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COSTCO shoppers are outraged over the store’s new membership card scanners, barring non-members from entering.
The retailer recently announced its plan to make members scan their cards when entering the store, a change customers have not taken well.
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Underneath an X post about the change, shoppers are voicing their anger with the company.
“So annoying and inconvenient,” one customer wrote.
“Find a better way.”
Others joked that this new system makes it impossible to get into the store.
“Harder to get into Costco than to vote,” one X user wrote.
“Pretty soon you will need to scan your right hand or your forehead,” another person predicted.
According to the wholesaler, the change is meant to help customers.
“Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse,” Costco stated.
“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.”
The company wrote last year that it doesn’t “feel it’s right that nonmembers receive the same benefits and pricing as our members.”
Prior to the membership scanners, customers only had to flash their member card to an employee.
Boston University School of Business professor Jay Zagorsky told ABC 7 that the chain is trying to make its memberships more valuable.
“They sold $4.6 billion worth of memberships last year. So their whole goal is to make sure that membership is valuable,” Zagorsky said.
“They’re not really making any money off of purchases, they’re making it off of memberships.”
Shoppers already noticed the new machines causing a back up at their local stores.
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.”
“It’s slowing down people getting in,” one Costco shopper told ABC 7.
“If everyone has to scan, they’re going to have to wait for the next person. It’s not just a flash of a card anymore.”
Some shoppers said these changes will make people less likely to go to the retailer.
“That’s a way to get rid of people,” a customer said.
Guests who want to enter the store now need to be with a member, and those who have inactive or expired memberships will need to go to a membership counter for assistance before opening the door.
Anyone without a photo on their card will need to show a photo ID to prove they own a membership.
Costco membership sharing guidelines
Costco has strict rules for membership use that shoppers must follow and they’ve been cracking down on offenders in recent years.
- 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.
Credit: Costco
