Sam's Club Does Not Want the Money of Minors

Hey,
I am not on here to take sides. I work at Sam's Club and
understand their company policies. The reason that people cannot have
memberships unless they are 18 is because of legal and government
regulations. Trust me, if Sam's could of taken your money, they would
have. Everyone throwing a fit has to understand that the reason you
could not join is because as you know, Sam's Club is a membership
based store, and minors cannot sign a legal document allowing them to
be members. Also since Sam's Club is classified as a warehouse,
legally the people that insure Sam's do not allow minors in the store
unless they are with a guardian. This is also the reason that Sam's
does not like to hire associates under the age of 18. There is a lot
more paper work and they really are only allowed to be in the parking
lot as a cart associate. If you think of what another store's
warehouse that they hold merchindise looks like, if is a very busy
dangerous place, that kids are not allowed in. Now, even though Sam's
and other warehouse retailer are set up to some extent as normal
retailers, they are still classified by the government as a warehouse.
This is the reason for the strict 18 year old or older policy.

Hi Nate, like another poster said...good job on going out there and
starting your own business!!

I've heard of Sam's Club...never been in one. They opened one less
than 5 miles from our home. My husband and I went in one day, asked
if we could get a pass to look around. If we saw something we wanted
to purchase we would come back and sign up.

NO! was the answer...rude/hostile and flippant and SHOUTING at us!! If
we wanted to "see" anything we'd pay the joining fee...or get lost,
lady!

As we are already members of Costco, I thought this might be something
good for us. We spend tons of money at Costco as we shop for
ourselves (family) plus my husband and I each have our own business.
We're talking THOUSDANDS of dollars these people just tossed aside.
Apparently Sam's doesn't need me or my business.

Next, I stupidly inquired as to if they ever have an open house...how
are people supposed to know what the products are, how they are
packaged and what the prices are? Again, more snide, flippant "NO!"


Sam's Club? They will NEVER see me as a customer.
I refuse to be treated like a sub-class citizen. It's amazing the
Manager's don't see this because it has a trickle down affect...I tell
this story and my Mom won't shop there now either.

Just wanted you to know that it's not just the 'young'
being treated that way.

Good luck with your business.

Thanks for the help from everybody.
I never really thought of it as a contract, but from the explanation
of the fact that they take my money and agree to provide me with a
service, then it would be an agreement that they could not hold a
minor to.

However if this could have been explained to me at the store, then I
would have no problems.

Good luck in your business, I think it's great!

Klondike Pete told me they don't want the money of miners, either.

Technically did they ever really have your business to begin with?

Another part of my complaint, which I did not touch on as I spoke with
the store manager on, was the CSR's quote; "Sorry Kiddo, but your
mommy can open one up". It offended me that as a prospective customer,
she was referring to me as "Kiddo" and my mother as "Mommy". I mean,
come on! I may not be very old physically, as she initially thought I
was in college, however I have always been very precocious (not to
toot my own horn...).

I fully understand that minors cannot be legally binded by a contract,
however if this had been explained to be, I would have understood, and
would have offered my feedback to suggest that they offer a
non-contractual membership of sorts. I had never though of it that
way, but it makes some sense.

However, after the CSR had referred to me as "Kiddo" for the third
time, I had had enough of it and decided to go on my way.

...I went into Best Buy to buy a laptop computer.

The salesperson offered me an extended warranty. I turned it down.
He said "Can you tell me why... in case you Mommy calls me and asks
why you did such a stupid thing."

Needless to say, I didn't buy the computer.

that you fully understand the issue of minors and contractual law.
Therefore, you kind of negate your whole argument right there.

As for the "non-contractual" membership - how would they even pull
that off? If they take your money, they have to say what they will do
for that money and what you have to do to "stay in good standing."
That, to my understanding, is the very nature of a contract or binding
agreement.

I agree with you 110% that the CSR was disrespectful to you and it was
NOT called for. But come on! You are clearly an intelligent young
man - do you really want to play the ageism card when you KNOW why
they won't let you do it?

I would look at it this way, at least you know now, before you've
shelled out any of your own money that they aren't a company you want
to be doing business with.

You might try a Sam's Collegiate membership. You need a student ID
and a .edu e-mail address (not sure if your flight school has one).
It's $40 (and they give you a $15 gift card when you sign-up).

The second card, however, can only be used by someone over 18. Not
sure if you're required to have this second person or not.

First let me commend you on your small business. Its not often young
people of your age find interest in doing this and I am sure your
parents are very proud of you.

But I find it a bit ironic that you have no knowledge, or patience
thereof, to understand that legally you are entering into a contract
with this club for membership. Therefore the contract requires a
signature. And since you are not 18yrs of age you cannot sign -
entrepreneur or not.

As for GFS - anyone can start a business account there. All you need
is the name of the company and your TIN. I know as I have one for our
organization and shop at GFS all the time.

...I just wanted to let you know that, while I don't always agree with
you, I am very impressed with the letters and comments you've written
here. In general, you conduct yourself with maturity that exceeds
your age (which I presume is 16 or 17).

Nate E.,

Could it have more do do with the Law and the inability of a person
under the age of 18 to enter into a legal contract?

BillR.

I think it has more to do with contract law than the notion that they
don't want your money. I don't know what GFS is -- perhaps their
membership is set up differently? Do they even do memberships?