A COSTCO shopper has blasted the chain as they complained about the unintended consequences of the retailer’s membership crackdown.
The customer seemed mystified by the wholesaler’s decision to install scanners at the front of warehouses.
Membership scanners were first rolled out earlier this year in a bid to stop non-members from abusing the benefits of a subscription.
Rather than just show their card to a staffer, shoppers must put it under a machine to verify their identity.
However, the policy has sparked controversy, particularly among those with a membership card without a profile picture.
Those customers have been warned that they might have to show another piece of identification.
However, shoppers have pointed out some other unintended consequences linked to the measure.
“What brainiac put scanners at the entrance?” they posted on X.
“Causing lines. Lines going in, lines going out while you scrutinize my purchases.”
They suggested bosses take an alternative course of action.
“Why didn’t you just put the scanners at the registers if you are looking at the photos to match to the cards,” they added.
“Liking your company less.”
The idea of membership scanners has left shoppers divided.
One shopper told the ABC affiliate KGO-TV they were fine with the idea of scanners as long as they worked.
But shoppers have voiced concern about long lines.
“It’s not just a flash of the card anymore,” shopper Ken Lofton told the outlet.
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
The U.S. Sun reported how members reportedly had to wait in freezing temperatures outside warehouses before scanning their cards.
Shoppers felt particularly aggrieved as they believed retail chiefs were treating members like criminals.
And some likened the chain’s approach to something out of a dystopian novel.
Scanning devices have been gradually rolled out in warehouses, and the crackdown did catch some shoppers off-guard.
One customer said they walked through the entrance before being asked to scan her card.
“Just didn’t know what was going on,” the shopper told CityNews.
Not all shoppers have blasted the policy, however.
Some believe it doesn’t make a lot of difference to their experience.
Shoppers that go to Sam’s Club, a Costco rival, do not have to scan their membership cards under a reader.
Membership scanners are not the only change Costco shoppers will notice.
The U.S. Sun reported how the retailer will stop selling books all year round.
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.”
