SAM’S Club members are frustrated with Warehouse Club after it removed a free benefit popular with Plus members.
The cut benefit was the last straw for many customers, leading them to quit Sam’s Club and boycott the store.
Sam’s Club offers customers two membership levels – $110 Plus and $50 Club.
Those with a premium membership enjoy benefits that Club members don’t have access to, such as Sam’s Cash, access to advance purchases, free curbside pickup and free shipping.
However, Sam’s Club announced a change to this latest benefit in June.
While free shipping was previously available to Plub members on eligible items with no minimum purchase, the retailer changed its policy and implemented a minimum order.
Starting August 19, Sam’s Club Plus members must place an order of $50 or more to qualify for free shipping.
Orders under $50 will incur a flat $8 shipping fee.
Sam’s Club Membership Levels
![](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/2018-streamwood-illinois-store-one-915641908.jpg?strip=all&w=620&h=413&crop=1)
Sam’s Club shoppers can choose between two membership levels.
Club membership:
- $50 per year
- Bonus Offers
- Same day delivery
- Instant savings
- Sam’s Club Mastercard
- Fuel savings for members only
- Tire and battery center
More membership:
- $110 per year
- All the benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash
- Free shipping on qualified orders
- Free curbside pickup
- Advance purchases
- Pharmacy and optical savings.
Sign up for a Sam’s Club membership here
RETAIL Fury
The retailer immediately faced an online backlash from Plus members.
“I’m not happy with these changes,” said one Facebook user. “Boycott Sam’s.”
Other members threatened to cancel their subscriptions because of the impending change.
The longtime One Plus member explained how she often ordered items like produce, toilet paper, or clothing for shipment from Sam’s Club, but didn’t always meet the $50 minimum.
“Now, if I don’t spend $50, will I be charged for shipping? I’m just one person and I don’t need so much at once. I’m thinking about canceling my subscription,” she exploded.
Another user criticized the warehouse club for the imminent removal of the benefit, claiming that the remaining benefits were not worth the $110 membership cost.
“Why are we paying for a Plus membership when now the only benefits are opening the doors before they open at normal hours? Is that worth $110 a year??? Hell, no,” she said.
“Sam’s must honor all perks until each member’s contract expires. Sam’s Club, are you listening to your members?????”
The Plus member noted that he would disable the auto-renewal feature of his subscription.
Another Sam’s Club member has vowed to switch to rival retailer Costco after the longtime grocer announced the benefit would be discontinued.
“Sam’s Club, since you are eliminating free shipping for Plus members (except orders of +$50), will you reduce our annual membership fee?” the customer asked in X.
“If not, I will switch to Costco when my current membership expires. Bad business move!” he said, urging other shoppers to boycott the store.
Another Sam’s Club Plus member shared how she would send gifts to friends and family from Sam’s Club and utilize same-day delivery because she didn’t live near a grocery store.
However, since most of her orders were no more than $50, she would be forced to pay $8 for most purchases.
“These changes will make it difficult for me to justify maintaining my membership,” she wrote.
In related news, Sam’s Club CEO admitted he will copy Costco after the chain’s “great work” with members-only products.
Also, Sam’s Club refused the return after the buyer spent $487, everything was closed, but it all came down to a new policy.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story