I hope this isn't too good to be true

**ladycat** · #1 09/04/13, 08:42 PM

I got an offer in the mail for a free one year membership to Sam's Club. Yes, a whole year! I read all the fine print and can't find a catch. It says bring the card they sent me into Sam's Club with my photo id and they will activate my membership.

I'm going to go in there and hope there's not a catch that I'm not finding. *crossing fingers*

Assuming it's for real, I'll have a year to do some serious stocking up there if I find good enough deals. And my understanding is you can order online from Sam's Club and get free shipping (I think). If so, I may find reason to take advantage of that feature, too.

Ozarks Tom · #2 09/04/13, 09:40 PM

Yup, we always get a flat cart, you can't get enough in their oversize baskets. They have one program that's not worth the money though. It's where they notify you of specials. I think it costs $40. We never buy what they have on those specials, so we took them up on their money back offer.

Oldcountryboy · #3 09/04/13, 10:01 PM

That would be the only way I would shop at Sam's is if they gave me a free membership. Otherwise, I just don't shop there enough to pay for the usual membership fee. Awesome place to shop if you got a business tho!

scooter · #4 09/05/13, 05:49 AM

I've been a member at Sam's for years and I've never been offered a free 1 year membership.

It would sure be nice if they would do that for their long time members.

**ladycat** · #5 09/05/13, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

I've been a member at Sam's for years and I've never been offered a free 1 year membership.

It would sure be nice if they would do that for their long time members.

They know long time members will keep paying. They're trying to get new members. They figure if they can get someone going there for a year, they'll want to keep going and will pay for the next year.

GoldenCityMuse · #6 09/06/13, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladycat

They know long time members will keep paying. They're trying to get new members. They figure if they can get someone going there for a year, they'll want to keep going and will pay for the next year.

That is correct.

If you are a current member, let your membership lapse, and maybe they will offer you an incentive.

BTW, I am not a memeber of Sam's, Costco or any membership place.

I just shop closeouts and clearance, and have a small chest freezer.

dizzy · #7 09/07/13, 06:02 AM

I used to have a membership in BJs. But, I didn't shop there enough to make it worthwhile, plus I found that I actually spent MORE on food because I was buying stuff I wouldn't normally buy cuz it was cheap.

simi-steading · #8 09/07/13, 06:17 AM

Free sounds good.. but wait until you troll the isles.. .

I've been a member of Costo and Sams for years.. I never get out of either for less than the price of a deep sea fishing expedition..

Too much good stuff to reel in and stock up on...

I hope this isn't too good to be true - Survival & Emergency Preparedness

I hope this isn't too good to be true - Survival & Emergency Preparedness

**Roadking** · #9 09/07/13, 11:03 AM

I just got a free 60 day trial from BJ's...but it's 35 minutes away. Not sure I'd save enough to justify the time and gas. Maybe if I'm in the area, I'll give it a try, just hardly ever in that direction. I keep the card and envelope in the truck.

Matt

**ladycat** · #10 09/07/13, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simi-steading

Free sounds good.. but wait until you troll the isles.. .

I've been a member of Costo and Sams for years.. I never get out of either for less than the price of a deep sea fishing expedition..

Too much good stuff to reel in and stock up on...

To begin with, I'm not a fish, I'm a cherry picker.

And I wouldn't be able to spend much money there anyhow, I don't have much money, and I can't spend what I don't have.

And honestly, I doubt I'll find more than a few good deals. I get such good prices using coupons on sales, I seriously doubt the same items would be as cheap as Sam's.

I am hoping to find at least a few good deals, though. Whatever I find, I'll get as much as practicable.

simi-steading · #11 09/07/13, 02:01 PM

I buy a lot of meat there because the prices are a lot cheaper than at the grocery stores, and the quality is a lot better.

It's also really hard to pick up a few pairs of good heavy jeans at $14 a pair...

