Joel, I get my packer briskets (Excel) from Walmart or Sam's, but the price changes, as well as whether Walmart's briskets are "Choice" like the ones at Sam's Club. Got a choice packer that showed up at our Walmart for $2.18lb last month and stuck it in the freezer to smoke sometime soon.
I get my pork butts (also Excell brand) from a local grocer that puts them on sale usually for $1.48lb. They rarely put the spares on sale but have a decent regular price of $2.49lb.
That's no higher than the Sam's Club regular price, but I snagged the three pack of spares last time there because the Sam's price was reduced to something like $2.29lb, if I recall. Noticed that the butts were still just as high as my local grocer and the briskets were up to $2.38 or so a lb. You just have to shop if you want the best deals, but I must say that the spares I got from Sam's seemed to be richer and not as lean as a lot in the past. Can't remember what brand it was, though. You can go to "butcher shops" and specialty meat places, but be aware that many are just an added middle man and are selling no fresher meat than you'd find anywhere else.
