I admit shopping at BJs after church on Sunday isn't just because we are in town, it's because my kids are usually starving, and I like the free samples. Sunday seems to be one of the better days for samples. The best is when you get drinks and food! No whining from the kids makes a smoother shopping experience for the entire store in my case.
The free samples at wholesale clubs are the only thing I remember hearing as a kid. The adults all raved about the size of the samples. I know today some will say it's incredible and others think the sizes are bite size.
Every year BJs has offered the free back-to-school lunch sampling event. You would get a brown paper bag and it would be full of a drink, fruit, veggie, and half a sandwich. I was thrilled, and it was an excellent lunch for the kids. Yet, others in our Facebook community complained or didn't have the same experience.
As we go over these fun facts you probably didn't know about BJs Free samples, keep in mind, each store is still managed by different people.
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Those friendly faces who offer you free samples do not work for BJs Wholesale club.
That's right they are a third-party company. You often won't be able to ask about the sale cycle or where the product they are sampling to you is located. They are there to prepare the samples the way BJs specifics.
Another inside tip is that they are given specific steps to follow when frying up your salmon. Those steps are given by BJ's Wholesale club which wants to stick to its brand. For example, when I was chatting with an employee who gives out samples, we joked about how the tilapia fish could use a little more flavoring, maybe even some lemon.
She showed me the paper where they are only allowed to add salt. Personally, I would think you could get a little more creative in your sample BJs since you do have an entire website dedicated to recipes using your ingredients.
Take As Many Samples as You Like- There isn't a limit
That's right technically, there isn't a limit to how many samples you can take. The kids are easier to grab a second sample guilt-free, but the other day the shift was ending, and I had a blast laughing and chatting. The employee told me to take them all, because at the end of the day what's left sitting out is garbage.
That day I think the girls got enough samples to make an entire waffle and then some! It's the little things in life that make us happy.
Weekends Are the Best for Samples
Unfortunately, if you hate shopping with a gazillion other people, you may miss out on the better samples. Saturday and Sunday have the best selection of samples.
On the weekends I am greeted with a tray of samples. During the week, the samples aren't coming to you.
Don't bother shopping at BJs on a Monday if you are hoping for free samples. BJ's sampling hours are Wednesday – Sunday.
You May Find Yourself Buying That Product
Samples work, my friend. Trust me they aren't getting new memberships based on the samples. BJ's offers coupons on so many products.
The samples usually are items that have a BJ's coupon. It helps when the coupons are laid out on the table for you to take, or to even realize the price of the product after the coupon.
And no, the employees won't get a bonus or extra commission if you end up buying one. So don't feel bad if you aren't interested or do not like the sample. Just thank them and move on.
Let us know if you take advantage of the samples when you are shopping at BJs? Or if you find them annoying?
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I worked doing sample for three years at BJ’S. Yes, it is an outside company that does the sampling. Your article is pretty spot on except for the part about employees not getting a bonus or commission. While that is technically true, the company certainly does keep track of how many of the product you sampled sold on the particular day thete was a live demo for it. I mean, we never got a bonus or anything but they sure did yell at us if our “lift numbers” weren’t great.
Actually the directions on preparing and adding to are from the vendor if branded. I work @ BJS.
Thanks for the feedback Janet. This was told to us from our local BJs.
I’ve always loved getting samples, I rarely go to BJs on the weekend so I always miss out!
Wow at my BJ’s I never saw a table of samples like in the photo maybe our store is smaller. I enjoy the samples as it’s great to try the product before you buy. Also you get to try something you may not had thought of and it opens you up to new ideas.
Those extra special days sound amazing! My kids would go crazy. I love that my kids are excited for that stop in our grocery routine just because they might get to sample things.
Samples are great. We never have a long line when kids and I go. They gotta go to every table.
No wonder I never see samples , I go on the wrong days
I hesitate to try samples as I think there are too many germs around open food.
I know, weird!
I usually try the samples, if its a product that i had been thinking about buying or had not heard about. Having a coupon to go with it is definately going to get my attention quicker to consider buying the item.
Never knew the sample days. I don’t usually sample because too many people crowd around the table but my kids want to when they see them.
I worked in Costco for 2 years as a ‘sample lady’ it was enjoyable most of the time. I can identify with this article ?
Love the samples best way to find out what we like and dont like!
Doesn’t everyone love sample days? I especially like when BJ’s goes all out and puts on a big spread for the holidays or other special occasions. Samples have convinced me to buy some products when paired with coupons.
Sample days are my favorite, because I’m hesitant to buy something especially in bulk if I’m not sure I/we will like it. I don’t go to BJ’s much on Sundays, I will have to test that out at my club. I usually see samples on Saturday so I just assumed Saturday was the day.