COSTCO cracking down on membership sharing

[SHL]

Quite the opposite. Bjs allows anyone in and even allows non members to shop with a 20% markup

That's what I thought
Just saying what they told me that day

[HoKo]

I recall once being told by a Costco "greeter" that they would let in anyone with a valid reason and "it is BJs that only lets in members"

Another "trick" is that Costco's pharmacy is open to the public, so anyone can walk in without a membership if they say they are going to the pharmacy

[zh cohen]

Another "trick" is that Costco's pharmacy is open to the public, so anyone can walk in without a membership if they say they are going to the pharmacy

How does this help? Don't you need a membership card to check out?

[HoKo]

How does this help? Don't you need a membership card to check out?

Yes, you need a membership card to check out for everything except Pharmacy.

It "helps" in two ways: 1) For people that genuinely want to use the Pharmacy and didn't know that was an option. 2) I commented upthread on the absurdity of Costco requiring you to show your membership card to even walk into the store and look around, so this "trick" allows you to bypass that requirement.

[moko]

You used to be able to shop with a Costco gc withou membership, even if you only paid part of the purchase with the gc. At one point, I had a member buy me a bunch of $10 gc.

[Geshmak25]

You used to be able to shop with a Costco gc withou membership, even if you only paid part of the purchase with the gc. At one point, I had a member buy me a bunch of $10 gc.

This doesn’t work anymore?

[Alexsei]

Last time I tried to shop with a gift card they made me fill out a whole form and IDed me, when I asked what this whole process is they explained to me that if I'm going to do this few more times they will ban me

[EliJelly]

Last time I tried to shop with a gift card they made me fill out a whole form and IDed me, when I asked what this whole process is they explained to me that if I'm going to do this few more times they will ban me

Interesting. Which Costco was that? French Jew lovers?

[ckmk47]

Yes, you need a membership card to check out for everything except Pharmacy.

It "helps" in two ways: 1) For people that genuinely want to use the Pharmacy and didn't know that was an option. 2) I commented upthread on the absurdity of Costco requiring you to show your membership card to even walk into the store and look around, so this "trick" allows you to bypass that requirement.

But you won't be able to check out. (except for pharmacies at the pharmacy counter.)

[Alexsei]

Interesting. Which Costco was that? French Jew lovers?

Ditto

[ari3]

I never had them look at the picture on my card. My wife never bothered picking up her card, since she uses mine and never had an issue.

My wife tried using my card and they didn't let. She had to go pick up her additional card.

[ari3]

Slightly off topic. Costco sometimes has deals for new members that haven't been members for 18 months. Can I get the deal if I had a household card but wasn't the primary member?

[Euclid]

Slightly off topic. Costco sometimes has deals for new members that haven't been members for 18 months. Can I get the deal if I had a household card but wasn't the primary member?

Nope, you won't get the deal. I tried it

[HoKo]

But you won't be able to check out. (except for pharmacies at the pharmacy counter.)

Right, I've already acknowledged that:

Yes, you need a membership card to check out for everything except Pharmacy.

[voldemort]

Last time I tried to shop with a gift card they made me fill out a whole form and IDed me, when I asked what this whole process is they explained to me that if I'm going to do this few more times they will ban me

The official terms still allow using gc as a non member, but depending on the store they have given issues in the past.

https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9232/~/shop-card-faqs

[blanco7258]

Yes, you need a membership card to check out for everything except Pharmacy.

It "helps" in two ways: 1) For people that genuinely want to use the Pharmacy and didn't know that was an option. 2) I commented upthread on the absurdity of Costco requiring you to show your membership card to even walk into the store and look around, so this "trick" allows you to bypass that requirement.

This is also true for Costco optical. Also alcohol in California (it’s against the law to have private alcohol shopping clubs).

[Spoon]

This is also true for Costco optical. Also alcohol in California (it’s against the law to have private alcohol shopping clubs).

As well as alcohol in NY and NJ and gas in NJ.


I personally would not want to go all the way there and shop only to have the risk of not being allowed to check out.


They frequently have promotions for new members and even at full price if you split a membership with someone it costs just $30 a year which is laughable IMO compared to the savings you get as a member.

[avromie7]

As well as alcohol in NY and NJ and gas in NJ.


I personally would not want to go all the way there and shop only to have the risk of not being allowed to check out.


They frequently have promotions for new members and even at full price if you split a membership with someone it costs just $30 a year which is laughable IMO compared to the savings you get as a member.

This changed recently, they now require membership for gas.

[Tzvi687]

As well as alcohol in NY and NJ and gas in NJ.


I personally would not want to go all the way there and shop only to have the risk of not being allowed to check out.


They frequently have promotions for new members and even at full price if you split a membership with someone it costs just $30 a year which is laughable IMO compared to the savings you get as a member.

Costco edison told me you need membership for alcohol

[Spoon]

This changed recently, they now require membership for gas.

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Costco edison told me you need membership for alcohol



I guess it changed. I was under the impression that it was a state law requirement. Also the reason why only a couple of them have alcohol in store