When customers walk in to shop at Costco Wholesale, they flash a membership card to an employee who typically gives a smile and a nod before they can glide their XL cart into the big box retailer. But now, the warehouse store is cracking down on its entry parameters to avoid non-members from slipping inside under a false pretense.
The company has caught on to friends utilizing someone else’s membership card to access the big box store, so to combat the issue, its adding a new system upon arrival.
“Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse. 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,” Costco said in a statement online. “Guests must also be accompanied by a valid member for entry.”
Customers wait in line to check out purchases at Costco store on June 28, 2023 in Teterboro, New Jersey.
Kena Betancur/VIEWpress/Corbis via Getty Images
The warehouse retailer said an attendant will be at the door to assist any customers with questions or concerns.
“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,” the statement continued. “Additionally, if your membership card does not have a photo, please be prepared to show your valid photo ID.”
Members without a photo on their card can also go to the membership counter and get their photo taken to add to the card.
Costco, the popular warehouse club retailer, has recently implemented a new security measure at its entry points to prevent card sharing among members. The company has introduced membership scanners that require members to scan their own membership cards before entering the store.
This new measure comes in response to an increasing number of instances where Costco members have been sharing their membership cards with friends or family members who are not authorized to use them. This practice not only violates Costco’s membership agreement, but it also poses security risks and can lead to overcrowding in stores.
By requiring members to scan their own cards at the entry points, Costco aims to ensure that only authorized individuals are accessing the store and taking advantage of the benefits of membership. This will help prevent card sharing and protect the integrity of Costco’s membership program.
In addition to preventing unauthorized individuals from using membership cards, the new scanners will also help Costco track member traffic and gather data on store visits. This information will enable Costco to better understand member behavior and preferences, allowing the company to improve its services and offerings.
While some members may find the new scanners to be an inconvenience, Costco emphasizes that the measure is necessary to protect the value of membership and ensure a positive shopping experience for all members. The company encourages members to comply with the new policy and reminds them that sharing membership cards is a violation of Costco’s terms and conditions.
Overall, Costco’s implementation of membership scanners at entry points is a proactive step towards maintaining the security and exclusivity of its membership program. By preventing card sharing and gathering valuable data on member behavior, Costco is demonstrating its commitment to providing a high-quality shopping experience for its loyal members.
