Our Costco said my 92 year old mother had to have a membership in order to come in and have her hearing tested. Where I live, a car is required to shop anywhere, even local stores. If you’ve been contemplating a warehouse membership OR just want to check out the products and services that each club offers before signing up, here are ways that you can shop in-club for free! What do you all know about the Join for $45 Get $45 back? If you don’t have a membership, the cashiers treat you like you are cheating them. 7. But my parents used to shop there quite a bit. Thanks to community member karthik_r for finding this deal. Treat people with kindness and remember the golden rule. We value privacy. Do I understand right that we have to pay with a Costco Cash Card? This site provides general info & entertainment & should not be considered financial advice. Sams only allows extra cash d per household according to the rules on the app. Costco wouldn’t let me in to eat at their food court without being a member. when you get home it’s still frozen. It’s only when I enter in the regular entrance that they look for the card. It has been about twice a year thus far that they have offered this, so don’t miss out on the deal this time. so it cost me $25 Just bring the prescription from your doctor, tell the greeter that you’re using the pharmacy, and they’ll let you in. That tells people the cheapest price. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on H2S Email (Opens in new window), Click to share on SMS (Opens in new window). So I keep a deep freezer just for that. Sam's Club Credit Online Account Management. Maybe if we had a large family it would be worth it. 1.29 lb ground beef. I’ll sometimes head to the furniture and sit a bit and let her do her thing. We are thinking of dropping our membership at Costco for now. Sams saves me a lot of money, and I love the Kerrygold cheese I can get there for amazing prices and a big chunk of it. Well the whole country doesn’t live like that. Really makes me not want to even go there sometimes. Also, according to an online rep, you do not need to be a Sam’s Club member in order to purchase food items from the Sam’s Club Café, and there is not a 10% non-member service fee. Sam’s Club will bring snacks, and give whatever promotional deal they have at the time to everyone that wants a membership, including the company itself. Both options include a 12-month Sam’s Club membership and a complimentary household card for shopping. There are some exceptions that I’ll cover. Is Costco Executive Membership Worth it? The pharmacy has member and non-member pricing for people not using insurance. Sam’s Club has a very forgiving membership fee refund policy: 100% Membership Satisfaction Guarantee. My area Sam’s (2 different ones) do not require you show your member card to enter any longer. Oh awesome! Sam's Club Christmas Sale: 20% off select Gift Cards | 12-Month Membership + $45 Gift Card for $45. I was amazed at all of the items there. So if you’re not a Costco member and you shop with a cash card, can you only buy as much money as you have on the cash card? You’re not gonna catch me becoming a member any time soon. And for those prescriptions, there is not a 10% non-member service fee. Also, I get all my prescriptions from Costco and save a lot of money on them! You can hardly find an associate in a particular department if you have questions. You just have to be a Costco member to purchase or reload Costco Cash Cards. Lost, stolen or damaged gift cards cannot be replaced without proof of purchase. I have been using insurance on 30 day prescriptions at Walmart. Recently, I’ve also given Sam’s Club a try (and done a full Sam’s Club Vs. Costco review). i do agree with people who say sams club and costco are not worth the membership and their prices are higher, I live in Los Angeles, I have had costco for a year, and been sam’s club member for 10 months now, and i have been unemployed for over 2 years now (due to health after military). I shop with coupons, comparison shop before every grocery run, keep track of sales and specials. They don’t check IDs or ask for membership cards at the food court register. It’s been absolute AGES since I’ve been in a COSTCO. I have used her membership card without her being with me and never had any problems. Hip Tip: Check out some of our favorite menu items from the Costco food court! Plenty of things are cheaper at Sam’s and Costco. There is a new Sam’s Club membership cancellation page, where you are presented with 2 options: A full refund by e-gift card. I guess that opinion would only apply depending on where you live.. Where I live, a car is required no matter where you shop, and local stores are definately NOT cheaper. Hi Tina! Members get a bigger discount. The sale of alcohol is highly regulated, and in most states, membership stores like Sam’s Club and Costco must offer equal access and pricing for alcohol to all consumers, regardless of membership status. However, in order to purchase or reload a Costco Shop Card, you’ll need to be a member, so consider asking a friend or family member to purchase/reload one for you and you can reimburse them. The Sam’s Club website lists Walmart gift cards and Walmart eGift cards as accepted payment methods. Site by I have a love/hate relationship with Costco. Where I live, I am required to have a car. Steps. Non-members can shop in-club at Costco without paying a membership fee if you have a Costco Shop Card, which is their version of a gift card. There is the personal financial dilemma about whether or not to shell out the price for an annual membership fee if you don’t know what the store even has to offer in the first place. Since you are buying things with