warehouse clubs

[willidan]

Is anyone a member of a warehouse club? Anybody have any pro or con stories to tell? I'm thinking of joining Sams, but haven't quite gotten to the point of justifying the $50 a year membership fee.

Edited 11/14: I'm convinced. I'll take some of my Christmas money and invest in a membership. Thanks!

Comments

[merrycaepa]

My parents are Costco members, and I piggyback on their account when I'm home on breaks... I think a distinction has to be drawn between Costco (which catches some flak in the business community for treating its employees *too* well) and Sam's (which is owned by the Walmart behemoth, with all the accompanying baggage).

I love Costco because I can buy enough organic instant oatmeal, for a semester for what a fraction of what I'd be paying at supermarkets here; as well as (non-organic) cheese and cereal. I bought my iPod, Mom bought her laptop, and Dad bought his snazzy new camera there because Costco's return policy for electronics is really easy to work with, and warranties are automatically extended. I got my contact lenses there as well... Their customer service division is incredibly accommodating. Costco gas is the cheapest around, and it's the only place in town with the little rubber flaps to keep fumes down on their pumps.

I'm not a fan of warehouse stores in the sense that they're symbolic of gross consumerism...but my parents have probably halved their total number grocery runs since they started shopping there, and Costco's organic produce is more affordable than standard supermarket produce. Additionally, shopping there supports an organization that treats its employees really well...I see it as pretty win-win.

But again...that's Costco, not Walmart :D

[merrycaepa]

Sorry, last line should have been "...that's Costco, not Sam's" Oops.

[jumpuphigh]

Costco really does treat their employees well. I'd forgotten about that. I used to know a woman who worked for them and she wouldn't give up working for them for anything.

[merrycaepa]

My mom's in the grocery story, so she hears things, and that's exactly what she's reported. And the employees just always seem like they actually want to be there.

[jumpuphigh]

When I was looking for a job a number of years ago, I actually looked at them because of their reputation. Unfortunately, the positions I would have been interested in were all at their headquarters which would have involved me moving.

[merrycaepa]

I have a friend who's been job hunting; she checked at our local store, and was told that a) they had no open positions, and b) didn't expect to have any soon, because c) employees really don't tend to quit.

[jumpuphigh]

c) employees really don't tend to quit.

That's one of the best signs of a healthy business.

[holyschist]

I think a distinction has to be drawn between Costco (which catches some flak in the business community for treating its employees *too* well) and Sam's (which is owned by the Walmart behemoth, with all the accompanying baggage).

Yeah, and even strictly from a customer POV, I think Costco's better, too. Sam's is a blatant knock-off. However, not all cities have both options--I had my Sam's membership before Colorado Springs got a Costco (by which point I had moved).

OH MAN, I forgot about gas.

[merrycaepa]

I don't think I was in a Sam's after the age of about twelve, but I do seem to remember it being really dark on the inside - a bit dingy, maybe? It didn't feel so much like a warehouse as somebody's very outsize garage.

[willidan]

Costco does sound like a better option, but the closest is two hours away. It's definitely worth looking into.