Sams Wholesale Club
Sams Club Online vs. Sams Club Stores

Sams Wholesale Club
The Pros & Cons of Sams Club Online vs Sams Club Stores

Most Sams Wholesale Club Members still prefer shopping in the Sams Club Stores but Sams Club Online offers some distinct advantages.

Sams Wholesale Club
The Fees Are The Same For Sams Club Online or Sams Club Stores

If you are not already a Sams Wholesale Club member then you will need to pay for a membership either at one of your local Sams Club Stores or through the Sams Club Online Website.  A business account membership will run you $30 to $35. The cost savings on 5lb containers of mayo and toothpaste a few times a year will make up your membership cost.

What You’ll Find At Sams Club Online vs Sams Wholesale Club Stores

Sams Club Online Offers Auctions
Something Sams Wholesale Club Stores Do Not

Auctions SamsClub.com offers an auction area that is very similar to Ebay. And like Ebay you must have a Sams Club Online account before you can bid on anything; but there is no additional cost to bid on their auctions.  It is the same account you get when you register with your Sam’s Club Online account.

Another fun aspect of using Sams Club Online is Plunging Prices. When Sams Wholesale Club online wants to get rid of some over stocked products or products they no longer wish to carry, these items will start at a certain price and you can buy it at that price or wait for the price to plunge. They actually tell you when the price will plunge at what hour of the day. So if you buy at the right time you can get a terrific deal, but you also might lose the product if others buy it at the higher price before you are willing to buy.

Sams Wholesale Club Payments:  The Same For Sams Club Online & Sams Club Stores

Sams Wholesale Club Shipping
Not The Same For Sams Club Online vs. Sams Club Stores

Obviously shipping is something to consider when purchasing through Sams Club Online.

Calculating your cost of shipping from your local Sams Club Stores is fairly easy:  the cost of gas and wear and tear on your vehicle to drive to and from your local Sams Club stores over the course of the year.

To calculate your Sams Club online shipping costs is a little more complicated.  Sams Club online determines your shipping cost by your zip code so I can not provide you with any real numbers, but their shipping costs are comparable to other sites like Walmart.com or Target.com and typically compare a little better.

Sams Wholesale Club Return Policy
Not The Same For Sams Club Online vs. Sams Club Stores

Sams Club Stores have a terrific return policy. If you are near a Sam’s Wholesale Club store you can take almost any item to that store and they will generally either refund your money or allow you to exchange your defective item.

And that is true for most items you purchase through Sams Club Online as well.  But be sure to read their FAQ because large items and jewelry cannot be returned to Sams Club Stores. They have a Sams Club online return process that you need to follow and they outline it for you. You will be refunded shipping costs only on shipping errors made by Sam’s Club. Online Site Performance.

Sams Wholesale Club Overall
Sams Club Online vs. Sams Club Stores

If you don’t have Sam’s Club stores near you I would not recommend paying for a Sams Wholesale Club membership as the Sams Club online experience is just not worth the annual membership fee plus the shipping.  But if you do have Sams Club stores near you then it is really worth the Sams Wholesale Club membership costs as you can do most of your shopping in the local store and pick up some good deals and compare prices with Sams Club online.  Overall Sams Club online could use some improvements with performance as the Same Club online performance can be a bit slow but customer service, shipping times, prices and products are all of the highest quality.