Sam's Club Shopping & Delivery v26.05.40 introduces new shipping and pickup fees in May 2026, tanking ratings

Version 26.05.40 serves as the technical enforcement of a corporate policy announced in mid-2024. Plus members now face a $50 minimum order requirement to qualify for free shipping. Orders below this threshold are now subject to an $8 flat-rate fee.^[2] The release also appeared to implement unexpected fees for curbside pickup for some users, a service previously marketed as free for all members. The sudden application of these charges caught the user base entirely off guard.

The fee implementation caused immediate friction, driving the app's average ratingGlossaryStar RatingThe 1-5 star average users give your app on the App Store and Google Play — a primary ranking signal and one of the biggest conversion drivers on your product page. down from 3.94 to 2.65 stars. Pre-update reviews praised the platform's logistics, with a 5-star reviewer on v26.05.30 highlighting "Good products, fastGlossaryFree Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST)Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV — linear, channel-style streaming services (Pluto TV, Tubi, Roku Channel) that are free to viewers and monetized entirely through adve... shipping, good prices." However, post-update sentiment turned hostile. As one 1-star reviewer on v26.05.40 noted, "Shipping Added $8 previously orders over $35 had free shipping. What happened to that??" Another 3-star user questioned why they were "being charged shipping on two items when I am picking up my groceries curbside." One user simply warned others to give their money to a company that does not "spit in the face of loyal paying customers."

Beyond the new logistics fees, version 26.05.40 suffered severe stability issues during a high-profile promotional event. Users attempting to participate in an exclusive Pokémon card drop found themselves locked out of their accounts, unable to secure the highly anticipated inventory.

A discussion on r/PokemonDeals notes that the app and website crashed, logged them out, and prevented them from completing purchases during the exclusive drop, leading to widespread frustration and accusations of the company enabling scalpers. Archived.

The backlash over shipping fees arrives alongside broader cost increases for the platform's user base, which exceeds 432,000 downloads over the last 30 days.^[1] On May 1, 2026, the publisher raised the annual fee for a basic Club membership from $50 to $60, and the Plus membership from $110 to $120.^[4] Users are now paying higher baseline subscriptionGlossarySubscriptionA recurring in-app purchase that charges the user on a fixed cadence (weekly, monthly, annual) until they cancel. rates while receiving fewer complimentary services. Furthermore, user requests for additional payment options like Apple Pay remain unaddressed, as the company continues to prioritize its proprietary Scan & Go system.

The sharp decline in user sentiment suggests a high risk of membership churnGlossaryChurnThe rate at which users stop using an app (general churn) or cancel a subscription (subscription churn) over a time window — retention's mathematical complement. if the publisher fails to address the friction. The convergence of subscription price hikes, the removal of free shipping, and technical failures during product drops severely damages consumer trust. To repair the relationship with its user base, the company will likely need to introduce tangible new perks or launch a robust communication campaign. The publisher's response over the next few weeks will dictate the long-term impact on customer loyalty.