One Perk of Costco Cracking down on Non-Membership Shopping? Less Crowded Stores
The warehouse chain is introducing scanning devices at its entrances. Photo required.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Attention, Costco freeloaders. Now, if you want to purchase an ottoman of toilet paper or a gigantic container of eggs or a massive side of salmon, you’re going to have to actually become a member of the wholesale retailer.
Costco has announced that it is introducing scanners at the entrances to its warehouses to ensure that everyone who enters is, in fact, a member, and not, say, borrowing their roommate’s sister’s membership card to stock up on paper towels at a good price. (You know who you are.)
The scanning devices are expected to roll out to all Costco locations over the next few months, and once they do, “prior to entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by placing the barcode or QR Code against the scanner,” the warehouse chain announced.
You’ll need to be an active member with a non-expired card or be a guest of a “valid member” who is actually present right there with you, in order to enter. (Costco’s existing guest policy allows a member to bring up to two guests with them to warehouses, but only the members are allowed to actually buy things.)
Oh, and they’re checking photos to make sure the person shopping is the member pictured on the card.
“Additionally, if your membership card does not have a photo, please be prepared to show your valid photo ID,” the chain said. “We encourage you to stop by the membership counter to have a photo taken to have on your card.”
On social media, the news of Costco’s crackdown seems to be a divisive topic. “Costco’s new entry system. You scan your card & your picture shows up in the screen. If it’s not you, you don’t get in. No matter what!” one TikToker griped over footage showing the scanners in action. “They don’t care if you’re shopping for your grandma. #Pathetic.”
That video has been viewed more than 19.7 million times since it was shared on August 2 and has generated 29,000 comments. Curiously, many of the top comments were from people expressing support for Costco’s move.
“If grandma can’t go to Costco the membership should be in the name of the person who goes shopping … It’s always been a membership only store,” wrote one person.
“I think it makes sense. It’s really not a new system, the employees standing at the door were supposed to be checking all along. If you shop for your grandma, have her add you to her membership,” suggested another.
“It says right there on the membership rules it must be the cardholder, it’s always been this way,” a third weighed in.
“Isn’t this what a membership is supposed to be? A paid membership for those who purchase it? Costco employees always look at the card and picture. Always been strict. Not sure why people are upset,” said a fourth.
Several commenters compared the new system to the sort of thing you might find in a gym, where you would expect to get in only if you were a member.
Others see a distinct advantage in the new system not only for Costco, but for themselves. Specifically, the thinking is that the new rule will cut down on crowds.
“I love how my Costco is way less crowded now that they’ve done this. I can see how it’s frustrating for those shopping for others but it’s members only so idk why they expected different,” one person shared.
One commenter put her support succinctly: “Way to go Costco,” she wrote.
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