Costco Is Testing a Major Change To Its Membership Checking Policy
Costco customers have traditionally had to show their membership cards at warehouse entrances to confirm they pay. However, at one of its most key locations, the company is expanding that longstanding stance.
This week, multiple Costco shoppers reported on Reddit that the Issaquah, Wash. warehouse began checking membership cards before letting members in.
A Costco employee took a membership card next to a sign that read: "You will be asked to scan your membership card before entering the warehouse."
The Redditor who shared the photo explained in the comments that the warehouse's entrance had two scanning devices with employees at each.
The Redditor said the gadgets will display a member's photo for employees to inspect while scanning cards.
Customers say this additional membership checking requirement is only in place at the Issaquah warehouse. The Issaquah site, near Costco's headquarters, often tests new items and services before other warehouses acquire them.
Redditors believed Costco added the extra membership verification step in Issaquah to keep non-members out of the warehouse. Unsurprisingly, customers had many thoughts about the modification.
Since Costco scans cards at checkout, some were annoyed that the Issaquah branch now scans cards at the entry.
In addition to waiting until the entrance to retrieve their card, there is now another chokepoint for people to compete for scanning position. Another replied, "What a horror.
Others defended the idea, saying it wouldn't hinder their purchasing. Some believed scanning cards would eliminate non-members at the door so warehouse workers wouldn't have to deal with them.