Costco or Sam's Club

[Mark R]

i hear you, you might be surprised, its just nice to shake the hand of the guy that raises your food, or maybe even pet the hog thats destined for your smoker.

heres a spot that seemed to have a few sources(not sure where in FL. you are at)

http://www.eatwild.com/products/florida.html

or these cats:

http://www.cognitofarm.com/Cognito_Farm/Home.html

i just googled florida pork came up with a few options.

Yea there are two about 90 miles from me. I'm on their mailing lists but they are sold out long before I can get down there. Pre ordered.
They have a waiting list just to order.

[chisoxjim]

Yea there are two about 90 miles from me. I'm on their mailing lists but they are sold out long before I can get down there. Pre ordered.
They have a waiting list just to order.

ouch...

[Abelman]

I've shopped both but it's been so long since I have been to Sam's, I can't even comment on it.

I actually drive by one on the way to Costco. Great in house brand and the meats are excellent.

[Slanted88]

No Costco in Panama City...they keep saying they gonna build one...nearest is Tallahassee...was there twice last week lookin at airplanes...should have done the day pass gig!

[SmokinOutBack]

Some of us have to go with what's available, not all of us live in a place where you can go shake the paw of the pig or steer you're looking to eat sometime. In these parts, and I'm talkin' the suburbs of Philadelphia, you have your grocery stores, and then you have your Costco and Restaurant Depot, which give you a huge selection, a better price buying in bulk, and it's a lot better than what a normal grocery store has to offer. Quit Sams years ago after visiting a Costco, no comparison in quality, service, and the general feeling when you walk in the door.

[RowdyRay]

I have access to both. Long story. Had the Sam's for the last 15 years through work. Only had the Costco for a couple years. Only pay like 25 bucks for Sam's and nothing for the Costco. They both have their advantages.

Costco's meats are always higher priced per pound. 10-30 cents, depending on the cut. They claim it's a better grade, but can't see or taste any difference. What do I know? I'm no expert. Don't like giving money to the Walmart empire, but Sam's gives us the best case price on butts for deer processing. When you buy two 60# cases it adds up.

Costco carries tri tips. Sam's does not.

Everything else whether its clothing, sporting goods or food, is very close in price and quality. Have never had to return anything to either one. Crazy, right? Can't say that for other major stores.

Costco carries tri tips. Sam's does not.

I have never experienced a difference in quality, service, or general "feeling" when I walk into either. They're both warehouse stores. Get a day pass. If you're paying full price, out of your pocket, check them both out. Your experience may differ. Take notes on prices. Compare. Go with what works best for you.

Did I mention Costco carries tri tips?

[someAZdude]

Costco treats their employees much better. What does this have to do with it?
Happy employees are invested in the business. They care. Unhappy employees.....well, I've worked in places like that.
I have a membership at both. Sam's sells certain things that Costco doesn't and vice versa.
Returns will be easier at Costco.
My Costcos sell prime beef and Sam's doesn't.
Sam's sells bone in Pork butts and Costco sells boneless.
Sam's sells whole packer brisket and Costco sells trimmed flats.
If I had to choose based on the things I buy most often I'd have to go with Costco but I like going into Sam's once in a while for some things so fortunatley I don't have to choose.

I used to work for Sam's and at the same time my wife was working for Costco. I assure you that there is a completely different mentality and moral between the two companies.

[chisoxjim]

Some of us have to go with what's available, not all of us live in a place where you can go shake the paw of the pig or steer you're looking to eat sometime. In these parts, and I'm talkin' the suburbs of Philadelphia, you have your grocery stores, and then you have your Costco and Restaurant Depot, which give you a huge selection, a better price buying in bulk, and it's a lot better than what a normal grocery store has to offer. Quit Sams years ago after visiting a Costco, no comparison in quality, service, and the general feeling when you walk in the door.

I could go to Costco or SAMs still, much easier to get to, but less rewarding. My Berkshire guy is about an hour drive away, same goes for a new shrimp guy i want to use. Cooking the freshest and the best i can get my hands on is the goal. That and not funneling cash to faceless corporations. Plus what's more fun, taking some time with your family and visiting a farm vs grabbing some factory farmed cryo pack meat. Our future, your choice.

[Mark R]

I could go to Costco or SAMs still, much easier to get to, but less rewarding. My Berkshire guy is about an hour drive away, same goes for a new shrimp guy i want to use. Cooking the freshest and the best i can get my hands on is the goal. That and not funneling cash to faceless corporations. Plus what's more fun, taking some time with your family and visiting a farm vs grabbing some factory farmed cryo pack meat. Our future, your choice.

Fresh Shrimp....in Chicago??? Gulf shrimp or farm raised?

[nickelmore]

I could go to Costco or SAMs still, much easier to get to, but less rewarding. My Berkshire guy is about an hour drive away, same goes for a new shrimp guy i want to use. Cooking the freshest and the best i can get my hands on is the goal. That and not funneling cash to faceless corporations. Plus what's more fun, taking some time with your family and visiting a farm vs grabbing some factory farmed cryo pack meat. Our future, your choice.

