5 ms·

I'm surprised that the basis of this story wasn't mostly focused on the fact that Costco is different than other retailers, in that as part of your membership a

I'm surprised that the basis of this story wasn't mostly focused on the fact that Costco is different than other retailers, in that as part of your membership agreement (anyone who shops at Costco is a member, and, in theory (and usually practice) must provide evidence of their membership before entering), have to agree to allow a bag and receipt search on exit. For normal retailers, no such agreement exists, and in the 20+ years of dealing with them, I've never once stopped at the courtesy check, and never once been called on it.

insickness 7y ago
> Vancouver lawyer Kyla Lee says even private clubs that require memberships can't violate a person's rights.
- koenigdavidmj 7y ago
  No rights are being denied. Even Costco will not detain you or your property. The worst they might do is cancel your membership.
  - oceanghost 7y ago
    I have a personal policy of, "I won't wait more than a moment for the Costco receipt check." I can assure you, they will run after you sometimes and stand in front of your cart to keep you from leaving.
greedo 7y ago
Not everyone who shops at Costco is a member. You can shop at their pharmacy without joining.
- seany 7y ago
  In a lot of locations you can also buy alcohol without a membership.
  - crankylinuxuser 7y ago
    I can attest that's the case here in Indiana. I usually buy alcohol from Sam's Club, since in Indiana its illegal to put any preconditions on an alcohol license, other than what is required by state law (21, not being drunk, etc). There's even signs over the Sams alcohol aisles stating state law. The door guards aren't told of this, and will make you think that you must be a member of Sams to even enter the store. My opinion: if they want to maintain exclusivity of a 'walmart', they can ditch the alcohol. Otherwise, follow the law. Where I'm from, Costco is 1.2 hours away if no traffic.
  - tzs 7y ago
    A non-member can also shop at Costco if they have a Costco gift card. You have to get a member to buy the card for you, or in the case of a reloadable card to reload it, but using it does not require membership.

insickness 7y ago

> Vancouver lawyer Kyla Lee says even private clubs that require memberships can't violate a person's rights.

koenigdavidmj 7y ago
No rights are being denied. Even Costco will not detain you or your property. The worst they might do is cancel your membership.
- oceanghost 7y ago
  I have a personal policy of, "I won't wait more than a moment for the Costco receipt check." I can assure you, they will run after you sometimes and stand in front of your cart to keep you from leaving.

greedo 7y ago

Not everyone who shops at Costco is a member. You can shop at their pharmacy without joining.

seany 7y ago
In a lot of locations you can also buy alcohol without a membership.
- crankylinuxuser 7y ago
  I can attest that's the case here in Indiana. I usually buy alcohol from Sam's Club, since in Indiana its illegal to put any preconditions on an alcohol license, other than what is required by state law (21, not being drunk, etc). There's even signs over the Sams alcohol aisles stating state law. The door guards aren't told of this, and will make you think that you must be a member of Sams to even enter the store. My opinion: if they want to maintain exclusivity of a 'walmart', they can ditch the alcohol. Otherwise, follow the law. Where I'm from, Costco is 1.2 hours away if no traffic.
- tzs 7y ago
  A non-member can also shop at Costco if they have a Costco gift card. You have to get a member to buy the card for you, or in the case of a reloadable card to reload it, but using it does not require membership.