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How does this in any way differ from any other retailer, except that Costco adds an admission fee? Waving a magical membership wand over my head doesn’t change

How does this in any way differ from any other retailer, except that Costco adds an admission fee? Waving a magical membership wand over my head doesn’t change any of the material facts.

kasey_junk 7y ago
You literally consented to it in writing when you became a member.
- insickness 7y ago
  It's arguable whether this is legal even if you signed a contract. There are many legal rights that can't be signed away in a contract (e.g. someone has the right to beat you up, etc.)
  - praneshp 7y ago
    > It's arguable whether this is legal even if you signed a contract If you ever take Costco to court, I'll follow along curiously. In a lawsuit-hungry country like the US, I'm not sure how long a large company like Costco can get away with something illegal in their contract.
  - tedunangst 7y ago
    Signing a contract that says "you can look in my bag" doesn't seem like it would be one of the automatically void unconscionable contracts.
  - adrr 7y ago
    A lot of fulfillment companies search their employees when they leave. Its only time I've seen metal detectors used when leaving a building. On the corporate side, I am required to disclose all my financial dealings including non-public equity deals(stock options in startups I work at) to my wife's work. If I don't, she can get fired.
- sunkenvicar 7y ago
  No one reads the fine print.
mikeash 7y ago
It’s relevant because that membership, which is the one thing that sets Costco apart, is also their only remedy. They don’t get to chase you down. They don’t get to hold you. They can’t call the police. (Well, they can, but the police won’t give a shit.) All they can do is refuse to let you buy more stuff from them. Everybody gets to do what they want. Costco can ask to check your stuff. You can refuse. Costco can cancel your membership. None of these things are problematic.

How does this in any way differ from any other retailer, except that Costco adds an admission fee? Waving a magical membership wand over my head doesn’t change any of the material facts.

kasey_junk 7y ago

You literally consented to it in writing when you became a member.

insickness 7y ago
It's arguable whether this is legal even if you signed a contract. There are many legal rights that can't be signed away in a contract (e.g. someone has the right to beat you up, etc.)
- praneshp 7y ago
  > It's arguable whether this is legal even if you signed a contract If you ever take Costco to court, I'll follow along curiously. In a lawsuit-hungry country like the US, I'm not sure how long a large company like Costco can get away with something illegal in their contract.
- tedunangst 7y ago
  Signing a contract that says "you can look in my bag" doesn't seem like it would be one of the automatically void unconscionable contracts.
- adrr 7y ago
  A lot of fulfillment companies search their employees when they leave. Its only time I've seen metal detectors used when leaving a building. On the corporate side, I am required to disclose all my financial dealings including non-public equity deals(stock options in startups I work at) to my wife's work. If I don't, she can get fired.
sunkenvicar 7y ago
No one reads the fine print.

mikeash 7y ago

It’s relevant because that membership, which is the one thing that sets Costco apart, is also their only remedy. They don’t get to chase you down. They don’t get to hold you. They can’t call the police. (Well, they can, but the police won’t give a shit.) All they can do is refuse to let you buy more stuff from them. Everybody gets to do what they want. Costco can ask to check your stuff. You can refuse. Costco can cancel your membership. None of these things are problematic.