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January 1, Sam’s Club Plus Changes Spark Outrage, Members Eye Costco Switch
Club warehouse shopping offers numerous benefits to its customers, including bulk purchasing, competitive prices, and additional perks like pharmacy and auto care services. But Sam’s Club members are now threatening to switch to Costco, unhappy with changes to the Plus membership plan.
The Sam’s Club Plus membership, which costs $110 annually, offers perks such as free curbside pickup, same-day delivery, members-only fuel savings, and exclusive deals. Until now, Plus also granted members free shipping on all orders without any minimum purchase requirement.
However, starting August 19, free shipping will only apply to orders above $50 pre-tax, with a flat-rate $8 shipping fee for smaller orders. Sam’s Club announced the change on its membership page, with a spokesperson stating that the company is “continuously working on providing an easier and more convenient shopping experience for our members.”
Many Sam’s Club Plus members disagree with the decision and are threatening to jump ship to Costco. One member wrote on social media, “Hey @SamsClub, how are spinning these new changes and now for plus members, we have to order $50 or more for free shipping?? You are taking away benefits. ENOUGH, respond back to your plus members. This is some BS!!! Don’t ghost us!”
Sam’s Club replied, “By adding a cart minimum, we are increasing access to different ways of shopping for our members. This will make it easier for you to get the products you want, the way and at the time you want.” However, the response was met with skepticism, with another user arguing that Sam’s Club isn’t simplifying the shopping experience for top-tier customers.
Others have expressed their disappointment, with some saying they will switch to Costco when their membership expires. One Plus shopper shared, “Free shipping is the reason I became a plus member. closest store is an hour away and am only able to shop in store every 2-3 mths. So incredibly disappointed.”
As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.
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Paula Swanson
July 19, 2024 at 7:47 am
I usually shop at the store. But sometimes an item I want/need is not in stock. I should get penalized for needing something that they don’t have available today? I already pay a big fee to be a member!! What’s the point when that membership no longer covers the one occasional convenience it advertised?? The other “benefits” aren’t all that important to me. Come on, Sam’s Club!!THINK! What would Sam Walton want for his customers? I know, after personally meeting him years back, that his number 1 concern was that his customers have a good experience. What you’re doing is not.
Darrell Eugene New
July 19, 2024 at 8:14 am
$50 minimum order seems reasonable to me.
CJHanson
July 19, 2024 at 8:34 am
I ordered 10 items last week and it came in 4 separate shipments.. No wonder you need to change shipping charges. Maybe need to manage your shipping warehouses better. Free shipping is the number one reason I pay for plus membership. My closest store is 35 miles away.
If you must make a change, how about $35 minimum like Walmart?
Lou Ellen Grant
July 19, 2024 at 8:51 am
I live over 30 miles away and very seldom go to the town where the Sam’s Club is located. I am seriously considering canceling my membership since I can’t get to the Sam’s Club when I need something right away. Plus, very hard to find a parking space, walk into the store, and find what you need. Forget about getting gas there.
harvey l richardson
July 19, 2024 at 9:47 am
It does not take much to rack up $50.00 these days. At the same time I can see the customers side also. They signed up for one thing and then it was removed. Almost like a bait and switch.
Hairballz2
July 19, 2024 at 11:26 am
Those say they are jumping ship to Costco will be very upset when Costco does the same thing.
George
July 19, 2024 at 9:14 pm
$50 minimum seems totally reasonable to me. Sounds like a bunch of cry babies that want the World to change their diapers as well. This is the generation that our educational institutions have created. Many of them are brainless – they need to think twice – COSCO just changed their policy as well so they won’t gain much if they switch.
Manetti
July 20, 2024 at 12:40 am
Shipping a $10.00 or similar priced item free is simply very bad business. I think $50.00 threshold for free shipping is reasonable. One could reasonably argue for a different minimum, say $40.00 or so, but some minimum makes sense.
Rich W
July 30, 2024 at 9:24 pm
$50 isn’t that much the ones complaining are the folks that order $10 a day worth of stuff.
Booth Brian
July 30, 2024 at 11:27 pm
50 is nothing. I live an hour away.
Judy
August 10, 2024 at 12:35 pm
I was a member of Sam’s Club for many years, but changed over to Costco about 2 years ago. The reason was that as I have gotten older, I am unable to find a parking space and it is very hard for me to walk that far and then find there are no riding buggies. I live about 50 miles from the closest Sam’s or Costco, so am unable to come very often. The last time I came, I was lucky enough to have my granddaughter with me. She finally found a parking space and went in to get a buggy and there were none available. She suggested we go to Costco which was very close. When I signed up at Costco, they asked why I had decided on Costco and I told them my problem. They guaranteed me that there would always be a buggy available, which I have found to be true. Saying that, I understand both sides of this dilemma with shipping charges. I have not ordered through Costco, but feel sure that customers will find the shipping charges there also. The only thing that I ordered and had delivered was a refrigerator. Shipping, installing, removing the old refrigerator or moving it elsewhere at my house were all free. Everything was done very smoothly and in a timely manner. When looking at other stores, I did not find this to be the case. (Note: I did not check at Sam’s.) There was a charge for delivery, set up and removal, plus it was several hundred dollars more expensive.
Terry Story
August 10, 2024 at 4:35 pm
Look at the fine print in the Costco ads before you decide to switch. They also charge more money for online buys and they do charge for shipping if your order doesn’t meet minimums. There are no free lunches, these are profit making businesses and they do what they have to in order to make money, and both of them make quite a lot which is why they are successful. If you don’t want to pay for shipping for small orders, but that stuff from somewhere else and pay the additional cost that they usually charge since most other places don’t do nearly the volume that Sam’s Club and Costco do to maintain the prices they charge.
CJ
August 18, 2024 at 8:28 am
I see no reason to pay the extra money to be a Plus member if I don’t get free shipping. I order multiple items and they come in many different shipments, that’s where you could save some money. Figure out how to manage your shipping processes. I will be canceling my Plus membership.
Steven
August 31, 2024 at 6:39 am
NO ONE that has priced both chains is even considering changing for this reason. EVERYONE that is thinking of changing would be considering the change anyway.