COSTCO shoppers are outraged about the store’s new membership card scanners preventing non-members from entering.
The retailer recently announced its plan to have associates scan their cards when entering the store, a change that customers haven’t taken kindly to.
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Below an X post about the change, shoppers express their anger at the company.
“So annoying and inconvenient,” a customer he wrote.
“Find a better way.”
Others joked that this new system makes it impossible to enter the store.
“It’s harder to get into Costco than it is to vote,” wrote one user X.
“You will soon need to scan your right hand or forehead,” predicted another person.
According to the wholesaler, the change aims to help customers.
“In the coming months, limb scanning devices will be used at the front door of your local warehouse,” Costco stated.
“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 company wrote last year that it “does not consider it right for non-members to receive the same benefits and prices as our members.”
Before membership scanners, customers only needed to show their membership card to an employee.
Boston University School of Business professor Jay Zagorsky told ABC 7 that the network is trying to make its members more valuable.
“They sold $4.6 billion worth of subscriptions last year. So their whole goal is to make sure membership is valuable,” Zagorsky said.
“They’re not really making money from purchases, they’re making money from subscriptions.”
Shoppers have already noticed that the new machines were causing problems in local stores.
Costco Membership Scanners
Costco has unveiled membership scanners at its store entrances.
In August 2024, the retailer released a statement regarding the scanners in its website.
“In the coming months, limb scanning devices will be used at the front door of your local grocery store,” he wrote.
“Once deployed, 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 assist you!
“If your membership is inactive, expired, or if you want to sign up for a new membership, the attendant will ask you to stop by the membership desk before entering the warehouse to shop.
“Also, if your membership card does not have a photo, be prepared to show your valid photo ID.
“We encourage you to stop by the membership desk to take a photo to put on your card.”
“This is slowing people down,” a Costco customer told ABC 7.
“If everyone has to scan, they will have to wait for the next person. It’s not just a flash of a card anymore.”
Some shoppers said these changes will make people less likely to go to the retailer.
“That’s one way to get rid of people,” said one customer.
Guests wanting to enter the store will now need to be accompanied by a member, and those with inactive or expired memberships will need to go to a membership desk for assistance before opening the door.
Anyone without a photo on their card will need to present a photo ID to prove they are a member.
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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