I think once you buy a big ticket item like tires then the membership is free.

I have a Sam's within 3 miles of my house so I run through at least once a week. I look for clearanced items. I save the cost of the membership on clearnaced items alone. This year my husband got a fancy tree stand (deer hunting) for a significant reduction--maybe half price, I bought a rug shampooer deeply discounted--when I opened it, there were some assembly screws missing. i called the manufacturer's cs and they sent the screws without question. I saved nearly 50%.

I ALWAYS go to the store before noon. The meat on clearance is left on the counter for sale until noon and then it is tossed. I go up and down each aisle looking for a clearance tag ie. a tag ending in 1¢. If the last number is one then the price has been reduced. This is the way I get all my specialty cheeses for parties. I just watch for 1¢ tags and buy. Cheese lasts forever if you don't open it! Well, maybe not forever but until your next party that either you bring something or you host the party. People think I actually bought expensive cheese. (lol)

Generic meds also can not be beat. We buy ibuprofen and Ranitidine. I used to buy Alli there but now Amazon's monthly deal beats Sams price.

Also they do have some specialty items like baking sheets with rims that you can not get any where else for the price. If you are a GOOD shopper and you KNOW your prices then you can do well at Sams. if you do not have a clue, then you will have a lot of stuff at an OK price.

__________________
Lyn Clarke