The new measure implemented by Costco at self-service checkouts is frustrating a lot of customers, to the point where some are considering boycotting the store.
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The inconvenient measure consists in verifying the identity of the holder when he goes to the self-service checkouts.
This member verification policy already applies at the entrance to the store, but also once at the checkout.
Some consumers would have taken advantage of the self-service checkouts to use another person’s membership card, without having the right to do so and without paying membership fees.
“We don’t think it’s fair that non-members have access to the same benefits as members,” a company spokesperson told The Daily Mail. US Sun by email.
Angry customers reportedly took out their frustration on Twitter after the retailer’s announcement earlier in June.
“It’s not like their prices are low. Maybe it’s time to cancel my subscription if my sister can’t use it,” one woman tweeted.
- Listen to Florence Lamoureux’s column, research journalist via QUB-radio :
“Yes, we do that! We are canceling our subscriptions. We don’t think it’s fair, ”answers another person.
The way of doing things has already created tensions in some Costco warehouses.
“There was a lot of anxiety in the line at Costco last night. The employees dismissed everyone, asking to show the photo well, ”reports another Internet user.
Membership card sharing has become a problem for the retailer in recent years, CNBC reported.
“Costco is able to keep prices this low because membership fees help offset operational expenses,” the company said in a statement.
Costco Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti told the wall street journal that the problem had exploded at the self-service checkouts.
“It’s a very small percentage of members that do this, but when you’re processing millions of transactions, even a very small percentage is something you want to fix,” he added.
- Listen to the interview with Sylvie De Bellefeuille, Lawyer, budget advisor at Option consommateurs on Marie Montpetit’s show via QUB-radio :
Several shoppers also reacted positively to news of the policy, saying they were ok if employees were polite and it didn’t impede service at checkouts.
“As long as they can do it efficiently so they don’t create a huge queue, I don’t see a problem with that,” says one customer.
Also, there are other ways to shop at Costco without a membership card, including a member-purchased gift card.
A non-member can use it without any problem in store.