go.

[@SargentD4]

All the brands can go the H E double hockey sticks. Except for winco. Winco can stay

[@smartfreak7105]

As nice as Kirkland brand is, going to costco is like going to a zoo in my area. Full parking lot, crowded store, very long waits for registers, hard to call it an exclusive club when it's the busiest store in the county. I switched to Sam's Club because I can hear my own thoughts, I can buy name-brand condiments that aren't in 5 gallon containers, and with Scan and Go I walk out the second I'm done adding things to my cart. Costco is good, but not worth having a stressful ordeal over.

[@mind-of-neo]

Don't forget full on cows, screaming children, and a bouncer at the gate 😭

[@loveseekerguy]

You must live in an area where there isn’t much movement then because my Sams experience is the same as my Costco experience and they’re both equally as you’re describing about waits and parking lots but I choose Costco because I have both memberships. My Sam’s club even after scanning my products I had to wait in line and the line was so so slow. Even when my Costco is busy I can get out in 30 minutes. With Sam’s I can’t even count on the scan and go.

[@SuperPlayz]

Sam’s Club likes to adopt new technology and the experience tends to be more smooth. Costco is more traditional but the customer service and items are typically higher quality.

[@jaydubya9265]

Yep scan and go has me in a chokehold but I would like to check out Costco

[@Cbiz210]

I prefer the Sam's Club experience TBH ...

[@OccAZNion]

I feel like costco being unstreamline in tech/app-wise on purpose to increase the average spending so I spend physically longer in the store, like I naturally go through every isle and somehow end up with stuff I don't need. Make sense considering how they price and place their rotisserie chicken.

[@FourSeasons04]

I have both memberships, but Costco leads in quality of products. However, here's where Sam's beats Costco: Scan and Go, curbside pickup (free for Plus members), free online shipping for Plus members, early hours for Plus members, and more variety of items. Given Costco's recent policy changes, there're less hassles with Sam's.

[@dlbook]

The quality thing to me is great marketing and brand loyalty I have both Sam's stuff is just as good esp that tissue paper

[@jamesesplin8712]

I have both memberships right now. And I have to say that the Sam's Club app shopping experience is Head and shoulders above Costco. Costco's app feels like it was developed in 2010 and never updated

[@James-sn5mg]

I used to work at Sam's Club as a cart pusher. It was the most WORST JOB I've ever had. The management at Sam's Club is so poor and it felt like it didn't even exist. It was so poorly managed because so many of my co-workers were goofing around, not even bringing carts to the store. Some of them clock in and go hide in the break room and take a nap for half of their shift. Some would go inside their car and sleep. They had done that for nearly a year and the management doesn't catch them. It seemed like to me they have very poor sense of what is happening. And these goons get paid nearly $100k a year.

[@irandude1655]

Sams club is just a bulk Walmart store. Exactly the same work culture. I Costco workers that quit their job as teachers because they make more money and better benefits that actually being a difficult job of being a teacher.

[@uchiabetrayer2]

I won’t deny that Sams should treat their employees better

[@James-sn5mg]

@@uchiabetrayer2 It's always the same pattern with Sam's Club. The work in any department requires teamwork. Everybody has to do their part and contribute in order to get things done. The job itself isn't hard but it gets hard when someone doesn't do their part. Lots of departments always have like 1/3 of the team members not doing anything. They goof around the whole time. So their workload passes on to someone else, to the ones that are already working hard. So these guys have to work even harder to compensate for the lazy ones. Managers never catch the goofing ones and the ones working hard gets all stressed and exhausted then they quit eventually. And more new employees get hired and it's the same pattern all over again. I was working hard as hell just so that the lazy ones get free pay checks. They were leeching off the guys that actually work. Even to this day, they disgust me. I quit and will never ever work there.

[@StanDaMan4487]

Bad employees always get raises and promotions

[@Pencil-o1p]

Costco employees are entitled.

[@LChiuy]

It's crazy how Costco is able to get me to spend so much money, even when I was a college student. Almost every transaction I made is always minimum $100. I look at the value of what I get and it's really good. I look at a frozen dinner meal that cost $20, but maybe it comes with 4 pizza. That's $5 a pizza! That's one less night to go out and spend $30 on a pizza. Even lobster tail is 5 for $60, which is a lot of money, but in the grand scheme of thing... that's better than ordering ONE lobster tail at a restaurant for $40. You spend hundreds to save hundreds.

