Sam's Club wins the battle against Costco in the USA: its members already know it

In the competitive world of buying clubs in the United States, details make the difference for consumers. Some chains are innovating to attract their most loyal customers with exclusive benefits. The recent news about changes in early access policies has caused quite a stir on social media.

Starting July 1, Costco will allow its executive members to enter stores from 9 a.m. (9:00), a new feature that doesn't go unnoticed. However, those who are already members of Sam's Club know that this kind of privilege isn't new for them. 

Early access: a key advantage for Sam's Club

Sam's Club has been offering its Plus members the possibility to enter their stores one hour before the general public for years. This means that from 8 a.m. (8:00), these members can shop more calmly and without crowds. The benefit extends for two hours, giving them exclusive time to choose products without the rush or crowds, according to The Sun.

In comparison, the new measure from Costco represents a change, but it doesn't match the privilege Sam's Club offers. In addition, many users have expressed on social media that one hour of early access may be insufficient to compete with the experience they already enjoy at Sam's Club. One user commented: "I'm in and out of Sam's Club before 9." This shows that the customer community values the greater flexibility and time this chain offers.

This advantage also impacts the perception of service quality. Sam's Club has managed to build a loyal member base thanks to these details that make a difference in the shopping experience. For many, early access is a decisive factor when choosing where to do their wholesale shopping.

Customer reactions and comparisons with Costco

The news from Costco was received with some humor and skepticism among users. In the official post, one comment said: "The award for best announcement goes to you." Another added ironically: "Excellent, now I won't have to shop with the commoners." However, most pointed out that Costco's benefit, while welcome, doesn't reach the level that Sam's Club has offered for some time.

Some customers showed a clear preference for Sam's Club, mentioning that they take advantage of the early opening to do their shopping and then head to Costco. A popular comment said: "I go to Sam's Club at 8 and then head to Costco at 9, got it." This reveals that for many users, Sam's Club remains the most practical and convenient option.

There were also criticisms about the time Costco chose for this exclusive opening. Several pointed out that 9 a.m. (9:00) may be an impractical time, since most people are at work. Others suggested that for the measure to be attractive, they should include other benefits, such as free samples, which are highly valued by shoppers.