‘Lines worse than Disneyland,’ says Costco shopper as chain cracks down on members – checks don’t just take place at end

A FUMING Costco shopper has slammed the wholesale retailer for long checkout lines.

The shopper urged the big box chain to follow the example of one of its rivals to optimize the in-store experience for customers.

"[Costco] need to step their game up and offer scan and go through an app like Sam’s club," the shopper wrote on Facebook.

"It makes it so much easier to get in and out.

"You can NEVER just run to Costco real quick, lines worse than Disneyland."

Several customers agreed with the frustrated consumer, while others recommended shopping during less crowded hours.

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

LONG LINES

Many shoppers have asked the retailer to allow its customers to scan their own items, but that has not solved every shopper's concerns.

The grocer originally removed self-checkout entirely in 2013, before bringing the express lines back in 2019.

Self-checkout machines were introduced to the retail game to cut back on costs and streamline the in-person shopping experience.

When the self-checkout returned, the main complaint consumers spoke up about had to do with the self-checkout process being different from other stores like Target, Walmart, and Sam's Club.

Costco shoppers said that some customers have access to hand-held scanners for items while others are forced to have workers ring their items up for them.

Some said shoppers are not allowed to scan bulkier items themselves, requiring an employee to come over and scan only certain items.

There was an uproar over Costco lines even when it had self-checkout as there are limitations on how many workers are available in that station at a time.

Often, shoppers had to wait their turn for assistance, which prevented an efficient and easy checkout experience.

SCALING BACK

In the summer of 2023, Costco started removing self-checkout from its shoppers' options to combat an increase in retail theft.

After years of investing in self-checkout machines, some major retailers are pulling back.

The decisions come as retailers attempt to reduce “shrink,” an industry term for all the ways inventory can get lost, including through error or theft by shoppers or employees.

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

In March, Five Below CEO Joel Anderson said the most "significant change the company made in testing theft mitigation efforts was to replace self-checkout options with employees," according to NBC News.

Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said that the company’s goal is to restrict self-checkout to high-traffic, low-theft locations.

While some stores are moving away from self-checkout, the option won't be entirely gone.

An estimated 44% of transactions at grocery stores took place in self-checkout lanes last year, according to NBC News.

Meanwhile, another Costco shopper has ditched his membership after experiencing excessive ID checks.

In a similar incident, a shopper slammed the chain for supposedly not allowing him to pay for his items due to a strict membership policy.