[@josephgaviota]

As a Costco member, I'd say at least 90% of the time picking Kirkland will be a GOOD CHOICE. That makes it an easy decision.

[@Juliehomevideo]

I go to Sam's club for stuff I need and Costco for stuff I want. When money is thin we rarely go to Costco if at all.

[@Trustbutverify2651]

Love this answer - so true, even though I never thought about it that way!

[@brandonneumann5294]

Sam’s club is basically Walmart on bulk. They have some premium items but if you have a Costco near you there’s no point in going to Sam’s club. Costco is higher end

[@Trustbutverify2651]

@@brandonneumann5294 It may be "higher end," but our Sams sells almost exactly the same items as our Costco in food and cleaning supplies for what our family uses - and it's always cheaper. I shop at both. And, BTW, the prices at Sams are NOT the same as the prices at Walmart, even though the parent company is the same.

[@brandonneumann5294]

@@Trustbutverify2651 I like organic and premium items so I like Costco. If Walmart style items is your thing go for it. But there’s a reason why Costco is the king. Sam’s club has been trying to copy Costco for a long time and it’s not working

[@delayerj5487]

I think also Costco pays almost double what Sams employees make, and the vast majority of employees on all Costco purchase costco stock at employee 1/2 price which means they truly put the effort on everything they do more sales more dividends stock goes up nice retirement

[@misslady5466]

We went with Sam’s this year because they offer early 8am shopping and Scan and Go! Avoid the crowds and lines, love it. Member’s Mark products are good to me, the quality is there. But if Costco gets early shopping and scan and go, we may come back😂

[@tayl0r612]

Left Costco for these reasons exactly

[@dcfog81]

Absolutely, plus I live in Las Vegas and prefer to get my shopping done early before it gets too hot during the day in the summer

[@mad-meh2719]

Costco would still be packed at 8 am😂

[@brandonneumann5294]

Sam’s club is basically Walmart on bulk. Costco is defending higher end

[@shanada2432]

Sam’s and Costco are close to me. Sam’s is 20 minutes from my house and Costco is actually closer like a 10 to 15 minutes drive from my house. I choose Sam’s over Costco because the scan and go also the yearly membership charge is cheaper than Costco. We have Sam’s plus (still cheaper than Costco) so I can be in the store two hours earlier than the $45 membership option so not only do I have earlier shop than Costco. I also have less people in the store and I can scan and go. I shop at Sam’s twice a month for my family of three and by the time it is time to renew my membership I have made enough “Sam’s dollars” to cover my membership so it’s a complete win for me.

[@wakichunu]

i have almost $400 in sams cash right now. The cool thing is you can withdraw it as cash and spend it anywhere.

[@Trustbutverify2651]

@@wakichunu AND you can use it whenever you want - you don't need to wait until year's end.

[@hbmento8102]

The quality of store brand items has come a long way. If you told me years ago that a man named The Deal Guy would be indulging in store brand desserts from the back of his trunk, I would've looked at you crazy.

[@brad_choe13]

I have both memberships myself. But I tend to gravitate to Sam’s more than Costco. I do like both. But Sam’s gives a better shopping experience. They might not have all the things that Costco does but damn the shopping is so much easier and ordering in the AP is easier also.

[@LoVinCbnL]

I used to have Costco membership, but since I moved Sams is closer. I know its Wal-Mart, but not having that "Wal-Mart" atmosphere is so nice. The employees are nice. My biggest compliment is the amount of entitled shoppers.

[@TheVeggiekat]

I love Costco and their Kirkland brand. Everything is top notch. A lot of the time the Kirkland brand is better than the name brands.

[@wendiramlal81]

I have both but I primarily shop at COSTCO because of the Quality of the Products & Customer Service. I seldom shop at Sam’s Club & when I do it’s usually because #COSTCO doesn’t have the item. Plus, I Would NEVER BUY A BIG TICKET ITEM FROM #SamsClub because of there HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE REGARDING #Returns, #TreatmentOfEmployees. For instance, I would purchase a Tablet from Costco & a Charger from Sam’s if 1️⃣ wasn’t available at Costco.

