ID, please: Costco testing scanners at entrances to keep non-members out

[dalton99a]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2024/01/16/costco-testing-scanners-members/72245772007/

ID, please: Costco testing scanners at entrances to keep non-members out
Costco confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that several locations 'are scanning Costco membership cards at the entrance,' calling it an effort to improve member experience.
James Powel
USA TODAY

Costco is testing a new way to keep non-members out of their stores.

A photo posted on Reddit from Jan. 7 shows a Costco greeter scanning a customer's card in a warehouse in Issaquah, Washington, about 17 miles east of Seattle.

Costco confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that several locations "are scanning Costco membership cards at the entrance," calling it an effort to improve member experience.

"This test is to match members to their cards at the door prior to shopping for an improved member experience," Costco said in a statement to USA Today.

Before now, Costco members have only had to flash their membership card at store entrances. The card and a customer's ID are then scanned at both regular and self-checkout. Adding ID checks at the store entrances will eliminate the need for them to be provided at checkout, CNN reported.

...

[getagrip_already]

1. they can easily scan your face, but don't want the resistance from fr nuts...

They still use it, but ask you to scan your card.

You just don't know they use it.

So you have the added step for your peace of mind.

[obamanut2012]

2. Good

on edit -- they are doing it at our location in CA.

[FHRRK]

4. Where in CA?

I thought they had to allow non members access to pharmacy and alcohol sales

[Hekate]

6. I don't think they "have to" allow access to pharmacy -- I thought it was a courtesy...

And I never heard of the liquor dept being accessible to non-members

But I don’t know — I’m going to have to look that up.

In any case, I haven’t had my card scanned at the door yet — and the idea certainly doesn’t bother me.

They tend to make policy changes when they get abused enough, which makes me wonder what’s going on with the (non) customers. A long time ago they had incredibly liberal (compared to other vendors) return policies for electronics like TVs and computers. Then they realized there was a noticeable pattern among college students of returning all these pricy goods at the end of the semester, rinse and repeat. So when we joined, they had tightened up quite a bit.

[dalton99a]

10. +1. And this one:

https://www.kxan.com/news/consumer/california-woman-returns-dead-christmas-tree-to-costco/
California woman returns ‘dead’ Christmas tree to Costco

[Hekate]

11. Pretty much like that

[ificandream]

3. Even if you don't show your ID, you can't buy anything without a membership.

Not sure what the point of that it.

[senseandsensibility]

5. It sounds like it's to make sure that you really are the person

on your membership card? Maybe?

[Cuthbert Allgood]

7. You can with a gift card.

But I assume they will let people in with one.

[JI7]

9. To make sure people are using their own card

[ProudMNDemocrat]

8. They scsn my card at checkout wvery time I shop.

I use the same card picture side up at the door. It's my Costco VISA.

[ripcord]

12. The problem is that when some people buy a membership they think everyone they know should be able to use it