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Post by katlady on Aug 7, 2024 16:32:13 GMT
Costco is rolling out a new card policy. You have to scan your card at the entrance to be sure it is valid. Also, I heard your photo on file shows up and it has to match you. If you don’t have a photo on file, you have to show ID. There is apparently at least one Costco in San Diego County that is already doing this. You are allowed to bring a nonmember guest with you. Our local one hasn’t started it yet.
So what do you all think?
If it brings down the crowd inside the store, that is great. But, you can’t buy anything without a valid membership anyways. I guess if you have to show ID, it will stop card sharing.
Also, in. California, you do not need a membership to buy alcohol or use the pharmacy. It is an actual law in California that you can’t restrict the general public from buying alcohol at a membership store. I guess that is a loophole to get into the store. Still can’t buy other merchandise though without a membership.
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pantsonfire
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Post by pantsonfire on Aug 7, 2024 16:50:38 GMT
This started early spring around the US. Our Costco got the scanners last month. See it as a non-issue. When you sign up you agree to not share your card and that only 2 persons can be members.
If it pisses people off, get a membership. I want costs to stay down and I pay the yearly executive fee to access those savings.
It took the same amount I time to enter than when you just showed your card.
And you still have to show it at check out. So people will get caught there. I can see this helping with crowds. No membership, no entrance.
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Post by worrywart on Aug 7, 2024 16:59:20 GMT
Hopefully it won't hold up the line.
Last week when we were going in Costco, a guy walked in and didn't show his card. The worker was saying "Sir, sir, I need to see your card" and he just laughed and took off into the store. First time I have ever witnessed that but maybe this will help?
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Post by Lexica on Aug 7, 2024 17:10:50 GMT
Hopefully it won't hold up the line. Last week when we were going in Costco, a guy walked in and didn't show his card. The worker was saying "Sir, sir, I need to see your card" and he just laughed and took off into the store. First time I have ever witnessed that but maybe this will help? That was rude! Why do people do that kind of thing? Because they feel above everyone else? I put my Costco card in my pocket as soon as I get out of my car and am putting my keys into my purse. I don’t want to have to dig for my wallet at the entrance and risk holding up the line. Did the worker contact anyone to go chase him down? I would have loved to see a couple of shoppers immediately cross their carts in front of him blocking his path. It was the laughing at her that got to me. |
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Aug 7, 2024 17:11:20 GMT
Our Costco is in a smallish town. They started making you have your picture on your card last year (had only been open about 6 months at that point). They don't scan your card when you enter but they do have an employee standing there making sure that you have one. You only have to flash it at them though. It's not a thorough check.
We have some self-checkout lines so I'm not sure what good having your picture on your card does when all you'd have to do is go through that line if you're using someone else's card.
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 7, 2024 17:12:52 GMT
A couple of Costcos in my area are starting this. Not mine yet, but I wouldn't mind at all. We all supposedly agreed to the rules when we joined -- only two from the same address on the membership and no card sharing. My Costco has started to crack down on checking memberships at the checkout...previously they just looked at the front but now they're asking us to turn it over so they can see the photo. So scanning at the front door would just be part of that. It will mean more staff at the front door, certainly at the beginning, to be sure it all goes smoothly. Of course people will complain about it, say they don't like it, etc., etc. Oh well.  |
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 7, 2024 17:13:59 GMT
Our Costco is in a smallish town. They started making you have your picture on your card last year (had only been open about 6 months at that point). They don't scan your card when you enter but they do have an employee standing there making sure that you have one. You only have to flash it at them though. It's not a thorough check. We have some self-checkout lines so I'm not sure what good having your picture on your card does when all you'd have to do is go through that line if you're using someone else's card. The employees at our self-checkout line look at the card carefully, more carefully than the cashiers do in the regular lines. |
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Post by Lurkingpea on Aug 7, 2024 17:24:18 GMT
Our Costco is in a smallish town. They started making you have your picture on your card last year (had only been open about 6 months at that point). They don't scan your card when you enter but they do have an employee standing there making sure that you have one. You only have to flash it at them though. It's not a thorough check. We have some self-checkout lines so I'm not sure what good having your picture on your card does when all you'd have to do is go through that line if you're using someone else's card. The employees at our self-checkout line look at the card carefully, more carefully than the cashiers do in the regular lines. Same here. I don’t care what they do when you enter. If they ask me to scan, fine. If they ask for ID, fine. I just don’t see what it dies other than verify you only have one extra adult with you. You can’t shop without the card, so what is the purpose of going into Costco if you can’t buy anything? Are people just going in for a sample session? Like a free lunch? I don’t get it. It is generally always crowded, and it is just glorified grocery shopping. Who wants to go just to wander? |
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Post by Restless Spirit on Aug 7, 2024 17:27:57 GMT
I can honestly say I’m not surprised. I remember reading awhile back about them cracking down on members sharing their membership cards. Apparently just asking people to stop the sharing hasn’t worked.
