Costco Membership Crackdown or All Things Costco 😀

[Lilsia]

I don't feel guilty. I just don't like having to prove myself to store employees 4 times in a single shopping trip. It's annoying.

I have been a member for over 11 years. I shop there a lot, at least twice a week, and I spend a LOT of money there. I'm an executive member and I always make enough in rewards to make it worth my while to pay for the more expensive membership. I've seen a guests of members purchasing things in the staffed lanes a number of times. I recall seeing it happen in just the past couple of months. In fact, I paid for my own order as a guest my very first time at Costco when I tagged along with a friend. I was hooked and I joined on my next trip.

For me, there is a fine line between (1) making members feel appreciated, (2) making guests feel welcome enough to become members themselves, (3) Costco protecting the value of their brand, and (4) Costco enforcing the rules of membership. For me, the first 3 are taking a hit by Costco adding another step to incorporate (4) in the self checkout they added to reduce the number employees they need pay.

I think that we all know that they are having a problem with people just handing their card over to friends and family members and those people going shopping without the member. That is what they are cracking down on. I believe that most people know at least one person who has done this. Imagine how many people come in and shop and are not actual members. I don't think that is "unwelcoming" to people. It is a business where they sell memberships. How is someone who is not a member, using another's card, anything other than fraud?
And as far as the whole they have self check outs so they don't have to pay employees, my local Costco is ALWAYS looking for more help. Unemployment is just low here and most stores are short staffed. Costco happens to also have a reputation of being great to work for and have good pay. So in my area at least, it is about getting people checked out faster by having the self check outs, they still have several registers open. And every time that we go, the line for self check out is longer because people want to do self check out.

 

[_19disnA]

To me the difference between Netflix and Costco example is that Netflix is changing their policy where Costco has just chosen to be more diligent about following the policy that has always been in place.

 

[robinb]

I think that we all know that they are having a problem with people just handing their card over to friends and family members and those people going shopping without the member. That is what they are cracking down on. I believe that most people know at least one person who has done this. Imagine how many people come in and shop and are not actual members.

Welp, I've never given anyone my membership card to use. Not even my young adult daughter. Nor do I know anyone who has given their membership card to someone else to use without the member.

I don't think that is "unwelcoming" to people. It is a business where they sell memberships. How is someone who is not a member, using another's card, anything other than fraud?

For me, it's unwelcoming to have to prove myself FOUR separate times to shop there. I do not feel valued. If they were checking membership, double checking, triple checking and THEN checking the receipt to make sure I wasn't stealing something when I first went as a guest, I may have thought twice about joining. It's a real PITB.

And as far as the whole they have sell check outs so they don't have to pay employees, my local Costco is ALWAYS looking for more help. Unemployment is just low here and most stores are short staffed. Costco happens to also have a reputation of being great to work for and have good pay. So in my area at least, it is about getting people checked out faster by having the self check outs, they still have several registers open. And every time that we go, the line for self check out is longer because people want to do self check out.

My Costco usually has less than half of the staffed lanes open. Plus the self checkout. I know what you mean about the long self checkout line, we get that too. I think we are all programmed by grocery stores to use self checkout when we only have a few things. I don't know if they're hiring or not {{shrug}} but self checkout is all about hiring fewer cashiers. If stores want to check out people faster then they can staff all the checkout lanes. Instead, the majority are empty and self checkouts are incorporated to have the customer so the work. One more thing, at my Costco the receipt has a stripe on it so the receipt checkers can scrutinize it and your cart more thoroughly.

 

[Moliphino]

And every time that we go, the line for self check out is longer because people want to do self check out.

I went a few weeks ago and the self checkout line was insane the whole time we were there (it extended well up the shopping lanes, so it got in the way as we were shopping). So we were surprised at the end to find that the regular checkout lines weren't bad at all. Well staffed, they even had a person who was scanning some people's carts while they waited in line so all they had to do at the register was pay.

 

[pigletto]

I’m late to this discussion. I guess the only thing I don’t like in both the Netflix and Costco scenario is that I still basically pay for my 18 year old son for most things and he couldn’t use Netflix in his university dorm . I mean I pay his bills , why do I need second account in that scenario? We just ended up cancelling altogether.

And Costco I totally support the crackdown, but again , I have to be with him for him to get gas in the car for us or run in for something now that’s he’s home.

It’s more of an annoyance that anything, but I wish the membership could include the kids that live there.

