What can you get at Sam’s, Costco and BJ’s without a membership? Take a look

Feeling excluded, like the neighborhood kids started a club and you want to join just to make sure you’re not missing out?

That’s the whole point of the membership warehouse phenomenon, which got its start in the 1950s offering low-priced goods to underpaid federal workers living in California.

Today, retail analysts say, stores such as Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale generate hundreds of billions of dollars in annual sales to customers who pay to get in and wander around searching for the 2,400-sheet pack of Post-It notes and the last gallon of pancake syrup they’ll ever need.

But let’s say you’re not a joiner, and the promise of huge quantities and itty-bitty markups hasn’t enticed you to commit to a 12-month basic or premium membership. Do you still wonder what it might be like to shop for an intimate dinner in a store the size of a Manhattan city block? Have you wanted to just go in and look around?

It wouldn’t be a club if they let just anybody in, so no, none of these places allow tourists to enjoy the same benefits as paying members. If they don’t ask for your card when you come in, they’ll need it when you check out.

But each one allows non-members a limited amount of access, just enough to let you know how much better it would be if you joined the fold.

READ MORE: How can you save money at Costco, Sam’s and BJ’s? Some shopping tips for warehouse clubs

BJ’s Warehouse

In-store shopping: Membership is not required to enter the warehouse. You can walk all around looking at the big-screen TVs and beauty-school-sized shampoos, but you can’t buy any of them without a card. Free temporary passes are no longer offered.

Online shopping: Non-members can look at items offered online but can’t make purchases.

Optical shop: No membership is needed to use the optical shop, where you can get prescriptions for glasses or contacts through a consultation with a virtual eye doctor. Prices are the same as members pay. Appointments are recommended.

Pharmacy: BJ’s stores no longer have pharmacies.

Cafes: Many BJ’s don’t have cafes.

Sam’s Club

In-store: Membership is not required to enter the warehouse and admire the gross tonnage. But you can’t buy anything without a card.

Online shopping: Non-members can shop online by creating a free guest account. Orders are subject to a 10% non-member surcharge.

Optical shop: Non-members can get eye exams in stores that have professionals on site, but a membership is needed to purchase prescription eyewear.

Pharmacy: No membership required.

Cafe: No membership required.

Costco

In-store shopping: Membership is required to enter and shop the warehouse.

Online shopping: No membership required. Not all items offered in stores are available online, and orders for non-members are subject to a 5% surcharge.

Optical shop: Non-members can get eye exams but can’t purchase eyewear.

Pharmacy: No membership required.

Cafe: Membership is required to eat in the food court.