I won't get into the relative virtues of Costco and Walmart's. There's something to be said for both, as stores.
What's clear is that the media have run an enormous campaign criticizing Walmart as a demonic organization and praising Costco as a wonderful organization.
Who can doubt that this is typical MSM lies with a hidden agenda? They attack Walmart because it donates to Republicans, and they support Costco because it donates to Democrats. The real problem is not with Costco or Walmart, who are entitled to give to the politicians of their choice. The real problem is with the lying scum in the media, who manipulate the facts to support their leftist agenda.
This is obvious enough if you think about it, but even conservatives have been taken in by media propaganda. For example, they say that Walmart is unAmerican and sells only Chinese goods. I doubt whether Walmart sells more Chinese goods than anyone else, because cheap Chinese goods are everywhere. Walmart's real sin is supporting a Republican administration that the Democrats hate for keeping them out of power.
You've pretty much summed up my impression of the entire situation. So much of it is media driven.
I can't get into a comparison between WalMart/Sam's vs. Costco because i have never been in a Costco, and not for any other reason than I have never even seen one........there are none around here.
As far as Chinese made good go, you can't shop anywhere and not find them, particularly in the small appliance and electronics departments of nearly any store. whether it be JC Penney, Walmart or Target.
Walmart is big, it's anti-union, and folks like it - therefore it is the prime target of the media. And it's a daggone shame so many have fallen for the propaganda.