A COSTCO shopper has been puzzled by the chain’s recent membership crackdown.
The member was particularly confused by the retailer’s decision to roll out scanners at store entrances rather than exits.
Scanners are now common across Costco warehouses and are part of the chain’s strict membership policy.
Bosses are doing everything to ensure non-members don’t take advantage of benefits enjoyed by subscribers.
Shoppers must put their card under a reader and their picture appears on a screen.
Explain it like I’m 6,” the shopper said.
“Why we have to scan our membership at the door as if we’re not scanning our membership to check out?”
The shopper confirmed they wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“If you plan on pulling a Netflix we’ll be leaving,” they warned.
The shopper then claimed the chain’s rivals are “better.”
Costco has rolled out a series of measures designed to combat non-members abusing the retailer.
Shoppers who don’t have a photograph on their card have been asked to prove their identity at registers.
“We don’t feel it’s right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members,” a company spokesperson said at the time.
Netflix is another major company that is targeting non-subscribers.
The change came into force after Costco bosses realized shoppers were not being asked for ID at self-checkout kiosks.
Shoppers couldn’t hide their bewilderment after being asked to prove their identity.
Extra checkout measures are not the only policy that has sparked controversy.
Costco membership sharing guidelines
Costco has strict rules for membership use that shoppers must follow and they've been cracking down on offenders in recent years.
- Primary Member Use: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. Sharing it for purchases is not allowed as the photo on the card must match the person using it.
- Household Card: Each primary member can add one free household cardholder who lives at the same address. This person will receive their own membership card and can shop at Costco independently.
- Guest Policy: Members can bring up to two guests per visit to Costco. However, only the member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by the member.
- Authorized Cardholder: For an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who doesn’t reside at your address. They will receive their own card and can shop independently.
Credit: Costco
Not all shoppers have welcomed the introduction of membership scanners.
Customers have been aggrieved by having to show ID to prove their identities.
Some have gone so far as to brand the chain’s policy “dystopian.”
Members have already expressed concern about how the policy could impact lines.
Costco's membership scanners
Costco has unveiled membership scanners at its store entrances.
In August 2024, the retailer released a statement about the scanners on its website.
“Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse,” it wrote.
“Once deployed, prior to entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by placing the barcode or QR Code against the scanner.
“Guests must also be accompanied by a valid member for entry.
“If you have any questions or concerns, there will always be an attendant at the door to assist you!
“If your membership is inactive, expired, or you would like to sign up for a new membership, the attendant will ask that you stop by the membership counter prior to entering the warehouse to shop.
“Additionally, if your membership card does not have a photo, please be prepared to show your valid photo ID.
“We encourage you to stop by the membership counter to have a photo taken to have on your card.”
“I can see that slowing down people getting in,” shopper Ken Lofton told the ABC affiliate KABC-TV.
Shoppers have also complained how the new policy has forced them to wait in lines in freezing temperatures.
However, executives seem to be happy with the impact of scanners.
“We’re testing some front-door scanners that are going to start speeding up our registers significantly,” CEO Ron Vachris said on an earnings call in May.
“When we get all the scanning and memberships are verified at the front door, it has shown a significant improvement in our register speed.”
Vachris said this will help keep parking spaces turning over.