We were just in our Costco this weekend. It was insanely busy. They opened more lines and an employee started directing people from the backuped lines into open lanes. The two “self service” lines were backed up almost halfway into the store. It was mostly people with huge heaping cart loads. I’m not exaggerating when I say NONE of those people would move to a newly open lane! There was some loud exchanges, but the customers refused to go to a new lane. I overheard a couple near to us talking. They were speculating that it was because at this particular store, there is no employee checking the card to see if you are the rightful owner. The only way to use a borrowed card is the self checkout.
I won’t be surprised if the next time we go they have the new ‘scan to get in” set up.
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pantsonfire
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Post by pantsonfire on Aug 7, 2024 17:31:29 GMT
A couple of Costcos in my area are starting this. Not mine yet, but I wouldn't mind at all. We all supposedly agreed to the rules when we joined -- only two from the same address on the membership and no card sharing. My Costco has started to crack down on checking memberships at the checkout...previously they just looked at the front but now they're asking us to turn it over so they can see the photo. So scanning at the front door would just be part of that. It will mean more staff at the front door, certainly at the beginning, to be sure it all goes smoothly. Of course people will complain about it, say they don't like it, etc., etc. Oh well. Ours has always scanned the card. They have us place it in the upside down divider, they grab it, scan it, and hand it back. At self check out you have to scan before you can start. |
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pantsonfire
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Post by pantsonfire on Aug 7, 2024 17:33:37 GMT
The employees at our self-checkout line look at the card carefully, more carefully than the cashiers do in the regular lines. Same here. I don’t care what they do when you enter. If they ask me to scan, fine. If they ask for ID, fine. I just don’t see what it dies other than verify you only have one extra adult with you. You can’t shop without the card, so what is the purpose of going into Costco if you can’t buy anything? Are people just going in for a sample session? Like a free lunch? I don’t get it. It is generally always crowded, and it is just glorified grocery shopping. Who wants to go just to wander? I have several friends whose kids are on the neurodivergent spectrum with food issues. The little carts with samples was an easy way to get them to try new foods as well as get out of the house for ABA community time. It was a win win. The kids ate and learned to like new foods and got therapy time in. They'd also go to TJs |
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 7, 2024 17:41:10 GMT
I can honestly say I’m not surprised. I remember reading awhile back about them cracking down on members sharing their membership cards. Apparently just asking people to stop the sharing hasn’t worked. We were just in our Costco this weekend. It was insanely busy. They opened more lines and an employee started directing people from the backuped lines into open lanes. The two “self service” lines were backed up almost halfway into the store. It was mostly people with huge heaping cart loads. I’m not exaggerating when I say NONE of those people would move to a newly open lane! There was some loud exchanges, but the customers refused to go to a new lane. I overheard a couple near to us talking. They were speculating that it was because at this particular store, there is no employee checking the card to see if you are the rightful owner. The only way to use a borrowed card is the self checkout. I won’t be surprised if the next time we go they have the new ‘scan to get in” set up. Interesting. I was wondering what the point was to go in if you didn’t have a card. I guess that makes sense. Although I’ve never seen big lines at the self checkout, but ours are all individually manned by an employee, so the anonymity factor is moot. |
