When it comes to furnishing your home, few purchases are as significant (or as exciting) as a new mattress or piece of furniture. And for savvy shoppers looking to score a great deal without sacrificing quality, Sam‘s Club is often a go-to destination. The wholesale retailer is known for its wide selection of top home brands at competitive prices – but what about getting those bulky items from the store to your door?
That‘s where furniture delivery comes in – and Sam‘s Club offers a few different options for getting your mattress or sofa delivered and set up. But with factors like cost, scheduling, and assembly to consider, it‘s not always clear which choice makes the most sense.
As a picky shopper and retail expert, I‘ve thoroughly researched Sam‘s Club‘s furniture and mattress delivery offerings to bring you the full scoop. I‘ll cover:
- An overview of Sam‘s Club‘s delivery options and how they work
- Key factors that impact delivery cost and timeframes
- How Sam‘s Club compares to other retailers for furniture delivery
- Tips for ensuring a seamless delivery experience
- Insider insights and analysis on making the best delivery choice
By the end of this guide, you‘ll be fully equipped to order your Sam‘s Club furniture or mattress with confidence, knowing exactly what to expect. Let‘s dive in!
Sam‘s Club Mattress & Furniture Delivery 101
While you might be used to same-day delivery for groceries and household essentials from Sam‘s Club, furniture and mattress delivery works a bit differently due to the size and complexity of the items. Here are the key things to know:
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Sam‘s Club uses third-party carriers to deliver furniture and mattresses, not their own trucks/drivers like with small parcel items. The two main providers they partner with are GoShare (an on-demand delivery service) and a network of approved freight carriers.
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Delivery fees for furniture and mattresses are typically much higher than for small items due to the increased labor and logistics required. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $250+ depending on the specific item and your location.
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Delivery timeframes are longer than for in-stock small items, often in the 1-4 week range. Custom or backordered pieces can take even longer.
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There are typically two main tiers of furniture/mattress delivery offered: threshold (delivered to your first dry room or garage) and white glove (delivered to a room of choice and fully assembled). White glove costs more but is the most convenient option.
So in a nutshell, getting a couch or king size bed from Sam‘s Club to your living room is a bit more involved than your average grocery delivery, but they aim to make the process as streamlined as possible through their delivery partners and tiered options.
Sam‘s Club Furniture & Mattress Delivery Options
Let‘s get into the nitty gritty of the two main ways you can get your Sam‘s Club furniture order delivered: GoShare and freight delivery.
GoShare Delivery
If you‘re a Sam‘s Club member in an area serviced by GoShare and your item is available locally, you can opt for this on-demand service to get your order ASAP. Some key things to know about GoShare delivery:
- Pricing is based on factors like number of items, required labor, mileage, and vehicle size needed. On average, GoShare deliveries from Sam‘s Club range from $80-200 but can go up to $500+ for very large orders.
- Delivery windows are scheduled in 2-hour increments and can be as soon as same-day or next-day depending on availability. Weekend and evening deliveries are possible in most markets.
- Contactless delivery is available if you pre-pay and pre-tip on the GoShare site. If you opt to pay at delivery, you‘ll need to sign for the order in person.
- GoShare‘s delivery professionals will load and unload your item(s) from Sam‘s Club, transport them to your delivery address, and bring them inside. For an added fee, they can also assemble items.
GoShare is a great option if you need your items quickly and want a bit more control over the delivery window. It‘s popular for mattresses, small furniture items, and final-mile delivery of large items shipped to your local Sam‘s Club from a distribution center.
Freight/Carrier Delivery
For furniture and mattresses that aren‘t available for local on-demand delivery, Sam‘s Club will arrange delivery via a carrier partner that specializes in large item shipments.
- Carrier deliveries typically take 1-4 weeks depending on your location and the item‘s availability, as products often ship from a warehouse or directly from the manufacturer.
- Delivery fees are usually between $50-150 for threshold service and $100-$300+ for white glove. The specific cost will be listed on the item page when you select a shipping method.
- Threshold delivery means the item will be brought inside your home/garage/covered area but not to a specific room. For white glove, the delivery team will bring the item to a room of choice, unbox it, and assemble it fully.
- Delivery windows are scheduled in advance and typically in 4-hour increments. The carrier will call/text you with a more specific ETA on delivery day.
- You‘ll need to inspect and sign for the delivery. Don‘t hesitate to note any damage or issues before the delivery team leaves to streamline the claims process if needed.
Freight delivery makes the most sense for non-urgent furniture purchases and for shoppers who want a full-service, hands-off experience and are willing to pay a bit more for that convenience.
