Current:Home > NewsCostco tests new scanners to crack down on membership sharing -AssetScope
Costco tests new scanners to crack down on membership sharing
View
Date:2025-04-13 16:27:24
Costco is testing new technology that could lead to a crackdown on membership-sharing, or when people who haven't paid for an annual membership piggyback off of paying members' cards.
Generally, Costco members need only flash their membership cards at employees to gain entry to the shopping club. Memberships are non-transferable, but households can receive one extra membership card. A basic membership costs $60 annually, while the executive membership, which has perks like a 2% cash-back reward, is $120 per year.
Now, Costco is testing a strategy that could combat membership sharing: It is asking shoppers to scan their membership cards at stores' entrances. The wholesale club's latest move comes as the chain has introduced self-checkout registers, which have made it easier for these sorts of shoppers to slip through the cracks.
"A few Costco locations are scanning Costco membership cards at the entrance. This test is to match members to their cards at the door prior to shopping for an improved member experience," a Costco spokesperson said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch.
Over the summer, Costco started asking shoppers to present photo identification along with their physical membership cards at self-checkout registers, like they're asked to do in regular checkout lanes administered by workers.
"We don't feel it's right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members," Costco said when it announced the change.
A shopper who said they were at a store in Issaquah, Washington, where the company is headquartered, posted photos of the system in action on Reddit.
A sign on the scanner reads, "You will be asked to scan your membership card before entering the warehouse" as a store worker oversees the process.
Costco operates 871 warehouses, including 600 in the United States.
- In:
- Costco
Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.
veryGood! (34949)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Starship launch: How to watch SpaceX test fly megarocket from Starbase in Texas
- Striking photos show stunning, once-in-a-lifetime comet soaring over US
- SpaceX launches its mega Starship rocket. This time, mechanical arms will try to catch it at landing
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- T.J. Holmes Suffers Injury After Running in Chicago Marathon With Girlfriend Amy Robach
- Opinion: Penn State reverses script in comeback at USC to boost College Football Playoff hopes
- Trump hears at a Latino campaign event from someone who lived in the US illegally
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs will remain in jail as a 3-judge panel considers his release on bail
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Climate Disasters Only Slightly Shift the Political Needle
- Deion Sanders, Colorado lose more than a game: `That took a lot out of us'
- 2025 Social Security COLA: Your top 5 questions, answered
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Former President Bill Clinton travels to Georgia to rally rural Black voters to the polls
- Sister Wives' Kody Brown Calls Ex Janelle Brown a Relationship Coward Amid Split
- Not exactly smooth sailing at the 52nd Albuquerque balloon fiesta after 4 incidents
Recommendation
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
What TV channel is Bengals vs. Giants game on? Sunday Night Football start time, live stream
Sabrina Ionescu shows everyone can use a mentor. WNBA stars help girls to dream big
Trump’s protests aside, his agenda has plenty of overlap with Project 2025
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
Titans' Calvin Ridley vents after zero-catch game: '(Expletive) is getting crazy for me'
Titans' Calvin Ridley vents after zero-catch game: '(Expletive) is getting crazy for me'
Basketball Hall of Fame officially welcomes 2024 class