5 Reasons People Have Their Sam's Club Membership Revoked
Image source: Getty Images If you like shopping at Sam's Club, the last thing you want is to lose your membership. Since it has a large selection and reasonable prices, it's easy to shop there without draining your savings account. Fortunately, Sam's Club doesn't go around canceling people's memberships for no reason. That wouldn't be a great way to run a membership club.Alert: highest cash back card we've seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026 This credit card is not just good – it's so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. However, it does reserve the right to revoke membership, and it lists actionable offenses that could lead to this on its website. Here are the most common reasons for people to have their Sam's Club membership revoked.1. Writing bad checksBounced checks could get you bounced from Sam's Club. If you make an honest mistake and this happens, talk to customer service and get your bill paid ASAP.This is a good time to mention that checks aren't the best way to pay at Sam's Club. Neither is a debit card, although that is at least more convenient. You'll save money compared to both those options if you pay with a cash back credit card. If you spend $500 at Sam's Club per month using a card that earns 2% back, you'd earn $120 in cash back per year.Looking for a card you can use to earn cash back at Sam's Club -- and everywhere else you shop? Check out our list of the best cash back cards to see top picks earning rates as high as 6%!2. ShopliftingLike most of the actionable offenses on Sam's Club's list, this one's pretty self-explanatory. Most stores ban people who get caught trying to shoplift. With those that require a membership, including Sam's Club and Costco, they'll usually take away your membership.3. Violent behaviorYour local Sam's Club is not the place to throw down, even on Black Friday. You'll most likely lose your membership, plus there's the whole "could get arrested and spend the night in jail" part.4. Mistreating associatesIt should go without saying, but sadly, not all customers treat retail employees well. Sam's Club considers practically any type of rude behavior toward its associates as reason enough to cancel a membership. That gives it plenty of leeway to revoke memberships of problem customers. Specifically, it mentions abusive, disrespectful, or threatening behavior toward an associate and profanity used toward an associate as actionable offenses.5. Questionable returnsSam's Club has a generous return policy, as it offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. It will do its best to process a return if you don't have your receipt, and on most items, it accepts returns at any time. There are some exceptions -- for example, you can only return electronics and major appliances within 90 days.Unfortunately, return abuse is a common issue for retailers, especially among those with generous return policies. You don't need to worry about making the occasional return, even if it has been a long time since you made the purchase. But Sam's Club does revoke memberships of people who try to game the system. Here are a few examples:Excessive returns: If you're making returns on a regular basis, that could jeopardize your membership.Returns after a long period of time: This is fine every now and then, but frequently returning old items is frowned on.Return fraud: This will likely get your membership revoked immediately.Most members won't have any problemsThe reasons listed above are the actionable offenses that Sam's Club specifically mentions. But it can technically revoke your membership for any reason, without cause.The typical shopper doesn't have anything to worry about, though. All the things Sam's Club will ban you for aren't exactly normal customer behavior. If someone tries to steal, start fights, or return 90% of what they buy at Sam's Club, their membership could be revoked. The people who just shop there, enjoy the deals, and don't yell at the employees can have a membership for as long as they want.Alert: highest cash back card we've seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026 This credit card is not just good – it's so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and
Image source: Getty Images
If you like shopping at Sam's Club, the last thing you want is to lose your membership. Since it has a large selection and reasonable prices, it's easy to shop there without draining your savings account. Fortunately, Sam's Club doesn't go around canceling people's memberships for no reason. That wouldn't be a great way to run a membership club.
Alert: highest cash back card we've seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it's so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
However, it does reserve the right to revoke membership, and it lists actionable offenses that could lead to this on its website. Here are the most common reasons for people to have their Sam's Club membership revoked.
1. Writing bad checks
Bounced checks could get you bounced from Sam's Club. If you make an honest mistake and this happens, talk to customer service and get your bill paid ASAP.
This is a good time to mention that checks aren't the best way to pay at Sam's Club. Neither is a debit card, although that is at least more convenient. You'll save money compared to both those options if you pay with a cash back credit card. If you spend $500 at Sam's Club per month using a card that earns 2% back, you'd earn $120 in cash back per year.
Looking for a card you can use to earn cash back at Sam's Club -- and everywhere else you shop? Check out our list of the best cash back cards to see top picks earning rates as high as 6%!
2. Shoplifting
Like most of the actionable offenses on Sam's Club's list, this one's pretty self-explanatory. Most stores ban people who get caught trying to shoplift. With those that require a membership, including Sam's Club and Costco, they'll usually take away your membership.
3. Violent behavior
Your local Sam's Club is not the place to throw down, even on Black Friday. You'll most likely lose your membership, plus there's the whole "could get arrested and spend the night in jail" part.
4. Mistreating associates
It should go without saying, but sadly, not all customers treat retail employees well. Sam's Club considers practically any type of rude behavior toward its associates as reason enough to cancel a membership. That gives it plenty of leeway to revoke memberships of problem customers. Specifically, it mentions abusive, disrespectful, or threatening behavior toward an associate and profanity used toward an associate as actionable offenses.
5. Questionable returns
Sam's Club has a generous return policy, as it offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. It will do its best to process a return if you don't have your receipt, and on most items, it accepts returns at any time. There are some exceptions -- for example, you can only return electronics and major appliances within 90 days.
Unfortunately, return abuse is a common issue for retailers, especially among those with generous return policies. You don't need to worry about making the occasional return, even if it has been a long time since you made the purchase. But Sam's Club does revoke memberships of people who try to game the system. Here are a few examples:
- Excessive returns: If you're making returns on a regular basis, that could jeopardize your membership.
- Returns after a long period of time: This is fine every now and then, but frequently returning old items is frowned on.
- Return fraud: This will likely get your membership revoked immediately.
Most members won't have any problems
The reasons listed above are the actionable offenses that Sam's Club specifically mentions. But it can technically revoke your membership for any reason, without cause.
The typical shopper doesn't have anything to worry about, though. All the things Sam's Club will ban you for aren't exactly normal customer behavior. If someone tries to steal, start fights, or return 90% of what they buy at Sam's Club, their membership could be revoked. The people who just shop there, enjoy the deals, and don't yell at the employees can have a membership for as long as they want.
Alert: highest cash back card we've seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it's so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