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milocat
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Post by milocat on Aug 7, 2024 17:54:35 GMT
Our Costco is in a smallish town. They started making you have your picture on your card last year (had only been open about 6 months at that point). They don't scan your card when you enter but they do have an employee standing there making sure that you have one. You only have to flash it at them though. It's not a thorough check. We have some self-checkout lines so I'm not sure what good having your picture on your card does when all you'd have to do is go through that line if you're using someone else's card. The employees at our self-checkout line look at the card carefully, more carefully than the cashiers do in the regular lines. Here too, they really look at it. I read an article about people being outraged at Costco. It ended up being that they were mad they couldn't share their card. Duh! It has your name and photo on it, it's not meant to be shareable. |
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Post by OntarioScrapper on Aug 7, 2024 18:35:13 GMT
As long as our 20 year old son with many disablities who still lives with us can still come in and use their motorized wheelchair things. He calls it Mario Go Carting. Gets him out of the house. He can't walk far and uses a cane. Walmart and hardware stores also have the Mario carts.  |
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FurryP
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Post by FurryP on Aug 7, 2024 19:21:39 GMT
This started early spring around the US. Our Costco got the scanners last month. See it as a non-issue. When you sign up you agree to not share your card and that only 2 persons can be members. If it pisses people off, get a membership. I want costs to stay down and I pay the yearly executive fee to access those savings. It took the same amount I time to enter than when you just showed your card. And you still have to show it at check out. So people will get caught there. I can see this helping with crowds. No membership, no entrance. I see exactly the same as those people that get mad because they can't share streaming services. But since I don't share with anyone anyway, I don't know what happened to that. |
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Post by papersilly on Aug 7, 2024 21:01:22 GMT
i'm ok with it. their business, their rules. they are already doing at the food court so why not the warehouse itself.
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Post by littlemama on Aug 7, 2024 21:03:47 GMT
We dont have that here yet, but I have no issue for it, other than it will back up the line to get into the store. Currently, we just flash the card as we walk by,no stopping needed.
Ultimately, if you want to go into Costco, purchase a membership like everyone else.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 7, 2024 21:08:56 GMT
Hopefully it won't hold up the line. Last week when we were going in Costco, a guy walked in and didn't show his card. The worker was saying "Sir, sir, I need to see your card" and he just laughed and took off into the store. First time I have ever witnessed that but maybe this will help? That was rude! Why do people do that kind of thing? Because they feel above everyone else? I put my Costco card in my pocket as soon as I get out of my car and am putting my keys into my purse. I don’t want to have to dig for my wallet at the entrance and risk holding up the line. Did the worker contact anyone to go chase him down? I would have loved to see a couple of shoppers immediately cross their carts in front of him blocking his path. It was the laughing at her that got to me. Because you can shop in Costco without a member card if you have a gift card - unless they’ve stopped that. |
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Tearisci
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Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Aug 7, 2024 21:35:24 GMT
So what are they going to do if you are just picking up a prescription that doesn't require a Costco membership. I guess you just have to explain that you're there for the prescription?
