Existing and new Costco members may see card scanners at store entrances in the near future.
A recent update on the Costco website states: “In the coming months, member scanners will be deployed at the front door of your local warehouse. Once deployed, all members will be required to scan their physical or digital membership card by holding the barcode or QR code to the scanner before entering. Guests must also be accompanied by a valid member to enter.”
It goes on to say that customers who “have questions or concerns will always have a staff member at the door to assist them.” Finally, it says, “If your membership is inactive or expired, or you would like to purchase a new membership, the staff member will ask you to stop by the membership desk before entering the warehouse to shop. In addition, if your membership card does not have a photo, please have your valid photo ID ready. We encourage you to stop by the membership desk to have a photo taken for your card.”
With this new business tactic, the wholesaler hopes to stem the influx of non-members using cards that don’t belong to them. The club is frequented by people who don’t have cards, who eat in the food court, buy alcohol and pick up drugs, CNET reports.
Costco is currently tightening access rules to its stores to prevent non-members from sneaking in under false pretenses. https://t.co/FeBwoaVzrz
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) 8 August 2024
According to the Orange County Register, scanners have been spotted at Costco warehouses in California in Tustin, Laguna Niguel (Cabot), Aliso Viejo, Irvine, La Habra, Cypress, Signal Hill, San Dimas, Alhambra, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, Santa Clarita, (North) Fontana, Palm Desert, La Quinta, San Bernardino and Victorville.
In January, Costco confirmed it had begun testing membership card scanning at the entrance in some locations, which was intended to improve the overall experience for members by eliminating the need to scan cards at checkout. The crackdown came after the store announced it would increase its membership fees for the first time since 2017.
The new fees will take effect on September 1 and increase the price of Costco’s basic Gold Star membership from $60 to $65 per year, while the cost of the premium executive membership will increase from $120 to $130.
