You walk into Sam’s Club, ready to stock your pantry with soup, crackers, and other essentials to make your membership worth it.
You’ll fill your cart with bulk items, guaranteeing you’ll be good for at least a season.
Except sometimes those low prices aren’t worth it. There are items at Member’s Mark that members unanimously agree are either misrepresented, inaccurate, or just plain bad.
Here are 15 of the worst.
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Member's Mark Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water
If you buy tuna in water, you expect it to be in water, right? With this Member’s Mark Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water, some members say it’s actually in vegetable broth.
It may also contain soy. Adding unwanted and unadvertised ingredients isn’t fair to unsuspecting consumers, so you may want to avoid it.
Member’s Mark Franks in a Blanket
Pigs in a blanket can’t go wrong… right? Wait until you try Member’s Mark Franks in a Blanket.
These little hot dogs in puff pastry lack the snap and crisp you want in this beloved appetizer.
Instead, they dry out quickly while cooking and are an underwhelming addition to your next party spread.
Member’s Mark cereal
Most Member’s Mark cereal probably tastes fine. It may not taste exactly like the name brand or be virtually indistinguishable. But unless you have an entire basketball team to feed, you probably shouldn’t buy it.
Cereal goes stale too quickly to get through a bulk bag of Member’s Mark cereal, and you’re better off paying a little more per ounce for a smaller package.
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Member’s Mark toilet paper
Some items at bulk stores like Sam’s Club appear to be repackaged versions of name-brand items, but toilet paper isn’t one of them.
People agree that Member’s Mark toilet paper is a flimsy alternative to your favorite brand, and you’re better off buying the largest size at a big box store.
Member’s Mark paper towels
In the same vein as the toilet paper, steer clear of the paper towels. You could end up going through half a roll just to clean up a single mess, and then are you really saving money?
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Member's Mark Cut Green Beans, 14.5-ounce, 12-count
Green mush isn’t appetizing for most people of a certain age, but according to reviewers, that’s what you’ll get with Member’s Mark Cut Green Beans.
Other words used to describe their texture are watery and stringy, which are not at the top of most home cooks' lists when they’re looking for an appetizing dinner.
Member’s Mark coffee
Member’s Mark coffee may taste great, but it won’t last long enough to make the bulk purchase worth it.
That’s not a dig at Sam’s Club. Coffee is only at peak flavor for a short time, and it’s unusual to get through an entire bag or can of coffee during that time.
If you have leftover coffee you don’t want to drink, you’re not saving money by buying in bulk.
Member's Mark Mandarin Oranges, 15-ounce, 10-count
When you purchase a can of mandarin oranges, you expect to get a can full of oranges.
But, according to reviewers, you might actually open up a can of mostly juice with this Member’s Mark purchase.
Not to mention, they may have a bitter taste rather than the sweet citrus you were hoping for.
Member’s Mark diapers
Member’s Mark diapers aren’t necessarily a bad buy because of their quality, but because you can probably find a similar brand-name product from a big-box store for a comparable price.
Instead of going to Sam's Club, look for coupons, sales, and even online subscriptions to get the best diaper deals.
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Member's Mark Tempura Orange Chicken
Even if it’s delicious and cheap, this Tempura Orange Chicken might not be worth it given how processed and unhealthy it is for most people, particularly those on specific meal plans.
This chicken has 18 grams of sugar and is high in sodium and saturated fat. It’s like eating a bowl of ice cream for dinner!
Member's Mark Tomato Sauce
There seems to be a rumor that the recipe of the once-delicious Member’s Mark Tomato Sauce has changed, turning it into something watery and salty.
It may be fine for some, particularly if you’re using it in a recipe, but perhaps don’t buy it as the star of your Sunday pasta sauce.
Member's Mark Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, 15-ounce, 12-count
Rotten and tough to chew aren’t descriptors you want to see in a review when picking up a simple can of sweet corn to throw in your salad.
But that’s the case with Member’s Mark Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, which may mean it’s best to stick to the name brand or generic from your local grocery store.
Member’s Mark laundry detergent
Laundry detergent can usually be found on sale and stacked with coupons at big-box stores, so there’s no need to buy it in bulk at Sam’s Club.
While the quality is going to be equivalent, the cost savings just aren’t there.
Member’s Mark Tropical Fruit Salad
Tropical fruit salad in a can is one of those delightfully retro foods, yet you might want to skip the Sam’s Club version if you’re trying to recapture your childhood.
Reviewers report that the Member’s Mark Tropical Fruit Salad has a chemical taste. While the taste should be somewhere between sugar and fruit, chemicals are not part of the equation.
Member’s Mark milk
While the quality is as good as the grocery store's, the price of Member’s Mark milk is generally the same as the grocery store's.
You won’t lose money on the deal or get a bad product, but it just doesn’t make sense to go out of your way to purchase milk from Sam’s Club to save money shopping.
Bottom line
Rock-bottom prices can sometimes come with rock-bottom quality, and you want to make sure you’re focusing on the items that actually are good deals.
Be sure to do a little research before grabbing that item with the lower price tag just to save money on groceries.
Some of the best buys include name brands like Lacroix or Doritos, where you already know and love the quality.
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FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
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