Sam's Club, a bastion of bulk bargains, has ignited a firestorm with a radical food court change that’s got members fuming.
According to The Sun, US, this warehouse giant, known for exclusive deals and budget eats, has shifted to app-only ordering at select locations, ditching cash registers and sparking threats of membership cancellations over the inconvenience.
For years, Sam's Club food courts have been a draw with dirt-cheap prices—think an all-beef hot dog combo for just $1.38. Most items ring in under $3, a steal for frugal shoppers. But now, a major shift is shaking things up.
At some locations, Sam's Club has removed traditional registers from food courts, mandating purchases via the Sam's app. Signs at affected stores bluntly state that all café transactions must go digital.
This isn’t just about ordering—customers are also expected to clean their tables, with Member's Mark disinfecting wipes provided sporadically. It’s a stark departure from the hands-off service many expect.
Not every Sam's Club has jumped on this bandwagon; some still accept traditional payments at the counter. But for those hit by the change, frustration is boiling over fast.
Sam's Club offers two tiers—Club at $50 annually and $110—with perks like fuel savings, curbside pickup, and low prices. Plus members get extras like free delivery on big orders and early store access. But are these benefits enough when basic conveniences vanish?
Customer backlash is fierce, with many griping about the app requirement for food court orders. Some report glitches, like the app failing to show out-of-stock items.
One shopper vented, “You go to the counter to show them your phone of what you ordered but the app doesn't know when they are out of something.”
Others face hassles beyond the app, like long delays for services such as tire rotations. AJ Williams lamented, “It also took an hour and fifteen minutes to rotate my tires.”
Williams also criticized exit checks, saying, “This exit arch is pretty worthless today.” The added friction at every turn is testing customer patience. Some are ready to walk away entirely. An unnamed customer fumed, “I do not pay good money to use an app to check out my own stuff.”
The sentiment is echoed widely, with another shopper declaring, “A lot of people aren't going to like this.” Many feel that a paid membership—especially at $110 for Plus—should include seamless service, not self-checkout chores.
For wealth-builders and frugal shoppers, this raises a question: Is Sam's Club still a smart investment? If convenience erodes, the value of those bulk savings and exclusive deals might not stack up—consider alternatives like Costco or direct bulk buying from wholesalers if app mandates spread.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Sam's Club for clarity on these changes. Until then, members must weigh whether digital hurdles outweigh the perks. Stick to locations with traditional ordering if possible, or vote with your wallet if the hassle becomes too much.