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twinsmomfla99
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Posts: 4,118
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Aug 7, 2024 21:43:25 GMT
Costco is rolling out a new card policy. You have to scan your card at the entrance to be sure it is valid. Also, I heard your photo on file shows up and it has to match you. If you don’t have a photo on file, you have to show ID. There is apparently at least one Costco in San Diego County that is already doing this. You are allowed to bring a nonmember guest with you. Our local one hasn’t started it yet. So what do you all think? If it brings down the crowd inside the store, that is great. But, you can’t buy anything without a valid membership anyways. I guess if you have to show ID, it will stop card sharing. Also, in. California, you do not need a membership to buy alcohol or use the pharmacy. It is an actual law in California that you can’t restrict the general public from buying alcohol at a membership store. I guess that is a loophole to get into the store. Still can’t buy other merchandise though without a membership. The Louisville Costco Liquor Store that I have been to when visiting my sister has a separate entrance for the liquor store, so that is one way around that law. They let anyone into the liquor store, but they cannot access the rest of the store from there. |
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twinsmomfla99
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Aug 7, 2024 21:54:05 GMT
That was rude! Why do people do that kind of thing? Because they feel above everyone else? I put my Costco card in my pocket as soon as I get out of my car and am putting my keys into my purse. I don’t want to have to dig for my wallet at the entrance and risk holding up the line. Did the worker contact anyone to go chase him down? I would have loved to see a couple of shoppers immediately cross their carts in front of him blocking his path. It was the laughing at her that got to me. Because you can shop in Costco without a member card if you have a gift card - unless they’ve stopped that. I think you can still do that, but I when I tried to buy a card for a non-member on a recent trip, I was told that at some point they may not be able to shop in-store with it unless accompanied by a member. Unless I misunderstood, it sounds like they are considering changing the policy. Non-members could still use it at the pharmacy, liquor store, and online, but it would not get them into the club without being a guest of another member. |
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Post by katlady on Aug 7, 2024 21:54:06 GMT
The Louisville Costco Liquor Store that I have been to when visiting my sister has a separate entrance for the liquor store, so that is one way around that law. They let anyone into the liquor store, but they cannot access the rest of the store from there. But if you are legitimate Costco member, do you also have to go to the other entrance to buy liquor? Can you buy it while doing regular Costco shopping? That wouldn't go over well here in California. We are so used to being able to buy liquor from just about any store with a liquor license. While there is a liquor section, the grocery stores also have liquor spread out around the store. |
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twinsmomfla99
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Aug 7, 2024 22:02:32 GMT
The employees at our self-checkout line look at the card carefully, more carefully than the cashiers do in the regular lines. Same here. I don’t care what they do when you enter. If they ask me to scan, fine. If they ask for ID, fine. I just don’t see what it dies other than verify you only have one extra adult with you. You can’t shop without the card, so what is the purpose of going into Costco if you can’t buy anything? Are people just going in for a sample session? Like a free lunch? I don’t get it. It is generally always crowded, and it is just glorified grocery shopping. Who wants to go just to wander? But people are borrowing someone else's membership card to enter without the member. For example, my brother does not have a Costco membership. I can't just hand him my card and say "go shopping." He has to be with me. In some cases you have multiple households sharing one card and taking advantage of the lower prices (or buying up the most in-demand products like the Harry Potter Squishmallows last year at Christmas). I pay my fee to (1) keep prices low and (2) have access to products I may not be able to get elsewhere as easily. When people cheat the system, prices go up because they are not paying their fair share to keep expenses down. |
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twinsmomfla99
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Aug 7, 2024 22:14:01 GMT
The Louisville Costco Liquor Store that I have been to when visiting my sister has a separate entrance for the liquor store, so that is one way around that law. They let anyone into the liquor store, but they cannot access the rest of the store from there. But if you are legitimate Costco member, do you also have to go to the other entrance to buy liquor? Can you buy it while doing regular Costco shopping? That wouldn't go over well here in California. We are so used to being able to buy liquor from just about any store with a liquor license. While there is a liquor section, the grocery stores also have liquor spread out around the store. Yes, in Louisville, even the Costco member have to go through the separate entrance and get a separate receipt. I don't mind because (a) COSTCO SELLS LIQUOR?!?! and (b) I'm used to segregated sales. I don't live in KY, so I don't know how they do their licensing, but I do know that in PA you cannot sell alcohol in a grocery store. The Pittsburgh Costco where I shop doesn't even sell wine or beer (at least I don't think--never tried to buy it there). When I lived there in the 1990s. we had a store that only sold beer called "Beer World." I'm not positive, but I don't think you could even buy beer in a licensed liquor store back then. You could, however, buy a "six pack" from a bar that consisted of 6 cans or bottles in a paper bag that you carried out of the bar LOL. I think you could buy individual bottles/cans as carry-out, but I'm not sure how much. I don't know if they have updated their laws since 2016 when this article was published, but it explains the PA weirdness with alcohol sales. |
