Costco crackdown: Membership scanners to be added at warehouse entrances

[moonstone]

Just read about this on a Facebook group I'm in yesterday. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/com...1&cvid=0ec388b3b3f24cefb5184b12ccbbae32&ei=13

A woman who does not have a Costco membership, was complaining that she has to go into her mom's local Costco with her mom's card to pick up things for her mom, including her prescriptions, because her mom is home recovering from surgery. She has done so many times in the past. When the woman went to go and pickup some prescriptions the other day she was not allowed in because her face didnt match her mom's photo on the card. She told staff she wasn't shopping, just picking up her mom's prescriptions, but they told her she could not enter. We were told when our store first opened that a membership wasn't needed for prescriptions, or to eat at the snack bar. Looks like that is changing, although we have never been asked to show our membership card at any Costco (Canada or USA) snack bar that we've ever been to.

Our local Costco (Orillia ON) is across the road from a university and dozens of students file in through the exit to eat at the snack bar. We have seen some then walk through an empty register lane (or the self serve area) and into the store. I am not sure if they could buy things with cash without a membership card, maybe they were just going in for the samples!


~Diane

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I live close to the Issaquah, WA, store where this was piloted, starting about 6-12 months ago. Though in the pilot all they were doing was scanning the bar code; there was nothing about photo ID. The process was pretty painless.

Re the snack bar/food court. Requiring proof of membership is something that has been implemented recently. In my experience, when placing an order using the kiosk you have to insert your membership to conduct a transaction. If ordering in person at the walkup window, the order taker asks for my membership card.

As regards prescriptions, I suggest you visit member services, which you can access at a store without going the main entrance. Explain the situation and see if they can help you out. You may find that there is already a workaround for your situation.

 

[Luanne]

We were at the Costco we frequent in Albuquerque yesterday. They already have the scanners. Seemed to slow down entry into the store a little until a second person with a scanner came to the door. I'm still not sure how they are catching folks who aren't members. My husband scanned his card and I entered with him. I do have my own Costco card, but I didn't have to scan it.

 

[SteveinHNL]

I've heard (but only on the internet) that purchases of alcohol can't be restricted to members in a number of states, so anyone can enter and buy alcohol at a Costco. So if this the case, they shouldn't restrict entry as you are describing.

Five Things You Can Get at Costco Without a Membership

We highlighted several popular Costco benefits that don't require a membership to the warehouse club. Take a look.

www.kiplinger.com

 

[Shiba]

My Costco already has it. I was being nosy about the process and apparently when you scan your card you're picture shows up. They are catching people because the line was long at membership.

It was a little slow to enter as they had just started the scanners and people were confused about the process.

 

[TolmiePeak]

They need to weed out the moochers somehow. Seems like they are trying scanners.

 

[GetawaysRus]

Yup, scanners at my store

I haven't had a photo on my Costco card for at least the past 20 years. Had to get a new card. But at least this time they spelled my name correctly.

 

[davidvel]

Just read about this on a Facebook group I'm in yesterday. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/com...1&cvid=0ec388b3b3f24cefb5184b12ccbbae32&ei=13

A woman who does not have a Costco membership, was complaining that she has to go into her mom's local Costco with her mom's card to pick up things for her mom, including her prescriptions, because her mom is home recovering from surgery. She has done so many times in the past. When the woman went to go and pickup some prescriptions the other day she was not allowed in because her face didnt match her mom's photo on the card. She told staff she wasn't shopping, just picking up her mom's prescriptions, but they told her she could not enter. We were told when our store first opened that a membership wasn't needed for prescriptions, or to eat at the snack bar. Looks like that is changing, although we have never been asked to show our membership card at any Costco (Canada or USA) snack bar that we've ever been to.

Our local Costco (Orillia ON) is across the road from a university and dozens of students file in through the exit to eat at the snack bar. We have seen some then walk through an empty register lane (or the self serve area) and into the store. I am not sure if they could buy things with cash without a membership card, maybe they were just going in for the samples!


~Diane

You said things in addition to the Rx, so that may have been the reason?

 

[davidvel]

We were at the Costco we frequent in Albuquerque yesterday. They already have the scanners. Seemed to slow down entry into the store a little until a second person with a scanner came to the door. I'm still not sure how they are catching folks who aren't members. My husband scanned his card and I entered with him. I do have my own Costco card, but I didn't have to scan it.

 

[davidvel]

We stopped at a store in Menifee (CA) today, it had the scanners.

 

[TheHolleys87]

I've heard (but only on the internet) that purchases of alcohol can't be restricted to members in a number of states, so anyone can enter and buy alcohol at a Costco. So if this the case, they shouldn't restrict entry as you are describing.

Five Things You Can Get at Costco Without a Membership

We highlighted several popular Costco benefits that don't require a membership to the warehouse club. Take a look.

www.kiplinger.com

At our Costco north of Houston the liquor store is attached to but separate from the actual Costco.

 

[dioxide45]

At our Costco north of Houston the liquor store is attached to but separate from the actual Costco.

Same here in Florida. Outside of some wine, all the liquor is accessible from outside the main warehouse. I recall in Ohio they didn't have alcohol at Costco except wine available in the main warehouse.

As for prescriptions, this is something to check with state laws. As I understand most states they can't limit prescription drug purchases to members only. Another option is to just get a Costco Cash card, that can be used by non members to purchase and should thus be able to be used to enter the warehouse.

This seems to be Costco hunting for quarters in the sofa when they could probably take other measures to prevent non members from purchasing items. Having a better photo on the card would be a good start. Or perhaps checking ID at checkout.

