May 2007
Head to head
Besides selling bulk groceries, clubs offer an unusual array of goods. Costco markets discount coffins, and diamond jewelry
selling for tens of thousands of dollars. Sam’s offers a vintage Coke machine and sold a Cessna Mustang jet for $2.7 million.
| Costco | Sam’s Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $50 basic Goldstar; $100 Executive (up to 2 percent cash back on most purchases, savings on services). | $40 basic Advantage; $100 Advantage Plus (up to 2 percent cash back on purchases, savings on services). |
| Private label | 330 Kirkland Signature products. | 400 Members Mark products; Bakers and Chefs (food service); Veo Grande, Greener Planet, others (wines). |
| What’s hot | In 2006, sold 1.5 million TVs and 28 million rotisserie chickens. | Luxury brands such as Kate Spade and Fendi, and loose diamonds. |
| How big is big? | Green Giant green beans, 6 lb. 4 oz.; rib roast, 20 lb.; Trojan condoms, 40. | Coffee filters, 1,000; Pillsbury chocolate-chip cookie dough, 5 lb. 4 oz.; Kellogg’s Eggo waffles, 60. |
| Surprises | 6.06-carat diamond earrings, $93,000; caskets, $925 to $3,000. | Cessna jet, $2.7 million; bronze Remington reproduction sculpture, $10,800. |
| How to pay | Cash, check, American Express credit card, Costco card, all PIN-based debit cards. Online: Most major credit cards and MasterCard and Visa debit cards. | Cash, check; MasterCard, Discover, and Sam’s Discover cards; all major debit cards. Online: All major credit and debit cards. |