[@evan-r-k]

back in the day, store brands slacked on quality, noticably, but these days, brands like members mark, kirkland, and wegmans brand literally at times are higher quality/taste compared to name brands

[@estiennetaylor1260]

Private labels are pretty much the same as name brand in a different package.

[@SirExtreme15]

All of those brands, are just repackaged national brands. In the past they would contract a cheap brand to solely compete in price.

[@DonJulio4649]

If you want cheaper price but cheaper quality it’s Sam’s. If you want better quality product with better customer service but at a higher price , go to Costco. Also Costco treats their employees much better than Sam’s. My wife worked in both and is in Costco now. Her health insurance is also dam cheap including vision, dental it’s amazing.

[@OneTakeTuber]

If they're the exact same product, you're buying the less expensive one. Almond milk and protein shake is less expensive at Sam's.

[@iamthecandyman1307]

@@OneTakeTuber Some people like some of costcos products more. And some people also like supporting businesses that are nicer to their employees.

[@8luvbug]

You guys should just admit you're classist and go. There's plenty of other reasons people prefer Sam's over Costco.

[@DatBoi163]

Just want to add that at least where I live, many of sam's club locations are literally near a walmart so if I need to buy something and it's not at sam's club i can just walk next door or drive my car to the next parking lot and get it. The convenience is next level.

[@brandonneumann5294]

It makes sense because Sam’s club is a bulk Walmart but you want higher end stuff go to Costco

[@yocraigst]

Sam's Club has Scan & Go, which is the best feature of their stores. You scan each item you're buying and when you're finish you pay through either a bank card, or I think they even take your state's Link card. No lines (except at the door; this is the biggest negative of BOTH stores, that damn "did you steal anything" line at the door).

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

Part of why I choose CostCo over Sam’s Club is the WalMart connection. I do not like the way they have historically treated their employees, while job satisfaction among CostCo employees is very, very high.

[@AlwaysThirstys]

sam pays their employees half of Costco's💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀. I managed to get a job at 14 and I was payed 11 an hour in a rich area.

[@beaniemac]

I have both Costco and Sam's club membership. Kirkland Is a top tier and I'll buy anything that has that label.

[@DarkPa1adin]

Including toilet roll?

[@tornmien]

@@DarkPa1adin for toilet roll I buy Cottonelle, better than both but it's sold at Walmart 😅

[@beaniemac]

@@DarkPa1adin hell yes. They're toilet paper is comparable to Charmin, at only a fraction of the cost

[@ryans4116]

@@DarkPa1adinKirkland toilet paper is very good in fact. So much stuff is good from Kirkland, from toiletries to drinks to olive oil, coffee, eggs, and milk, everything is good

[@satishk5356]

Kirkland kitchen towels are very bad

[@SGALAXIA]

I literally drive across town 4.5 miles every Saturday morning to shop at Trader Joe's. I love it. Wish we had another location on my side of town. We don't have a Sam's Club in the county, nearest one is 60 miles away. A new Costco just opened up 2.5 miles from me, I have a membership but have never bought anything from there.

[@bobbyflores220]

the deciding factor when we chose between the two was that there is just way too may people in line shopping at Costco and their gas stations, so we went with Sams..

[@EnronnSierra]

As single person, none meets my needs, but its always nice to go in with a friend and check out all the bulk of stuff you can buy.

[@AyAyyRoon]

True like I don’t need a membership for either one the food will probably just stay there for months 💀

[@ricmont_6]

I see myself grabbing a lot of members mark items myself and when I was debating changing warehouses this year at renewal time I still stuck with Sam’s because of their scan n go feature that helps me avoid huge lines that would otherwise take me forever to get out that Costco does not have

[@TheAlaskanMike]

As an Alaskan, Sam’s Club left us (the whole state) and Costco stayed behind and even opened in Fairbanks for us…so screw them

[@sharkboy6952]

I only have a Sam's Club membership now. Costco was just too far away and it was always packed. Having said that, Kirkland is way ahead of Member's Mark. I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything Kirkland, but I'm reluctant to try Member's Mark stuff. I've been burned many times.