I think he is holding back on me a bit......but he did turn me onto an Asian market which is down the street from where I work.

The only meat that I ever bought from Sams club were the broaster chickens that RonP turned me onto. The same ones they sell already cooked in the from of the store. You have to ask the meat manager for them and then convince them that they do sell them by the case and that they do have a code for it.

I have a Sams card and and RD card, have not bought meat at either in years.

[AJ]

I pass by Sam's on my daily commute. Costco is 54 miles away in El Paso, TX. I hate going to El Paso, TX so I dropped my membership there.

I have found Sam's has the best meat (steaks, roasts, etc) in my area for the price. There is a small boutique market that has nice steaks but they are outrageously priced. No butchers in the area.

[Doug S.]

Some of us have to go with what's available, not all of us live in a place where you can go shake the paw of the pig or steer you're looking to eat sometime.

OK somebody owes me a new computer now just spit coffee all over this one

[Meat Hunter]

We just did the guest tour of the new Costco last week. Was very impressed with the items and like Dana said, they have several higher end products, but with that comes higher price. We currently have a Sams club, but more and more, I detest the Sams/Walmart stores, namely for their greed that seems to have escalated ever since Sam Walton died. Not to mention, the sheer quality of produce is for shit at our Sams.

The only neg I had with out Costco tour was the price of meat. Sams beat em hands down on pork butts. When I asked what the case price of butts were at Costco, they were the same as individual packs. No price break, nor did they meet Sams price.

For now, we are just hitting Wally world when we need a few things, otherwise, we hit the Hy-Vee.

[Noboundaries]

It has been years since we've belonged to Sam's but we had memberships in both for years. The service, cleanliness, lighting, and layout of the Costcos just left Sam's in the dirt but they carried different stuff that we liked so we shopped at both places. Unfortunately we had to check our receipts closely at Sam's because we found errors on almost every checkout. It would say one thing on the aisle and came up higher priced at the register. That was the proverbial breaker of the camel's back for us so we dropped Sam's and never looked back.

Although we buy a lot of stuff at Costco, Costco is the ONLY place we buy anything electronic. All our TV's, laptops, desktops, monitors, HD receivers, BD players, speaker systems, digital cameras, etc come from Costco. Costco has a policy that should they drop their price in 90 days they'll refund you the difference as long as you have the receipt. They'll also take returns on electronics up to 90 days with the receipt with manager approval. I received two lower price refunds on the last HDTV I bought that put $200 back in my pocket. I just check their prices online or when I'm in the store. If I see a lower priced difference, I grab the receipt and go get the money!

We've been members of the retailer since the early 80s. Our initial membership was with Price Club on the West coast, a retailer that was purchased by Costco. Costco would have to screw up big time to lose us as members. Sam's already made that mistake.

[erain]

Yea there are two about 90 miles from me. I'm on their mailing lists but they are sold out long before I can get down there. Pre ordered.
They have a waiting list just to order.

Dang, did a craigslist search for your area, only think i could find is 6 chickens and some ducks. Dont look like your in the middle of Fl farming areas. If you were I bet you would be taking advantage of it.

I have access to both. Long story. Had the Sam's for the last 15 years through work. Only had the Costco for a couple years. Only pay like 25 bucks for Sam's and nothing for the Costco. They both have their advantages.

Costco's meats are always higher priced per pound. 10-30 cents, depending on the cut. They claim it's a better grade, but can't see or taste any difference. What do I know? I'm no expert. Don't like giving money to the Walmart empire, but Sam's gives us the best case price on butts for deer processing. When you buy two 60# cases it adds up.

Costco carries tri tips. Sam's does not.

Everything else whether its clothing, sporting goods or food, is very close in price and quality. Have never had to return anything to either one. Crazy, right? Can't say that for other major stores.

Costco carries tri tips. Sam's does not.

I have never experienced a difference in quality, service, or general "feeling" when I walk into either. They're both warehouse stores. Get a day pass. If you're paying full price, out of your pocket, check them both out. Your experience may differ. Take notes on prices. Compare. Go with what works best for you.

Did I mention Costco carries tri tips?

Did anyone mention Costco has Tri tips to you yet???

I could go to Costco or SAMs still, much easier to get to, but less rewarding. My Berkshire guy is about an hour drive away, same goes for a new shrimp guy i want to use. Cooking the freshest and the best i can get my hands on is the goal. That and not funneling cash to faceless corporations. Plus what's more fun, taking some time with your family and visiting a farm vs grabbing some factory farmed cryo pack meat. Our future, your choice.

It is great to be able to live in an area where you can go straight to the farm, and I aint talking a farm which commercially raises product either. These are the people I want to see my money go to as they are not making much of a profit if any as it is. Actually I get mine from a guy who raises his own for himself and family. Just lucky he will raise a couple for me an BIL... That said there is only a coupla racks per hog.. BB's stay with the chops, So i do end up buying some ribs, and mebe a cupla butts from an outlet. Same with briskets as I buy little beef, some ribeyes now and again otherwise elk and deer is our main meat. We are very fortunate to have the option to support our local farmers Jim!