You do have to be careful though, you may think you are getting a deal on some things, but as a whole, there are some great savings.. .You just have to buy in bulk to get most of them.. That's what makes it expensive out the door, but you don't shop near as often for a lot of things.

Ozarks Tom · #12 09/07/13, 03:39 PM

We've been known to buy #10 cans of veggies and re-can them into servings for two. Also, their spices are in restaurant sizes, and lots cheaper per ounce than what we can find at regular stores.

**ladycat** · #13 09/07/13, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozarks Tom

We've been known to buy #10 cans of veggies and re-can them into servings for two. Also, their spices are in restaurant sizes, and lots cheaper per ounce than what we can find at regular stores.

Both of those are items I get by combining coupons with the right sales.

Regular size cans of (name brand) veggies for 25 cents (and sometimes 15 cents) each. I price match the dollar store sales at Walmart and of course use the coupons on top of that.

Spices for free to pennies. I do that by watching for the spice/seasoning coupons that come out during the holiday cooking season, and then using them with the Albertson's megasales. I get TONS of spices free every year, and some of the more expensive stuff (that's usually several dollars each) for 50 cents or less.

I also get lots of free baking powder by using coupons with the Walgreens and dollar store sales.

Ohio dreamer · #14 09/07/13, 05:42 PM

When we had a Sam's membership I found bread flour and white rice were a steal there (although rice prices jumped at our just as we let our membership lapse). The bread flour and rice were $1-2 dollars cheaper per sack then anything else I could find - and all the "bulk shopping stores" were in the same region as Sam's so the gas was the same either way. Meat was a good deal sometimes, too....especially on Monday Mornings

1# blocks of yeast (packaged in two's) was half the price of anywhere else. Everyone else had the same price for 1-1# block. I stocked on all of those things before we let our member ship lapse. Been 18 Months and I still have 5# of yeast and 3 buckets of flour I packaged up. Just bought more rice at GFS - they were just starting to under cut Sam's rice price when we left Sam's....so I'm betting it's still better at GFS.

Vanilla use to be a great deal....use to get 16 oz of pure extract for under $4, that was going up - but check, it might be still better then other places.

**ladycat** · #15 09/07/13, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio dreamer

I stocked on all of those things before we let our member ship lapse. Been 18 Months and I still have 5# of yeast and 3 buckets of flour I packaged up.

See, that's what I'm hoping for- if they do have prices on some things I use better than what I normally can get, I want to stock up as much as possible. Non-food items generally will keep for many years if you store them properly.

Perishable food items could be canned or oven canned.

terri9630 · #16 09/08/13, 06:54 PM

I don't like using membership or rewards cards. Call me paranoid, but I don't like having all my purchases recorded and kept in a database.

**ladycat** · #17 09/08/13, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terri9630

I don't like using membership or rewards cards. Call me paranoid, but I don't like having all my purchases recorded and kept in a database.

If you use a debit card, that happens anyhow.

terri9630 · #18 09/08/13, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladycat

If you use a debit card, that happens anyhow.

I try to use cash for most things. Clothese or the occasional fast food I dont care. Anything I buy for storage I use cash.

**ladycat** · #19 09/08/13, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozarks Tom

Also, their spices are in restaurant sizes, and lots cheaper per ounce than what we can find at regular stores.

The one spice/seasoning I'm always getting low on is onion powder. I looked on Sam's website and it showed a 7oz. onion powder for $2.88 or something, which is really steep. Do they have a better deal in-store? I would buy a 5# bag if they have such a thing at a great price.

Terri in WV · #20 09/08/13, 09:12 PM

Having followed along with you as you've posted your deals and shopping habits, I'd say that you will be disappointed in shopping at Sam's. You won't be able to get the deals that you're used to. I don't have access to the coupons and stores, so head to Sam's for general savings and cherry pick at the other stores available.

Sam's doesn't really put things "on sale" although they do have savings on a few items for advantage members. They will also reduce end of season items and give better prices on meat by the case.