Every Sam’s and Costco that I’ve been to do the same thing....I belong to both clubs.
Never been a huge fan of Sam’s. I just don’t buy items in the quantity or fashion as that offered by the Sam’s/CostCos so I just don’t go there.
Wal-Mart SuperCenters, though, different story. As much as I dislike the crowds and lack of floor service, I can consistently spend 20-25% less simply on groceries when compared with the same buy from Kroeger/Alberton’s/Tom Thumb, etc. No doubt about it. I still hit the local grocery-only chains about once per month to get a few things Wal-Mart doesn’t stock but for regular weekly trips for normal used items.......it’s the local Wal-Mart SC.
I can only speak for myself but you know more than I do. I do not mean that sarcastically- I simply mean you have experienced more than me, and not good either.