Sam’s Club has been criticized for ‘pushing digital’ after an angry customer left with just one membership card option

A SAM’S Club shopper was left shocked after the retailer refused to provide a physical membership card.

The surprised customer was instructed to use the warehouse app.

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A Sam’s Club member was disappointed when he was denied a physical membership card and asked to use the retailer’s app.

The buyer revealed that he joined the warehouse membership program in October 2023 and explained the issue in a July 2024 Reddit wire titled “No physical membership card?”

They said they signed up online, as Sam’s Club was offering a basic $15 membership deal, and then set up the app.

“When I entered the store I asked for a physical card and I just said I had to use the app.

“So how can those who don’t have a smartphone become members?

“I’d actually rather have a card than pick up my phone.”

Other buyers took to the thread to express their thoughts.

“The company is really pushing digital (cheaper than reordering physical cards to distribute),” wrote one customer.

“That… but even more so, they want to be on your phone, sending you notifications and collecting information about you,” claimed one user in their response.

Another customer said Sam’s Club is required to provide physical cards when customers request them.

“It is policy that they provide a physical card upon request.

“Clubs often run out of membership cards, so check that this is not the case.”

A Reddit user who appeared to be a Sam’s Club employee defended the company and criticized members who lost their cards.

“We constantly run out of cards because members ‘lose’ them every two weeks. Then younger people complain, ‘What about the elderly or those who have a flip phone?'”

“Well, they rarely lose their cards and we don’t have many to replace theirs because of the younger ones. It’s a no-win situation.”

However, in response, another shopper pointed out the difference between membership costs and card costs.

Membership and store cards offered by major retailers

Here’s a breakdown of store cards offered to customers from various retailers and their benefits

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Costco:

• Gold Star Membership: $60 per year, shop at all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your family.
• Executive Member: $120 per year, 2% annual rewards, discounts and additional benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store and get two additional cards for home use.
• Sign up for a Costco membership here

Sam’s Club:

• Club membership: $50 Per Year, Bonus Offers, Same Day Delivery, Instant Savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, Members Only Fuel Savings, Tire & Battery Center, Free Membership and Complimentary Memberships.
• More membership: $110 per year, all the benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, advance purchases, and pharmacy and optical discounts.
• Sign up for a Sam’s Club membership here

Target:

• Target Circle: A free rewards program that allows users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when a qualifying purchase is made, access personalized deals and offers, earn a birthday gift, and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps your community .
• Target Circle Card: A credit, debit or reloadable card that offers users 5% off in-store and online, as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping and an additional 30-day return window. Formerly Target RedCard.
• Sign up for Target circle here

Walmart:

• Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with 30-day free trial. It offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, car, Walmart+ travel, home drop-off, mobile scan and store entry, and early access to offers and product launches.
• Sign up for Walmart+ here

“A subscription costs $50 and a plastic card costs a few cents.

“If that’s really a problem, just charge a $1 replacement fee or something like that.”

US Sun has reached out to Sam’s Club for comment.

SAM’S COMPLAINTS

Other Sam’s Club shoppers have had issues with the store’s technology.

One member complained about the retailer’s long lines, blaming self-checkout lanes.

“Sam’s club has removed all of their cash registers and gone to self-checkout only…” he wrote on X, including a photo of the long lines he faced.

Another customer said they planned to cancel their subscription after the retailer changed its perks.

“We intend to leave Sam’s Club because of its ever-changing ‘perks’. It’s not worth it anymore,” he wrote in a Facebook post. publishin part.

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