[@8luvbug]

Member's mark toilet paper>>>>

[@markplain2555]

What we probably don't know. There is a concept called market saturation: when a manufacturer makes their product under a different name and a different price with the intention to fill a market segment, saturate the market and discourage new competitors from coming in. . . . A typical example: VolksWagen own Audis (more high end) but it also own Skoda (lower end). Nissan makes Infiniti and Datsun - same story. . . In the same way alot of these store brands are actually made by the established manufacturers. In this way the established manufacturer doesn't get angry with the store and pull their products from the shelves (alot of the established brands are 'crowd pullers'). And the store brand becomes the 'skoda' or 'Datsun' to protect the established manufacturer's market by saturating the market. . . We in turn are fed nonsense about the amazing store brands and how they suposedly change the market. The market is monopolized under disguise. . . But hey we get a cheaper deal, decent product selection - who cares? (unless you are a true competitor who is constantly squeezed out).

[@samivayajd]

Scan and go are what YOUNGER consumers think of as a convenience. Sam's also offers curbside pickup for only a $5 fee if u purchase under a certain amount. As for the concession, terrible service and maintenance but the Pizzas are great for party orders as they have a much thinner outer crust and use more cheese than Costco pizza. Individual slices are larger (5 per pie) and the Dog and drink combo is lower priced. You can also order your food on their app. Unlike Costco, they also don't care if you have membership or not. They will let you purchase at the concession.

[@codelessunlimited7701]

Costco is getting expensive, also their long line stinks because of no quick check outs and because of it we will never renew the membership program. There's so much people, it's so dreadful to go around the store. Sam's Club is the way. Most of my items are there, the convenient to get out swiftly of the store is excellent, also the items they have is enough for me, even there's a time there's a hit and miss of the items. We will stick with Sam's Club. In terms of employment, Costco is the choice and Sam's Club is the membership choice.

[@kb9826]

Prefer: 1. Costco 2. Sam's 3. BJ's Wholesale

[@lesliesusana1373]

Scan and go is way I go to Sams. Costco needs to step up their technology bc they always have huge lines

[@OMAOILRIAN]

Sam’s Club was closed in our area. Once Costco showed up, that was the end. We have BJ’s here, but I find their quality even worse than Sam’s Club. I just can’t support inferior quality, and a company that doesn’t treat its employees and customers with the appreciation they should. I’m a loyal Costco customer. I have more than made back the cost of membership. Gas alone does that.

[@infini.tesimo]

It's funny, I totally forgot I had a Sam's club membership as I got a surprise $48.00 bill for the annual renewal fee. In truth I have the membership in the event that I'm not near a Costco but need to shop big on the rare blue moon. Also because they have essentially the exact same pizza and hot dogs and I literally go to specifically have it. I wish Costco AND Sam's Club would make small drive through "restaurants" specifically for this because that's what I want 99% of the time. I'm sure they wouldn't do it as that's the allure to join the membership but I would love it if they did as I'd go at least once a week.

[@kaylaEA_]

At one of their New Orleans locations, the food court has outside access. I’m thinking it’s because a university is across the street and those prices are great for college students.

[@stevengolden9009]

One reason I dropped Sam's like a hot rock was they took $100 out of our checking account for a "executive membership". I went to their store to try and get it reversed and they flatly refused. I have never been back even though I live less than 5 minutes from one.

[@hhch2]

We've had both Costco and Sam's Club for years until Sam's pulled out from our region in the Pacific NW. As everyone else has mentioned, I have likes and dislikes with both stores. The only complaint I have with Costco is I wish they open earlier than 10am.

[@beautyofgrace3915]

I have both, mainly got Costco because they had a functional trainer that I wanted. Costco has healthier items, but Sam’s is less crowded and their garlic and croutons taste better.

[@aidenalamo6262]

I think Aldi was the first major store chain with private labeled items exclusively to their store. I would go to either store if the membership fee was worth the price and be utilized at least on a monthly basis. Also, if both stores offered more meatless options for vegans that would be nice. Such as more organic produce and meatless frozen foods along with a wider range of dairy free and allergen free products.

[@djimenez789]

Scan and go, food spot and cheap gas are my favorite part of Sam's. They have a pretty good selection of things I'll buy for myself and family.

[@ianparsons9053]

Have met jim Senegal randomly at Costco. He is an amazing person. Shopped at Costco Kirkland for 30 years.

