Sam’s Club Benefit No Longer Available to Texas Shoppers

At eighty-two locations across Texas, including Beaumont, Tyler, Texarkana, College Station and Longview, Texas customers can stock up on supersized portions of the items they use every day. Such is the life of a Sam’s Club customer. You don’t really need six gallons of mayonnaise, but the price is too hard to pass up, right?

Many of us find that shopping at warehouse clubs is a great value. In Louisiana, there are fourteen Sam’s Club stores. Costco, the other warehouse retail giant, has only thirty-eight in the Lone Star State. These stores are located in every major city in Texas. The concept of warehouse clubs is pretty simple. You buy in bulk and you save.

However, most experts agree that you should combine bargain hunting at warehouse clubs with smart shopping at traditional grocery stores to get the most bang for your buck. But it’s true that you can find incredible deals at places like Sam’s Club and Costco.

Sam’s Club Ends Popular ‘Perk’ Subscription

For Sam’s Club Plus members, one of the long-standing benefits of membership is free shipping. As of August 19, this “membership perk” will be gone. Starting that date, Plus members will only receive free shipping on eligible orders placed from the store’s website or app that total $50 or more.

For club members whose orders do not total $50 or more, a flat rate shipping fee will be charged. This fee will be $8. The company explained the “change” on its website’s FAQ page. Here’s the quote from that site.

By adding a minimum basket, we are increasing access to different ways to buy for our members. This will make it easier for you to get the products you want, how and when you want.

To quote the late Gary Coleman of television, Different shots“What are you talking about, Willis?”

How can adding a “minimum order” have any effect other than incentivizing people to spend more than they originally wanted to just to get free shipping? No, nothing about the policy change makes it easier to “get the products you want.” The policy change does nothing but remove a benefit that many members actually use and enjoy. Oh, it makes the company money, that’s what it does.

So the next time you head to your local Sam’s Club to shop in person because “free shipping” is too expensive, be sure to mention what we talked about to the person scanning your stroller for any items you didn’t steal. It’s just one of the “perks” of paying for the privilege of shopping at a place where you’re already thought to be a thief before you even walk in the door. It’s a hell of a business model.