Sam‘s Club vs. Other Furniture Retailers
Of course, Sam‘s Club is far from the only game in town when it comes to furniture delivery. Here‘s a quick overview of how their offerings stack up to some other popular retailers:
Costco: Sam‘s Club‘s main wholesale club competitor, Costco‘s furniture delivery options are very similar. They use GoShare for locally available items and freight carriers for everything else. Pricing and timelines are nearly identical, though Costco does tend to have a slightly wider selection of furniture in-store and online.
Amazon: The ecommerce giant offers free delivery on most furniture items over $35 for Prime members. However, their free delivery is almost always threshold only – you‘ll pay an extra $90-$140 for room of choice or $130-$180 for white glove. Delivery speeds vary quite a bit based on the item and your location.
Wayfair: The online furniture retailer offers free shipping on most orders over $35, though larger items like sofas and mattresses often have a shipping surcharge of $100-$200. Like Amazon, the free option is typically threshold only. Full service delivery fees are similar to Sam‘s Club ($100-$250) but delivery timeframes can be longer, often 2-4 weeks.
Ashley Furniture: For the popular furniture brand, delivery fees and options vary quite a bit by location. In general, you can expect to pay $100-$200 for doorstep delivery and $200-$500 for white glove, with delivery timeframes in the 1-4 week range.
Broadly speaking, Sam‘s Club is very competitive with other major retailers when it comes to furniture delivery. Their partnership with GoShare gives them a leg up in the on-demand space, while their freight delivery offerings are on par with other big box stores in terms of cost and service level.
Tips for a Smooth Sam‘s Club Furniture Delivery
No matter which Sam‘s Club delivery method you choose, there are a few best practices that can help ensure the process goes off without a hitch:
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Measure your space thoroughly before ordering. Use Sam‘s Club‘s provided item dimensions to confirm the piece will fit through doorways and staircases. Don‘t forget to account for any tight corners or ceiling clearance too.
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Choose your delivery type wisely. Think through your budget, timeline, and assembly preferences to select the right tier. Threshold is cheapest but means more work for you, while white glove is pricier but totally hands-off.
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Prep for delivery day. Clear the path for the delivery team and make sure an adult 18+ will be available to accept the order during the scheduled window. Pro tip: Put your phone ringer on so you don‘t miss any delivery updates!
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Carefully inspect the delivered items. Before signing off, take a close look at the furniture for any damage or defects. Test out mechanisms like recliners and drawers. If something seems off, point it out to the delivery team ASAP.
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Have a plan for the packaging. From mattress bags to packing peanuts, furniture orders can involve a lot of materials. Have a box cutter, trash bags, and vacuum handy for quick cleanup. If you opted out of debris removal, be prepared to dispose of the packing materials yourself.
By doing a bit of legwork on the front end and being an active participant in the delivery process, you can avoid common furniture delivery headaches and enjoy your new purchase sooner.
Making the Right Furniture Delivery Call
At the end of the day, choosing a furniture delivery option from Sam‘s Club comes down to your individual circumstances and priorities. It‘s all about striking the right balance between cost, speed, and service level for your specific situation.
As a general rule of thumb, I recommend GoShare for folks who:
- Need the item ASAP and can‘t wait 1-4 weeks
- Are able to take on some light furniture assembly if needed to save money
- Want more control over and visibility into the delivery window
- Value the ease and reliability of an on-demand delivery platform
On the flip side, you‘re probably better off with freight/white glove delivery if you:
- Aren‘t in a major rush to receive the items
- Prefer a fully hands-off experience and are willing to pay for that convenience
- Want the peace of mind of professional assembly and a thorough inspection before signing off
- Are ordering a very high-value or heavy/bulky item that requires special care
If you‘re waffling between the two, I find it helpful to price out both options and weigh the potential time and effort savings of white glove against the added cost. When in doubt, you can always reach out to Sam‘s Club‘s customer service or post a question on one of their active member forums for more personalized advice.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, while Sam‘s Club delivery fees and timelines for furniture and mattresses are on the higher end compared to their small parcel offerings, they‘re very much in line with industry norms for these bulky, complex items.
By partnering with a range of third-party carriers and offering tiered delivery options, the retailer has managed to strike a solid balance between value, convenience, and reliability for shoppers‘ home furnishing needs.
Just remember – the key to a positive Sam‘s Club furniture delivery experience is being an informed, proactive customer. By understanding your options, preparing ahead of time, and staying engaged throughout the process, you‘ll be kicking back and relaxing on that new sofa or mattress in no time!
