The days of sneaking into Costco with someone else’s card are over. The retailer is enforcing a strict policy on sharing membership cards with a new policy where all cards will be scanned at store entrances.
Costco said in Modern statement On its website: “In the coming months, membership scanners will be in use at the entrance door of your local warehouse.”
Under the new process, all members will have to scan their physical or digital cards by “scanning the barcode or QR code.” Previously, shoppers typically only had to present their membership cards at the cash register during checkout.
Guests without cards must be accompanied by a member to enter, making it difficult to enter with a borrowed card.
For members with non-photo cards, they will be required to show a valid photo ID and are encouraged to have their photo taken to add to their cards at the membership desk.
The statement said that an employee will be assigned at the entrances to the stores to assist shoppers.
For members whose cards are inactive or expired or those who wish to register for a new membership, the staff will ask them to stop at the membership desk before entering the warehouse to shop.
NBC News has reached out to Costco for comment.
Costco relies on membership fees to generate most of its revenue and help keep merchandise prices low.
The new card verification policy is the latest effort to stop non-members taking advantage of benefits.
Last year, Costco Intensify implementation By adding extra checkout for memberships at self-checkout lanes in an effort to prevent shoppers from using other members’ cards.
The store also announced last month that it would increase its membership rate for the first time since 2017. The fee will increase by $5 in the U.S. starting September 1, changing the annual membership fee from $60 to $65. Its highest-tier plan, called Executive Membership, will rise to $130 per year from $120.
“Devoted student. Bacon advocate. Beer scholar. Troublemaker. Falls down a lot. Typical coffee enthusiast.”