What I Buy at Costco But Never at Sam’s Club (and Vice Versa)

As a member of both Costco and Sam’s Club and after years of shopping at both, I’ve figured out exactly what to buy where. There are certain items I only buy at Costco and there are also plenty of things that I only buy at Sam’s Club.

Here are things I always buy at Costco—and things I only pick up at Sam’s Club.

Grain and Celery Salad

This salad is the reason I find myself at Costco almost every week. I’m absolutely addicted to their grain and celery salad—it’s my go-to side dish. Don’t let the name fool you: even if you’re not a fan of celery (I’m not!), this salad will win you over.

The celery is mild and chopped fine, and the real stars are the quinoa, kale, chickpeas, and red onion tossed in a sweet and tangy balsamic dressing. Sam’s Club doesn’t carry anything like this. 

Cough Syrup

When it comes to over-the-counter cold and cough medicine, Costco is my go-to—not Sam’s Club. Sam’s has a more limited selection, and surprisingly, they don’t even carry Robitussin, which is a staple in my medicine cabinet during cold season.

Costco, on the other hand, not only stocks it but also offers it at a price that’s hard to beat. You can save more than 50% buying Robitussin at Costco compared to your local pharmacy.

Face Cream

When it comes to skincare, Costco wins again. I always buy my face cream and eye cream at Costco because the selection is better and the prices are lower than what I’ve seen at Sam’s Club.

They often carry name-brand skincare products at a major discount—sometimes in value-sized bundles you won’t find anywhere else. 

Plus, Costco has a good selection of K-beauty skincare that is cheaper than at other retailers.

Check out Costco vs Sam’s Club: I Compared 21 Food Prices- See Who’s Cheaper

Costco Smoothies

One thing I always buy at Costco—but never at Sam’s Club—is the smoothies (Sam’s doesn’t sell them at all). For just $2.99, you can buy a strawberry banana smoothies.

And these are large smoothies, I honestly think it’s too large for one person to finish on their own. But you can’t beat the price.

They’re refreshing, delicious, and just one more reason the Costco food court wins in my book. Check out Costco vs Sam’s Club: 14 Major Differences You Should Know About

Allertec 

When it comes to over the counter allergy medications, I always stock up at Costco—specifically Allertec, the Kirkland private-label version of Zyrtec. It’s the exact same active ingredient (cetirizine hydrochloride), but at a fraction of the cost.

For $14.49, you get a 365 count bottle, which breaks down to just 4 cents per tablet. Compare that to name brand Zyrtec at Costco, which is $39.99 for 120 tablets—that’s 33 cents a pill. That’s a big price difference! Check out I Compared 20 Produce Prices at Sam’s Club and Costco- One Store Was Surprisingly Cheaper

The Classic Chicken Bake

The OG food court favorite—Costco’s chicken bake—is still one of the best deals around at just $3.99. It’s warm and loaded with grilled chicken, cheese, bacon, and Caesar dressing, all wrapped in a golden, cheesy crust.

Sam’s Club doesn’t offer a chicken bake or anything even close, which makes this another Costco-exclusive I’ll always come back for. Check out Costco vs Sam’s Club Food Court: 16 Similarities and Differences

Supplements

When it comes to vitamins and supplements, Costco wins hands down. They consistently offer a wider and more diverse selection than Sam’s Club. Whether I’m looking for probiotics, multivitamins, or immune support, Costco’s shelves are always well-stocked.

I’m also always keeping my eye out of the frequent and rotating sales- I make it a point to swing by Costco’s vitamins and supplement aisle every visit just to see what’s marked down. My personal go-to is the Kirkland Vitamin D. Check out 17 Costco Meals Cheaper than Restaurant Take Out to Save You Money

Orange Juice

One of the top items I always buy at Sam’s Club is their freshly squeezed orange juice. There’s something about watching the staff operate the fresh OJ machine right in front of you that makes it feel extra fresh.

At just $10 for a 59 oz bottle, it’s a great deal for fresh OJ. Unfortunately, Costco doesn’t carry freshly squeezed orange juice like Sam’s Club does. This is one of the reasons why I keep coming back to Sam’s Club. Check out 24 Best Kirkland Products I Always Buy at Costco

Mini Croissants

When it comes to croissants, Sam’s Club definitely wins in my household. While Costco does sell croissants in large, club-sized packs, but I prefer the mini croissants from Sam’s Club instead. Not because the Sam’s Club croissants taste better but I like it for the portion size.

