SAM's vs. COSTCO?

In one of our moves an employer - who paid very little - gave us SAM's membership. This was the first time that I was introduced to Big Box stores and we have been shopping there on occasions, as we moved from one part of the country to another.

We are lucky enough, at this time of our lives, that we do not have to shop at Wal-Mart. I will not criticize anyone where shopping at Wal-Mart can make a difference between choosing new shoes and medication.

But now there is a COSTCO close by so my question is: where do Democrats shop, if at all?

Next?

SAM's membership expires in a month so this is a great opportunity to switch.

CostCo is truly a decent company - well-managed, fair to employees, usually good to customers.

Worked there for 8 years through College. One of the best American companies period. Jim Sinegal and Sol Price before him are leaders of the highest order.

If there is no costco, only wal-mart or Sams, I still will not use them.

Costco is as blue as you can get and still run a successful business.

.

Costco is a blue company, donates to Democrats. The CEO draws a reasonable salary and pays the help well.

Make the change. I think you'll find the selection greatly preferable to that in Sam's. The store brand is Kirkland, and it's superior to anything Wally's has come up with.

I was in a position to comparison shop a few years ago. Sam's is WalMart, same selection in larger quantities.

such as Solid Gold, Merrick, etc (nutritionally similar) and it's a steal ($18/40lbs compared to $40-50/40lbs of the premium stuff). I'm getting a Costco membership just for that reason (well, a lot of others, too, but that was the turning point in me being willing to shell out $50 for membership)

Never yet seen any diet-related medical problems in kitties on Kirkland.

1) Brand recognition: It's the warehouse store I grew up with.

2) Shared values: Costco pays their employees well, they are not anti-union, they continue to make a good profit despite their liberal practices.

3) I'm anti-Walmart.

of respect for his workers and suppliers. He pays well above the standard rates, and no one can ever earn more than 12 times the lowest workers' pay. So if he wants to give himself a raise, he raises the pay of all the lower paid employees. He is a very good man. buy COSTCO!

I did not even know that such corporations still exist.

ive had a few friends work there. they pay their employees very well for the work they do compared to other similar stores doing comparable jobs.

A blue company that pays and treats its employees very well. They put their workers above their profits. :thumbsup:

I usually get the usual - our research/development team does not feel that there is adequate need for one near us.

I think they are mentally challenged if they don't think one is needed on the SE side of Atlanta - OTP.
There are a Sam's and a BJ's within 10 miles of our house, but no Costco. They are losing out on lots!

They also have online specials that aren't in the stores.
www.costco.com

but you don't get to pick and choose what perishable foods you might want to buy...

Other than that it's great...

I really get tired of driving 35 to 40 miles to the nearest one when oh so liberal Athens and all points in between doesn't warrant one.

It's just stupid on the Research and Development department's part.

;)

How are you? :hi: We're planning on meeting up soon! :)

Costco sells the same stuff as Sam's for 2-3 times as much. And it is the same Chinese manufactured shite.

CostCo prices are competitive with Sam's and, at least in THIS area, as "Made in America" and "Union Made" as they can find.

I especially like their meats (and other groceries) and all the non-spoiling goods (e.g. paper products) where a bulk purchase makes sense.

2-3 times as much?

that's just silly.


Costco is a little more expensive than Sams, but still discounted from traditional retailers. Also, I would not be surprised if Costco is providing more value and quality in some of the items in which they are more expensive than Sams.

Seriously. Does that even make sense to you in your head? That Costco would sell a slab of meat for $24.00 where Sam's charges $8.00? That they would ask for $60.00 for the same windbreaker that Sam's gets $20.00 for?

I used to have a membership to both. I never noticed a single duplicate item outside of books, DVDs and CDS, and their prices on those items were identical. Overall Sam's Club appeals to Wal-Mart shoppers; giant bags of Slim Jims, pork rinds, and toy Hummers for the kiddies. Costco by comparison chooses items primarily for the educated middle class. They have a large selection of organic and eco friendly products now, from organic spinach to bamboo flooring and Ecos detergent. Heck, I bought some Kirkland (Costco private label) brand dark chocolates yesterday and I'm reading the package right now. It says "Made in France".