[@janiebeauxbanie]

I have both. I use Sam’s for my needs and Costco for my wants. Costco has newer items but Sam’s has Scan and Go.

[@sarysa]

I've been trying various store brand foods for over 20 years. I've been tasting the quality go up over the years. Saltines used to be mushy in the early 2000s, now they're all crispy and tasty. Chips were the same way...but now I can't tell the difference with potato, corn, or tortilla chips. Most of the big box equivalents for crackers are also the same. One of the few things the generics haven't gotten right yet are cheddar crackers. Cheezits, Goldfish, and Better Cheddars all have yet to be perfectly duplicated.

[@AnthonyGale]

I have both membership and I like Sam's Club outdoor furniture more. It looks nicer and is better quality. It's fun to go into both and see what's new for the week.

[@josephgaviota]

My experience, and of course your experience may vary, but to me, Costo is "excellent products at a reasonable price," and Sams/WalMart is "this is very cheap, and if you want cheap, this is your place."

[@oliviao2238]

As a consumer, I enjoy finding deals, and digital coupons are among the many things I explore. Sometimes, influencers provide codes, and I have used those as well. I also use AD DOCS, which I feel is best used toward the expiration of some items

[@trentpettit6336]

How does BJ's (which is more regional) compare to the other two?

[@paillette2010]

In my region there is no Sam’s Club. I don’t pay attention to the Kirkland brand as having something vastly superior, but if they have something I like, I will get it. Things like the butcher shop and bakery are not what I consider Kirkland. I do not get the fanboi mentality of buying a shirt, though. They will yeet your favorite item if it’s not working out. Trader Joe’s is a pretty decent private label store, though.

[@yoochoob]

Trader Joe’s yeet their popular products like there’s no tomorrow.

[@paillette2010]

@@yoochoob this is true, and I don't mind, because they have a wider selection, well, relative to Costco.

[@swisstroll3]

It’s not that customers prefer private brands. Customers prefer some private brands! They don’t trust others. Kirkland worked long and hard to gain trust, and largely succeeded. Kirkland has a reputation for high quality. Member’s Mark has a reputation for low prices.

[@stevenkim9637]

I have both memberships, I prefer to shop food items at Costco and non-food items at Sam’s. Costco can never beat Sam’s scan and go or drive up pick up. It’s so much more convenient. And for toilet paper, Kirkland feels like a single ply cheap public bathroom toilet paper versus members mark feels like Charmin compared to KS. Sam’s had stepped up over past few years, where Costco has simply got too crowded. The only thing keeps Costco is the return policy. But I prefer Sam’s nowadays over Costco for its convenience and less crowded, makes it easy in and out and the gas line is much shorter than Costco.

[@Jimmyjimjimjim]

Sam’s club is owned by Walmart. It’s much bigger than one thinks.

[@wenlansima537]

this video looks like a Sam's Club promo

[@matttypes2695]

Kirkland Signature is one of, if not the best store brands out there. The quality really is as good but often better than the name brand.

[@valmikg1]

Kirkland for life!

[@GarrettReardon]

I had an issue in a Costco and emailed the CEO about it. Not only did he respond to my email, he called me within a few hours of sending it and took care of everything. Sam's Club wouldn't give you the time of day if you sent them an email. I've got a Sam's and Costco membership and have found myself shopping at Sam's more because of the scan and go feature in their app and the fact that you don't have to show receipts to anyone anymore. Their curbside pickup is also awesome. Sam's is just more convenient now a days vs Costco. For big ticket purchases like meat and electronics, I go to Costco. Member's Mark has things that are better vs Kirkland Signature.

[@tsj-bn8yf]

time to watch a CNBC video on something I've never heard of again

[@emman100]

My thought exactly while watching 🤣🤣🤣

[@carnibenz8217]

Lmao every single day. I love this damn channel.

[@jadenisiah]

never have I ever heard of Kirklands. I shop at BJS, where I live its BJs (the og) v. Samsclub v.s Cosco

[@robotman011]

Target brand is super good. I love Good and Gather & I like Favorite Day. And Goodfellow. And several others!

[@smartfreak7105]

They make some nice clothes

[@jmbisme]

Costco, if you’re listening you need a scan and go feature on your app like Sam’s club. I have both memberships and while I go to Costco for bigger orders and Sam’s for a few items, it is SO nice to get in and out quickly like the scan and go feature lets you.

