Are These 5 Sam's Club Items With Cult Followings Worth the Hype (and Money)?
Sam's Club has plenty of products shoppers swear by. Some have thousands of five-star ratings, while others appear in “best of” shopping roundups and social media posts regularly.
However, popularity doesn't always mean you're getting the best deal. Some Sam's Club favorites really do offer a bang for your buck, but it that always the case?
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Here are five Sam's Club items with cult followings and whether their price and quality live up to the hype.
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1. Member's Mark Hotel Premier Luxury Bath Towel
Price: $6.98
Worth it: Yes
The Member's Mark luxury bath towel is made of 100% cotton, measures 30x58 inches and has a 4.8-star rating from more than 6,500 shoppers. At under $7, it’s a steal. To compare, Target's version of a high-end bath towel, which is 4 inches shorter, is $10.
Also, while Sam’s Club is known for its bulk buys, you can buy any quantity of these towels and still get the same great price.
2. Member's Mark Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
Price: $7.78
Worth it: Yes
The Member's Mark Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels have more than 9,000 ratings and a 4.8-star average. One shopper said the pretzels should come with a warning because they can be addicting. The 44-ounce tub costs $7.78, or about $0.18 per ounce.
For comparison, Target sells a 44-ounce container of Market Pantry Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels for $11.59, or $0.26 per ounce. That makes the Member's Mark version about $3.81 less for the same amount.
As long as you have several people in your home who enjoy habitually eating a salty, crunchy, creamy snack, the savings make sense.
3. Member's Mark Southern Style Chicken Bites
Price: $13.77
Worth it: Maybe
The Member's Mark Southern Style Chicken Bites have developed a large following, with more than 10,000 Sam's Club ratings and an average of 4.3 stars. A 3-pound bag costs $13.77, or $4.59 per pound. Some shoppers mention that the bites have a tasty pickle juice flavor, while others think their flavor is off-putting.
Sam's Club also sells a 3-pound bag of Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Bites for $13.47, or $4.49 per pound. The Just Bare chicken has a 4.8-star rating from more than 9,500 shoppers, with many praising the light breading and likening them to Chick-Fil-A’s nuggets.
There’s not much of a price difference, so it all comes down to which product you like better.
4. Member's Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter
Price: $10.22
Worth it: Yes
This may not be a product you'd expect to have a huge following, but shoppers have given Member's Mark Salted Sweet Cream Butter more than 24,000 ratings, averaging 4.9 stars. A 4-pound package costs $10.22, which is roughly $2.56 per pound. Target's Good & Gather Salted Butter is currently $3.19 per pound.
You can save $0.63 per pound at Sam's Club. Plus, the bulk package isn’t as big of a deal as you might think. If you don’t bake frequently or use butter every day, Sam’s Club states on its site that you can freeze the butter for up to four months past its best-by date.
5. Member's Mark Honey Almond Granola
Price: $6.56
Worth it: Yes
Granola has many uses, such as snacking, making trail mix and topping yogurt. With more than 8,400 ratings and a 4.8-star average, Member's Mark Honey Almond Granola offers a lot of value for the price. The 32-ounce bag costs $6.56, or about $0.20 per ounce.
You don't even have to leave Sam's Club to see how the price compares. A 28-ounce bag of Nature Valley Oats 'n Honey Protein Granola is $8.78, or $0.31 per ounce.
The Member's Mark bag gives you four more ounces and costs over $2 less. If you’re worried you won’t eat it all before it goes stale, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to three months, according to The Kitchn.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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