How to Get Around Costco’s New Crackdown on Non-Members
Attention bargain hunters and bulk buying enthusiasts: Costco appears to be tightening up its membership policies . In an update to its website, the company indicated that in the coming months, customers will be required to physically scan their cards at the store entrance and match them to the photo that appears for that card’s account. In other words: Gone are the days when you could borrow a membership card to pay without purchasing your own membership.
Don’t say goodbye to bulk shopping just yet, though: There are still a few ways to shop the store without committing to an annual membership , which will go up $5 (to $65) on September 1st. Consider them “creative.” solutions that will keep you informed about Costco, even as they crack down on purchases made by non-members.
Get a gift card
Costco’s official policy is that anyone can shop at the warehouses as long as they present a “Store Card,” also known as a gift card. These cards can be purchased at Costco, and electronic versions are available online. Here’s the catch: These cards can only be purchased by members and used with a debit or credit card that matches the Costco account name. This means that in order to take advantage of this loophole, you will need a partner with a membership who is willing to buy a gift card for you.
Don’t worry about getting caught using this workaround—it’s completely allowed under Costco’s policy. According to this Costco customer service FAQ page : ” Both members and non-members can use Costco Store Cards to make purchases at any Costco store in the United States.” As soon as you walk in the door, you can pay for your items with your personal payment method. This means you can use a $25 gift card to get your foot in the door and then spend as much as you want.
Go with a friend
If the gift card method is too much of a hassle for you, there are other ways to shop at Costco without being a member, the easiest of which is to join a Costco buddy with a card who can take you there. at the door as a guest. (You could even offer them a snack after shopping at the food court as a thank you.)
Shop online (paid)
While it’s not quite the same as going to stores and buying in bulk, don’t forget about the digital realm. Costco.com offers many items for sale to non-members, often at a small extra charge. This is a great way to get exclusive Costco deals without going into the store.
You don’t have to be a member to use the pharmacy or Costco Optical.
Did you know that Costco’s pharmacy, optical department and food court are open to the public? That’s right—you can still enjoy the famous hot dog and soda combos for $1.50 without showing your membership card.