Is the Costco Membership Changing? No! But You Better Be the Real Member!

Do you remember how you could share your Netflix account with family and friends? Sure, you could give them your login information and they had Netflix for free.

And, well, maybe you got a bit of a kickback from them, but all was good, right? Then Netflix started getting tough and kicking people off if they weren't the actual subscriber.

So now Costco, the warehouse chain is following in the footsteps of Netflix as it begins to crack down on membership sharing. Oh, oh!!

You've let someone else use your card the happily go to Costco, shop and enjoy the fruits of your membership. Not anymore! They're getting tough too.

Getting into the store is no problem, just show your card and you're in. Then shop your head off and check out. Oops, now that may be a problem.

At checkout, Costco workers will ask you to show your membership card, then scan your purchases and out you go. But they have seen an uptick in more nonmembers shopping with other people’s cards. This has especially been the case at self-checkout, according to a statement from Costco.

Costco said:

“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. We don’t feel it’s right that nonmembers receive the same benefits and pricing as our members.”

 

So, what is happening? How is Costco cracking down on membership?

They are going to look for your photo. I know my card has a photo of me, as awful as it may be, but if the card doesn't have a photo they may ask for a photo ID.

Oops! If you're not the card holder, your photo ID and name aren't going to match.

Gotcha! Better get a membership on your own!