A COSTCO shopper threatened to boycott a wholesaler in favor of a competing brand over its membership policy.
Bosses work to ensure that non-members do not have privileges to participate in the crackdown.
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Executives have been trying to solve the problem for more than a year and have taken a specific number of actions.
Shoppers will be able to notice some of the measures in place.
Costco bosses are asking shoppers who don't have photos on their membership cards to prove their ID at checkout.
Costco also changed its policy when members enter warehouses.
Instead of just showing membership cards, they should place them under the reader.
However, shoppers pointed out the effects of this policy and claimed that it made them consider alternative places to shop.
Shopper in ElinoPrompted on X: “There was a line of 40 people standing outside in 30 degree weather in East Peoria.
“Unacceptable service. “He might consider leaving Sam's Club.”
The shopper claimed the scanning machines were causing the lines to back up.
They're not the first to get angry about scanners.
Another shopper claimed Costco invested in the wrong technology.
Others expressed concerns about the weather.
“You're going to have to push the entrance 30 to 40 feet into the store this winter because people can't even use the scanners properly,” one shopper said out loud.
“I won't freeze.”
This policy has upset some members because they feel Costco bosses don't trust them.
This has led some to liken this policy to The Miserable Handmaid's Tale.
Shoppers did not welcome the idea of having to show their driver's license to enter the store.
Costco Membership Sharing Guidelines
Costco has strict membership usage rules that shoppers must follow, and they have been cracking down on violators in recent years.
- Use basic members: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. It is not allowed to be shared in purchases as the image on the card must match the person using it.
- Home card: Each Basic Member can add one free Home 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 a member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by the member.
- Authorized card holderFor an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who does not reside at your address. They will get their own card and can shop independently.
Credit: Costco
Customers also wasted no time comparing the chain to Sam's Club.
Sam's Club members don't have to scan membership cards when they enter a warehouse.
They claimed that delays are less frequent.
Despite shoppers' anger, it looks like the scanners will remain in stores in the coming months.
Costco shoppers have been told to expect to be asked to provide identification if their membership card does not contain a photo.
“They dramatically speed up our records when we verify all the scans and memberships at the front door,” Costco CEO Ron Vacres said in a transcript of the earnings call seen by The Motley Fool.
Last year, Richard Galanti, the chain's chief financial officer, told the Wall Street Journal that only a small percentage of self-checkout users were not members.
“But when you're dealing with millions of transactions, even a very small percentage is something you might want to correct,” he added.
The US Sun has contacted Costco for comment.
Costco Membership Scanners
Costco has unveiled membership scanners at its store entrances.
In August 2024, the retailer issued a statement about the scanners on its website.
“In the coming months, membership screening machines will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse,” she wrote.
“Once posted, before entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by placing the barcode or QR code on the scanner.
“Guests must also be accompanied by a valid member to enter.
“If you have any questions or concerns, there will always be an attendant at the door to help you!
“If your membership is inactive, expired, or you would like to register for a new membership, an employee will ask you to stop at the membership counter before 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 take a photo to put on your card.”
