SAM’S Club has been criticized for changing its membership perks, causing some shoppers to vow to take their business elsewhere.
Shoppers are criticizing the members-only retailer for charging customers for curbside pickup orders that take hours to fulfill.
two
In recent years, more and more retailers have started to introduce new services, with the intention of making shopping more convenient for customers.
Members-only retailer Sam’s Club is one such retailer, with the chain — owned by parent company Walmart — offering curbside pickup and delivery options for its members.
However, the chain recently came under fire after introducing a major policy change at select stores.
By August 19, all Sam’s Club locations will no longer offer free curbside pickup orders for Club members.
Instead, the benefit will only be available to Plus members of the club.
The Sam’s Club Club membership level costs $50 per year, while the Plus package will cost customers $110 per year.
Some dissatisfied customers began voicing their concerns on social media.
“Why would Sam’s Club charge a fee for pickup when you have to pay for a membership to shop there,” asked user X.
The Sam’s Club Help account, also known as @samsclubhelp, responded to the post, thanking the customer “for bringing this to our attention.”
However, they did not reveal any additional details or updates to their curbside pickup policy and instead asked the user to send a direct message to “to help you more effectively.”
About Sam’s Club websitethe retailer promises to make curbside pickup easier.
They offer a three-step process for customers, starting with online shopping and paying for items labeled “pickup.”
They then instruct customers to park in a curbside pickup space and check in via text message or using the Sam’s Club mobile app.
Sam’s Club Membership Levels
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, minimum order $50
- Free curbside pickup
- Advance purchases
- Pharmacy and optical savings.
Sign up for a Sam’s Club membership here
Customers can remain in their vehicles while a Sam’s Club associate brings their order and even while the associate loads the order into the car.
Sam’s Club’s curbside pickup option is also available at different times depending on membership.
Curbside pickup for club members begins at 10 a.m. local time and is available Monday through Sunday.
Curbside pickup for Plus members begins at 7am local time Monday through Saturday and 10am local time on Sundays.
Club and Plus members have 24 hours to pick up their orders, with same-day pickup available based on store availability and customer demand.
“I hate ordering pickup from Sam’s Club. Why does it take you guys 2 hours to get my stuff?” another user shared on X, alongside an angry face emoji.
“Hi! This is not the experience we want you to have,” Sam’s Club Help responded.
“Please PM us with your member number, email, best contact and order number for further assistance,” they added.
Despite hours-long delays, Sam’s Club is moving forward with the new additional charges.
Club members will even have to pay a $4 fee for curbside pickup orders if they spend less than $50 per order, angering even more shoppers.
How to Sign Up for Walmart+
*If you click a link in this box we may earn affiliate income
Here’s how to sign up for Walmart+:
- Visit the Walmart website.
- Select ‘Account’ and then ‘Walmart+’.
- Click ‘Start 30-day free trial’.
- Enter your information.
- Enjoy the evaluation and benefits.
Remember to cancel before the 30 days are up or pay $12.95 per month (which you can cancel at any time) or $98 for the annual plan if you want to keep it.
see more information
ASSOCIATION PROBLEMS
This isn’t the first time Sam’s Club has come under fire for its membership policies.
The store has received many complaints about changes to its policies, both from old buyers and new customers.
The members-only retail giant recently began cracking down on card sharing between members and non-members.
Now, it’s not uncommon for an employee to require members to use their phone to enter the store or to check out.
Instead of showing employees a physical membership card, customers are being forced to use the Sam’s Club mobile app and their digital card.
DELIVERY DIFFICULTIES
Despite Sam’s Club parent Walmart offering free same-day delivery with a Walmart+ subscription, the members-only retailer isn’t doing the same.
Walmart+ subscriptions will cost customers $98 per year or $12.95 per month.
They also offer free same-day delivery orders with a $35 minimum order.
Meanwhile, Sam’s Club charges Club members $12 for delivery orders, while Plus members pay a slightly lower fee of $8.
Some Sam’s Club members have even vowed to cancel their subscriptions entirely unless the store reverses its shipping and delivery policies.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