your membership number, the customer service is able to track and reprint your receipt. You gotta remember, they started off catering to businesses. But in order to buy anything else we would need a membership card to check out at the register, correct? I’m a savvy shopper and would truly appreciate your response. I think it really depends on what items you are purchasing regularly, I’m sure that wouldn’t be true for everyone. Read our full disclosure policy here. You will … Go here for the latest Sam’s Club membership deal! Am I wrong? Was so awesome last year, mine is about to expire in a couple of weeks. There is 1 being built now far from where I work in Mooresville,NC. i live over 20 miles from where i work, and the nearest store is over 10 miles from where i live, and even the people that live in town drive to the store. vouchers at samsclub.com is in your hands. The real question is, why wouldn’t people shop there when the prices are clearly marked for people to research. @Richard Sommers, Costco and Sam’s Club are not more expensive than local stores. Protect this Disney Gift Card and treat it as you would cash. Could you link where it says we can do that? Just like anything else, one has to be an informed shopper. The Best Sam's Club Membership Deals Now. Bummer. You should do some research. I’ve spilt the contents of my wallet at the entrance trying to show my card. Consult an independent financial advisor for your specific situation. Is Costco Executive Membership Worth it? I will not pay over $2 for one check it out next time in Costco. Also, if you subscribe to Shipt, you don’t need a membership, but would receive a 5% discount if you did. how long does it take you to walk a block? I can say with certainty I do not miss either of those memberships even with our large family. I noticed that there was cheaper gas at Sam’s Club if you’re not a member can you get gas ⛽️, We live in Ontario Canada and go to NF NY about once every 6 weeks to have lunch at Seneca Casino and shop a bit at Sam’s Club ~ we find different things at Sam’s that we can’t get in Canada and gas is about 1/2 the price of what we pay back home ~ I don’t know if it is really worth it a we pay 30%+ extra on the dollar but we has a fun day . and the time. That makes a difference to me. If you know someone who is a Costco member, you can tag along with them since all members can bring up to two guests and children into the warehouse. 2. You don’t need cash to buy something from the Costco food court. Sometimes it’s to go to the restroom first, sometimes it’s to get food, and sometimes it’s to get a motorized cart, but they never ask for a card check on that side. Gift card will be provided at the time membership card is issued. Do you HAVE to buy only bulk items? They even have specialty items I can’t find anywhere else that really helps our allergy/organic diets. The problem is when I go to these clubs one needs a club ID to enter. Items such as flour …sugar and seasonings are also more expensive. This also includes immunizations, such as flu shots. Yes, you can use a Walmart gift card at Sam’s Club. We’ll have to check for that! She not only reimburses me, her purchases are on my Costco Visa card so I get extra reward points towards my membership renewal…I have the Executive membership so each renewal I’m basically getting the Executive part for free. 7. $45 off (2 days ago) Sam’s Club itself is offering its latest special promotion that can get you an annual membership basically for free. What if I used a Sams Club gift card or PayPal account to pay for my purchase? Back to what this post is about I am a Kroger shopper for most of my food. I know all this because I’ve spent some time in the store when getting my meds from the pharmacy. We hardly ever go out to eat or get fast food. I think it is a ripoff. Now this is just a me thing but we are blessed to have a local grocery store just down the street that runs fabulous deals on meat. I wrote an email to the company to see if it was nation-wide and they said yes they are stopping those passes. At that, you even use the word “most” products. Just my 2 cents as a mother of 5 and a frugal shooper of food and many other things (Goodwill for life) for over 20 years. However, note that you will be charged a 10% non-member service fee for all purchases. What are ya waiting for?! Also, for our costco, no membership then no purchase with cash card. I am an avid Target shopper and know most of their prices. Let me guess, you “HATE” Walmart too don’t you. I don’t think it’s ok where I live to eat the food with out a membership. The only drawback, she goes once a year so it’s not a quick in-out by any means. The benefits of doing so might not be as great as at Costco, where you can find significantly lower prices on the Kirkland alcohol offerings than with similar name brands. Hip Tip: Go here for the latest Sam’s Club membership deal! At both Kroger and Meijer I often find that in the morning or early afternoon I can get clearanced vegetables, fruit, meat, breads, cheeses, dips ect that still have plenty of life left in them and can plan my meals for the next coming days around those. Costco prices are not more expensive than conventional supermarkets. We get the point that you need a membership to buy!! Don’t let those beefed-up 70 year-old bouncer greeters dissuade you from your right to enter the store. Similarly, Sam’s Club also allows members to bring up to two guests and children to Sam’s Club; however, only members can make purchases. My membership number is on my account so it sends me an order confirmation, reminder that it charges 5% additional unless I renew, but always charges the sale price. But since it appears you live in NYC, maybe