That has to do with Healthcare regulations that they can't require a membership card for the pharmacy or optical departments.
Costco Member Privileges and Conditions
- Thread starter grasscutter
- Start date
Patman
Staff member
It doesn’t bother me that I need to scan my card at the entrance now but I also frequently enter through the exit as well. I did that yesterday actually, because I wanted to go to the bathroom first. I also go in that way if I’m just running in to grab a hot dog. They never raise a fuss when people come in through the exit. You have to go that way if you’re going to customer service or the tire center, as they are both right there in all Costco locations.
So, are you “treated like a criminal” when you drive onto a military installation?
Long line in the morning. Each ID is handed over and scanned. Gate personnel confirm your access before allowing you to proceed.
Last Walmart I visited (Denver, CO) - they were checking everyone as they left. Everyone. How is Costco worse?
Nobody here is objecting to either of those processes. I just don’t see the big deal at Costco.
The complaint about parking? Yeah, well, as discussed, it’s popular. Go on a weekday morning, or embrace the suck. No different than going to a beach on Spring Break, or a Ski area over President’s weekend. It’s going to be crowded.
If it’s really that objectionable (and I’ve been to Costco on a Saturday morning - it’s a zoo) then don’t go. Simple as that. Nobody is forcing you to endure the experience.
You know exactly what to expect - so this is a matter of choice for you.
Patman
Staff member
Did you get a chicken tender sub when you were there?
The first thing I’m gonna do on my next trip to Florida is to get a chicken tender sub 
Following basic rules like entering through the entry door is a simple matter that makes society better for all. @grasscutter seems to have a contrarian streak in him. As I recall, he posted a thread not long back talking about minimum allowable speeds when driving; apparently, he wants to drive significantly slower than the posted speed limit, which will create a traffic hazard. Or, maybe he's just trolling us here?
At one point, staff were verifying photos at the self-checkouts. The employee told my wife and I, that memberships were being shared between neighbours in an apartment building.
I'd rather them do it at the door rather than checkout.
If you wait till the checkout line, you have carts full of food to restock. Some of which is refrigerated, no telling how long it's been out.
Goes back in the refrigerator for me to buy and get food poisoning?
Unfortunately theft has become a bigger problem than it ever was. I wont even go into the Walmart in the next town over, it is just a bad place with a lot items now locked up that used to be on the shelf. If checking an ID or looking at a receipt is helping keep theft down I am all for it.
He did that often under his past usernames. Merkava_4 was one.
The Costco closest to me (Richmond, California) recently got rid of their self checkout. I sometimes go with my parents, where my dad has mobility issues and prefers not to drive now. I let my membership lapse so I piggyback on their visits. I’ll probably just get a membership again.
But there are ways around membership, which have been mentioned. One is the Costco Shop Card, which is a gift card that can be displayed to enter. It does get a bit annoying since a supervisor has to log in when one is used. But they can be used for a larger purchase than the value on the card, but requiring payment on top. And they’re supposed to be relinquished when used up, although I’ve had one returned with zero value. I could probably use that to enter, walk around for samples, or go to the food court, where no membership is scanned. Those gift cards also work at the gas station.
The prescription items were mentioned. But that’s all. I tried getting a decongestant at the pharmacy with my Costco Shop Card and was told they couldn’t (only members could buy stuff behind the counter). It’s prescription items only. A member can bring in other items to pay for, but not a nonmember.
It’s also alcohol in some states, where there can’t be retail membership sales.
The other workaround is when the food court is outside. They won’t check membership and membership has never been required to pay.
Last edited:
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Point taken - ours and another 12 miles away broke ground B2B … 100% sister/twin stores - it was easy to see the risk management people at Walmart had classified them differently - from smile - bling bling - you are on camera - to receipt checkers - so, don’t think profiling ain’t real …
I’ll stop there …
At least in my state there’s no requirement to show a receipt when asked, unless it’s a membership store. At the latter it’s part of the membership agreement. One coworker said he refused unless they said they suspected him of theft, which is the exception.
Can California retailers force customers to show receipts?
It’s legal for stores to create receipt-checking policies. However, according to California Penal Code 490.5, also known as Shopkeeper’s Privilege, most customers in California are not legally required to show their receipt before leaving a store. The law requires store employees to have probable cause to legally detain a customer. If a retailer doesn’t have good reason to suspect a case of shoplifting, they cannot force anyone to stop and show a receipt.
“Nobody is shaking me down for a receipt. I will politely say ‘No thank you’ and keep walking out the door,” said Eric Stanton social media post. “Do NOT call me a thief.”
The exception to the rule are membership stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club. At membership stores, customers consent to receipts checks as a term and condition for their membership. While not stopping for a receipt check is not a criminal offense, it is grounds for a membership cancellation.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Not even going to read all that …
Your state is a role model on how much can be stolen …
That's interesting, we just added another self checkout area (6 registers in a cluster) at the other end of the line. So now they bookend the regular booths.
We asked at the entrance of a Sam's club, if we could "look around", and were granted the request. We wanted to see if buying a membership was going to be worth it or not; I wonder if Costco does the same.
I did the same and big mega pack packaging was not worth the membership.
You're just being logical again. Those who do not steal are paying for those who do.
Including Costco memberships.
I just got back from Costco. Need some expensive Michelin rubber for 2 cars. Sheesh. What's a poor boy to do?
What is so hard about showing your receipt? No one is accusing me of stealing; in fact they are helping me buy catching stealers so I don't have to pay for their thievery.
And maybe teach them a valuable life lesson.
