CUSTOMERS at Costco have been crying out over a newly implemented rule that’s popped up at another location.
The warehouse retailer started it in January of this year, and the effects are being felt in nearly all its stores this fall.
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Costco is notably a membership-based brand, meaning that those who shop in-store at one of its 614 locations nationwide or online must pay an annual subscription fee to buy in bulk and get deals on merchandise.
The membership options come in two tiers — Gold Star and Executive.
Due to a recent price increase, the first in over seven years, a Gold Star membership at Costco costs $65 annually, giving customers access to in-person and online shopping through two membership cards per household.
Those who select Executive pay more at $130 annually but get additional benefits, including a 2% annual reward and discounts on Costco Services.
It also offers two membership cards per household.
There are several other benefits to being a Costco member in either tier, and it’s an additional $65 a year to add an affiliate card holder.
For years, sneaky consumers have tried to get around paying the additional $65 fee, whether through sharing cards with friends to shop or to get the famed $1.50 hot dog at the food court.
Either way, Costco had enough and started to bring in a membership-scanning policy to eliminate the sharing and keep things fair for those who pay to shop.
VERIFICATION REQUIRED
With the policy, members are required to show their Costco card at the front entrance and scan it for employees, bringing up their picture on file.
Staff would then match that image to their government-issued ID, and only then would they be allowed to enter.
The retailer released a statement in August confirming that after tests at select stores over the spring and summer, the membership scanning protocol would go into effect at all its locations through the end of the year.
Customer grievances over the scanning and verification from Costco have been ongoing.
As the nationwide rollout continues, a store in Wenatchee, Washington, has implemented it, per local radio station KORD-FM.
Several local customers argued that the membership card scanning requirement was unnecessary, while others said they didn’t mind.
Costco’s membership scanners
Costco has unveiled membership scanners at its store entrances.
In August 2024, the retailer released a statement about the scanners on its website.
“Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse,” it wrote.
“Once deployed, prior to entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by placing the barcode or QR Code against the scanner.
“Guests must also be accompanied by a valid member for entry.
“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 you would like to sign up for a new membership, the attendant will ask that you stop by the membership counter prior to 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 have a photo taken to have on your card.”
MIXED FEELINGS
“That’s the dumbest rule they have,” someone fumed in a thread about the Wenatchee store on Facebook.
“I couldn’t bring my baby in because myself and my oldest were two people who could enter.”
“They told me if my baby came in my 7 yr old had to stay outside,” the member claimed.
“Doesn’t bug me any!” a fellow customer exclaimed.
“Hey, let them do what they want. They save me lots of money. I’ll go along!” another said.
It’s unclear if all 614 Costco warehouses in the United States have now implemented the membership scanning measure.
The last few remaining stores without it will likely put it in place by December.
Some members have also been thrilled over the return of a “delicious holiday favorite for $19.99 at their local store.
A “Chick-fil-A dupe” has also been catching attention at Costco, as it supposedly tastes the same as some of the fast food chain’s favorites.
