Is Change Coming To Your Local Costco?

[Uncle Bob]

I recall reading a business focused article last year that contended that the profit from sales of goods at Costco covers operating costs for the most part and that the bulk of their net profits come from membership fees. This is probably an attempt to plug what they perceive as a hole in the bucket.

The distinction between gross and net profit seems lost on most folks. It annoys me when I read an article that slants toward being a hit piece, or a politically driven meme criticizing corporate profits, where no distinction is made about gross or net. Liars prefer gross because it helps them exaggerate their mis guided point I suspect.

[Panhead John]

Well, it looks like it won’t be long before scanning your card upon entry to Costco will be nationwide. Here’s a more in depth article from CNN. Also, membership fees in the U.S. and Canada will go up $5.00, from $60. to $65. effective September 1.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/07/business/costco-membership-card-crackdown?cid=ios_app

[acorgihouse]

Hmm, I wonder if they will change their policy of allowing you to go in without membership if you are only using pharmacy. At least I think they still do that. Once your foot is in the door.. I haven't been in a month or so, plan to be there tomorrow morning. I have a decent list, but I am definitely out of coffee, so short of a popup hurricane, or global thermonuclear war, I'll be there. Sounds like an auto scanner, like a subway, is the plan, rather than a human scanner. Also, the satellite liquor store rarely has more than one person working, at the register, and the big garage door wide open. The losses must be significant to rework all that. Of course, the gas pumps scan almost instantaneously, so the tech is there, just the layout.

[jtw]

Are people really up in arms about abuse of Costco's membership policy? It's pretty clear how it works: you pay for a membership, you get to shop there. If you don't pay for a membership, you don't get to shop there.

In Michigan at least, you cannot require a membership to buy alcohol, so that much is clear (not sure about pharmacy). But if you don't have a current membership, why should they allow you to buy anything else?

I guess no one is stopping you from scamming them out of some samples by lying about being there just to buy alcohol, but as long as you can sleep at night....

[Santamarina]

Never had my card scanned on entrance, and never had ID verified at checkout. Card is always scanned at checkout - either by the checker or myself at self checkout - but nothing is verified, at least at self check…no idea what shows up on the screen for the employee checkers.

If they do…can’t imagine it would add much time at all to get in. And we’re honest with our membership - only authorized (paid) members use our account.

[acorgihouse]

At Costco now, in Tampa, Fla. No swipe at door, and they have outside skirt.

[realdocBBQ]

Now THAT'S something I'd be interested in trying!

[Panhead John]

Wowzer! That’s good to know, I’ll have to check it out next time I’m there.

[au4stree]

They have a lady that scans my card at Sam's Club. But the scan and go feature in their app is next level convenient. I am baffled at the number of people that do not utilize that convenience.

[Steve R.]

That's the only way I ever check out at Sam's. Way easier and faster than scanning at the register. I already have my phone in hand with the app open to show my membership card as I walk in, so why not?

[Huskee]

In Michigan, not sure if this applies to other states, alcohol cannot be behind a membership wall. Meaning anyone, even non-members, can buy alcohol at Sam's & Costco. I wonder how this screening will be handled for this type of scenario.

[Panhead John]

Anyone can buy alcohol at all the Texas Costco liquor stores also, no card needed. They’re all individually owned and operated. Texas law doesn’t allow publicly traded companies to sell alcohol.

[Jerod Broussard]

"I wonder how this screening will be handled for this type of scenario."

Breathalyzer??

[Steve R.]

Good to know, now that I quit all alcohol 7 months ago. 🙄 Are we sure there isn't some similar law for meat? 😂

[bbqLuv]

Way to go Costco.
The only problem I have found at Costco is they don't stock PBR!
Then at a demo, I ended up buying a $200+ chef knife for ~$150
I love the knife, it's a great knife, but hate the price.

[Steve R.]

If it's great, you will eventually forget what you paid for it.

[Panhead John]

“The only problem I have found at Costco is they don't stock PBR!”

Costco does have standards to uphold…

[bbqLuv]

Thank you, Panhead John
What standards, I am a member?

[xrodbob]

My Costco in NJ will let you in but are scanning cards at checkout. Probably the pharmacy thing (unfortunately no alcohol at mine). I found out the hard way when my daughter went there with my cc. They let her check out as a courtesy guest member but I lost out on my 2% with executive membership.

Side note - the booze in Delaware off of I95 is dirt cheap. Just saying...

[Finster]

Total Wine?
That’s right across the street from me.
That place is insane. I avoid it like the plague.
They need a cop to direct parking lot traffic on weekends it gets so busy

[PGH_RAM]

I saw on article on a local PGH news station website that card scanning is coming to this area sometime next month.

[realdocBBQ]

Just got back from Costco - other than waving my card at someone at the door, no one gave two schitts. I used the self-checkout and scanned my card. The guy came over to help scan all the meat I had (lol, of course!), but I was also re-upping my membership. Ugh, an extra $120 on my bill! $450 there today.

[tenphases]

Costco shop card are refillable and you don't need a membership once you got one

[Santamarina]

Well, it happened. Went to my local Costco today and they had card scanners at the entrance door. It was pretty smooth, since people are used to flashing their cards upon entrance.

The new part that I observed with a couple who entered two people ahead of me…

They scanned their card and walked in. The lady at the scanner called them back and asked if the person on the card was with them. When they said no they were asked to leave the store.

Pretty big change from the experience I’ve had for the last 30+ years. Yet I understand. They make a lot of money on membership fees. The cost of everything - goods, utilities, etc - has gone up considerably in the last few years, yet membership prices - and even a lot of products - have stayed the same.

I support the membership verifying if it means prices continue to stay low and I don’t get gouged for the people who cheat with membership sharing.

[Draznnl]

I don't recall having posted on this thread yet. Our new Costco just opened in early June. There is just the traditional guy having cards waved at him as you walk in. No sign of any scanners at the entrance. At least not yet...