[@AndreS_-df2nw]

I have no choice for wholesale clubs in my state. Sam's Club pulled out of WA a few years ago before it really got big.

[@richboy3860]

The patronage of Kirkland is increasing because customers are stretched too thin with their finances. People have no money to buy branded goods anymore

[@tenfour000]

For instance, recently I was in a rush at a gas station (not either of these stores) and needed breakfast so got a honey bun but at the register it was $3, I thought it was outrageous and was hesitant but ended up buying it. Point is maybe a honey bun elsewhere is around a dollar but would not be same brand, Hostess speaks volume in every bite so loyalty to the original brand means all the difference.

[@hassanhaidar7302]

What do you mean catchup? They are direct competitors.

[@tayl0r612]

I was thinking this lol, Sam's is superior imo. Costco was nice and has a cult following but the experience is second to Sam's recently. Costco stores are way too overcrowded, no mobile checkout, and store brands are identical at this point.

[@double_joseph327]

@@tayl0r612I have both near me. Sam’s quality is no where near Costco. Pay a little more, sometimes the same price, and get a lot more value.

[@rudedude985]

@@tayl0r612I agree! But Costco recently added self checkout.

[@michaelhuff3653]

​@@tayl0r612 mobile checkout is such a game changer for Sams. It makes shopping there so much less of a pain

[@lars2894]

@@tayl0r612 Kirkland is about quality and transparent supply sourcing, not price edging. Member's mark is only about offering lowest prices.

[@manuelabrica]

I will say this, I currently live in Gilroy, CA. Gilroy has a Costco and a Walmart. You can find both “stores” at other relative close towns. All within a less than 1hr drive. However, that is not the same for Sam’s club. At least in the bay area. The closest Sam’s Club to me Is in Concord, CA a but more than 1.5hrs. With NO traffic. NO BAY Area traffic. They both need to expand and open more stores.

[@drift6785]

Got both. Costco is nicer and has more things in general, buying appliance or electronics are great. But in terms of food/snacks I like going to Sam's club more. Sam's club food court has more options and is cheaper. That said Costco food court for the most part taste better. Costco do tend to be more expensive. But have pros and cons. Whatever is more convience and cost effective gets my business

[@PierreBurnaugh]

Used to like the Eddie Bauer branded T-shirts at Sam's because they were good in quality and variety of colors etc. Those are no longer but the Member's Mark ones had stepped up and did a decent job as a replacement. But now, I just visited my local Sam's yesterday and they only had one color in a small amount. I hope they keep the T-shirts, may sound trivial but it's been a favorite part of my over twenty year membership.

[@mauri_64]

I recently got my parents into Costco as there is one closer to us than the Sam's Club we go to. Despite my best efforts to take our spending away from Sam's (Walmart in general), they still shop at Sam's once in a while because they carry more Hispanic/Latino goods than Costco. Long term though, I see them sticking with Costco as they can get whatever else they need from local grocery stores. When I move out and start living on my own, I will stay far away from giving Sam's and Walmart any of my earnings. I get it, Member's Mark and Great Value may provide comparable alternatives to the national brands, and maybe some are better, but Costco has that reputation of quality and upholding values like treating their employees well and providing overall superior customer service.

[@theodorehsu5023]

We got a Costco in Augusta in 2012 and never looked back. Never went back to Sam’s Club.

[@kaylaEA_]

The way they treat their employees is my reason for sticking with Costco.

[@-----------------------------]

Bro you're a redditor, calm down.

[@AlwaysThirstys]

@@kaylaEA_ Bruh they somehow got me hired at 13 2 months before I turned 14. I'm not complaining but what the sigma?

[@dreamz701]

I have both, used to be closer to Costco, but now, im closer to Sam's. We are loving sams more these days. Just keeping Costco for online deals and warranty purposes at this stage.

[@irandude1655]

I live alone, I hate that I am paying for executive membership but I track my discounts I use in my home office, and other affiliate Costco products (insurance, travels/tours, gift card) , the discount and savings are more than what I paid for $120 membership. So I stick with it.

[@JJNickel1]

I work in a warehouse that has two customers. Sams Club & Costco. Stuff like paper plates, cups, paper towels, and toilet paper. We can ship the most messed up battered crap to Sams, but every Costco must be pristine and perfect quality.

