6 Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make When Shopping At Sam’s Club, According To A Member
Make the most of your membership by avoiding these mistakes.
Courtesy of Sam's Club
When it comes to shopping at Sam’s Club, the shopping experience can sometimes be overwhelming, even if you’re a longtime member. Over the past few years Sam’s Club has introduced many new shopping features that can help save you time and money. As a longtime member and frequent visitor, I’ve learned the ins and outs of all of their offerings, and am shocked to see other people not taking advantage of all the ways Sam’s Club has improved the overall shopping experience and opportunities to save money.
Whether you’re a seasoned shopper or just became a member for the first time, these are the mistakes you may be making when shopping at Sam’s Club
Related: 10 Things Our Editors Always Buy At Sam's Club
Not Reviewing the Instant Savings Brochure
Instant Savings are extra discounts offered on select items for a limited time. You can view the Instant Savings brochure online or in the app before visiting the store, and the savings will also be noted on the price sign on the shelves. I recommend reviewing the savings and making a list of items you want to save on before visiting the club. There's almost always items I regularly purchase in the brochure, so I make sure to stock up before they go off sale. It’s a great way to save on items you regularly purchase as well as on new items you may want to try. Savings range from a couple dollars on food and cleaning items to hundreds of dollars on larger items like furniture and electronics.
Never Using Scan & Go
On the Sam’s Club app, they offer a Scan & Go feature which allows you to scan items on the app as you add them to your shopping cart then you can checkout completely on the app without having to visit a register. Not only is Scan & Go a convenient way to avoid long checkout lines and see your total before checking out, but there are also extra savings on select items throughout the store when you pay with Scan & Go. Like the Instant Savings, the discount will be shown on the price signs throughout the store.
To use Scan & Go, you simply add a payment method in the app, scan your items, and check out on the app when you’re done shopping. You’ll be given a QR code to use as your proof of purchase when exiting the store.
Standing in Line At the Café
If you’ve ever been to the Sam’s Club Café on a weekend, chances are you’ve waited in line to place your order at the Café. Instead of waiting, place your order on the app while you’re shopping and then you can proceed straight to the Scan & Go pickup area at the Café to pick up your order.
Skipping the Sample Machine
Not only does Sam’s Club offer food samples throughout the store at select times, but they also have a machine that dispenses packaged samples you can take home. Usually located on one of the frozen food aisles, you simply scan your membership card (the physical card or from the app) to receive your free sample. Previous samples I’ve collected include a 3-pack of Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Detergent Pacs, a Member's Mark Single Serve Coffee Cup, a sample of CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, and more.
Buying Tires Elsewhere
When you purchase tires at Sam’s Club, not only are they a great price(usually they’re offering an additional $70 to $100 off if you buy four tires), but there are many other perks. All in-tire installations include free roadside assistance and road hazard protection for four years as well as lifetime tire balance, rotation, and flat repair. After learning about all of these perks, I’ll never buy tires anywhere else. Plus, you can shop in the club while your tires are being installed or rotated, a win-win!
Bypassing The Gas Station
If you’re already at Sam’s Club, you should always stop by the gas station to fill up your tank for most likely much less than you can elsewhere. Scan and Go can also be utilized at the pump to make the process quicker and more convenient.
Related: 6 Mistakes You Should Never Make When Shopping At ALDI, According To A Frequent Shopper
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