Firstly, if you're comparing Sam's Club and Costco like I am, you'll find them pretty similar in terms of products, price, and overall membership store experiences. Today, neither had the specific item I needed, so keep in mind inventory can be hit or miss at...
Read MoreFirstly, if you're comparing Sam's Club and Costco like I am, you'll find them pretty similar in terms of products, price, and overall membership store experiences. Today, neither had the specific item I needed, so keep in mind inventory can be hit or miss at both stores.
Sam's Club was a madhouse on this particular Sunday visit. No surprise, since club stores are always swamped on weekends. But what did catch my eye was the evident understaffing. Even amid the sea of shoppers, the staff members were scarce, which is a stark contrast to my experience at Costco.
In the customer service area, just two folks were manning the deck for a line of nearly a dozen customers. A similar scene greeted me at the checkout - a wave of customers, but only five personnel in sight to handle the rush. And as I walked around the store, I couldn't help but notice the sparse presence of employees.
Even the snack bar seemed overwhelmed. A long line of about 15 people stood waiting while only two employees hustled behind the counter.
Having visited 'the other' club store earlier, Costco seemed to have a better grip on staffing, operating with significantly more registers and personnel around to assist.
To sum up, Sam's Club in Long Beach offers good deals and decent product selection, which I appreciate. But the understaffing issue significantly hampered my shopping experience. With better staffing, I'm sure it could level up to meet customer needs more effectively. For now, I'd rate it a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
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