COSTCO continues to monitor its membership policies and even goes a step further to prevent card sharing.
The company alerted its customers to new policies it plans to implement in the coming months.
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Costco now has a section on its website titled “Membership Scanners at Warehouse Entrances.”
The retailer plans to install scanning devices at the entrances to Costco warehouses.
“Once deployed, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by holding the barcode or QR code to the scanner before entering,” it says.
In addition, if a guest wishes to shop, he or she must be accompanied by a member to gain entry.
The company also enthusiastically confirmed that if you have any questions or concerns, there will always be an employee at the door who can help.
Added that if your membership is inactive, expired, or you wish to purchase a new one, the person at the door will ask you to come to the membership desk before opening the door for you.
Staff will also ask for a valid photo ID if there is no photo on the membership card.
Costco recommends that its members have their photo taken at the membership counter so that they have a photo of themselves the next time they shop.
According to Fox affiliate KTLA, the new scanners have already been spotted at Costco in Huntington Beach and Inglewood, California.
ANGRY BUYERS
Many shoppers have taken to social media to voice their displeasure at the practice, including one customer who said he was stopped while shopping for his grandmother.
“Costco’s new entry system. You scan your card and your picture shows up on the screen. If it’s not you, you can’t get in. No matter what! They don’t care if you’re shopping for your grandmother #Pathetic,” they shared in a TikTok.
Another said he felt the membership card was a “prison badge.”
“I’ve found that shopping at Costco is becoming an increasingly unpleasant experience,” wrote one user.
“You can’t buy a hot dog without having your card scanned, and I don’t know how making you scan your card the first time like some kind of prison ID is going to make the experience any better.”
Costco’s membership raid
Earlier this year, Costco began cracking down on members who gave their cards to non-paying guests.
To solve the problem, the retailer began testing a new system that introduced card scanners at store entrances.
This forces members to scan their ID cards and confirm their identity when entering the camp.
Testing of the new system began in January at a warehouse near Costco headquarters in Issaquah, Washington.
Similar controls have been introduced at self-service checkouts and manned checkouts.
“Our membership policy states that our membership cards are non-transferable, and since we expanded our self-checkout lanes, we have found that non-member customers are using membership cards that do not belong to them,” Costco said in a statement.
“We don’t think it’s right that non-members receive the same benefits and prices as our members.”
MEMBERSHIPS
The popular department store recently announced an increase in its member prices.
Fees increase annually from $60 to $65 for Gold Star membership and from $120 to $130 for Executive membership.
CNBC reported that prices in the US and Canada will change on September 1.
The retailer typically increases its membership every five years, but 2022 is not the right time, said Costco CEO Craig Jelinek.
Jelinek said it was “not on the table right now,” CNBC reported.
“I have made it very clear. I don’t think it is the right time. Our registration numbers remain high.”
The US Sun has asked Costco for comment.
Costco Membership Sharing Policy
Costco has strict rules for shoppers to follow when using its membership and has cracked down on violations in recent years.
- Primary member use: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. Sharing the card for purchases is not allowed because the photo on the card must match the person using it.
- Household card: Each primary member can add a free household cardholder who lives at the same address. That person will receive their own membership card and can shop independently at Costco.
- Guest policies: Members can bring up to two guests 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 does not live at your address. This person will receive their own card and can make purchases independently.
Photo credit: Costco
