Sams Club Freebies And Money-Saving Membership Options

Sam's Club, a membership-based warehouse club with nearly 600 locations across the United States and Puerto Rico, offers consumers access to bulk items at discounted prices. While membership is required for most shopping experiences, there are multiple ways to access Sam's Club freebies, samples, and discounted membership options. This article explores the various methods for obtaining free samples at Sam's Club, the different membership tiers available, and strategies for accessing Sam's Club benefits without paying full membership fees.

Free Sample Programs at Sam's Club

One of the most direct ways to get free products at Sam's Club is through their Freeosk kiosks. These interactive kiosks function as "freebie vending machines" that dispense instant free samples to customers. The program is particularly valuable for consumers who want to try products before committing to purchasing them in bulk.

How Freeosk Works

To obtain free samples from Freeosk kiosks located within Sam's Club stores, customers must follow a simple process:

  1. Download the Freeosk application on a smartphone device
  2. Create a free account within the app
  3. Locate a Freeosk kiosk in a participating Sam's Club store
  4. Scan the app at the kiosk to receive an instant free sample

The free samples available through Freeosk rotate on a weekly basis, providing returning customers with new opportunities to try different products. During the week of November 1-6, the available samples at Sam's Club locations included:

  • Always Flex Foam
  • Cascade Platinum Plus
  • Gain Flings & Downy Unstoppables

Participating Locations

Freeosk kiosks are not limited to Sam's Club stores alone. The program has expanded to over 1,400 locations across the country, including various grocery chains such as:

  • Sam's Club
  • Albertsons
  • Randall's
  • Tom Thumb
  • Shoprite
  • Fresh Grocer

However, the availability of specific samples varies by location. While Sam's Club locations offered the three products listed above during the specified period, other participating stores like Albertsons, Randalls, and Tom Thumb had no samples available (N/A) during that same timeframe. Meanwhile, Shoprite and Fresh Grocery locations featured Dude Wipes in their fragrance-free variant.

For consumers interested in taking advantage of these free samples, it is recommended to check the Freeosk app for current offerings before visiting a store, as the selection changes weekly and availability may vary by location.

Sam's Club Membership Options and Costs

To access most of Sam's Club's products and services, customers must purchase a membership. Sam's Club offers two primary membership tiers, each with different benefits and price points.

Club Membership

The Club Membership is Sam's Club's standard membership level, priced at $50 per year. This membership provides access to:

  • Shopping in Sam's Club stores
  • Access to fuel centers at Sam's Club locations
  • Member-only pricing on select items
  • Pharmacy services
  • Optical services

Plus Membership

The Plus Membership represents Sam's Club's premium tier, costing $110 per year. This membership includes all the benefits of the Club Membership plus additional perks:

  • 2% cash back on purchases (up to $500 annually)
  • Free shipping on all eligible orders when shopping online or through the app
  • Free curbside pickup
  • Enhanced pharmacy savings
  • Additional optical savings

The Plus Membership costs $60 more than the Club Membership but can provide significant value for frequent shoppers who utilize the online shopping features and take advantage of the cash back program. For shoppers who primarily make purchases in-store and don't require shipping benefits, the standard Club Membership may be sufficient.

Ways to Get Discounted or Free Sam's Club Memberships

While Sam's Club does not offer completely free memberships without any payment, there are several strategies consumers can employ to reduce the effective cost of membership or access benefits without paying full price.

T-Mobile Membership Offer

T-Mobile customers can take advantage of a special offer providing a one-year Sam's Club membership for $19.99. This offer also includes an additional $10 off the next in-club purchase. To qualify, customers must use the specific promotion link provided through T-Mobile Tuesdays. This deal is exclusively available to T-Mobile subscribers and represents a substantial savings compared to the standard $50 annual membership fee.

Gift Card Promotion

Sam's Club periodically offers promotions that effectively reduce the cost of membership through gift card incentives. One common promotion allows new members to purchase a Club Membership for $55 and receive a $45 eGift Card, which reduces the net cost to just $10 for the first year. Other variations of this promotion have included:

  • "Join for $55, Get a $45 Gift Card"
  • "Get $50 in Freebies at Sam's Club"
  • "Sam's Club Membership for $35 + $30 in Free eGift Cards"
  • "Get $45 in Instant Savings"
  • "Join for $45, Get a $5 Gift Card" (no longer available as membership prices increased)

It's important to note that these promotions can change frequently, and availability may be limited. When attempting to access these deals, customers should ensure they can add the gift card to their shopping cart, as this indicates the promotion is currently active.

