[Fredman]

Originally Posted by Neils

My uncles cousins sister told him that Costco was taking over Sams location in early 21

Sorry sams

Now I can sleep tonight

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I'm probably going to sign up for Sam's. Never would have considered it really, I hardly ever buy in bulk so there's very little "savings" for me anyway (plus other stores have sales that end up netting a much lower price at the end of the shopping trip, per ounce/pound/unit). But it's $45 to join and they give you a $45 Sam's gift card. That means free membership for a year. If I buy something just once this coming year, something that's cheaper than the same thing at Walmart, I will have saved money.

So I'm good with that!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

If it's free shipping you want Amazon Prime gives you 100x more value than Sam's since you wouldn't be going into the store in either case plus you get free movies, music and lots of other goodies. I only remain a member of Sam's for the local $1.50 dog n' soda (and even that's mostly gone now since no more sauerkraut or mustard or relish !)! Our once every 6 week or so trip to Costco & TJ's and Whole Foods covers everything that Sam's has plus more. Not going to renew my just expired Sam's membership until post-pandemic hot dog, soda & sauerkraut is back!

In addition to the free shipping we also do the majority of our food shopping there. Produce is very good and when we buy in larger quantities such as proteins easy to portion out and stick in our freezer.

Also have some amazing deals on clothing. Must have purchased 25 T shirts since we moved here earlier this year.

For what we normally buy there works great for us and with the Sams M/C get back a bunch of cash each year. The 3% cashback on travel is normally worth a lot to us, just not this year.

If we need help if figuring out what we need how hard is it to get elsewhere.

And we do buy quite a bit via Amazon.

[retiredguy123]

One reason to buy the upgraded Plus membership at Sam's is for people who use any prescription drugs that are not covered by insurance. You can often save a lot of money, way more than the extra membership cost.

Also, I always try to buy televisions, computers, and electronics at Sam's instead of Best Buy. Sam's has a 90 day return policy on these items, whereas the Best Buy return policy is 14 days.

[missypie]

I went with my 93 year old daddy to Sams. My daddy is real good in the AM, so we got there one hour before the regulars could come in. We didn't know there were special hours for upgraded folks. I asked the woman if my daddy could pick up his 3 items. A big NO. You can wait in your car we were told. My daddy complied but I'm saying he's old. So we left. I know rules are rules. I just cry for my daddy.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by missypie

I went with my 93 year old daddy to Sams. My daddy is real good in the AM, so we got there one hour before the regulars could come in. We didn't know there were special hours for upgraded folks. I asked the woman if my daddy could pick up his 3 items. A big NO. You can wait in your car we were told. My daddy complied but I'm saying he's old. So we left. I know rules are rules. I just cry for my daddy.

Warehouse stores operate differently than many other stores. Perhaps you could go on your own to get what he needs.

[La lamy]

I'm sorry Sam's has been such a turnoff for the OP. Regarding service in big box stores, I must say I've been very happy in the grocery section of Walmart. It's usually impossible to find someone for help in the rest of the store, but there's usually always someone restocking in the grocery part who's willing to help.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Chellybean

Sam's Store on 441 by Homedepot

Don't be conned folks the upgrades membership is a joke, other than getting in the store at 8 am which they don't have any employees that know what they are doing and not enough employees to service the customers. Its a Chit show!
Sam's is in a self destruct mode and I cant wait to see Costco here.
The Manager on Duty Lacey is Laughing with other employees instead of doing her job and helping the service desk with employees that don't know what they are doing PERIOD!
The General Manager is not watching the store and how it is running.
From 8:30 am to 9:36 am no one would pick up the phone in Tires and Batteries and or the service desk.
Try calling 352-751-5150.
Unbelievable!!!! Good luck folks, Sam's stores in my home town finally closed down due to poor customer service!!!
CRAZY!!!! No one cares!

Never understood why would paid to shop at store?

[Aw Man]

Originally Posted by Chellybean

What the heck is that suppose to mean!!!! BTW i don't take medication, Maybe you should take yours, Customer service in the villages is very poor in some big box stores, have you gone into Home depot and Lowes and try to find someone?

I’ve never had a problem getting knowledgeable help in local Home Depot and Lowe’s stores.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

One reason to buy the upgraded Plus membership at Sam's is for people who use any prescription drugs that are not covered by insurance. You can often save a lot of money, way more than the extra membership cost.

Also, I always try to buy televisions, computers, and electronics at Sam's instead of Best Buy. Sam's has a 90 day return policy on these items, whereas the Best Buy return policy is 14 days.

