‘Is this the policy?’ blasts Costco shopper after employee turned her away – its already hard enough to shop

A COSTCO customer has hit out at the big box retailer after staff demanded her husband sign up for store membership to reap the benefits.

The exclusive wholesale chain recently launched a crackdown on membership sharing, which has been cited by bosses as a key issue impacting profits and paying members.

But some shoppers have criticized the policy switch, including a married couple who were recently bagging groceries at their local store.

"The Costco checker wouldn't allow my husband to hand him my card while I was unloading the cart," the shopper wrote on Reddit.

"Husband has a bad back and couldn't unload the cart, so as I was unloading the cart my husband handed him my Costco Visa.

"The checker looked at the photo and I said that's me and he said he couldn't accept the card from my husband who was two steps from me unless my husband had his own account.

"Really? Is this the policy or was the old guy just having a bad day?"

The U.S Sun has reached out to Costco for comment.

MEMBERSHIP CHANGES

This membership scanner policy is not the only change Costco has announced this year.

The chain announced it will raise its membership prices for the first time in seven years on July 10.

The price increase will come into force on September 1, affecting 52 million members across the US and Canada.

The regular membership fee will rise from $60 to $65 and the Executive Membership will from $120 to $130.

Members were not pleased about the news and took to social media to express their frustration.

"If enough people canceled, I'm sure they'd rethink their move lol," one said.

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

Another customer called the price increase a "ripoff."

SHOPPER BOYCOTT

Many Costco customers are choosing to shop elsewhere.

Rising costs of Costco products, as well as an increase in their membership fees, have forced some shoppers to go elsewhere.

Last month the retailer announced it will increase its membership fees in September 2024.

The regular membership will rise from $60 to $65 a year and the Executive membership price will rise by $10 to $130 annually.

However, some members have already vowed to back out before the hike takes place.

Meanwhile, it is not smooth sailing at rival Sam's Club either as members are raging about changes to a major membership perk.