Paying to shop for groceries might sound like a ripoff to the uninitiated bulk shopper.
Warehouse clubs charge you to get in, but the deals are better.
At least, thats the idea.
Customers shop at Sam’s Club in St. Petersburg, Fla. Sharon Steinmann/The Penny Hoarder
But is it true?
Is a Sams Club Membership Worth It When you might Just Shop at Walmart?
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Ask one of these companies to help…
Thats where warehouse clubs come in.
Weve compared the two stores to find out how their sibling rivalry stacks up.
Just gives you a good excuse to shop more often, right?
However, coupon clippers out there will find that Walmart has one advantage.
Sams Clubdoesnt accept coupons, while Walmart has a pretty open-endedcoupon policy.
(Other than a decent arm workout.)
Youll also get better prices with bulk or multipack options on staples like bread and cheese.
And just because youre buying in bulk, you dont have to lug around prepper-sized cans.
Youll find great deals on multipacks of canned vegetables or only slightly enlarged containers of ground coffee.
Sams Club also offers its own Members Mark vodka, rum, tequila and other liquor at affordable prices.
Its just up to your taste buds if that particular perk is worth it.
But in todays buy-everything-online market, this is pretty mitigatable.
The selection and prices online are comparable.
you’ve got the option to get furniture at any furniture store.
Here are a few of them:
1.
Gas
A Sams Club membership could be worth it just for the gas prices.
Gas prices at warehouse clubs tend to be cheaper than at other gas stations.
Unsure if the drive to your local Sams Club is worth it for the gas?
Say you put $100 in your tank a month.
Youll also earn 3% cash back on dining and travel purchases.
you could earn a maximum of $5,000 in Sams Cash per calendar year.
Sams Cash is issued onto your membership card each month and doesnt expire.
(Theyre not offered to the regular $50 card holders.)
They also enjoy complimentary wiper blade installation and battery testing.
Youll also qualify for emergency roadside assistance for three years from the date of installation.
In comparison, Walmart has free curbside pickup, but theres a $35 order minimum.
The $35 minimum also applies to online orders and orders shipped from the store.
you might upgrade to W+ for free shipping, but it applies only to items marked shipped from Walmart.
Club and Plus members can get free shipping for up to 10 addresses.
Some locations offer delivery from club or same-day delivery.
Club members pay $12 for the service, while Plus members pay $8.
Scan & Go App
Dont feel like waiting in the checkout line?
you’ve got the option to download the Sams Club Scan & Go app.
Scan & Go purchases are limited to $750 per day, but theres no minimum purchase.
Early Hours for Plus Members
Do you go shopping early to avoid the crowds?
Plus members can shop earlier hours than Club members.
Early shopping is 8-10 a.m. Monday through Friday and 8-9 a.m. on Saturday.
Early shopping hours also apply on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Early shopping hours also apply to curbside pickup.
Time slots for Plus members start at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Club members time slots begin at 10 am.
As long as you regularly buy gas, your membership is almost certain to pay for itself.
She is a regular contributor to The Penny Hoarder.
Contributor Jamie Cattanach also contributed to this report.
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