Anyone who follows the warehouse business model, such as Sam’s Club, Costco, or BJ’s, knows that these companies make their money off the sale of memberships. It is well documented, for example, that Costco charges a flat 15% more than their cost on all products. The money made off selling items covers the cost of operating the warehouse. The real meat to their margins come in the annual fees people pay for the exclusive right to shop at the facility.

Starting today, Groupon is offering new Sam’s Club members (affiliate link) the opportunity to purchase a membership for only $45. While the price of membership is always $45, and offers no savings, new members will make up the difference with the abundance of other benefits you get by purchasing this Groupon.

You will also receive:

• $20 gift card valid for any in-club purchases
• Fresh-food vouchers, redeemable through Monday, February 10, 2014 (a $20.14 value), including:
  • One free Artisan Fresh Rotisserie Chicken (about 3 lbs, a $4.88 value)
  • One free Main St. Bistro Scalloped Potatoes (2.5lbs, a $8.98 value)
  • One free Artisan Fresh Pippin Apple Pie (10”, a $6.28 value)

This means you are in essence purchasing a one year membership to Sam’s Club for less than $5. Use of a cashback portal, such as Discover, which pays 5% + 5% for the quarter, will reduce the costs even further.

Memberships can not be redeemed until Wednesday, November 13, 2013, with added benefits of redeeming by November 27 to receive this month’s coupon booklet.

In Conclusion

Our family has been members of Costco for several years, and despite my love/hate relationship with the company because I never walk out of there without spending hundreds of dollars, I still find the membership quite valuable. Our family exclusively tries to fill up our gas at only Costco locations since it is routinely more affordable than other locations. The quality of their products and exceptional customer service make the company top notch.

I can not speak specifically about Sam’s Club, but the deal is undeniably very good when you factor in the gift card and additional benefits. Costco often runs the similar deal, offering new members the additional vouchers for free chicken, bottled water, etc., but I have only ever seen the additional gift card when a new store opens.

Link: Sam’s Club membership via Groupon (affiliate link)

Save Money, Travel More!

Source: Groupon

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