First Netflix, now Costco… the days of sharing your memberships with friends and family might be numbered. California Costco outposts are quietly rolling out new card scanners at their entrances to dissuade the misuse of memberships. The change coincides with the retailer raising membership prices for the first time in seven years.
KTLA and SFGATE report that the scanners have been spotted at Inglewood, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Alhambra, and Burbank Costco locations. Be prepared for delays and lines as employees enforce the new policy.
While most of us are used to flashing the Costco card to an employee as we walk in, the scanners mean taking an extra step before you get shopping. According to a statement by Costco, members must scan their digital or physical Costco card on machines posted at the entrance. An employee will confirm your identification by the photo on your card, or if your card doesn’t have one, you will be asked to show a valid photo ID. Then, you can proceed to fill your cart with all the bulk food items you desire, give the massage chairs a spin, and eat samples to your heart’s content.
Members may bring children and up to two guests, but only the members themselves may make purchases.
After expanding self-checkout, Costco noticed an increase in non-members using cards that don’t belong to them, according to CNN. Employees started spot-checking membership cards last year to curb this, and Costco began trialing the card scanners in January. Details are elusive, but Costco’s recent online statement mentioned scanner installation “over the coming months.”
“We don’t feel it’s right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members,” said Costco to Business Insider of the initial spot-checking last year.
If it’s looking like you might need to get your own Costco membership, prices are about to increase by $5 starting on September 1, 2024. Gold Star and Business Memberships will cost $65 per year, and executive memberships will cost $130 per year.