Call Kurtis: Is Walmart Cheaper Than Sam's Club?
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Buying a backyard play structure for her kids, online shopper Megan Gallagher Nelson noticed Sam's Club where she's a member wanted $324. She wasn't happy to find sister company Walmart selling the same exact structure for $252, a difference of $72.
"It irritates me. It makes me feel like I got taken advantage of," she said acknowledging she pays $45 a year for her Sam's Club Membership.
"I expect for a paid membership to get real good deals," she said.
Consumer expert Edgar Dworsky with Consumer World agrees warehouse stores with memberships should offer lower prices, but admits price differences within companies are common. He suggests using a credit card that price matches if you later find a better deal.
"Within sixty days, you may get back the difference," he said. "It's not a common benefit, but some credit cards do offer that."
We reached out to Sam's Club and Walmart which would not say whether we should expect better prices at Sam's Club. The company did tell us, "on this particular item online, we believe there was an error in the online item posting process, and we're thankful it was brought to our attention".
Sam's Club removed the item from its site until they could fix the price. Megan is glad she comparison shopped before buying the higher priced play structure.
"It makes me feel good; like I got a better deal."
Sam's Club does say it'll refund memberships if customers are not satisfied.
Here are several price protection policies:
