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6 Reasons to Never Shop at Sam's Club

Learn more about when you should skip this store.

By Erica Loop , Edited by Amanda Machado

Updated Oct. 8, 2026

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Inflation has sent consumers searching for better bargains. And warehouse clubs, like Sam's Club, have answered the call. According to recent SSRS statistics, 44% of households shop for groceries at these bulk-buy retailers.

Even though shoppers flock to Sam's Club for deals they can't get elsewhere, some members are no longer happy with the store. If you're wondering, "How can I make a Sam's Club membership worth it?", in some cases the answer is simply that you can't.

From the annual fee to crowded aisles, we rounded up the top customer complaints. So if you're not sure whether Sam's is your best (or most affordable) option, here are six reasons not to shop at this club.

Annual membership fee

Unlike Walmart, Target, and your local grocery store, Sam's Club charges an annual fee just to walk through the door. And if it exceeds what you could save, the added cost just isn't worth it.

Even if a membership makes financial sense for your family, you could end up paying more next year. In early 2026, the retailer announced a $10 increase, taking the Basic membership from $50 to $60 and the Plus membership from $110 to $120.

Members flocked to Reddit, complaining, "Higher prices, less perks. Cool!" and "I just canceled mine after letting it auto-renew for the past decade. I just can't justify the price increase."

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Online orders

Ordering your favorite products online is an easy way to save time and save money on gas. But if it doesn't go the way you expect, it's not a perk that will make you want to shop at Sam's.

One member posted their story on Facebook of an online order gone wrong, noting that after ordering one bag of large breed beef kibble dog food and three crew neck shirts, "Sam's sent the wrong dog food (salmon) and only sent one tee shirt…I called their 800 customer service number, which was a joke and a waste of time. I went in person to Sam's this afternoon and was told online orders are now being processed by a Third Party."

On Reddit, other customers complained that items listed as in-stock were out of stock/unavailable to ship, and that the website was difficult to use.

Bulk buys

Bulk buys aren't always bargains. While oversized items such as a two-pound block of cheese or a three-pound tub of yogurt make sense for some shoppers, smaller households can't always use these enormous quantities. This leads to food (and money) waste.

Some members also question if the supposed savings tricked them into spending more than necessary. Redditor 1513elie wrote, "Walked out of Sam's Club yesterday with a cart full of stuff and a $200 charge on my card and honestly I'm questioning everything. Like, yes, I got a ton of products, but did I actually save money or did I just buy more stuff because it was there?"

Hint: Break down each bulk buy by the price per piece or quantity. Compare this number to what you would pay for the same amount of a similar product elsewhere. If the number is lower and half of your purchase won't end up in the trash, snag Sam's Club's deal.

Crowded stores

Crowded aisles that are almost impassable and long checkout lines make shopping a challenge for some members. Customers expressed their frustration about this issue on social media, with one Redditor writing, "My Sam's is so busy it's almost unbearable to shop at. Twice as busy as our local Costco and three times as busy as our BJs."

While busy stores are good for Sam's bottom line, consumers are thrilled about the crowds. That said, other Sam's members had a few easy fixes. Redditors responded with their tried-and-true solutions: "Home delivery. Can't beat it," and "I always recommend people avoiding weekends unless they absolutely have to come out to Sam's Club those days."

Long gas pump lines

The skyrocketing price of gas could make the extra money you spend on an annual Sam's Club membership worth it. But while you might save at the pump, you could waste time waiting.

Club members report long lines and frustration with other customers. Redditor Low_Question8622 wrote, "Do people purposefully move slow to pump their gas? Why is it like that at every Sam's? It's like they get here and it's the first time they've ever pumped gas."

If you're not willing to part with Sam's lower-cost gas prices, here's a pro tip: Avoid the wait and visit Sam's immediately after the pumps open or later in the evening.

Cafe quality

Members don't expect to snag a gourmet meal at the cafe. But they also don't want to waste money on items that lack taste and quality. One member even went so far as to compare Sam's menu to another warehouse club's, writing on Reddit, "Why is Sam's Club food not as tasty and filling as the Costco food?"

Reddit user gorays21 also found fault with the cafe: "The pizza is so bad that even Ninja Turtles wouldn't eat it. The hot dogs are so bad that no dog would ever touch it. The soda fountain has no taste." Of course, other members pointed out you get what you pay for, responding, "Did the price not tip you off?"

Despite some less-than-glowing reviews, Sam's most loyal customers still praise the cafe. Redditor lotusbloom74 wrote, "I hadn't eaten there for many years but recently had a hot dog and berry sundae. I thought they were both really good, especially for the price!"

Don't Miss: 9 ways to tackle high grocery costs you won't hear about from your grocery store

Bottom line

When it comes down to it, the annual membership fee isn't worth the extra money for every shopper. While bulk buys make it easier for larger households to tackle high grocery costs, empty nesters and smaller families may not see the cash savings.

If you're not sure whether you can benefit from a membership, consider how you shop, what you buy, and whether you can reasonably afford to add the fee to your annual budget. Even though Sam's Club offers affordable alternatives like bulk-buy generics, you can also find a bounty of bargains at superstores like Walmart and Target. And bonus, you won't have to pay extra to fill your cart at these big-box retailers.

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