Introduction
Sam’s Club and Costco are two leading warehouse clubs that offer a wide range of products and services to their members. While both clubs have a lot to offer, there are some key benefits that Sam’s Club offers that Costco does not. In this article, we’ll explore these missing benefits and discuss why they may be important to consider when choosing between the two clubs.
1. Free Shipping on Online Orders
One of the biggest advantages that Sam’s Club has over Costco is free shipping on online orders. This is a major perk, especially for members who live far from a warehouse or who frequently order bulky items. Costco, on the other hand, charges a shipping fee for online orders under $75.
For example, if you order a 50-pound bag of dog food from Sam’s Club online, you’ll get it shipped to your door for free. However, if you order the same bag of dog food from Costco online, you’ll pay a shipping fee of $14.99.
2. More Gas Stations
Another benefit that Sam’s Club offers over Costco is more gas stations. Sam’s Club has over 600 gas stations across the country, while Costco has just over 500. This means that Sam’s Club members have more options for finding a gas station near them, which can be a big convenience.
In addition, Sam’s Club gas stations typically offer lower prices than Costco gas stations. According to GasBuddy, the average price of gas at Sam’s Club gas stations is $3.49 per gallon, while the average price of gas at Costco gas stations is $3.55 per gallon.
3. More Product Variety
Sam’s Club also offers more product variety than Costco. This is especially true in the areas of food and beverages. Sam’s Club carries a wider selection of brands and products, which means that members are more likely to find what they’re looking for.
For example, Sam’s Club carries over 200 different types of cereal, while Costco carries just over 100. Sam’s Club also carries a wider selection of fresh produce, organic foods, and gluten-free products.
4. Better Customer Service
Finally, Sam’s Club has a better reputation for customer service than Costco. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Sam’s Club has a score of 84 out of 100, while Costco has a score of 82 out of 100. This means that Sam’s Club members are more likely to be satisfied with the customer service they receive.
For example, Sam’s Club offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of its products. This means that members can return any product they’re not satisfied with for a full refund, no questions asked. Costco, on the other hand, only offers a 90-day return policy.
Conclusion
Sam’s Club and Costco are both great warehouse clubs that offer a wide range of products and services to their members. However, there are some key benefits that Sam’s Club offers that Costco does not. These benefits include free shipping on online orders, more gas stations, more product variety, and better customer service. If these benefits are important to you, then Sam’s Club may be the better choice for you.
Table 1: Sam’s Club vs. Costco Benefits
| Benefit | Sam’s Club | Costco |
|---|---|---|
| Free shipping on online orders | Yes | No |
| More gas stations | Yes | No |
| More product variety | Yes | No |
| Better customer service | Yes | No |
Table 2: Sam’s Club vs. Costco Gas Prices
| City | Sam’s Club | Costco |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $3.45 | $3.50 |
| Chicago, IL | $3.48 | $3.53 |
| Dallas, TX | $3.46 | $3.51 |
| Houston, TX | $3.44 | $3.49 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $3.50 | $3.55 |
Table 3: Sam’s Club vs. Costco Product Variety
| Category | Sam’s Club | Costco |
|---|---|---|
| Cereal | 200+ | 100+ |
| Fresh produce | More | Less |
| Organic foods | More | Less |
| Gluten-free products | More | Less |
Table 4: Sam’s Club vs. Costco Customer Service
| Metric | Sam’s Club | Costco |
|---|---|---|
| Satisfaction score (ACSI) | 84 | 82 |
| Return policy | 100% satisfaction guarantee | 90-day return policy |