Costco shopper admits he was ‘bamboozled’ into buying membership – before being stopped in his tracks over payment issue

A COSTCO shopper explained why they immediately regretted getting a membership to the warehouse chain.

The shopper said they were "bamboozled" by the retailer's payment policy.

The customer (@acityincanada) shared their rant in an X post, questioning the chain over this decision.

This shopper revealed they were stuck when they realized they could not use their card to pay at the store.

"I got bamboozled into getting a @Costco membership," they wrote in the post.

"Got all the way there ONLY accept Visa.

"There’s no reason to not accept every major credit card in 2024.

"Why yall like this store?"

Costco store's have accepted multiple forms of payment including all Visa cards and most PIN-based Debit or ATM Cards, according to the store's website.

These warehouses have also accepted more traditional forms of payment, like cash and personal checks in Costco members' names.

Costco's online store has accepted forms of payment.

These have included MasterCard and even Apple Pay.

CARDED

The limited payment options have also caused issues for other shoppers.

All of the perks and discounts of Costco membership come with strict rules.

These have included policies like mandatory receipt checks and a certain number of guests in the store with a member.

The limited payment options have raised concerns among other shoppers, The U.S. Sun has previously reported.

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

Some members expressed their thoughts on this unique policy in a Reddit thread.

"Is there a workaround to using a non-visa card at Costco?" one person wrote.

Another member raged on Facebook about their difficulties with payments, The U.S. Sun previously reported.

"I shopped around for about an hour, and got to the register to pay for my items, when I tried to pay with my Discover card, I was told they do not take Discover cards," the shopper wrote.

"I tried to pay with my American Express card and was told they do not take American Express."

"I then decided to use my bank card. Which is a Visa card. But, I had to know the pin number. It’s a new card and I do not know the pin number," they added.

"So frustrated, I said, 'I guess you have to put it all back.'"