Limited-Time Promotions

Sam's Club occasionally offers significant discounts on membership fees for promotional periods. One notable example was a limited-time offer where new members could join for just $15, representing 70% off the standard $50 membership price. These promotions are typically time-limited and may have specific eligibility requirements.

Referral Program

Current Sam's Club members can participate in the referral program to earn rewards while helping friends and family join. Members receive a personal referral link in their online account, which they can share with others. When someone signs up through a referral link:

  • The new member receives a $20 e-gift card to use at Sam's Club
  • The referring member receives a $10 e-gift card for each successful referral

This program benefits both existing members who can earn gift cards and new members who receive an immediate discount on their membership cost.

Add-On Membership

For individuals who are secondary shoppers in a household with an existing Sam's Club member, the Add-On Membership option provides a discounted rate. Add-on members save $5 off the standard membership fee and receive their own membership card with individual benefits. However, add-on memberships are always at the Club Membership level (not Plus) and must be added to an existing primary member's account. The membership period for add-on members coincides with the primary member's expiration date.

Shopping at Sam's Club Without a Full Membership

For consumers who are not ready to commit to a membership or only need occasional access to Sam's Club, there are several ways to shop without paying full membership fees.

One-Day Pass

Sam's Club offers a one-day shopping pass that allows non-members to access the store and make purchases for a single day. While the source material mentions this option as a way to shop without membership, specific details about how to obtain or use these passes are not provided in the source documents.

Purchasing Without Membership

Certain categories of items at Sam's Club are legally required to be available for non-members to purchase. These typically include:

  • Optical services and eyeglasses
  • Prescription medications
  • Fuel at Sam's Club gas stations
  • Membership items (in some cases)

The availability of these non-member items may vary by location, so it's advisable to call ahead or check with customer service regarding specific policies at your local Sam's Club.

Satisfaction Guarantee

Sam's Club offers a 100% membership satisfaction guarantee, which allows members to cancel their membership and receive a prorated refund if they are unsatisfied. While not technically a "free" membership option, this policy provides a risk-free way to evaluate the benefits of Sam's Club membership for an extended period. However, the source material emphasizes that customers should be honest when seeking refunds and not attempt to use the membership for an entire year before requesting a refund.

Benefits of Sam's Club Membership

Beyond the specific free samples and membership discounts, Sam's Club offers several inherent benefits that can provide significant value to members.

Price Advantages

Sam's Club members typically enjoy substantial savings on merchandise compared to traditional retailers. According to the source material:

  • Items are 30% to 40% cheaper than most grocery stores
  • Prices are approximately 20% lower than Walmart (Sam's Club's parent company)

These savings can be particularly significant for bulk purchases and household essentials.

Fuel Savings

Sam's Club members benefit from lower fuel prices at the company's gas stations. Members typically save 10% to 20% compared to the average gas station prices in their area, providing ongoing value beyond the initial membership investment.

Return Policy

Sam's Club maintains a flexible return policy that allows members to return items at any time, with some exclusions applying. Returns can be processed in two ways:

  1. In-person at a Sam's Club location
  2. By shipping the item back

For online returns, members can log into their account, navigate to "My Account" and "Order History," select the item they wish to return, and follow the provided instructions. Alternatively, members can contact the Member Service Center at 1-888-746-7726 to initiate a return by phone.

Shipping Benefits

Shipping policies vary by membership tier:

  • Plus members receive free shipping on all eligible orders
  • Club members may qualify for free shipping on select items
  • For non-eligible items, shipping costs are determined by the item's size, weight, selected shipping method, and delivery address

Customer Service

Sam's Club provides customer service support through multiple channels:

  • Phone support available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Online contact form available through the "Contact Us" page on their website

When contacting customer service regarding orders or returns, members should have their membership number and order number readily available for assistance.

Conclusion

Sam's Club offers multiple pathways for consumers to access free samples, discounted memberships, and shopping benefits. Freeosk kiosks provide an opportunity to try products before purchase, while various membership promotions and referral programs can significantly reduce the effective cost of membership. For those not ready to commit, options like one-day passes and purchasing select items without membership provide alternative access points.

The value of Sam's Club membership extends beyond the initial investment, with members typically saving 30-40% on merchandise compared to traditional retailers and enjoying additional benefits like fuel savings and flexible return policies. By understanding the available options and strategically choosing the membership tier that best fits their shopping habits, consumers can maximize their value and access to Sam's Club offerings.

Sources

  1. Hey It's Free - Current Freeosk Weekly Samples
  2. The Money Ninja - Sam's Club Free Membership
  3. Well Kept Wallet - Sam's Club Membership for Free
  4. CouponFollow - Sam's Club Policies