COSTCO members have called on the retailer to start “revoking memberships” for customers who ignore the key store policy.
Shoppers who attempt to use someone else’s card to pay for their groceries have been slammed as “ignorant” and “entitled”.
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The bulk-buy giant divides opinion with its stringent rules on membership ID cards.
Posting on social media, one member told how she had witnessed a heated argument at her local store over payment policy.
She told how tensions flared between the cashier and one customer who tried to use someone else’s card to pay for their groceries.
The Facebook post read: “I was at the registers paying for my items, on the next register there was a man arguing with the lady cashier about using his wife’s card.
“The cashier explained [his wife] needs to be there or you can’t use someone else’s card.
“Stop embarrassing yourself by using other people’s cards if they aren’t there.
“Even if you manage to sneak in to the store without them checking your membership properly.
“There is no need to be rude to them, they are just doing their job.
The interaction, posted in the Costco Marsden Park Community group, has divided opinion on social media.
Some hailed the member of staff for doing her job and called on the chain to start dishing out more severe punishments
One user replied: “You guys might have to start revoking memberships for this sort of disregard.
“Member can’t go, transfer the membership to a family member who can or get that second card for the spouse or partner.
“It’s not that hard. Just wasting everyone’s time.”
Other shoppers were quick to come to the defence of the customer, slamming the policy as “ridiculous”.
Another argued: “Well I think that is ridiculous.
“They’re married and to check address if it’s the same. It’s a membership.
“I hope they were reasonable. Poor man did a shop, waited the line and was met with a ridiculous rule.”
The retailer has attracted a barrage of criticism over the measure, which has seen some members forced to prove their identity more than once.
Costco’s membership scanners
Costco has unveiled membership scanners at its store entrances.
Last year, Costco bosses changed its entry policy by requiring shoppers to scan their membership card under a machine.
This is different from just showing the card to a staffer stationed by the door.
In August 2024, the retailer released a statement about the scanners on its website.
It read: “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.”
It comes after Costco confirmed it had made a major change to its payment policy.
On Reddit, a customer revealed that the retailer had added the shop card option to digital wallets.
This means that you can use your Costco card in the app now, so your physical card will no longer be required.
Costco has been approached for comment.
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