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Post by allison1954 on Aug 7, 2024 22:16:35 GMT
The Louisville Costco Liquor Store that I have been to when visiting my sister has a separate entrance for the liquor store, so that is one way around that law. They let anyone into the liquor store, but they cannot access the rest of the store from there. But if you are legitimate Costco member, do you also have to go to the other entrance to buy liquor? Can you buy it while doing regular Costco shopping? That wouldn't go over well here in California. We are so used to being able to buy liquor from just about any store with a liquor license. While there is a liquor section, the grocery stores also have liquor spread out around the store. In FL, for example, you can buy wine and beer at the grocery but not hard liquor. so The Costco liquor HAS to be a separate place, just like Publix |
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 7, 2024 22:27:22 GMT
The Louisville Costco Liquor Store that I have been to when visiting my sister has a separate entrance for the liquor store, so that is one way around that law. They let anyone into the liquor store, but they cannot access the rest of the store from there. But if you are legitimate Costco member, do you also have to go to the other entrance to buy liquor? Can you buy it while doing regular Costco shopping? That wouldn't go over well here in California. We are so used to being able to buy liquor from just about any store with a liquor license. While there is a liquor section, the grocery stores also have liquor spread out around the store. In Minnesota, you can’t buy liquor in a grocery store. Some Costcos have liquor stores, others do not. They are in the same building, but it’s completely separate from the main warehouse. |
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Post by silverlining on Aug 7, 2024 22:29:33 GMT
I'm all in favor of this. If it helps them keep their prices low, we all benefit. Our Costco has the scanner now at the entrance. I haven't noticed any lines to get in but I don't go to Costco at their busiest times. I'm sure there are many people like me who wave their card at someone and have to be reminded to tap it!
We made very good use of their gift card policy when our daughter was in another city for college. She didn't have a membership card but could get in with a small amount gift card. If she spent more than that amount, she could pay the difference in cash.
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Post by Lurkingpea on Aug 7, 2024 23:12:36 GMT
Same here. I don’t care what they do when you enter. If they ask me to scan, fine. If they ask for ID, fine. I just don’t see what it dies other than verify you only have one extra adult with you. You can’t shop without the card, so what is the purpose of going into Costco if you can’t buy anything? Are people just going in for a sample session? Like a free lunch? I don’t get it. It is generally always crowded, and it is just glorified grocery shopping. Who wants to go just to wander? But people are borrowing someone else's membership card to enter without the member. For example, my brother does not have a Costco membership. I can't just hand him my card and say "go shopping." He has to be with me. In some cases you have multiple households sharing one card and taking advantage of the lower prices (or buying up the most in-demand products like the Harry Potter Squishmallows last year at Christmas). I pay my fee to (1) keep prices low and (2) have access to products I may not be able to get elsewhere as easily. When people cheat the system, prices go up because they are not paying their fair share to keep expenses down. I was just questioning why someone would go if they weren’t able to buy anything. That is what I don’t get, except for the rare instance someone posted above about taking their special needs child. I wasn’t questioning people sharing cards, obviously that is wrong. I wasn’t discussing anyone trying to cheat the system at all. I was merely questioning why someone would go into Costco just to wander. That is extremely odd to me. |
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Post by Lurkingpea on Aug 7, 2024 23:14:16 GMT
But if you are legitimate Costco member, do you also have to go to the other entrance to buy liquor? Can you buy it while doing regular Costco shopping? That wouldn't go over well here in California. We are so used to being able to buy liquor from just about any store with a liquor license. While there is a liquor section, the grocery stores also have liquor spread out around the store. In FL, for example, you can buy wine and beer at the grocery but not hard liquor. so The Costco liquor HAS to be a separate place, just like Publix In some states they just don’t sell liquor at all. Not even in separate stores or locations. |
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caangel
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Post by caangel on Aug 7, 2024 23:28:09 GMT
My So Cal store just starting this on Friday.
Not looking forward to the holiday lines but totally ok with it.
I love Costco!
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