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As one of the leading warehouse retailers, Sam’s Club provides several opportunities to save money and time. However, warehouse memberships might feel like a commitment, so it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you need or want a membership to shop at Sam’s Club. That said, whether you’re new to Sam’s Club or a seasoned shopper, here’s what you need to know about Sam’s Club memberships.
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Sam’s Club membership fees are cheaper than competitors while offering various excellent, worthwhile benefits. In addition, since it focuses on bulk purchasing, the membership is great for businesses and larger families. Unfortunately, however, you can’tshare Sam’s Club membership cards.
Families and businesses will find Sam’s Club memberships worthwhile since the wholesaler benefits individuals who require bulk buying. However, this does not entirely rule out most individuals. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at all the benefits a Sam’s Club membership offers and how to cancel if it’s not for you.
Is It Worth Getting A Sam’s Club Membership?
Sam Walton, the Henry Ford of retail shopping, created Sam’s Club, which has kept American pantries loaded for almost 40 years. In addition,Walton also created Walmart. Although there are other warehouse clubs in America, its devotees say this one is the best.
But, of course, if you want to shop there, you must purchase a membership, so they could just be correct. Nevertheless, with just under 600 sites scattered over 44 states, Sam’s Club may deserve as much attention as Costco.
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With a similar product selection, free samples that taste just as good, and a lower membership fee, Sam’s Club provides benefits similar to those of its competitors—including Member’s Mark, its own store brand that competes with Costco’s Kirkland line.
So if you’re considering getting a wholesale club membership, keep Sam’s Club in mind while weighing your alternatives.
But before you hand over your hard-earned income in return for a Sam’s Club membership card (or any other wholesale club membership), you should thoroughly examine the advantages and downsides to ensure that the membership is genuinely worth the money. That being said, here’s what you need to know to help you determine whether it’s worth it for you.
Sam’s Club Membership Fees Are Cheaper Than Competitors
The annual cost of a regular Sam’s Club membership is $45; the annual cost of a Sam’s Plus membership is $100 – which beats both Costcos and BJ’s standard and premium membership fees. In addition, both membership levels provide the option to purchase additional membership for $40 per year and one card (plus one complimentary household membership to share).
Additionally, they provide exclusive member advantages, including access to Sam’s Club Tire & Battery locations and petrol stations.
Furthermore, as part of the warehouse club’s ongoing promotion, new members can receive $45 off their first in-club purchase (of $45 or more) when they sign up. That said, provided that you use the credit within 60 days of the time that it is loaded to your new account, this effectively makes membership free for the entire year.
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The more premium Sam’s Club Plus membership gives you access to extra benefits, such as the chance to earn 2% in cash rewards (up to $500 annually) on eligible purchases.
After each membership year, rewards are credited to your Sam’s Club account and can be used on purchases made online, in-person, or through the Club’s mobile app. (You may also choose to exchange them for actual cash in your hand.)
You’ll need to spend at least $5,000 annually to recover your $100 membership fee. However, members of Sam’s Club Plus receive advantages, including free delivery on online purchases and reductions on eyeglass frames and lenses.
Membership Comparision Between Sam’s Club And Costco
Sam’s Club memberships cost between 16 and 25 percent less than Costco memberships, with the biggest savings (a 25 percent difference) occurring between the cheapest packages (Club at Sam’s Club and Gold Star at Costco).
Costco memberships are available for as little as $60 per year (Gold Star) and as much as $120 per year (Gold Star Executive). In addition, executive members receive 2% back on all purchases, including those made at Costco Travel.
The cost of joining Sam’s Club (Club) is $45 per year and can reach $100 per year (Plus). In addition, members are entitled to free shipping, optical, pharmacy, and warehouse early shopping hours.
Sam’s Club Offers a Variety of Excellent Worthwhile Benefits
Sam’s Club has two membership options. You can join Sam’s Club online or in person at the Club’s Member Services counter. The following are some saucy perks both membership tiers have to offer:
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Sam’s Club – Club Membership
The ‘Club’ membership is the standard membership tier that comes with the essentials most wholesaler memberships offer with Sam’s twist.
- Access to lower gas prices with the members-only fuel savings
- Free flat tire repair and battery testing
- Extra discounts on top of the already cheap member-only rates
- Curbside Pickup allows you to order, pay, and park all in one place ($4 per Pickup for Club members)
- Give a complimentary membership to someone in your family
Sam’s Club – Sam’s Plus Membership
The ‘Plus’ membership is their higher-tier membership that includes the same essential perks of the standard tier plus more. The following is what is added on top of the standard tier.
- Get 2% back on qualified purchases, up to $500 each year
- Free shipping is offered when you shop online or through the app
- Pharmacy Savings with over 600 generics beginning at $4
- Get 20% off a complete pair of eyeglasses and free delivery on contact lenses
- Curbside Pickup allows you to order, pay, and park all in one place (free for plus members)
- Earlier access to the store: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (two hours before stores open for all members)
Pro tip: If you get a no-fee Sam’s Club Mastercard credit card, you’ll earn 5% cash back on gas and 3% cashback on eating and takeaway. Regular Sam’s Club members will additionally receive 1% cash back on Sam’s Club retail purchases. In comparison, Plus members will receive 5% (the 2% they now receive plus an extra 3% for the credit card transaction).