 

[mjkacmom]

Welp, I've never given anyone my membership card to use. Not even my young adult daughter. Nor do I know anyone who has given their membership card to someone else to use without the member.



For me, it's unwelcoming to have to prove myself FOUR separate times to shop there. I do not feel valued. If they were checking membership, double checking, triple checking and THEN checking the receipt to make sure I wasn't stealing something when I first went as a guest, I may have thought twice about joining. It's a real PITB.



My Costco usually has less than half of the staffed lanes open. Plus the self checkout. I know what you mean about the long self checkout line, we get that too. I think we are all programmed by grocery stores to use self checkout when we only have a few things. I don't know if they're hiring or not {{shrug}} but self checkout is all about hiring fewer cashiers. If stores want to check out people faster then they can staff all the checkout lanes. Instead, the majority are empty and self checkouts are incorporated to have the customer so the work. One more thing, at my Costco the receipt has a stripe on it so the receipt checkers can scrutinize it and your cart more thoroughly.

I’ve never lent my Costco card to anyone, but it’s pretty obvious that folks do, which is causing the crack down. I’ve beememer since Costco opened, I’ll show them my card as much as they’d like, prefer that over rising prices.

 

[soccerdad72]

And Costco I totally support the crackdown, but again , I have to be with him for him to get gas in the car for us or run in for something now that’s he’s home.

I haven't heard of anyone stating that gas would be affected by this. I don't think they staff the gas pumps the same way they do in store. There's usually just one person walking around making sure people don't need assistance.

 

[sam_gordon]

I have noticed that Walmart will sometimes have an employee at the door when you are exiting asking to see your receipt. Seems to be hit/miss. At most they seem to make a cursory look at the receipt compared to what is in your cart. I don't really mind but have to remember to not toss my receipt in the trash before exiting..........LOL. They seemed to have eliminated the person standing by the door when you first enter the store. I never saw the point of having someone there to greet you. They now have a large number of self-serve registers which I find a nuisance if buying a lot of things. Works fine if you only have a few items. The scales are overly sensitive and if you even touch/move around your items after bagging can cause all sorts of issues. If the intent is to eliminate cashiers, they need to redesign how that area works to be able to handle those who are buying a large number of items.

My understanding is legally they are not allowed to detain you. They can ask to see your receipt, but if you say "no" and keep walking, they can't do anything. Not allowing them to see your receipt is not enough grounds for suspicion of shoplifting. LOTS of YT videos about this.

The difference, IMO, is that with Costco, they allow two members on the account and as long as those two are the ones shopping and buying, it's all good. It doesn't matter what store they're shopping at.

With Netflix, the issue I have with the new policy is that we pay for four screens (e.g. members) on our account and now they're saying that all four of those screens have to be used in the same physical location. It would be like Costco saying that both members on an account can only shop at one store.

BUT, Costco COULD change their policy that you can only shop at the local store. That's their right as a business, just like it's your (general) right to not do business with them.

Costco membership has always been for 2, netflix has always been able to share with others, my account allows 3 at a time. My Netflix membership costs me a lot more than Costco too. Netflix had a marketing campaign about sharing passwords with the ones you love.

"Able" <> "Allowed". Let's be honest, there were definitely people sharing Netflix (and other streaming services) accounts with people all over the place. Netflix has decided to crack down.

 

[soccerdad72]

BUT, Costco COULD change their policy that you can only shop at the local store. That's their right as a business, just like it's your (general) right to not do business with them.

Sure, they could do a lot of things. So far, they've been pretty consistent with their policy, however.

 

[mjkacmom]

I haven't heard of anyone stating that gas would be affected by this. I don't think they staff the gas pumps the same way they do in store. There's usually just one person walking around making sure people don't need assistance.

Not in NJ, they pump for us.

 

[_19disnA]

My understanding is legally they are not allowed to detain you. They can ask to see your receipt, but if you say "no" and keep walking, they can't do anything. Not allowing them to see your receipt is not enough grounds for suspicion of shoplifting. LOTS of YT videos about this.

Not a lawyer and won't pretend to be one on the net. However, have seen LOTS of videos by armchair legal 'experts' expressing all sorts of opinions on youtube, not a place I would go for valid legal advice. What Walmart is legally permitted to do I have no idea, but you are shopping in a public venue so why someone would refuse to show their receipt isn't clear to me.

