Costco shopper threatens boycott over membership policy – ‘lines of 40 people were forced to stand in 30F temperatures’
Because of its membership policy, a COSTCO customer has threatened to switch to a competing brand and boycott the wholesaler.
In a crackdown, chiefs have been trying to make sure that non-members do not benefit from subscription privileges.
For over a year, executives have been working to find a solution and have implemented a number of different strategies.
Additionally, some of the safeguards will be visible to shoppers.
Customers without photographs on their membership cards are being asked to provide identification at checkout by costcooses.
Additionally, Costco has changed its rules regarding members’ access to warehouses.
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They must place membership cards under a reader rather than merely displaying them.
Customers, however, have called attention to the policy’s consequences and stated that it is forcing them to look for other stores.
A customer in Illinois stated on X: In East Peoria, 40 individuals were waiting in a line outside in temperatures as low as 30 degrees.
Poor service. You might want to drop by Sam’s Club.
The customer said that lines were backing up because of the scanning equipment.
Their anger over the scanning gadgets is not unique.
Moment Costco shopper rams cart into woman’s buggy & forces her out of aisle as holiday shopping turns to mayhem
According to a different customer, Costco made the incorrect technological investment.
Other people have expressed concerns about the weather.
This winter, you will need to move the entryway 30 to 40 feet farther into the store because customers are unable to even operate the scanners properly, according to shoppers.
I will not become frozen.
Some members have been irritated by the policy because they believe that Costco executives do not trust them.
Some have drawn comparisons between the policy and the dystopian Handmaid’s Tale as a result.
The need that customers provide their driver’s license in order to enter a store has not been well received by customers.
Costco membership sharing guidelines
Customers must abide by stringent guidelines when using Costco’s membership, and in recent years, the company has been tough on violators.
- Primary Member Use: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. Sharing it for purchases is not allowed as the photo on the card must match the person using it.
- Household Card: Each primary member can add one free household cardholder who lives at the same address. This person will receive their own membership card and can shop at Costco independently.
- Guest Policy: Members can bring up to two guests per visit to Costco. However, only the member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by the member.
- Authorized Cardholder: For an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who doesn’t reside at your address. They will receive their own card and can shop independently.
Costco is credited.
Additionally, customers quickly made comparisons between the chain and Sam’s Club.
When Sam’s Club members enter a warehouse, they are not required to scan their membership cards.
Delays, they said, are far less common.
The scanners appear to be staying in stores for the foreseeable future, despite the ire of consumers.
Costco customers who do not have a photo on their membership card are advised to expect to be asked for identification.
“They’re speeding up our registers significantly when we get all the scanning and memberships verified at the front door,” says Ron Vachris, the CEO of Costco, according to a transcript of an earnings call obtained by The Motley Fool.
Only a small portion of self-checkout users were not members, according to Richard Galanti, the chain’s chief financial officer, who spoke to The Wall Street Journal last year.
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“But when you’re dealing with millions of transactions, even a very small percentage is something you would want to correct,” he stated.
Costco has been contacted by the U.S. Sun for comment.
Costco’s membership scanners
At the doors to its stores, Costco has installed membership scanners.
The retailer posted a statement regarding the scanners on their website in August 2024.
“Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse,” it stated.
“Once deployed, all members must scan their membership card—either digital or physical—by pressing the barcode or QR code against the scanner before they can enter.
“In order to enter, guests must also be accompanied by a current member.
“An attendant is always there to help at the door if you have any queries or concerns!
“The attendant will ask you to visit the membership counter before you enter the warehouse to shop if your membership is inactive, has expired, or you would like to create a new one.
Additionally, please be ready to present a legitimate photo ID if your membership card lacks one.
“We encourage you to stop by the membership counter to have a photo taken to have on your card.”
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