Have you ever tried returning electronics there? My ONE experience returning ANYTHING there was horrendous. I bought an Apple TV Box ($160) a few weeks ago and returned it the very next day still sealed with receipt because I found out that evening my kids sent me one from Apple direct as a b'day gift and I didn't know it. You'd have thought I had stolen it for what they put me through. First the counter person opened the SEALED BOX (I can understand that sort of), then she called her helper because she had to "authorize" it (I can understand that too) then her helper had to call the return lady manager to check out the (originally sealed) box to make sure nothing was missing but since she didn't have a list of contents of what is in the box (remote, Apple TV & 1 power cord) she had to find out if it was all there. After telling her it was sealed until the dummy opened it she said she still had to check. FINALLY, after almost 15 minutes, I got my refund. That's why I shop at Costco when I can.

At Costco (up North a few years ago) wife and I saw a woman in front of us on the return line after Thanksgiving return a full half-eaten meal including a cooked half eaten turkey, a pie and some other stuff and they took it back without one question. After she left wife asked the CS Lady how she could do that (both have the nerve to return it and to take back half eaten food) and her reply is "that is our policy, no questions asked." We were stunned.

[Debfrommaine]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I'm probably going to sign up for Sam's. Never would have considered it really, I hardly ever buy in bulk so there's very little "savings" for me anyway (plus other stores have sales that end up netting a much lower price at the end of the shopping trip, per ounce/pound/unit). But it's $45 to join and they give you a $45 Sam's gift card. That means free membership for a year. If I buy something just once this coming year, something that's cheaper than the same thing at Walmart, I will have saved money.

So I'm good with that!

I just did this......same reason, will give it a try. Customer Service was very good, they did ask me to upgrade membership but no need. We'll see what happens.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

Have you ever tried returning electronics there? My ONE experience returning ANYTHING there was horrendous. I bought an Apple TV Box ($160) a few weeks ago and returned it the very next day still sealed with receipt because I found out that evening my kids sent me one from Apple direct as a b'day gift and I didn't know it. You'd have thought I had stolen it for what they put me through. First the counter person opened the SEALED BOX (I can understand that sort of), then she called her helper because she had to "authorize" it (I can understand that too) then her helper had to call the return lady manager to check out the (originally sealed) box to make sure nothing was missing but since she didn't have a list of contents of what is in the box (remote, Apple TV & 1 power cord) she had to find out if it was all there. After telling her it was sealed until the dummy opened it she said she still had to check. FINALLY, after almost 15 minutes, I got my refund. That's why I shop at Costco when I can.

At Costco (up North a few years ago) wife and I saw a woman in front of us on the return line after Thanksgiving return a full half-eaten meal including a cooked half eaten turkey, a pie and some other stuff and they took it back without one question. After she left wife asked the CS Lady how she could do that (both have the nerve to return it and to take back half eaten food) and her reply is "that is our policy, no questions asked." We were stunned.

The 90 day return policy is especially good for anything with a screen, like a TV. Television warranties will not cover a few dead pixels which many screens develop during the first few months.

Costco is especially good for expensive jewelry because they will allow a return at any time, even years later. Try to do that with a local jewelry store. If you are lucky, you may get 10 percent of the purchase price instead of 100 percent at Costco.

[graciegirl]

In Cincinnati we belonged to them both. Excellent birthday cakes and good quality meat at Sam's. Bought a couple very nicely made bookcases and a beautiful nativity scene at Costco. Regularly shopped at both. I have enough dried onions forever and ever.

They are both warehouse stores. Not there to give you individual service, but their buying power is stellar and they do get good deals and good quality and some very nice items that arrive before season and aren't restocked.

When I'm not near the one I love best, I love best the one I'm near.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

In Cincinnati we belonged to them both. Excellent birthday cakes and good quality meat at Sam's. Bought a couple very nicely made bookcases and a beautiful nativity scene at Costco. Regularly shopped at both. I have enough dried onions forever and ever.

They are both warehouse stores. Not there to give you individual service, but their buying power is stellar and they do get good deals and good quality and some very nice items that arrive before season and aren't restocked.

When I'm not near the one I love best, I love best the one I'm near.

I think it's

"Love the one you're with"

Stephen Stills

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

It's not just The Villages, it's all "big box" stores and major chains. Sam's closed down MANY stores starting 3 years ago including the one in our FORMER home town which was less than 2 years old. Ever try finding help at a Macy's store? Even Nordstroms which was once the epitome of customer service has gone down the tubes in the stores that remain even BEFORE the pandemic. SERVICE left the big chain retail business years ago with the advent of online shopping.

How bright do you think it was building a new Sam's 12 miles apart? They really goofed up. We both felt that the one up near Newark Airport was a little bit on the dicey side to go to. We are still so happy to be here for the safety aspect of shopping. I also can't wait to shop again instead of all Pickup or delivery orders.

What did they ever do with the Sam's property that they closed? I haven't been back to the North since Christmas of 2018.

The service at both we felt was severely lacking. I'd rather be here and I think our Lady Lake Sam's Sucks Eggs! We still use it as part of the food planning process over here.