Seeing a lot of reviews here for rude employees, I was ready to experience them my first time shopping Sam's Club in Maryvale (yuckiest part of Phoenix, AZ) I saw no bums in the parking lot. The staff in the store were smiling, laughing & friendly to me- even though I showed up at the last minute 1/2 hr before closing time to get my new members card & do quick shopping. Entering the store realized I had no cart, so went to the entrance/exit doors to look for one. The rather "village idiot"-type staff member smiled & told me I can't get a cart (they're outside the door) until another customer arrived to shop & tripped the automatic door (so I could run out & grab a cart from the outside) ! I answered "What if NO other customers arrive??" shows the genius hired at Sam's Club: customers are *not* their priority. Luckily another last minute shopper did arrive, thus opening the auto-doors & I reached out to grab a (giant) cart. The store layout is such that you can see afar sections from your perspective, so you know where to race your cart to next. EVERY thing is in giant economy sizes- so you better plan on shopping for the month, unless you're feeding a family of eight. Apparently they do not stock fresh garlic?? Bizarre... they do carry pre-peeled refrigerated garlic cloves in gargantua-sized vacuum paks. I needed mushrooms, but not a cafeteria stocking sized batch- skip their mushrooms. I could not find capers, but feared if I had, I'd have to buy a 10 gallon jug or none at all.
The produce section appeared clean, fresh. The prices on fresh fruits and vegetables VERY reasonable, less than anywhere else I find locally. 4lb bag of HoneyCrisp apples: $6.48, or $6.84 something. I opted for the "ENVY" apples, which to me are the same apple- at approx $4. for 4# bag. Beautiful navel oranges at $8. for 8lb bag(about a dollar a lb) very good. The seafood section is remarkable: giant King? crab legs- huge! Many varieties of seafood for all tastes. The beef section seemed a bit sparse, but I was there just before closing. Prices on fresh meats very appealing- I wonder if Sam's Club is lowest price of all local stores? They may be.
Surprised to find no bags/packages/wrapping were provided for purchased items, the paid for items merely set back in your cart. Bring your own bags? is that it?
If you need a "normal" sized bottle of ketchup, or a few mushrooms for a dinner recipe, skip shopping here. This is for "stocking up" sizes only. And bring your own bag! PS- this store at McDowell is in a miserable location. This may be my first and last experience there- next one will be the Dysart store in Litchfield Park. read more