SOME Costco shoppers are up in arms over a new self-checkout policy that is aimed at reducing theft.
The major grocer has announced that they will be asking customers for identification at self-checkout kiosks.
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Since installing more self-checkout lanes, employees have noticed more non-member shoppers attempting to use membership cards that do not belong to them.
“We don’t feel it’s right that nonmembers receive the same benefits and pricing as our members,” a Costco representative told The U.S. Sun in an emailed statement.
Under the new policy, customers will also be expected to show their I.D. photos with their membership cards at checkout.
The wholesale club said that its annual membership fees, which costs $60 for a Gold Star and $120 for Executive level, are what help its stores deliver lower prices.
“Costco is able to keep our prices as low as possible because our membership fees help offset our operational expenses, making our membership fee and structure important to us,” the company said.
Many frustrated shoppers headed to social media to express their annoyance over the new tightened policy.
“Costco down on membership sharing?” one person asked. “It’s a membership to spend more money in your establishment!! I hope revenue plummets. The greed is insane.”
Some accused Costco of overstepping when it comes to protecting their inventory.
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“You’d think they’ve got the country’s gold reserves the way they check your membership cards and receipts in Costco,” another wrote.
One person went as far to suggest that the company’s decision would cause their regular shoppers to turn to new grocery stores.
“If you want to know how to push customers into Sam’s Club’s arms, keep checking membership cards at self-checkout,” the Twitter user complained.
“Nobody is asking to see my driver’s license every time I attempt to drive my vehicle,” they continued. “You’re treating the majority of your customer base like criminals…”
A few people did side with Costco on the matter of curbing theft.
In a recent segment, KIRO News Radio anchors posed the question of whether non-members who make purchases at Costco are stealing from the company.
“It is a form of cheating. Is it stealing? Yeah. You’re basically taking money that should be going into a company,” one of the anchors asserted.
The second anchor agreed that Costco is in the right, but made a point to express that sharing accounts on Netflix is different.
“The Netflix thing I think is different. Honestly, companies like that where they are trying to nickel and dime me already… like letting my mom and dad use my Netflix account. I already pay you so much money,” he explained.
The co-hosts acknowledged that Costco already implements a combination of strategies to reduce shoplifting, such as membership checks at the entrance and receipt checks at the exit.
Costco has not immediately responded to the U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
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https://www.the-sun.com/news/8468928/costco-shoppers-outraged-new-self-checkout-policy/