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Sam's Club, a popular bulk retailer, has sparked controversy with a policy requiring members to pay an extra fee to shop during specific hours.
A frustrated shopper voiced their discontent on Facebook, criticizing the policy.
Sam's Club's Early Shopping Hours Policy Causes Stir
Shoppers in Sam's Club's premium $110 membership tier receive several benefits, including access to the store during early hours.
According to the retailer's website, Sam's Club's policy states that only these Plus members can shop from 8 am to 10 am on weekdays, while regular Club members can start shopping at 10 am.
Plus, members can shop on Saturdays from 8 AM to 9 AM. On Sundays, the store opens for all members from 10 AM until 6 PM.
The extra two hours allow Plus members to shop in a less crowded store. However, this policy has not been well-received by regular members.
The U.S. Sun reported that one Sam's Club shopper expressed frustration on Facebook, arguing that the store hours should be for all shoppers and criticizing the retailer for making regular members feel inferior.
The customer also suggested that this tactic might push more people to upgrade to the Plus membership, but it could backfire on Sam's Club.
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Shop Early: Membership Checks at Sam's Club
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Club members on Reddit have been actively discussing what would happen if they tried to shop during the hours designated for Plus members at Sam's Club.
The debate centers around whether Club members would be allowed into the store during these special hours. Some believe that staff would verify membership status at the entrance, while others think any problems occur only at the check-out registers.
One customer mentioned that the register automatically detects a Club membership and suggests an upgrade to shoppers.
Another shopper stated that those not Plus members would need to either upgrade their membership or return during regular shopping hours, emphasizing that early access has its price.
A Plus member expressed satisfaction that measures were in place to ensure that only eligible members could enjoy certain benefits, appreciating the system's ability to maintain fairness.
Meanwhile, several shoppers have noted that the Scan & Go feature doesn't recognize the retailer's policy for early shopping hours.
Members have used the Scan & Go feature to scan items and pay through the app, bypassing the register restrictions during these hours.
Membership Rules at Sam's Club
The Club membership is priced at $50, with an option to upgrade to the Plus level for an additional $60. This upgrade offers benefits beyond early access, such as free shipping, free curbside pickup, discounts at the pharmacy and optical center, and cash back on purchases.
In other related news, Franchise Herald recently reported that members can add a complimentary membership for someone in the same household at Sam's Club. Yet, some customers have voiced concerns about inconsistent enforcement of this rule across different locations.
Sam's Club offers two membership tiers: a $50 Base Club Membership and a $110 Additional Plus Benefit with extra perks. Discussions on Reddit indicate inconsistent enforcement of policies across stores, with lax rule application concerning household residency requirements.
Related Article: Sam's Club's Customers Question Enforced Membership Add-On Rules