 

[davidvel]

Some states have strange liquor laws, like you can't sell on Sunday.

 

[dioxide45]

Some states have strange liquor laws, like you can't sell on Sunday.

Yeah, not sure if it still the case, but I recall Ohio having no sales before noon on Sunday. Had to go to church first.

 

[davidvel]

This seems to be Costco hunting for quarters in the sofa when they could probably take other measures to prevent non members from purchasing items. Having a better photo on the card would be a good start. Or perhaps checking ID at checkout.

The entitled moochers who complain you have to have membership and "it isn't fair..." are the cause of this I am sure. There are lots of reports since they started enforcing the member card stealing better, that people show up with carts full of goods and try to check out with another's card. Associates have to return it all, and some stores ditch certain foods over concern they may have been unrefrigerated for too long.

It is easy to find thousands of comments on the net from scofflaws complaining "I shopped for 2 hours and then they turned me down. They hardly checked when I came in. This policy is B.S.," or some facsimile.

 

[clifffaith]

Some states have strange liquor laws, like you can't sell on Sunday.

I remember the first time I came up against a state liquor store. My aunt looked at me weird as we were getting ready to go and I commented that I’d grab a candy bar at the store. Ain’t no candy bars at liquor stores in Ohio (or at least there weren’t 40 years ago).

 

[moonstone]

You said things in addition to the Rx, so that may have been the reason?

No, the last time when she was denied entry she said she was just getting prescriptions. In the past she has gone in to get other things and prescriptions but the other day, after her mom's surgery, she just needed the prescriptions. The staff were really being sticklers with the ID thing.

Our DD used my Costco card at our Orillia ON store for years both while she was living at home and after she got her own place, and was never questioned. When we switched to an Executive membership my photo was a lot clearer and she decided not to use my old one any longer. Now she and our DS split a spousal account. Obviously they have different addresses, but the same last names, and Costco didnt ask if that was by birth or marriage!

~Diane

 

[davidvel]

Yeah, not sure if it still the case, but I recall Ohio having no sales before noon on Sunday. Had to go to church first.

No, the last time when she was denied entry she said she was just getting prescriptions. In the past she has gone in to get other things and prescriptions but the other day, after her mom's surgery, she just needed the prescriptions. The staff were really being sticklers with the ID thing.

Our DD used my Costco card at our Orillia ON store for years both while she was living at home and after she got her own place, and was never questioned. When we switched to an Executive membership my photo was a lot clearer and she decided not to use my old one any longer. Now she and our DS split a spousal account. Obviously they have different addresses, but the same last names, and Costco didnt ask if that was by birth or marriage!

~Diane

I must have misread.

I don't think they designate them as spousal memberships anymore. You don't even need to be related as long as you live at the same address. Lucky for your kids there is no real way to verify this.

 

[easyrider]

I remember the first time I came up against a state liquor store. My aunt looked at me weird as we were getting ready to go and I commented that I’d grab a candy bar at the store. Ain’t no candy bars at liquor stores in Ohio (or at least there weren’t 40 years ago).

There are a few State liquor stores left in Washington. In the past, that was the only place to buy liquor and they also had mixer, ice, snacks, cigarettes and many other items. We were in Oregon last fall and had forgotten that Oregon still uses state liquor stores but lucked out with one across the road. The city we were in had more weed stores than liquor stores is what it seemed like.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

So does anyone like Costco's Kirkland liquor ? I tried the Kirkland Canadian Whiskey and it tasted like Crown Royal. It's made by Crown. My sister likes Jameson Irish Whiskey and can tell a difference from the Kirkland Irish Whisky. A friend said Kirklands Vodka was pretty good.

Bill

 

[geist1223]

For a while we were buying Kirkland Irish Whisky and enjoyed it. But it changed. We think they changed sources. We no longer buy it and settle for Jameson. We do like their Vodka. As for Tequila we prefer several Brands from Mexico.

 

[AnnaS]

Picked up two items Wednesday - no scanners here (yet).

 

[pedro47]

In our area I wish Costco would open up more cash registers with live people. The check out lines are awful in NN,VA. even with the self service check out registers open.

 

[pedro47]

So does anyone like Costco's Kirkland liquor ? I tried the Kirkland Canadian Whiskey and it tasted like Crown Royal. It's made by Crown. My sister likes Jameson Irish Whiskey and can tell a difference from the Kirkland Irish Whisky. A friend said Kirklands Vodka was pretty good.

Bill

We also liked Costco Kirkland Canadian Whisker, their Vodka and their Grand Tequia .
Costco cannot sell liquor in Virginia. We still have state control liquor stores.

 

[joestein]

I am less and less enamored with Costco all the time. I think the prices have risen dramatically (Yes - everywhere - but more so at Costco) and the quality has dropped off.

But what really gets me is the poor check out. I have to wait on a line with 20 or so people waiting to use the self-check out. Costco employees are asking to check everyone's card, but how about helping to scan instead. OR MAYBE... just put handheld scanners at each kiosk, so I don't have to unload and re-load the cart. Especially with the size and weight of some of the Costco stuff.

Why can't they get their act together in regard to technology. Maybe have store inventory online, so I don't go to a store looking for a specific item to find they don't have it. Maybe get the app scanning and paying like Sam's Club.

I do appreciate when they get some interesting 'internet' food for a price that is much less than sold on the internet - because I would never order that stuff and not have a chance to try it otherwise. I know my wife likes the clothing.

If it was up to me - I would cancel our membership.