Profiting from a Warehouse Membership Club | How-to Guides for running your business from Business.com

Sam's Club, Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club may not be the most glamorous digs, but stepping through the door of a warehouse member's-only club can help you live on Easy Street. Aside from buying office and break room supplies in bulk, you can cut costs with a variety of discounted products and services geared directly to small businesses, including:

Promotional merchandise
Automobile financing, discounted gasoline and roadside assistance
Discounted printing services
Group insurance rates for small businesses
Payroll processing services
Merchant credit card accounts
Website services
Direct mail marketing services
Business phone services
Small business loans and lines of credit

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Enroll in a club to get your savings started

Individual memberships start at under $50, but consider enrolling in a business membership that will add value with special biz discounts and will provide cards for your entire staff.

I recommend: Compare different memberships and enroll at one of the big three warehouse membership clubs online — Sam's Club, Costco and BJ's.

Try before you buy

If you aren't sure if you'll save enough to make a membership worthwhile, request a trial membership.

I recommend: Make a list of office supplies you regularly purchase and take that list to a club to see how much you can save. BJ's offers a one-day trial membership by signing up online. Sam's Club will often let you shop with a one-day pass if you ask at the membership desk inside the store. Costco isn't as generous with one-day passes, but most do let you walk through the store without a card; you just won't be able to purchase anything.

Save on promotional merchandise

Purchasing hats, shirts and other apparel with your company logo can add up quickly. Take advantage of the custom logo apparel merchandise available at warehouse clubs to cut costs.

I recommend: Outfit your staff with custom logo apparel at a discounted price from BJ's.

Auto services included

With fuel prices at extreme highs, a few cents discount can really add up, especially if you have a fleet of business vehicles. Some warehouses also offer car-buying services to assist you with purchasing or leasing a company car or building a fleet.

I recommend: BJ's helps you buy or lease vehicles and Sam's Club offers members free roadside assistance calls for a small annual fee. Sam's Club, Costco and BJ's have locations with gas stations, but before you drive out of our way for a five-cent discount per gallon, determine if it's worth the detour by using the gas price calculator at bankrate.com.

Printing services can save you money

Every small business has printing needs. Whether you print business checks, menus or marketing materials, you can save when you take your printing projects to warehouse clubs.

I recommend: Check out business check printing at Costco. For menus, take-out menus and table toppers, look into Sam's Club's restaurant printing program. Sam's Club members are also eligible for specials at ReliantSigns.com, which prints banners, vinyl vehicle lettering and more.

Don't pass up health and dental insurance options

To offset the skyrocketing costs of insurance, warehouse clubs are offering discounted group rates for small businesses. That's good news, since offering health and dental benefits can make your business more attractive to potential hires.

I recommend: Visit Costco to find out more about small business group health and dental insurance, which are available in some states.

Payroll services partnerships

Membership in a warehouse club can reduce the costs of hiring an outside firm by up to 30 percent to handle this chore for you.

I recommend: Sam's Club has partnered with ADP to offer payroll services and tax preparation. With a Costco membership, you can get a discount on Intuit payroll services, including payroll processing and tax preparation.

Credit card processing

If your business accepts credit cards as a form of payment, check into your warehouse club for possible savings on merchant credit card accounts.

I recommend: Costco, BJ's and Sam's Club all offer merchant credit card processing.

Web site services

Cut costs on Web site design and hosting with your warehouse club membership. Whether you want a simple Web site that promotes your services or a full-fledged e-commerce site, your warehouse club may be able to help.

I recommend: Costco and Sam's Club offer price breaks on Web site design and hosting. Costco offers an online design tutorial and Sam's Club lets you choose from design templates to help you create your Web site.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Save time and money by shopping online at Sam's Club and Costco. Many items are available for delivery, and both offer Internet specials.
Ask about prepaid overnight delivery services at your warehouse club — it could cut your shipping costs.
Consider providing membership cards to employees as an added perk.
Don't just think of memberships as buying in bulk. Make sure to take advantage of all of the services they provide, such as discounts for business travel and low-rate credit cards.
Plan trips to the warehouse club for a specific time each week (or each month) and post a list where employees can write down what they need.