The smaller Member’s Mark croissant size is just perfect for my family—no need to slice them in half like I would with Costco’s larger ones.

The mini croissants are great for quick breakfasts or snacks, and Costco doesn’t offer anything comparable in terms of size. So, if I’m in the mood for croissants, Sam’s is the place to go. Check out 15 Best Costco Breakfast Items for Busy Mornings

Secret Deodorant

Sam’s Club is my top choice for Procter & Gamble products, especially when it comes to deodorant. Costco no longer carries Secret deodorants, at least, I haven’t seen them at my warehouse for a long time now. While Sam’s Club offers a wide variety of Secret deodorant.

In fact, they even carry the Secret Clinical deodorant at an amazingly low price. If you catch a sale, you can buy a 3-pack of 1.6 oz sticks for just $14.98, which is a steal compared to the usual $9 per stick at most other retailers. It’s one of those deals that keeps me loyal to Sam’s Club for personal care products. Check out 21 Best Bulk Buys from Costco that Will Last You All Year (and Save You Money)

Speedo Goggles

When it comes to swim goggles, Sam’s Club has become my go-to store. My kids are in the pool all the time, so I’m constantly replacing their goggles, and we are very particular about the brand.

Costco used to carry Speedo goggles, but I’ve noticed recently that they’ve switched to a different brand. For me, Speedo is the gold standard—leakproof, fog-proof, and durable. So now, I only pick up Speedo goggles at Sam’s Club. Check out 23 Costco Items that are a Total Waste of Money for Small Households

Apple Turnover

I can’t walk out of Sam’s Club without buying a box of their apple turnovers. My kids love them, and at $5.98 for a pack of 8, it’s hard to beat the price for such a delicious treat.

Costco doesn’t carry apple turnovers at all, so I know I can only get them at Sam’s Club. It’s become a staple in our household, and I always make sure to buy a box while I’m there. Check out 22 Prepared Foods You Can Only Find at Sam’s Club (not at Costco)

Clothes

Sam’s Club is also my go-to for clothing. When it comes to finding great deals on apparel, I find Sam’s Club consistently beats Costco.

For example, I got a kids’ Eddie Bauer lightweight jacket for only $15.98—that’s an amazing price. While Costco does carry some clothing, I’ve found that Sam’s Club offers more variety and lower prices. It’s one of those unexpected shopping wins that always makes my Sam’s Club trip worthwhile. Check out I Spend $1000 a Month at Costco, here are 22 Costco Pantry Items I Buy Again and Again

Sports Jerseys

When it comes to sports jerseys, Sam’s Club is always my first stop. They consistently carry a wide selection of jerseys, t-shirts, and hats for local sports teams at prices that can’t be beat.

Right now, they have a fantastic collection of NY Yankees and NY Mets merchandise. Costco doesn’t offer the same variety, especially when it comes to local team gear, so Sam’s Club is my go-to for all things sports merchandise. Check out Costco vs Sam’s Club: Price Checked 21 Bulk Items- Here’s Who’s Cheaper

Teriyaki Chicken with Fried Rice

Another great prepared meal exclusive to Sam’s Club is their Teriyaki Chicken with Fried Rice. This ready-to-heat meal includes tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, paired with flavorful fried rice.

It’s the perfect quick and easy dinner option, especially when you’re craving takeout but want to skip the extra cost. Costco doesn’t offer anything quite like it. Check out 24 Best Costco Asian Food that You Need to Try

Commercial Frying Pan

When it comes to restaurant and catering supplies, Sam’s Club definitely has the upper hand. They offer a broader selection of commercial-grade kitchen items that I can’t find at Costco.

For example, if I’m in need of a large 14-inch non-stick frying pan, I can only get it at Sam’s Club. Costco simply doesn’t carry that size or similar restaurant-style cookware. Check out Here are 12 Ways I Save Money at Costco

Always Sanitary Napkins

For essentials like sanitary napkins, I always head to Sam’s Club. They have a much wider selection of Always products compared to Costco, particularly the Infinity FlexFoam and Dailies versions. At Costco, availability can be hit or miss—sometimes they have the specific products I’m looking for, but more often than not, they don’t carry the exact variety I prefer.

Because Sam’s Club is so consistent with keeping these products in stock, it’s become my go-to place for Always sanitary napkins. Check out 26 Things I Never Pay Full Price at Costco