COSTCO has been cracking down on membership sharing by adding card scanners to some warehouse entrances. After seeing a spike in membership sharing at self-checkout, Costco announced the new measures. Previously, shoppers just had to show their membership card to an employee to get into the store.
Shoppers at select stores now have to swipe their cards as an employee ensures the photo on the card matches the person. "New Costco. New process," wrote shopper Tom Nipper in a Facebook post.
He shared a photo of an employee posing with the scanner at a Riverbank, California store that opened on June 13. "New membership scanners at the entrance! It is a very quick process," he added. "The member's photo and info pop up on the screen for the attendant to view.
No more sharing memberships!" Most people agreed with the measure and believe it is coming to all stores. "Good, sharing is much like cheating," commented one person. "Good idea, except if you're using the app," wrote another person who wasn't sure how they could scan the app.
Other customers said the new protocol was terrible. "Poor Costco. How will they ever survive if, god forbid, I let the single mom at work use my card to go buy something?" commented a member.
Nipper told them that they could buy anyone a Costco gift card and shop without a membership. "It's an excellent gift for non-members," he wrote. The extra scrutiny over membership cards has pushed some long-term customers to cancel their memberships .
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