that is their normal operating mode. If you have a Costco nearby and are headed in-club to pick up a prescription or get your vision/hearing tested, you may be able to purchase items from the food court without having a membership (note that this appears to vary by location as some readers have not had luck with this)! This eliminates the risk of a “wasted” membership fee. I doubt they will tail anybody in the store to make sure they are going to the pharmacy. Q: Can you use a Walmart gift card at Sam’s Club? When you’re paying extra money to shop with them, they should bend over backwards to please you. I previously covered how to shop at Costco without a membership to give an extra nudge for readers to do so. We let our membership lapse last year. Is Any? Sorry I’m not sure what happened there. That’s what my daughter does! Will Gap Inc. Visa Cardholders get a Costco membership free again this year? Anyhow, this is not the reality for most people in the United States. It’s a day out with her and that’s the main thing. I do miss the bagels and pizza though! Sometimes the offer gives as much back in products as the membership costs. Not sure which account you have? By using this site, you are agreeing to the site's terms of use. i am yet to try trader joe’s regular milk, if it turns out easy on my stomach then i wont be renewing my sam’s club if i dont get any kind of discount. As for items in the stores, I agree, a bigger variety isn’t always a key thing in shopping. I went to Sam’s Club last week with a free day pass and was told that they’re not accepting them anymore! The fifth prescription is still cheaper at Walmart because it is on their 90 days for $10.10 list. Was given a cash card as credit, then bought coffee with the credit. As someone stated above, the cashier’s friendly demeanor changed when she realized I was a non-member. And they wouldn’t let me in the store. That’s why people shop there. I’m so disappointed by the people who are trying to make this a political issue, talking about “liberal vs conservative” crap. You just have to be a member in order to buy or reload one. Federal law about anyone being able to use any pharmacy. Select the link you're interested in—My Credit Cards. Here is How (Updated 2021), How to Pay Taxes with a Credit Card (and Profit), The U.S. is the Most Overworked Nation in the World. All Sam’s club members can add up to 8 members at no charge?!? Costco is extremely strict when it comes to letting people into their doors. Plus, Costco members receive one free household card for anyone over the age of 18 and living at the same address, which allows them to shop without having to tag along with the primary member. We have membership but under my husband and mom. Similar to the One Day Pass, you can also shop online at the Sam’s Club website, samsclub.com, with a 10% non-member service fee up-charge (Costco has a similar up-charge, but it is only 5%). I haven’t been to a Costco yet. I totally agree. Sam's Club Membership Promotion $25 eGift Card. Hi Sandy, I was told that you can use a Costco Cash Card without a membership. So frustrating. Yes. I bet you would like to find some legal loophole to shut them all down too. I completely understand that’s what it’s all about. Last visit at BJs all items I bought had coupons and one was a couponless discount. Thanks for your help. If you wanna save a few bucks, you may also try asking a member to add you to their account. I Run the Numbers. Must be something in the training to try to get us “non-members” to “convert,” LOL. Sam’s Club commonly holds what’s known as an “Open House” event, and during this event, you can attend the club without the need for a membership. You have to shop with blinders on yo do all your shopping at Costco, Sam’s club or BJS. Grabbing a hot dog at costco isn’t ‘shopping’. FYI the January health screening is this Saturday, the 11th. Thank you. You can also shop on Costco.com using a Costco Shop Card. Also they have organics for most of the items and there are no choice if you want cheat non-organic option. Unfortunately, Sam’s Club gift cards cannot be used to make purchases if you are not a member and it appears that they no longer offer their free one-day in-club passes like they used to previously. While Sam’s Club isn’t quite as aligned to my grocery purchasing habits, I recognize that not everyone focuses on a healthy, organic, mostly vegetarian diet like me. It's just $45 to join, though if you become a member before January 3, Sam's Club will also throw in a $45 Sam's Club gift card for free! The easiest way to get into Sam’s Club and shop without a membership is to Print This One-Day Pass for free. We have an Executive Membership and every year the rewards we get back is usually enough or more than enough to pay our yearly membership fees. It’s not cheap which is why nobody lives downtown London or Tokyo either, NYC population is one tiny fraction of the world’s population; don’t use that as a benchmark for the rest of the world. *Contact your local Sam’s Club Pharmacy for hours and availability. how to shop at Costco without a membership. There’s many people who need to buy in bulk because they’ve got large families or perhaps businesses, like my parents. I shop at Costco’s and I’ll give you an example of one specific product which brought me here to search for Sam’s: moderator can delete the product name if it is not permissible to post in this blog. The selection at Aldi’s sucks…you cannot get 1/3 of what you need at Aldi’s…. It’s more than just the lower half of Manhattan. If you’ve ever allured by Sam’s Club warehouse price but did not like the idea of paying an extra $45 membership fee, join $45 and get $45 off for a $45 Sam’s Club gift card.