‘Thanks for wasting my time,’ fumes Costco shopper blocked from paying at checkout – despite bringing membership card

SEVERAL Costco shoppers have been blocked from payment at checkout, leaving them furious with the retailer’s policies.

The wholesale retailer famously has a strict membership-only policy which means only those who pay an annual subscription can access exclusive deals online and in-store.

Getty

Getty

However, the privilege comes with a number of rules including complying with receipt checks at store exits.

While the majority of Costco shoppers have no issue with such checks, one recurring issue is causing frustration as it leaves shoppers unable to pay.

“No way @Costco really turned me away because I wanted to pay but my name wasn’t on the membership card,” X user Liz @onewthesun wrote on the social media platform.

“Sorry I came by myself without my partner. Thanks for wasting my time.

“I think there’s more important things to worry about than who’s paying for the merchandise.”

Other shoppers have shared similar experiences on X.

“I was recently in a fck Costco mood bc at checkout Devon stepped away (3ft) to handle Niko so I went to pay & they stopped me!” a mother explained .

“Said I couldn’t pay since my name wasn’t on the membership card even tho Dev was RIGHT there & it was his cc.”

“Costco is p******* me off lately. Now it’s not enough to show your card you need to show them your picture too!? a third wrote.

“Then I get to the cash & can’t use my Costco cash for my membership renewal cause it’s under my husband’s name when we have the SAME membership!!!! So annoyed.”

While numerous shoppers are frustrated by the rules, Costco’s membership guidelines detail how members must act if they want to avoid the checkout issue.

There are two options available to members and one is strictly for those in similar situations to those detailed by the frustrated X users.

Costco offers members an additional Household card alongside their membership card.

This means that each primary member, the person who pays and owns the membership, can get another card for another member of their household if they are over the age of 16.

Costco's Membership Crackdown

Earlier this year, Costco started cracking down on members who would share their cards with non-paying guests.

To tackle the issue, the retailer started testing a new system that introduced card scanners at the entrance of stores.

This forces members to scan their IDs and verify who they are upon entry to the warehouse.

The new system started being tested in January at a warehouse near Costco’s headquarters in Issaquah, Washington.

Similar checks have been rolled out at self-checkouts and manned registers.

“Our membership policy states that our membership cards are not transferable and since expanding our self-service checkout, we’ve noticed that non-member shoppers have been using membership cards that do not belong to them,” Costco said in a statement.

“We don’t feel it’s right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members.”

“Primary and Affiliate Members receive one additional card for one designated member of their household, who is over the age of 16 and living at the same address,” Costco states .

“When they receive their membership card, the designated household member must show proof that they live at the same address as the Primary or Affiliate Member and must have their photo taken and added to their card.”

In essence, this household member will have their own membership card featuring their name and photograph so they can be identified in-store, thus avoiding the issues faced by the X users.

However, for those who do not live together, there is another option.

Costco members can bring up to two guests with them under the same membership card.

However, “only Costco members may purchase items,” the rules state.

Meanwhile, shoppers at Sam’s Club have raged over a major membership policy change.

At the same time, Sam’s Club is also seeing a backlash to its anti-theft measures.

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