A COSTCO shopper blasted the retailer after being subject to a trio of checks – before she even paid for her groceries.
The member, who has been subscribed to the wholesale chain for almost two years, has said she’s only stepped in the warehouse once following the less-than-ideal episode.
In an X post, she claimed that she had been stopped twice in the aisles so a staffer could check her ID.
But, the inspections didn’t stop there, according to the shopper.
She claimed she was also asked to prove her identity at the self-checkout kiosks.
The shopper, who seemed bewildered by the ordeal, then compared Costco to its rival Sam’s Club.
There are 600 Sam’s Club warehouses nationwide, and its parent company is Walmart.
The shopper noted that she could use the chain’s scan-and-go app to check out items as she wandered up and down the aisles.
Sam’s Club members who take advantage of scan-and-go don’t have to wait in checkout lines.
Groceries can be paid for via the store app, and then customers can show their digital receipts to a worker.
Scan and go is an alternative to waiting in line for a checkout belt to become available.
Dozens of Costco shoppers have urged the chain to adopt Sam’s Club’s model and roll out the service.
Shoppers have claimed the technology would’ve solved issues such as long checkout lines.
“I’m currently in the shortest line at Costco,” Brian Babin said.
“38 people ahead of me. A scan-and-go feature like Sam’s Club would solve this problem.”
Another Costco member branded scan and go a “game changer.”
Membership and store cards on offer from major retailers
Here is a breakdown of the store cards on offer to customers from various retailers and their benefits
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Costco:
- Gold Star Membership: $65 per year, shop all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
- Executive Membership: $130 per year, annual 2% reward, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store, and get two additional cards for household use.
- Sign up for a Costco Membership here
Sam’s Club:
- Club Membership: $50 per year, bonus offers, same-day delivery, instant savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, members-only fuel savings, tire and battery center, complimentary membership, and add-on memberships.
- Plus Membership: $110 per year, all benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
- Sign up for Sam’s Club Membership here
Target:
- Target Circle: A free-to-join reward program allowing users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when an eligible purchase is made, access deals and personalized offers, get a birthday gift, and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps out your community.
- Target Circle Card: A credit, debit, or reloadable account card that gives users 5% off in-store and online as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping, and an additional 30-day returns window. Formerly Target RedCard.
- Sign up for Target Circle here
Walmart:
- Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with a free 30-day trial. Offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, auto car, Walmart+ travel, returns from home, mobile scan and go in-store, and early access to deals and product releases.
- Sign up for Walmart+ here
Shoppers have said they prefer Sam’s Club over Costco because of the scan-and-go service.
The U.S. Sun has approached Costco for comment.
But, Costco has implemented measures designed to stop users from sharing memberships.
In warehouses across the country, shoppers must scan their cards under readers before stepping into stores.
STORE CHANGES
One shopper told the ABC affiliate KABC-TV he wasn’t opposed to the policy as long as the machines worked.
But, not all members have welcomed the change.
Ken Lofton told the network he thinks the policy will lead to delays.
Costco workers are making sure the photos on membership cards match up with the person scanning items at the checkout.
Shoppers who have membership cards without any pictures are being asked to show their ID.
“As we already ask for the membership card at checkout, we are now asking to see their membership card with their photo at our self-service checkout registers,” a spokesperson told Winsight Grocery Business.
“If their membership card does not have a photo, then we ask for a photo ID.”
The crackdown comes as the chain hiked the price of membership by $5.
A Gold Star membership now costs $65 instead of $60.
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.”
