• by Tanya Gazdik , August 8, 2024

Sharing is not caring, at least not when it results in a company losing membership revenue. 

“The days of sneaking into Costco with someone else's card are coming to an end,” according to NBC News. “The retailer is cracking down on membership card sharing with a new policy where all cards will be scanned at store entrances.”

It's the latest effort to convert freeloaders into paying members, similar to Netflix's password-sharing shakedown, notes Axios. 

“Costco knows you’re using your friend’s membership card,” according to CNN Business. “To save you the embarrassment of telling you off when you’re in the checkout line, now Costco will try to catch membership moochers before they even get in the door.”

Under the new process, all members must scan their physical or digital cards. Previously, shoppers typically only had to present their membership cards at the cash register during check out. 

“Guests without cards must be accompanied by a member to enter, making it harder to slip in on a borrowed card, notes NBC News. “For members with cards without a photo, they'll be asked to show a valid photo ID, and are encouraged to have their photo taken to add to their cards at the membership counter.”

Membership scanning devices will be placed at the entrance door of warehouses and an attendant will be stationed there to assist shoppers.

“The new membership card scanners come as the national chain is cracking down on membership sharing, pushing ahead with technological updates amid rising membership fees,” according to the New York Post. “Leaders have shared plans to deploy more technology in-store and add options like buying online and picking up in-store. They also announced a hike in annual membership fees for the first time in seven years for its U.S. and Canada customers, effective Sept. 1.”

The New York Post story includes screengrabs of social media users who are upset about the changes. 

@neiduuuh/Tiktok notes "They don't care if you are shopping for your grandma" and features the hashtag #Pathetic. The user says they are leaving Costco for Sam's Club. But that discount store also does not allow card sharing.