Costco is testing out a new system for entering stores | CNN Business
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Bad news if you’re mooching off of someone else’s Costco membership: The retail giant is cracking down.

Bad news if you’re mooching off of someone else’s Costco membership: The retail giant is cracking down.

When you enter Costco, you need to show your membership card to an employee to shop. Costco membership cards are non-transferable, but the company allows members to give a second household card to one other person in their home. Anyone with a card can bring up to two guests to the club during each visit, the company stipulates.

But Costco has noticed that non-members have been sneaking in with membership cards that don’t belong to them — particularly since Costco expanded self-checkout.

Costco recently started asking for shoppers’ membership cards along with a photo ID at the self-checkout registers, the same policy as regular checkout lanes, to crack down. “We don’t feel it’s right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members,” Costco said in announcing the change.

And now, Costco is testing out a system that requires members to scan their membership cards at the store entrance — instead of just flashing the card to employees. Shoppers have spotted the new scanners at a store in Washington State and posted photos on Reddit.

      • Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world
        2·
        6 months ago

        No seriously, you are getting mad at a shop (a private business) that has its own rules to protect its own stock (Probably based on their experience of past issues), its your choice to shop there or not. I appreciate that you dont like the idea of being tracked (although not wanting to use a bank card due to worries about tracking you is a bit strange. I assume you have a mobile phone of some description, or a computer or laptop maybe? What about a satnav or a car built after 2010? If so you are being tracked anyway) But getting mad at them because their rules exclude your ideals is way over the top. Your custom would be lovely but i dont think they really care about one person who rather shop somewhere else than scan a membership card at the door.

        Tbh you walkkng away from the recipt checker as they shout after you just makes you sound like an impatient and entitled brat.

        Sorry but im trying to be understanding but the more i read of what you say here the more and more i find myself being unable to sympathise.

        I guess i dont blame costco for being protective of its stock, i blame the people who tried to steal and made them paranoid and protective about it. Whereas you seem to blame the shop and claim its because you dont want anykne knowing what you are doing when, frankly, no one cares.

        • Sagifurius@lemm.ee
          1·
          6 months ago

          I paid for the goods. They are mine. The want to waste a half hour of my time acting like I’m shoplifting, they no longer deserve my money. Not many other businesses actively treat you like a thief so blatantly

          • Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world
            2·
            6 months ago

            I’ve never waited more than 5 minutes in line to have my receipt checked at costco. Also, what most businesses do is not any of costco’s concern. And i have never felt like im being treated like a thief.

            The entitlement is all over your comment. “I paid for them, They are mine” “no longer deserve my money” “waste half an hour of my time”

            What a karen.

              • Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world
                1·
                6 months ago

                I guess it’s all about perspective. Its hardly sucking a corporate cock to not be bothered by a fairly innocuous business practice. Im not so deluded to think im more important to them than their own self interests.

                If i haven’t had to wait half an hour for them to count it up is irrelevant, then i fail to see how your experience is.

                Frankly, i wish you were more self-aware. They dont care about you, they never have and never will. There are plenty of people out there who are happy to wait to buy their stuff. You are in the minority and they won’t miss you.

                Buy mostly your attitude stinks. There’s a reason you are in negative thousands of karma. Because people see you coming a mile away and let out a big sigh… “Here cones misery guts, ready to be a grimpy git about the tiniest things”