COSTCO is cracking down on a policy it only just introduced, with shoppers expected to respect a rule they were previously able to take advantage of.
Just months after giving members exclusive shopping hours, Costco is fully enforcing the rule, and it’s causing controversy among customers.
It comes after Costco’s new policy launched on June 1 that allows Executive Members to shop an hour before anyone else, from 9 am to 10 am Monday to Friday and from 9:30 am on Saturdays.
Customers with standard Gold Star memberships have to wait until 10 am to shop.
On social media, TikToker Ayala Betsabe tested out the new hours policy and praised it as a game-changer.
She said: “That has changed my life.”
But that policy wasn’t being enforced properly until September 1 due to a grace period.
Shoppers recently spotted a sign outside of Costco that said: “A grace period for Gold Star and Business members will be in effect through August 31.”
Now that the period has ended, non-Executive Members are expected to respect the rule.
POLICY ENFORCED
But shoppers without access to the exclusive hours are taking issue with it.
One Costco customer who was trying to return an item pointed out that shoppers have been lining up to get in after the exclusive hour has finished.
They wrote on Facebook: “It hasn’t helped with the crowds of people lining up unfortunately.
“Also don’t make the mistake of bringing a return.
“I waited in line to get in, returned my item, and then was forced to exit the store and get in line a second time.”
Others have defended the Executive Members’ policy online and pointed out that the Executive Members are paying more than Gold Members.
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POLICY COMPLAINTS
But those who are enjoying the exclusive hours have complained about it online.
Many have compared the Costco policy with the one at Sam’s Club, which lets shoppers in from 8 am instead of 9 am.
Some have also pointed out that a 9am start is inconvenient on weekdays because people are at work then.
Costco employees also say that the extra two hours Executive Members have makes their jobs harder.
This is because it stretches them even thinner and means they have to be at work longer.
One meat department worker said that they already arrive at work at 5 am and would now have to show up at 4 am.
Now that the policy is being properly enforced, shoppers without access to the exclusive hours are taking issue with it[/caption]
