OT- Sam's club

Sam's club doesn't take Visa? I wanted to join and buy some things but they don't take Visa the lady said. I get 1% back and they end up paying me 15 or more dollars a month, so I'm not changing to a sam's master card.

Went cross the street to walmart and they take everything. I mentioned it to the cashier and she said, no wonder people are buying 500 dollar sam's gift cards.. C

"Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?" -Groucho Marrx

Reply to
N O
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Sam's has recently started taking MasterCard. The only plastic Costco accepts, I think, is Discover (and maybe AE).

You know why card issuers give you cash-back bonuses? To encourage you to spend more than you can pay back, so they can earn far more in interest than the 1% or 2% bonus. Sam with stores offering extra discounts on sale items if you use their plastic.

Perce

Reply to
Percival P. Cassidy

Pay cash. I realize that's not the American way, but you could...

Reply to
HeyBub

Why pay $1.00 when you can get something for $ .99? [or the $.97 I pay for gas or Amazon purchases- 2 different cards.]

Credit card companies have paid me nearly $1000 in the past year. I have paid them nothing.

Jim [not the OP- but another happy 'rewards' customer]

Reply to
Jim Elbrecht

Sure you have and so has every other customer because the merchant has to charge you and everyone else more to pay your "rewards".

Reply to
George

Sure, customer rewards programs are a common and accepted method of doing business.

Reply to
HeyBub

Well, There is no free lunch. Some how you will always pay for those awards programs. If you look around I would not be surprised if you could not find an card Sam's does that that offers some sort of awards program, maybe better than the one you have, at least you are likely to be able to if you credit score is high enough.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net (N O) wrote in news:15525-47CEEB2B-85@storefull-

3271.bay.webtv.net:

And why would anyone shop at a store where you have to pay to join? Forget that.

Reply to
RobertPatrick

I used to feel the same way, but then I found out why. Big savings. Butter at my local super market is $4+a pound for name brand. At BJ's (similar to Costco & Sam's) it is $1.88 for state brand, $2.29 for LoL. Cabot sharp cheddar cheese is about $2 a pound cheaper. Filling a propane tank saves me $5 or more each time. And the list goes on. Not to mention that the meat quality is better than most supermarkets also.

For a long time I figured screw them, but that $50 membership is paid for in a trip or two a year. Most of the club stores have one day passes so you can check them out. Before you go, note the price of some things you buy on a regular basis and then go compare. You won't replace the local market

100%, but you can go once in a while, stock up, save a bundle, then fill in the blanks as needed.

Most items are larger sizes or in two packs. Some items are not as big a savings. Everything is good quality though, event he store brands. Go with an open mind and a bit of price knowledge and you can easily save that membership cost in the first trip.

Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

The banking industry has actually gotten this written into law in many states, not just the agreements.

Reply to
Richard J Kinch

We don't bother because we found minimal value. We buy at a large local family owned market that has its own meat cutting department. They have good quality fresh meat in reasonable package sizes (or any size you want) at good prices and a large well stocked produce department where I can select any quantity I want at good prices. There are at least 3 conveniently located local places that will fill a propane tank for ~$8. I can buy tires at local place for less etc. It just doesn't make sense for us.

Reply to
George

Yep. There are quality compromises in some items (clothes are crappy even if they carry a brand; I don't care for Sam's Club prepared foods, some other kinds of items are only available in one variety or in weird variety packs), but for foods in bulk for freezing or storing, toiletries and OTC drugs, batteries, paper goods, select CD's and DVD's, printer ink - many many huge discounts that account for the membership fee in a trip or two. I make about four to six trips a year.

Banty

Reply to
Banty

Maybe that why I never see cash discounts in the 5 states where I normally travel. I guess you can buy anything you want if you distribute envelopes to the right politicians.

Reply to
George

costco takes american express and personal checks only.

Reply to
readandpostrosie

I save almost $300 every time I buy a 50-pound container of jalapeno peppers. At the super market, peppers come in 4 oz containers for $3.xx.

In the course of a year, this can really add up.

Reply to
HeyBub

Isn't it great that our hard working politicians are doing so much to ensure that each and every one of us consumers gets screwed equally? Got to love em.

Reply to
BobR

It is really like everything else, if you take care to shop wisely you can make the $50 membership look like a real bargain. Sams and the other membership clubs offer some real bargains for the smart shopper. They also are what they are, a discount outlet and as such they buy in bulk, sell in bulk, and sometimes quality is not there.

Reply to
BobR

You're both right.

Its a matter of getting at Sam's Club what Sam's Club is good for, and getting at other places the rest of the stuff.

My Sam's Club is about 20 miles away; so I factor in the distance/time/gas. Leading me to go more locally for propane as I don't want to be storing much or driving around with it too much, whatever the price. But if I want a pile of little farmed tilapia fillets to fry up for everyday cooking over the next few months Sam's Club is great - I separate them into bunches of a few and freeze 'em in sealed bags. When I want I quickly defrost them by putting the baggies in tepid water, bread 'em and fry 'em up. On the other hand if I want nice large fresh tilapia fillets for some special company dish I go to the same kind of place you do. I prefer fresh produce too - I only buy Sam's produce for special items I plan to freeze (blueberries for muffins out of season) or if I have a party planned. Party stuff in general (plates, etc.) Sam's volume is great. Stocking up on party supplies for our scale model hobby club - Sam's club for sure.

We are a small family of only two, so certain volume items I'd otherwise be interested in really aren't of use. I use a lot of peanut butter, but not THAT much peanut butter. One would have to be a restaurant to go through THAT much mayonnaise...

Wish I had discovered Sam's Club back when my son was in diapers...

But the main point is - I combine everything from Sam's Club to the local mega-super grocery store for other stuff Sam's doesn't have the variety for, to the local farm market for the stuff I want fresh. Theres little call for this to be seen as an either-or thing.

Banty

Reply to
Banty

And cash and debit cards.

Reply to
clifto

Now I'm not even sure the walmart cashier was right. I went back and asked a manager where the sams cards were and she said they didn't sell them.

I just came off of a free 3 month trial at BJ's and am hooked. I got used to the savings and got to use my VIsa. But I go back up north soon for the summer and there are no BJ's in that area. At least not the kind that issues membership cards..'>)

I have a mastercard account but cut it up a couple of years ago when I got my $$ house in order. But I think I'll have them send me a new one just for sam's, even if I don't get the 1%.

I like my Visa. I get 15 dollars a month (or so) from them and they get nothing from me. I'm enjoying a special 2.99% promo fo 6 months in case I slip up and leave a balance. I just called and asked for a better rate and got one..

"Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?" -Groucho Marrx

Reply to
N O

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