‘Hit them where it hurts,’ Costco members in retaliation to news of policy change – they’ve resorted to joining rival

COSTCO shoppers are furious at the chain's decision to increase membership prices and some are considering going elsewhere to shop.

The retailer announced earlier this month that its membership prices will increase for the first time in seven years.

The price hike will begin September 1 and customers are not happy.

The normal membership fee will rise from $60 to $65 a year and the Executive membership will go from $120 to $130.

One customer expressed their frustration on social media and threatened to stop shopping at Costco and take their business elsewhere.

"Here's everything you need to know ---> Cancel Costco and move over to Sam's Club," they wrote on X.

"Gotta hit em where it hurts," they declared.

"If enough people cancelled, I'm sure they'd rethink their move lol," they added.

The user wrote this in response to the news that membership prices will increase in both the US and Canada.

Around 52 million members will be affected by the price rise, leading angry shoppers to slam the change on social media.

"I will def be cancelling my membership, which I haven't been able to get value from for years," one user wrote.

Costco usually increases its membership prices every five years but hasn't done so since 2017.

"Oh s**t I gotta call my dad and tell him the news, he's gonna be big mad," another user said.

"It's over," someone else said on X.

This is not the only reason customers have expressed their outrage at the chain.

CHANGE SPARKS ANGER

Shoppers are also annoyed at the membership identification checks the store introduced earlier this year.

Costco membership sharing guidelines

Costco has strict rules for membership use that shoppers must follow and they've been cracking down on offenders in recent years.

• Primary Member Use: Only the primary cardholder can use this Costco membership card. Sharing it for purchases is not allowed as the photo on the card must match the person using it.
• Household Card: Each primary member can add one free household cardholder who lives at the same address. This person will receive their own membership card and can shop at Costco independently.
• Guest Policy: Members can bring up to two guests per visit to Costco. However, only the member can make purchases. Guests must be accompanied by the member.
• Authorized Cardholder: For an additional fee, you can add an authorized cardholder, such as a family member or friend, who doesn't reside at your address. They will receive their own card and can shop independently.

Credit: Costco

The retailer told customers that IDs must be scanned at the doors before entering the store.

This change has confused shoppers and many aren't sure why the policy was introduced.

"I still don't understand what's the need to show it when you enter, if everyone knows that you can't purchase without a membership," one customer wrote on Facebook.

"What's the purpose of this?" another user said.

Shoppers are retaliating against the chain and some are unwilling to renew their Costco memberships.

"I have a membership but I won't renew it if I have to get checked at the door then again at registers," a customer declared.