COSTCO continued to monitor its membership policies, taking a step forward to discourage card sharing.
The company has alerted customers to new policies it plans to implement in the coming months.
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On its website, Costco now has a section titled Membership Scanners at Warehouse Entrances.
The retailer plans to implement scanning devices at Costco warehouse entrances.
“Once deployed, before entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by placing the barcode or QR Code on the scanner,” the document says. to read.
Additionally, if a guest wants to shop, they need to be accompanied by a member to enter.
The company also enthusiastically stated that there will always be an attendant at the door to answer any questions or concerns.
It added that if your membership is inactive, expired or if you want to sign up for a new one, the person at the door will ask you to go to the membership desk before opening the door.
The attendants will also request a valid IP address with photo if the member’s card does not contain their photo.
Costco encourages members to take photos at the membership counter so they will be on their cards for future purchases.
The new scanners have already been spotted at Costco in Huntington Beach and Inglewood, California, per Fox affiliate KTLA.
ANGRY BUYERS
Many shoppers shared their frustration with the policies on social media, including one customer who said he was stopped while shopping for his grandmother.
“Costco’s new entry system. You scan your card and your image shows [on] on the screen if it’s not you, you don’t get in. No matter what happens! They don’t care if you’re buying it for your grandma #Pathetic”, they shared on a TikTok.
Another shared that they thought their membership card was a “prison badge.”
“I’ve found that shopping at Costco has become an increasingly unpleasant experience,” one user wrote.
“You can’t buy a hot dog without them reading your card, and I don’t know how having to scan your card the first time, like it’s some kind of prison badge, is going to make this experience any better.”
Costco Member Crackdown
Earlier this year, Costco began cracking down on members who shared their cards with 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 IDs and verify who they are when entering the warehouse.
The new system began testing in January at a warehouse near Costco’s headquarters in Issaquah, Washington.
Similar checks have been implemented at self-checkouts and manned registrations.
“Our membership policy states that our membership cards are not transferable, and since expanding our self-service checkout, we have noticed that non-member shoppers have been using membership cards that do not belong to them,” Costco said in a statement.
“We don’t think it’s right for non-members to receive the same benefits and prices as our members.”
ASSOCIATIONS
The popular grocery store recently announced an increase in its membership prices.
Fees will increase annually from $60 to $65 for Gold Star membership and from $120 to $130 for Executive membership.
Prices will change in the United States and Canada on September 1st. CNBC reported.
Typically, the retailer increases its membership every five years, but in 2022, Costco CEO Craig Jelinek said the timing wasn’t right.
Jelinek said that was “not in question at this time.” CNBC reported.
“I’ve made that very clear. I don’t think this is the right time. Our enrollment remains strong.”
US Sun has reached out to Costco for comment.
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
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