We used to be member’s of Costco and let that laspe at renewal time because it was just a little too far away in the wrong direction.
We are members of Amazon Prime.
I received a code today to join Sam’s Club for $45 then get that $45 as a discount when I buy $45 or more in qualified items. I do not know how hard or easy it will be to find enough qualified items.
We have one Sam’s Club in town, it will take 25 minutes to get there, it is in a part of town we do not go to very often.
Is it worth it? I imagine I could find $45 worth of stuff to get in order to use the discount, even if I have to start thinking about next Christmas already.
I think since the membership would be essentially free, that is the perfect time for you to try it. I prefer Sam’s Club over Costco. We have a Costco in our town, so I do have a membership there. The closest Sam’s Club used to be 30 min away, but that one closed. I did have a membership one year, with a similar deal, but didn’t renew due to the distance. The closest Sam’s Club now is about 40 min away. I do go probably once a year, and just stop at the front desk and ask for a guest pass. I just pay a 6% mark up (I think) on anything I buy that day.
Years ago had it when offered by H’s work. But then discontinued it when empty nesters and such large quantities were too much. I find that getting sales at other stores just as cost effective for us. Think about your buying habits.
We joined Sam’s Club a little over 4 years ago. We decided to join because we were going to be driving 17 hours to our DD2’s house for Christmas and wanted to take advantage of cheaper gas along the way. I like Sam’s.
We don’t live close, but the Sam’s is in the closest city near us. We usually go 2-4 times a month. There are certain items that we buy, and a lot that we don’t. I know when items we do purchase go on sale, so wait for the sales to really save. We also have a lake property, so we are always purchasing tp, paper towels, laundry detergent, etc.
With a deal like that, I would probably try it for a year.
My favorite money savers at Sam’s are paper towels, toilet paper, great meat (always good–only place I really buy meat). Good veggies (peppers, salad fixings–we eat a lot).
Like the photography services.
With the deal you’ve got I’d probably sign up at least to start.
I have both Costco and Sam’s Club basic memberships. They complement each other very well as far as our needs are concerned, and the rewards we’re accruing from both memberships pay for themselves and much more, as we typically get back about $80 from Costco and close to $300 from Sam’s Club each year.
For gas, we go to Sam’s Club exclusively as it’s credit/membership card offers 5% reward as opposed to Costco’s 4%. The line is almost always available at Sam’s whereas the line is quite long at Costco. For restaurants, we use either credit card since both offer 3% reward.
Both frequently send us coupon books, and we always use those for extra savings. Over the past summer, I replaced all the carpets in the house with high quality laminate woods that I purchased from Sam’s when they had $7 off discount on each box. That project alone saved me hundreds of $$. There are other things like tires, travel, home remodeling, etc. savings, too. So, yes, it’s worth having a membership.
Thanks for the heads up. I just downloaded the offer for joining Sam’s Club and then getting a $45 credit back. We will be holding a meeting right next to the Sam’s Club location on a regular basis, so it will be handy getting refreshments there and going across the street to the meeting. Getting a free membership is nice. Be sure you read the fine print. You have to sign up for auto renewal of annual membership fees and have a valid email address. Must join before 3/7/19 to get offer. You can cancel auto renewal online at Sam’s Club at any time after enrolling.
I found the offer by searching online–Sam’s Club $45 credit and it appeared. I printed out the offer, which has to be presented to get the offer when you go to Sam’s Club.
@HImom I did go ahead and sign up. I was able to sign up on line because I had an email invite that said sign up online here. You may be able to sign up online through the link you found?
I got a email from Sam’s Club with a $5 gift card as a thank you for signing up online, then I though uh oh I did something wrong and won’t get the $45. So, I went and put something in my online cart and there was the $45 credit. So, I got paid $5 to sign up for a year’s membership. =D>
“We buy tires at Sam’s Club, which includes free balance and rotation whenever you want and free flat repair for the usable life of the tires. Also, for the first 3 years you get 24 roadside tire change service.”
I think we liked Costco better, but we are members in Sam’s due to local store. It is 4 miles away, part way between home and work - great for discount gas. They do have some interesting convenience foods. They are famous for the $5 rotisserie chickens, but lots of other refrigerated and frozen choices. (Watch the sodium.) If you eat hot dogs or pto beat the lunch deal (under $2 with drink). They also have pizza and slasd.
I buy the 19 cent bananas at trader joe’s. I wish we had a Costco or Sam’s near our home but it is really out of the way for us and we never drive in that area. It would be nice to take advantage of the cheaper gas, prescriptions, eyeglasses, and other good deals available.
btw: on the BH blog, a poster mentioned that s/he just purchased a set of tires at Sam’s but after driving home, noticed that the tires were made three years ago (date stamp per fed regs). Since rubber degrades over time, he contacted Sams about a newer set and they told him/her, ‘sorry, nothing we can/will do.’