‘Additional headaches and hassles,’ shopper criticizes Costco card scanning policy making self-checkout a ‘nightmare’

COSTCO shoppers are reacting to the new membership club card scanning method.

The movement was designed to stop family and friends use the same membership card, but some feel it is unnecessary.

Costco is cracking down on non-members who steal members’ cards from friends or family.

While the wholesale club used to rely on employees to check membership cards upon entry, it is now taking it a step further.

In some stores, customers are now required to digitally scan their membership cards when entering the store.

Costco allows members to give a second family card to someone else in their household.

However, some members are known to have shared their cards with other family and friends.

Non-members have joined even more with the expansion of self-checkout registrations.

“We don’t think it’s right for non-members to receive the same benefits and pricing like our members,” Costco said in an announcement.

Then-chief financial officer Richard Galanti said at the time that the card scanning method “speeds up the process at entry and speeds up the process at checkout.”

“That’s what we believe and we’re going to test it.”

However, not all buyers share the executive’s sentiments.

“This will create additional headaches and inconvenience for the employees there, as self-checkout has already been proven to be a nightmare,” one wrote on Twitter. X.

Another in Reddit predicted, “I can only imagine the lines on a busy day with just one person checking out.”

Some, on the other hand, think it’s a good idea.

“Better than being stuck behind someone at the register who seems surprised that you need a subscription to shop there,” wrote one in Reddit.

Costco Membership Sharing Guidelines

Costco has strict rules for subscription usage that shoppers must follow and has been cracking down on violators in recent years.

• Core Member Usage: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. It is not allowed to share it for purchases, as the photo on the card must correspond to the person using it.
• Domestic Card: Each Prime Member can add one free Household Cardholder who lives at the same address. That person will receive their own membership card and can shop at Costco independently.
• Guest Policy: Members can bring up to two guests per Costco visit. However, only the member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by a member.
• Authorized cardholder: For 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 receive their own card and will be able to make purchases independently.

Credit: Costco

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Costco also recently snubbed non-members, limiting the food court to paying members only.

The food court is a popular feature of the store for its cheap deals, like the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo.

Current Costco membership fees are $60 per year for Gold Star and $120 per year for Executive.

Membership prices have remained the same for the past seven years.

Discover two little-known perks of being a Costco member.

And find out why shoppers are unhappy with new roast chicken packaging.