[@omgcrisbreezy]

Have both. But shopping at Costco is a headache. It’s easily a 1 hour trip just from the checkout process. They need what Sam’s has which is scan and go

[@WickHawks]

Members mark is really good. About 75% of our items when we shop is Members mark. Scan and go and curbside pick up is solid too.

[@6ahmad91]

My town of Naperville Illinois has TWO WHOLE ACTUAL COSTCO’s… love it

[@rebeltheharem7028]

Price wise, no. Quality wise? Its probably the same. But honestly, I don't go to sam's club anymore because every time I go to my local sam's club, it ALWAYS takes longer than costco. ALWAYS. Scan and go is the only thing that gives them a leg up, and that's not offered at my local sam's club...

[@golfman90]

Sams Club is always packed in China, been there once, and now two opening in my hometown. Products they offer is very different to North America. They still have the roast chicken like Costco, but they also have chinese dim sum and products are marketed towards Chinese consumers.

[@luisarballo-romero5826]

I have both Costco and Sam’s memberships. I find myself at Sam’s more often than not because of the Scan and Go app which is such a nice convenience for me, but truly like both places. Sometimes Sam’s has things I need that Costco doesn’t have or sometimes it’s the other way around. That being said, Costco definitely has better and higher quality meat/poultry department hands down. However, I plan on keeping both memberships for the foreseeable future.

[@bananamilk1974]

Last year I bought a membership to Sam's for just $25. My renewal date was June 15. A week before my renew date, Sam's offered to upgrade to Plus for just $5. I bought it with an ice maker with insurance that totaled to 110. I thought that would carry over for the next year. I didn't renew anything until the 15th. Yep, I had to pay $110 to keep the Plus. Oh, my ice maker, it 2weeks to get to my home. I still like Sam's over Costco, but 110...😒

[@alliechotikul1621]

i cant lie… i don’t remember the last time i REALLY went to costco… but i go weekly for their gas, sometimes even twice weekly. in the ever frustrating world that is gas prices in the state of california, costco remains to be the cheapest. i live walking distance to costco, so it’s easy to pop in after work to top off or fill up. plus the food court has been my savior as a broke college student. when ten dollars can feed you pretty well, it’s worth it. and they have a tire center. i drive a lot, it’s. great. the costco itself is a bonus to me, but still definitely worth it.

[@AlwaysThirstys]

WHAT ARE YOU SPENDING !) DOLLARS ON it's 4.5 a day.

[@songsan807]

We have both Costco and Sam's Club but I never been inside a Sam's Club until last week. Walking inside the layout is almost like Costco with some additional color boards. I don't remember seeing any sections for clothing inside the SC that I went. I don't have anything against SC, just that where I live Costco is a lot closer. I do see more people working at Costco and they are a lot more cheerful than SC.

[@djaftermath4313]

Is Costco's Kirkland associated with the Kirkland's decor store?? The only difference in naming is the 's

[@abvincent12]

Whee I live going to Costco is the worst retail experience you could have - whereas going to Sam’s is less anxiety inducing and MUCH easier to shop and check out. I’d never step foot in Costco again if I could - terrible experience.

[@josephgaviota]

10:00 FWIW, in my So. Cal. area, I'm near THREE Costcos, and the ONE Sam's Club has closed.

[@pauldesigncomics2625]

Best part I like about Costco is saving on vacation packages

[@GunnyPhillips]

I've been a Costco member for nearly 30 years but am relatively new to Sam's Club. I still prefer Costco for customer service but Sam's Club is clobbering them in virtually every other category. Just a few examples are... 1) Online Warehouse Inventory Tracking - Sam's has it. Costco doesn't 2) Scan & Go - This already lets you skip the checkout lines and will soon allow most members to also bypass the receipt checkers at the exit door. Sam's has it. Costco doesn't 3) Early access for top tier members. Sam's has it. Costco abandoned it years ago.. I realize this video focused on the private label brands of each club and, personally, I'm not really concerned with that as either is fine for the things I buy. Costco may still have the edge here but, overall, I think they're the ones playing catch up.

