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ByChris Day|
One of the most fun things about shopping at Sam's Club is trying all the free samples found around the store. What's better than those tiny cups filled with roasted nuts or a single cookie? If you're really lucky, they'll pass out a full-size granola bar or a little bottle of laundry detergent. Samples, often served with a kid-sized spoon or a toothpick, can also be an invaluable way for parents to buy shopping time with a cranky toddler in the cart.
The popular program offering free samples, which is called Tastes & Tips, started in the 1980s (per Miami Herald). Sampling was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic but started again in June 2021 (per USA TODAY). Post lockdowns, Sam's Club held its first Double Sample Day in May 2022. Those freebies are a big reason shoppers go to Sam's Club, and the company recognizes its customers' desire to have an "experience" when shopping there (via CNN Business).
You may have noticed there are days when you'll find sample stations at the end of every aisle and other days when samples are few and far between. There's a method to Sam's madness and it's something you need to know if you're looking for the best days to shop at Sam's Club for samples.
Sampling is a win-win for stores and customers
According to Sam's Club employees, the prime days to get samples are Saturdays and Sundays, and, if you shop those days, anywhere from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. is when you'll have the best chance of a good quantity and variety of samples (per Williamson Source).
It makes sense that Sam's Club would choose the weekends to give away their goodies — it's when most people shop (per TODAY). In fact, when the weather is bad, the store will put fewer samplers on the sales floor, knowing that customer traffic will be down, according to Insider.
Insider reports that Sam's Club uses sampling to introduce its members to new products, but the company won't say if it results in more sales. However, according to TheStreet, sampling can provide another benefit to the store. Sam's Club locations often use sampling as a way to unload products that are about to expire. Giving food away is better than tossing it in the dumpster, and it may just encourage a member to purchase a fresh package.
There is such a thing as a free lunch
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If you avoid peak shopping hours because of the crowds, you might want to check your local Sam's Club to see if they have sample machines. These kiosks, which go by the cutesy name Freeosks, will automatically give you a product sample by scanning your membership card any day of the week. You won't get as many goodies, but who can turn down a chance to have a free bag of pretzels?
Memberships to Sam's Club are a great way to stretch the budget for many families, but they can be unaffordable or impractical for others. A standard annual membership costs $50, and unless you need an acre of toilet paper (and have a place to store it), a membership may not be worth it. The good news is that Sam's Club does not require membership to browse its aisles nor to get samples, and if you time it right, you may just get enough freebies to skip lunch.
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