 

[Lilsia]

I’m late to this discussion. I guess the only thing I don’t like in both the Netflix and Costco scenario is that I still basically pay for my 18 year old son for most things and he couldn’t use Netflix in his university dorm . I mean I pay his bills , why do I need second account in that scenario? We just ended up cancelling altogether.

And Costco I totally support the crackdown, but again , I have to be with him for him to get gas in the car for us or run in for something now that’s he’s home.

It’s more of an annoyance that anything, but I wish the membership could include the kids that live there.

My husband and I were saying the same thing the other day, how there needs to be a family membership to include kids still living in the house. It is not unreasonable to send my 19 year old to go get a few things.

 

[Lilsia]

Welp, I've never given anyone my membership card to use. Not even my young adult daughter. Nor do I know anyone who has given their membership card to someone else to use without the member.

You would have to be living under a rock to not realize that people do this. Of course people do this. I personally don't, but I am not living under the delusion that it is not a problem. If it weren't a problem, then Costco wouldn't be cracking down on it.

 

[DisneyHardin]

You would have to be living under a rock to not realize that people do this. Of course people do this. I personally don't, but I am not living under the delusion that it is not a problem. If it weren't a problem, then Costco wouldn't be cracking down on it.

I'm going to be honest. I've loaned my Sam's Club membership card to people before. Now it seems like everyone I know is already a member of Sam's and/or Costco, so I haven't been asked to loan it to anyone in years.

 

[sam_gordon]

Not a lawyer and won't pretend to be one on the net. However, have seen LOTS of videos by armchair legal 'experts' expressing all sorts of opinions on youtube, not a place I would go for valid legal advice. What Walmart is legally permitted to do I have no idea, but you are shopping in a public venue so why someone would refuse to show their receipt isn't clear to me.

Don't you know, if it's on the internet, it must be true.

As far as why not show your receipt, it's fun? lol I've done it a couple of times and they basically say "ok". I don't go to Wal*Mart often, but it's been awhile since I've been asked.

Speaking of internet... https://www.abc10.com/article/news/...rify/103-a03b2030-11ad-4a6e-a33e-146ba274e912

 

[Lilsia]

I'm going to be honest. I've loaned my Sam's Club membership card to people before. Now it seems like everyone I know is already a member of Sam's and/or Costco, so I haven't been asked to loan it to anyone in years.

I don't judge and I know that people have done this. But I am also not going to be mad at the company for cracking down on it or pretend that it never happens. It is what it is.

 

[robinb]

You would have to be living under a rock to not realize that people do this. Of course people do this. I personally don't, but I am not living under the delusion that it is not a problem. If it weren't a problem, then Costco wouldn't be cracking down on it.

Wow ... "living under a rock" and "living under the delusion"? I'm a little shocked by your choice of words since know you are capable to expressing your opinion/argument in a less insulting way.

FWIW, I was responding to your comment:

I believe that most people know at least one person who has done this.

I said that I do NOT personally know ANYONE who has shared their membership. I didn't say that it didn't happen. I understand the problem that Costco is attempting to solve, even though I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to it in the past.

 

[Lilsia]

Wow ... "living under a rock" and "living under the delusion"? I'm a little shocked by your choice of words since know you are capable to expressing your opinion/argument in a less insulting way.

FWIW, I was responding to your comment:


I said that I do NOT personally know ANYONE who has shared their membership. I didn't say that it didn't happen. I understand the problem that Costco is attempting to solve, even though I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to it in the past.

I am sorry for my choice of words. It seems very obvious that there is an issue though. Chances are you do know someone who does this, they just don't tell you. It clearly is a big enough issue for them to take a Nationwide stance on it.

 

[DCLMP]

Costco makes their money of the membership fees not the goods they sell, that's how they have such good deals. All products have a very slim markup. I definitely think they have a right to enforce their membership policy. They are a great employer with a great benefits package for their employees and I think that consumers should support these types of businesses, even if it requires buying a membership.

I've been going to the same Costco for twenty years and a lot of the same employees work there. I don't even have to show my card a lot of times because they recognize me. I think it's a testament to what a good employer they are if people stay there their whole careers.

 

[princesscinderella]

I've been going to the same Costco for twenty years and a lot of the same employees work there. I don't even have to show my card a lot of times because they recognize me. I think it's a testament to what a good employer they are if people stay there their whole careers.

Same for me too, there’s the same guy checking receipts at the door since it opened when I was a kid.