[@donutreligion2979]

I think a large part of this is location. If you are in a middle-sized city, you may only have one option. I have a Sam's Club a mile away from me, and the closest Costo is 90 miles away. That makes it impossible to compare the two in regard to quality vs location.

[@avalerio0892]

I can no longer stomach the low quality of items at Sam’s in either of the areas I’ve lived recently. Not a single detergent without dyes, zero organic frozen berries, no apple cider vinegar, etc. Just so many garbage prepackaged “foods” that I’d never allow my household to consume. A Pittsburgh area Costco had more high quality items in 2009 than any Sam’s I’ve been in (nationwide) since.

[@SeaHusker54]

I worked for Costco for 5 years. Since then I’ve had a membership atboth Sam’s/Costco. I ultimately settled on Costco. The convenience of Sam’s clubs mobile app is fantastic, but as someone who worked for Costco the company treats their employees really well. The business model of Costco allows them to cut costs and pay their employees a living wage. I consider myself a Costco “Alumni” as a former employee lol

[@martinlaursen7972]

I enjoy having both memberships. The savings on gas and car washes easily pay for both memberships and some. I buy different things in each store.

[@bettygrable6440]

Sam’s has free pickup for their premium membership, so no hunting around the store. They also have scan and go and are rarely super crowded. Costco is an experience, but mine is ALWAYS packed with slow moving people. Costco greeters were absolute jerks during Covid, too. Pepperidge Farm remembers. Sam’s is the way to go for this busy mama.

[@Elvys1109]

i think people will ultimately go to whichever one is closest to them. (Even tho im 4 blocks away from bjs and still take a 20 min drive to costco, but i mean their brands are entirely different quality)

[@ariesapril707]

Hugely disappointed with Costco. After hearing so many good things about it I finally get the membership due to moving. Damn the fresh produce is BAD, while Sams' is waaaay better, night and day difference. The Sam's that I used go to before the moving is way bigger and cleaner too, while Costco is old, cramped and horrible check out experience. I can't wait to be back with Sam's.

[@roydodge4340]

Costco treats their employees far better and as a result the customer service, quality of merchandise, and warehouse atmosphere is far superior. Costco’s credit card is also much better at earning than Sam’s and Costco also has the friendliest return policy in all of retail. Sam’s has better junk food, I’ll give them that 😂

[@nealstellar6986]

I recently joined Sam’s Club membership and I don’t miss Costco..

[@AvroBellow]

Long before private labels in the USA took off, they were already wildly popular in Canada, specifically President's Choice and No Name. People in the USA tend to be more brand-whorish than Canadians and are less likely to try something they don't know. Loblaws changed all that. As long as Jelinek is the CEO of Costco, NOBODY will catch them, especially not those evil corporate despots who run Wal-Mart (and thus, Sam's Club). I have no qualms about shopping at Costco, but I have literally no interest in giving any of my business to Wal-Mart (or Amazon for that matter). I'm honestly shocked that Sam's Club still exists because, here in Canada, it lasted about as long as Target did. Costco just annihilated it effortlessly.

[@potatopotato8360]

Private labels were popular in Canada because Canadians have always had less purchasing power than Americans. No name brand came out in the late 70s when Canada was suffering an economic crisis and high inflation making groceries very expensive.

[@daveclark8337]

Every time I've been in Sam's Club, it still feels like a Walmart.

[@MyLife-ij4tf]

HAHAHA!

[@stevengolden9009]

That's because it is. On average everything is 10% less.

[@MyLife-ij4tf]

@@stevengolden9009 walmart people?

[@Theendofeverything7036]

I’ve had both and I love Costco more. Costco is tops, good quality at a decent price. Costco is focused on QUALITY at a good price unlike Sam’s. Costco has an excellent return policy that keeps me (I had only returned things about a few times). We had ordered a medicine cabinet that arrived shattered and Costco tried to replace it without it arriving shattered, but since it wasn’t in their control (it was coming from manufacturer) they just gave me a full refund. Their customer service is SUPERIOR.

[@timthompson8297]

I’m pretty happy with Members Mark products.

[@ruthlessluder]

Costco is good if you can survive finding a parking space without getting shot. Also the receipt checking is extremely annoying during rush hour. You wait in line twice - to check out and then to get your receipt checked. They need to solve the receipt checking with technology. In this day and age there's no reason people have to line up to get their receipts checked.