BREAKING: Costco shopper slams ‘rude’ employees who ‘don’t check’ membership cards – but company says they’re needed to enter

COSTCO shoppers are growing fed up with how employees are treating customers as one claims some are no longer checking membership cards. ..Read Full Article

Unlike other major retailers like Walmart and Target, Costco operates with a membership model requiring shoppers to pay a premium subscription every year.

The memberships offer great deals on products for customers in store and online as well as access to perks like Costco’s lenient return policy.

In order to make sure every customer shopping is a member, Costco is known for checking membership IDs as people enter the store.

The wholesaler has also been known for having cashiers check IDs when shoppers are checking out as well.

The process has been criticized by customers, particularly as some locations have been cracking down on ID checks when shoppers opt to use self-checkout machines.

Some claim they don’t understand why they need to show their ID a second time, while others have simply called the habit annoying.

On its website, Costco details that one of the conditions of being a member is being required to show the membership card when entering a Costco warehouse and checking out.

Bar codes, photos, and other copies of the ID are not accepted, the company says.

Costco CEO Richard Galanti revealed in June 2023 that the company would be cracking down on the verification of memberships, indicating that there would be an increase of ID checks.

At the time, he insisted the measure was to assist Costco in the long run.

“When you’re dealing with millions of transactions, even a very small percentage is something you would want to correct,” Galanti told The Wall Street Journal.

Costco Membership: Boundaries and Bans

However, some Costco shoppers have started to claim employees have become rude regarding ID checks, even allegedly failing to conduct them all together.

One member took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to air out their frustrations.

“Of late, I feel that Costco has gotten somewhat rude to their customers,” the Costco member said.

“They do NOT check for Costco cards upon entry, that well, I’ve seen people walk in w/out one.”

It was not immediately clear what Costco location the shopper was referring to, however they have Florida listed as their location in their bio.

Membership and store cards on offer from major retailers

Here is a breakdown of the store cards on offer to customers from various retailers and their benefits

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Costco:

• Gold Star Membership: $60 per year, shop all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
• Executive Membership: $120 per year, annual 2% reward, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store, and get two additional cards for household use.
• Sign up for a Costco Membership here

Sam’s Club:

• Club Membership: $50 per year, bonus offers, same-day delivery, instant savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, members-only fuel savings, tire and battery center, complimentary membership, and add-on memberships.
• Plus Membership: $110 per year, all benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
• Sign up for Sam’s Club Membership here

Target:

• Target Circle: A free-to-join reward program allowing users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when an eligible purchase is made, access deals and personalized offers, get a birthday gift, and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps out your community.
• Target Circle Card: A credit, debit, or reloadable account card that gives users 5% off in-store and online as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping, and an additional 30-day returns window. Formerly Target RedCard.
• Sign up for Target Circle here

Walmart:

• Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with a free 30-day trial. Offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, auto car, Walmart+ travel, returns from home, mobile scan and go in-store, and early access to deals and product releases.
• Sign up for Walmart+ here

While the shopper might have concerns about Costco employees not checking IDs, more members have issues with the checks themselves.

The U.S. Sun previously reported how many members were upset with being asked to show a photo ID along with their membership card when using the self checkout.

“Why is it new that Costco is starting to ask for your membership cards & photo ID’s at self-checkouts now, our photo is literally on the back of our membership cards,” one shopper said on X.

“Checking my photo id in the self checkout is new. And it’s all pretty off putting,” another said.

Costco did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.

MEMBERSHIP COSTS

The cost of a Costco membership can vary.

Gold Star membership costs $60 annually and gives access for shopping in store and online.

The Executive membership costs $120 each year and has the same benefits as well as Costco services discounts and an annual 2% reward on Costco purchases.