You don't work for WalMart, by any chance, do you?

... I've shopped at both.

Sams has pretty good prices but a lot of their merchandise is CRAP.

Costco prices aren't quite as low but I've bought NOTHING there that wasn't top qualify, be it tools, food, whatever.

Sams is just a glorified Wal Mart where the only thing that matters is price. I have a Sam's 4 miles away, I'd rather drive 10 miles to Costco and not get crap.

Leaving me to wonder if your opinion is worth much here. Go to Costco and check it out.

Stay away from Sams!

Although all of them charge something to join, Costco at least thinks blue...and they have a good selection of some of the pre-made organics that I buy...

Peace.

Shop at Costco - prices are just as good but the workers are paid a hell of a lot better. Plus they are big Dem contributors.

Same company!!

To the wall with WallMart, including Sam's Club!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2633749

This article is from 2004, but still rings true:
http://www.mydd.com/story/2004/8/11/13343/7664

Also, a comment on the topic from Jim Hightower:
http://www.jimhightower.com/node/5365


enjoy!

I've never known that this topic generated so much opinions and debate.

They have my full support.

For many reasons...most of them already covered. We have the executive membership
and was sent a check this year for fifty dollars over the membership cost. We get all of our
Rxs filled there at a significantly lower cost than most of the other pharmacies. p

People who want to get quality merchandise at a bargain price, and don't mind buying a 75-year supply of that item at one time.

want to go to the store everyday. I love Costco. I shop there all the time.

of hamburger meat from Sam's.

Any further questions?

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=7215859&nav=menu7_2_1

that said something to the effect that Costco's stock was under-performing because THE EMPLOYEES WERE PAID TOO MUCH!!!!

The nightmare of the repukes - a decently paid worker!

... that these business "experts" don't understand the value of a happy workforce.

The entire atmosphere at Sam's is just like at WalMart. The employees mostly look like zombies who'd rather be anywhere else but at work. They are in a last-resort job and they know it and it shows in their demeanor and service.

Contrast that to Costco where the employees actually seem to be into their jobs. There is teamwork, there is customer service and there are no blank zombie stares.

If I have to pay a few percent more to enjoy that kind of shopping experience, I'll gladly do so, and I do.

Some decisions in life are difficult, too close to call. This one is a no brainer.

of 10,000 or 50,000 the price of their shares goes up which is really depressing.

being TOO good an employer a while back.

Great deals on name brands, and their Kirkland Signature products offer high quality at a much lower price. I was also impressed that they only sell milk from cows not treated with hormones.

Blue company through and through.

Of course, Money Magazine (October 2007 issue) is saying to stuff your 401k every year and talks "as long as the economy floats"...

If their article doesn't inspire confidence, nuttin' will...

But back to the topic; my closest Costco is 50 miles away. Nearest Sams is 10 miles.

Once a month road trip!

I'm on a gas and mileage budget for a while.

We have memberships with both companies. My wife loves Costco because they carry the brand of Cat Litter she likes best...one of the clumping brands that comes in the 40lbs bucket....Sam's version clumps but still stinks etc...8 cats in our too small house, we need good litter...Plus three dogs, 3 kids....We spend a fortune on feeding our critters, litter, Frontline etc...Somebody in the above thread stated that (or close to it...) Costco was more intellectual, versus Sam's more guttural...Very true now that I think about it. Knowing Costco is Blue will help us shopt here more often....

offer discounts to employees - or who just wanted to have table at the event.

Sam's and BJ's were there, with memberships discounted to $35. Costco was there with a $50 deal. I figured it was worth the extra $15 to go with the better company.

that Costco has settled out-of-court on behalf of one very senior member of their management team, one of which made a close friend of mine financially independent, I wouldn't set foot in one of their stores again if they were selling the last doseage of my heart medication.

:rofl:

;)