U.S. News
Costco Clamps Down on Misuse of Memberships with New Scanning Devices at Warehouse Entrances
Clear Facts
- Costco has recently announced the implementation of membership scanners at warehouse entrances in an effort to curb the misuse of memberships.
- Guests must now be accompanied by a valid member for entry and members are required to have their photos on their membership cards.
- This move expands on a system implemented in 2024, requiring members to scan their Costco cards at select locations, to ensure that non-members do not receive the same benefits and pricing as members.
In the world of bulk buying, Costco is a popular choice. However, the mandatory membership with an annual fee of $65, might discourage infrequent shoppers or those who live far from a store. This has led some individuals to exploit the memberships of acquaintances, gaining the benefits of bulk purchases. Costco is addressing this issue by installing membership scanners at warehouse entrances.
In an online notice, Costco announced the upcoming change. “Over the next months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse,” the notice states. “All members must scan their physical or digital membership card against the scanner before entering.”
Though not directly addressing those breaking the rules, the notice did state that “guests must also be accompanied by a valid member for entry.”
Costco has made photos a critical part of memberships. If a membership card does not have a photo, a valid photo ID must be presented for entry. Existing members may have their photos taken at the membership counter for their cards.
A door assistant will be available for any questions or concerns. Individuals with expired memberships, or those interested in getting a new one, will be directed to the membership counter.
For active Costco members, this change is unlikely to make a significant impact (unless their photo needs to be taken). However, it will affect those without memberships, as Costco has found a way to identify them before they start shopping.
This latest move builds on a system implemented in 2024, where members were required to scan their Costco cards at kiosks in select locations.
The retailer had also attempted to enforce membership sharing rules at self-checkout counters, requiring members to show photo IDs if their cards were missing photos or had an image that didn’t match the shopper.
“Our membership policy states that our membership cards are not transferable, and since expanding our self-service checkout, we’ve noticed that non-member shoppers have been using membership cards that do not belong to them,” a Costco spokesperson previously said about the self-checkout policy.
They continued, “We don’t think it’s fair that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members. We already ask for the membership card at checkout, and now we are also asking to see their membership card with their photo at our self-service checkout registers.”
We have reached out to Costco for comments on their latest change and will update the story when a response is received.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Troy NIX
August 12, 2024 at 3:33 pm
I agree with Costco’s newer ID photo policy. I pay to have the privilege of shopping for better value and extending the bang for my dollars. Everyone that wants to shop at Costco should have to pay equally and if they don’t have to pay then why should I, then I will become a non member. Same should apply to our voting system, being a member should include being a US citizen with a valid photo ID.
Tom Boeshart
August 15, 2024 at 11:30 am
Amen!!!!!
Irishgal
August 13, 2024 at 3:50 am
Have to have a photo ID/membership card for costco but not for voting weird-huh!
Stanley and Eileen laufman
August 13, 2024 at 1:02 pm
What about husband and wife using the same card
Raymond Smalley
August 14, 2024 at 7:58 am
Amazing! You can’t buy at a box store without an ID but you can vote for elected officials! Just had to point out the absurdity of our election laws.
Curtis
August 14, 2024 at 8:47 am
Does that mean I can’t give Cowstco gift cards to people who are not members?
James E Holmquist
August 14, 2024 at 9:35 am
I am all for it
Janet whitley
August 14, 2024 at 9:44 am
I sent a come t but obviously you did not approve of my message!!! You did receive it because when I was not sure it was sent I tried to send and it said I already had done so
Robert Cymraeg
August 14, 2024 at 10:01 am
No problems. Why would you let a ‘guest’ enter without the member -that seems stupid. As stupid as being upset about proof of identity to vote. Unless you have none what is the issue?. Other countries have proof as standard. Bit late on the road to security here Costco.
Paul Lichtenstein
August 15, 2024 at 12:15 am
Costco is a membership required store. No membership, no shop!!
And yes, you should have a valid ID to vote in this country. Keep electing left wing ideologs and you will continue to ruin our great nation.