Which is better -- Sam's or Costco?

[ceeveg]

We don't have a co-op or good farmer's market near us, but are fortunately able to purchase a large amount of bulk dried goods online.

We are looking for the best deal for large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables. Which store has the better variety, prices, etc. : Sam's Club or Costco?

Thanks!! Cee :

[absinthe]

I find the prices to be comparable, but I think Costco has much better business practices.
The selections are similar but not identical.

[Ola_]

Personally I prefer Costco. Their house (Kirkland) brand also has very good quality for a great price.

If it matters to you, Sam's is owned by Wal-mart. In general Costco has very good employee policies.

[Eman'smom]

Costco, in addition to the walmart thing, they also carry a lot of organics and had a better selection of things we were intrested in (a least a few years ago)

[ceeveg]

Good to know! Thank you so much!

[Norasmomma]

Another Costco fan here, they are a Washington State business and that's where I live. Plus they aren't owned by Walmart and they treat their employees very well. Also much of the Kirkland signature brands are national brands with Kirkland signature on the label-like their juice boxes, olive oil, og milk and some other products.

Also if you don't like something they have a no-hassle guarantee.

[ShaggyDaddy]

we have found them to be almost exactly the same, especially for produce we buy the same brand of the same organic products at sams that we used to buy at costco (we moved, and costco is too far now).

The thing we REALLY REALLY miss... Kirkland organic shelf stable soymilk (we bought it by the case and it was a staple)... Sams has nothing like that just the 3 pack of refrigerated Silk, like at a normal grocery store, which I find vastly less convenient, and inferior in quality.

[Amys1st]

Sam's - owned by Walmart. I have my issues, enough said on the topic.

Costco- I go w my friend who has a membership thru her Dad. I find the bulk staples and wine are very good deals but that is about it. I also go to Gordon Food Service who has outlets in the midwest. They are free to go into and have several good bulk deals as well.

My sister and BIL swear by Costco. They do their car stuff, travel, eye glasses, Rx and all their grocery etc thru costco. My Dad tags along w them sometimes to buy wine and liquor.

I think if you're looking for ready made things, it could be a good deal but I cook from scratch so I buy butter, flour, vegatable oil, juice boxes, wine, cream cheese, cheddar, and sometimes hot dogs which I have now found cheaper at GFS. I get my produce delivered but I will pick up the strawberries, grapes etc if organic. Besides, a 10 lb pack of strawberries in my house would get eaten within days or sometimes hours if I dont watch it!

[dillonandmarasmom]

Costco. Hands down. Generally happy employees, organic products, fair prices, etc.

Sam's is a WalMart company. That's it.

[wendyland]

We just did a tour of costco this week. They really didn't have enough of the type of foods that we eat to make it worth it. I'm so glad we did a visit before commiting to a year. I recommend checking it out first.

I don't recommend sams at all. mainly because of the walmart ownership. But, they also had even less of the foods that we eat. I went there several years ago becuase I could get diapers cheap. That was before I knew more about walmart.

[lolar2]

Morally, Costco. Strictly from the shopper's POV, it doesn't matter.

[kirstenb]

Originally Posted by dillonandmarasmom

Costco. Hands down. Generally happy employees, organic products, fair prices, etc.

Sam's is a WalMart company. That's it.

Yep. Same here.

[KariM]

We like Costco better (and have been members of both in the past). I like the organics available at Costco, but I do miss the business supplies that we could purchase in bulk at Sam's Club (like printer paper, ink, etc).

[BookGoddess]

I didn't realize Sam's is a Wal-Mart company.

We shopt at Costco and we're happy with them.

[Llyra]

Costco has decent labor practices, and a lot of their Kirkland brand is made in the USA. I'll gladly shop there. My mom gets me a free membership through her union. My stepdad's union also supports Costco.

Sam's is Walmart. I wouldn't shop there unless it was that or starvation, in terms of ethics.

But in terms of prices and stuff, I guess they're about the same.

[Tangled Hill]

Originally Posted by Ola_

Personally I prefer Costco. Their house (Kirkland) brand also has very good quality for a great price.

If it matters to you, Sam's is owned by Wal-mart. In general Costco has very good employee policies.

This is why, when my parents offered to get us a membership to one of the two, we chose Costco. I've been extremely happy with their prices and selection so far. No complaints whatsoever.

[aja-belly]

i like costco better, but sams is much easier for us to get to.

almost everything that we get we can get from either (mostly produce and a few frozen foods).

[ceeveg]

Costco it is!!

[mum4boys]

Costco here too what every body has stated.

[baileyandmikey]

Costco... love the fruits and veggies and the organics.