I have finally taken the time to read all the statements, stories on Costco shopping.... we have always shopped at Sams Club... the nearest one is 35 miles away.... there is a Costco probably about the same distance....we go probably 4 times a year... not real Alcohol drinkers... honestly it sounds like Costco is the go to place to shop... and I know its preference... but IS Costco a better shopping experience.... Dave
The decision of whether to shop at one place or the other is a personal choice. I am a Costco fan (no surprise) because of my long history of being involved with the company. I like how Costco treats its Members, their Employees, and the overall quality experience of shopping there. I have been into Sam's Club a number of times over the years, and at one point I actually had a membership (Shocker, I know. We were traveling for a year in an RV, and the locations we traveled didn't offer a Costco at the time.). Overall, I felt the merchandise quality wasn't up to the same standard as Costco. When that membership expired I didn't renew it. Sam's membership offers a few perks nowadays that Costco doesn't, and vice versa. So it bears exploring.
The best way to know if it's worth it to YOU is to try it. It'll cost you $60 to find out. You have zero to lose - membership fees are FULLY REFUNDABLE at any point during the membership year, if you don't feel it's worth it to you. So you'd have time to try it out, experience the good things you've been reading about, and compare it to your Sam's experience. Compare merchandise quality between the two. Your membership also lets you shop on Costco.com, where you can find great deals on travel and rental cars, too, in addition to a lot of items that are not available in the local warehouse. If you think it's not enough to keep it, then just cancel the membership and get your $60 back, or let it expire. There is also nothing that says you can't have a membership at both places. It all comes down to how you shop, and what is important to you.
Dave
P.S. In reply to Zinger's comment above - go to the Mall on a Saturday afternoon and you'll have the same experience. The same people are shopping there. The best times to shop at Costco are at the dinner hour or later, or any weekday afternoon around 3, and those crowds are way down. Weekend days are the worst time to go. Just like with rush hour traffic, you have to decide how bad you want to deal with it.