Additional Coverage:
- 13 Overpriced Sam’s Club Items You Should Skip (financebuzz.com)
Not Everything’s a Steal: 14 Items You Might Want to Skip at Sam’s Club
We all love a good bulk buy, and a Sam’s Club membership can be a fantastic way to keep your pantry, freezer, and even your party supplies fully stocked. But hold your horses, bargain hunters! Not every item under the Sam’s Club roof is going to save you big bucks.
As your friendly neighborhood consumer reporter, I’m here to shed some light on what might not be the best deal at your favorite warehouse retailer. Let’s dive in:
1. Fresh Fruit
Those colorful displays of apples and pears can be tempting, but before you load up, do the math. Compare the per-unit cost with your local grocery store.
More importantly, consider if you can actually devour that mountain of fruit before it starts to resemble a science experiment. Smaller quantities from a regular supermarket might save you money in the long run by preventing waste.
2. Milk
Milk is a household staple, and with grocery store prices on the rise, grabbing a gallon at Sam’s Club seems like a no-brainer. However, a quick price check might surprise you.
While Sam’s Club offers a standard one-gallon option, you could find better savings at its sister store, Walmart. It pays to compare!
3. Books
While it’s fun to browse the book section, you might find yourself paying more than you would elsewhere. Online retailers like Amazon often offer new books at competitive prices and even have used options for an even deeper discount.
4. Spices
Spices are essential for adding flavor, but they can lose their potency over time. Those jumbo-sized containers might seem like a great deal, but if it takes you ages to get through them, you could be adding less flavor for more money. Stick to smaller quantities at your local grocery store for maximum zest.
5. Soda
Planning a barbecue or just stocking up for the family? Sam’s Club has plenty of soda options.
But before you fill your cart, check your local grocery store’s weekly ads. Soda is a common sale item, and you might find a better per-can price closer to home.
6. Laundry Detergent
Did you know laundry detergent has an expiration date? After a certain point, it may not clean your clothes as effectively.
Before committing to a bulk jug, calculate how long it takes your household to go through detergent. You might be better off with smaller, more frequently purchased bottles from the grocery store.
7. Diapers
Ah, the never-ending expense of diapers! While Sam’s Club might seem like a smart move for new parents, a per-unit comparison could reveal that other stores, like Walmart, offer a better deal. Always compare prices before you stock up for your little one.
8. Dog Beds
Our furry friends deserve the best, but that doesn’t always mean buying their new bed at Sam’s Club. You might be surprised to find more affordable options, and sometimes a wider selection, at other pet retailers.
9. Chips
Similar to soda, chips are a snack food often featured in grocery store sales. Before you grab that giant box at Sam’s Club, scout out your local supermarket for deals and discounts. You might save more cash by buying in smaller quantities when they’re on sale.
10. Holiday Decor
Getting festive is fun, but don’t limit your decor hunt to Sam’s Club. Dollar stores often have similar items for less, and craft stores frequently run sales that can help you deck the halls without breaking the bank.
11. Furniture
While you could potentially cover your membership cost with furniture savings at Sam’s Club, it’s not a guarantee. Other furniture retailers might offer a broader selection and more competitive pricing, depending on what you’re looking for.
12. Medication
Stocking up on essentials like aspirin or allergy medicine at Sam’s Club can be tempting. However, medications have expiration dates.
Consider how much you’ll realistically use before it goes bad. A smaller package from your local pharmacy might be the more practical choice.
13. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a daily essential, especially for families. But before you load up on multi-packs at Sam’s Club, check out the sales and deals at your local grocery store or pharmacy. You might find better savings on this everyday item elsewhere.
The Bottom Line: Be a Savvy Shopper!
Sam’s Club definitely offers some fantastic deals and bulk options, but the key to truly saving money is comparison shopping. Always compare per-unit costs, even when buying in bulk.
Sometimes, that “deal” at your local grocery store, or even a different big box retailer, might be the real money-saver. Happy shopping!
Read More About This Story:
- 13 Overpriced Sam’s Club Items You Should Skip (financebuzz.com)