Costco shopper cancels subscription after ID checks accuse him of being her ‘brother’ – so he joined Sam’s Club

An angry customer blasted Costco for accusing him of sharing a membership card with his brother.

The shopper said he canceled his Costco membership and joined Sam’s Club after the retailer tried to crack down on card sharing.

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“Now I only have subscriptions to BJS and Sam Club,” the consumer tweeted. “I canceled my Costco membership because they keep asking me questions like it wasn’t my membership.”

“The employee had the nerve to ask me if that was my brother in the photo,” he added.

This comes after many retailers have noticed an increase in organized crime and shoplifting.

PEAK IN CRIME

Former Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti noted that subscription sharing began to increase as it brought more self-pay offerings to customers.

“Since expanding our self-service checkout, we have noticed that non-member shoppers have been using membership cards that do not belong to them,” Galanti said in a company statement last year.

“We don’t think it’s right for non-members to receive the same benefits and prices as our members.”

Retailers like Costco, Walmart and Target have implemented new anti-theft policies to prevent customers from stealing.

With the introduction of new policies also comes a much-anticipated increase in Costco membership prices.

MEMBERS ONLY

The wholesale retailer increased its membership fees for the first time in seven years.

Shoppers can get a Costco membership through two tiers, Gold Star and Executive, according to their website.

Gold Star is the base offering for a $60 annual fee and offers customers several perks, including two membership cards per family for shopping in-store and online at Costco.

Executive offers the same benefits along with a 2% reward and discounts on other Costco services for $120 per year.

In the coming months, both membership levels will cost an additional $5.

Costco vs Sam’s Club Membership

Many retailers offer a tiered membership system with several advantages:

Costco Membership

• Gold Star: Lower tier membership costs $60 annually. With Gold Star membership, shoppers can purchase items online and in warehouses. With this level, buyers receive 2 membership cards and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
• Executive: Top-level membership costs $120 annually. With Executive membership, shoppers get additional benefits such as 2% annual rewards and discounts on Costco services.

Sam’s Club Membership

• Club: Lower level membership costs $50 annually. The Plus subscription offers instant savings, same-day delivery and fuel savings.
• Plus: the highest tier costs $110 annually. With Plus Membership, members enjoy free shipping and free curbside pickup. Members can also shop ahead and save on pharmacy optical products or services.

WHERE IS THE PROOF?

With the crackdown, consumers claimed they encountered serious resistance from Costco staff – even when authorized cardholders used a signature that did not contain their name.

Costco also made changes to its store entrances and checkout areas for membership verification and identity verification.

Some members at select stores have identified new scanners where they swipe cards to confirm membership upon entry.

An employee then matches your photo to the card before allowing you entry.

Others claimed that downloading the Costco mobile app is “required” in their store to verify membership.

Frustrated customers have switched or canceled their Costco memberships in favor of rival retailers like Sam’s Club and BJ’s.

Some Costco shoppers said they can’t trust the retailer to notice errors on their receipts, as many consumers are being overcharged for items they didn’t buy.

And Costco insiders have also speculated that the retailer is planning a big change to one of its beloved baked goods.

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