Sam’s Club Plus members have about six weeks left to take advantage of the coveted perks, and they’re telling the wholesale giant they’re unhappy about losing them.
The company announced in an email on June 19 that starting Aug. 19, Plus members will only receive free shipping on “eligible orders of $50 or more” placed through the Sam’s Club website or app.
If you don’t add $50 worth of eligible items to your digital cart, you’ll be charged a flat rate of $8, though Sam’s Club notes that “exceptions apply to some categories, and variable shipping rates will be charged.”
“@SamsClub how do you interpret this new change? Plus members have to order over $50 to get free shipping?” @Victorino1 posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “They’re taking away our perks. Enough is enough, reply Plus members. This is nonsense!!! Stop ignoring us!”
Within minutes, Sam’s Club responded, “Cart minimums give our members more ways to shop — making it easier for them to get the products they want, how and when they want.”
X user @mbarthur1 went so far as to say “class action lawsuits coming,” referring to the lawsuit.
At least one has threatened to take his business to a warehouse-style rival of Sam’s Club.
“@SamsClub is making a stupid move by eliminating free shipping for Plus members,” @80zkid4Ever posted to X. “I’m going to beg Costco to do the same.”
Sam’s Club responded that they understood his “frustration with these new changes” and asked him to send them a private message.
In response, another user, X, said that he is disabled and relies on Sam’s deliveries to get the products he needs.
“Many of the items I buy are only sold online so receiving new items (over $50) for free from the warehouse doesn’t make sense to me,” @monroe8831 wrote to X. “Please help.”
Also, when the change comes into effect next month, Plus members will get free same-day delivery on eligible orders when a $50 order minimum is met.
Other benefits for Plus members include free curbside pickup, early shopping, 2% Sam’s Cash through the rewards currency program, prescription discounts, eyeglass discounts, and Plus Early Access, which allows customers to shop two hours early during “major discount events throughout the year.”
Walmart-owned Sam’s Club is currently offering a Plus membership for $60, $50 off the regular price, but the offer ends Sunday.
“Members are at the heart of everything we do,” a Sam’s Club spokesperson said in a statement to FOX Business, adding that the company is “continuously working to create an easier and more convenient shopping experience for our members.”
“I’m not going to pay $8 for delivery when it used to be free (or should I say, included in the $100/year membership!!),” Therese Helberg wrote on Facebook. “I’ll probably have to cancel and rely on Costco for all the items I used to buy at Sam’s Club!”
Costco includes shipping and handling fees on some items purchased online, and other items are delivered within two business days on orders over $75.