The Membership Is Great For Businesses And Larger Families
A Sam’s Club membership is worthwhile if you have a family or operate a business. However, if it is only for oneself, and if you are limited on storage space, then it is not worth considering. The basic membership is only $45 and comes with two cards (one for you and one for someone you know).
They provide a wide range of items for both personal and business usage. Much of their merchandise is inexpensive since it is sold in quantity (such as toilet paper, water bottles, cereal, and so on), but some of it is not (like electronics). The notion is that buying in bulk costs more upfront but saves money in the long term.
If the card is only for you, it is not optimal because a single individual does not consume as much material. However, this does not imply that Sam’s Club is solely appropriate for large families. Membership may not be appropriate for a single person living alone, but it may be for roommates, couples, small families, and everyone in between.
The good news is that you may join without hesitation since each Sam’s Club membership comes with a money-back guarantee that allows you to request a refund of your membership price for the present year at any time, no questions asked. In addition, Sam’s Club frequently conducts deals that lower costs even further.
They also have a terrific credit card (with 5% cash back on gas!) Sam’s Club also has a fantastic return policy, with a 90-day return period on anything in the store, and they will frequently let you reimburse goods after the fact since Sam’s Club wants to “please the member.” That said, Sam’s Club has one of the best return policies for electronics – just keep that in mind.
One of the significant disadvantages, especially if you and others in your family share shopping responsibilities. When someone joins Sam’s Club, their name is printed on the card, and they are the only ones who may use it. According to Sam’s Club, membership includes a card for one additional person from your family – and that’s it.
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Assume you and your partner wish to acquire a card for your kids, that are now adults. Technically, you can add them to your plan, but it will cost you – almost as much as obtaining them their own membership. For example, if you paid $45 for a regular membership, you might add up to eight more persons to your account for $40 each.
If you purchased the Plus membership, you could add up to 16 more persons for an additional $40 apiece. And those 16 people do not receive a Plus membership; instead, they receive a standard membership, which would cost them $45 if they purchased it themselves.
Furthermore, their membership will expire simultaneously as the primary members, while they may pay less if only a few months remain. As a result, some may not find this complete venture entirely worth it.
Know How To Cancel If You Do Not Want To Auto-Renew Your Membership
Not everyone appreciates an auto-renew policy after realizing that they no longer need the services or recently moved and found a closer wholesaler to begin a new relationship with them. Fortunately, Sam’s Club is not too difficult to deal with when it comes to cancellations.
The first issue to consider is, “Can you have your Sam’s Club membership cost reimbursed?” Fortunately, you may – and not only if you are a client dealing with a specific scenario, but any Sam’s Club or Plus customer.
The Sam’s Club Terms and Conditions state that “100% Satisfaction Guarantee: If you are dissatisfied with your membership, just notify us, and we will terminate your membership and return the money paid for your current year’s membership cost. There is a limit of one Plus tier Membership reimbursem*nt per member or business per year, notwithstanding anything to the contrary.”
Now that we’ve established that you may have your Sam’s Club membership reimbursed, let’s talk about how to do it. There are two choices accessible to you.
Request a refund at any Sam’s Club store’s membership customer care desk.
That is all. However, this assumes that a store is open near you, which may no longer be the case if you have recently moved away. There are alternative possibilities if there isn’t one (or if you don’t want to waste time/money going there).
Call Sam’s Club customer care to terminate your membership and receive a refund of your membership fee.
Cancel memberships without add-ons by contacting 1-888-433-7267—Call 1-888-746-7726 to cancel a membership with add-ons. One of the many benefits of Sam’s Club is that you may cancel at any time.
Can You Shop At The Club Without A Membership?
Yes, but only if you’re accompanied by someone with a membership – which only applies to shopping at their warehouse.
If you shop at Sam’s Club only occasionally, investing in membership is probably not worth it. But that doesn’t mean you won’t need to go to the wholesale Club occasionally, such as when it’s your turn to host an occasion.
Sam’s Club, like Costco, enables members to bring up to two visitors with them when shopping. However, remember that only members can make purchases, so you’ll have to pay the individual back afterward.
You do not, however, require a membership to shop at SamsClub.com. But this is crucial! Everything you buy will be marked up by 10% if you choose to purchase online. As a result, I only advocate this strategy if you infrequently purchase at Sam’s Club or know you’ll only need to do it once or twice. Otherwise, join a member to avoid paying that markup!
Is There A Free Sam’s Club Membership Free Trial Application?
Sam’s Club provides a 90-day trial period as a primary Club member. You’ll get access to everything a Club member has. Your trial membership is set to auto-renew, converting you to a full member after 90 days. Don’t be concerned! If you don’t want to join, you can cancel at any moment before the 90-day period ends – just don’t forget!
Does Sam’s Club Have A House Brand Similar To Costco’s Kirkland?
Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark brand is similar to Costco’s Kirkland brand. Similarly, Sam’s Club’s proprietary brand, Member’s Mark, was designed to give consumers the lowest pricing for the best quality items. Walmart, Sam’s Club’s parent corporation, manufactures it in the United States. Sam’s Club is the primary retailer of Member’s Mark items.
Keep The Change With Sam’s Club
So, does Sam’s Club really help you save money? It most definitely can, but membership isn’t for everyone. However, a warehouse store membership frequently makes financial sense for families and people with enough room in their houses to shop in bulk, and of course, if you live near a Sam’s Club.
As a warehouse club with a limited-item concept, you must purchase a membership to shop there — however, you may visit a store with a member friend, which you may want to try before committing anyhow.
