A CUSTOMER interested in making a major purchase has shared their outrage over Costco’s strict membership policy.
The shopper says they will go to IKEA instead rather than pay the $60 yearly fee.
Costco warehouses require a paid membership to enter, browse and sample products, and make purchases.
That’s to make things fair for its 129.5 million members, whose yearly membership fees help keep the price of goods low.
But one potential customer was recently outraged to find out they could not even go inside and take a look without paying the $60 a year membership
As they explained in a post to the Reddit community r/CostcoCanada, they wanted to check out a sofa to see whether it would be worth becoming a member and buying it.
“How stupid Costco’s membership policy is!” their rant began.
“I wanted to check the sofa if I like, but they didn’t even let me enter to the store without it the membership card.
“Dude, why would I pay for the card without seeing the product I want to buy?” they asked.
“You’ve lost a serious customer,” wrote the Redditor, explaining that they’d be going to Ikea for their furniture instead.
However, the disgruntled shopper did not get the response they were expecting from Costco members in the comments.
“You weren’t a serious potential customer,” said one. “No one gets a Costco membership just for a sofa.”
“You clearly don’t get the whole Costco concept,” agreed another.
A third said: “That’s kind of how the whole membership thing works.”
SHOPPING WITHOUT A MEMBERSHIP
However, thee are ways to shop at Costco without paying for a membership.
Non-members can gain entry and make purchases with a Costco Cash Card.
Only members can purchase these for you, so you’ll have to ask a friend or family member for the favor.
But even without a membership or Costco Shop Card, did you know you are legally entitled to use certain parts of any Costco store?
Non-members are welcome to use the pharmacy at all locations nationwide and book an appointment with a Costco optometrist.
Costco members recently called each other out for “gross” rule-breaking in the store.
Meanwhile, store bosses say a membership price increase is a question of “if, not when.”
