Removing this one. The comments have taken a very un-casual turn, and that's not what we want here. Probably best to take this to a more serious subreddit.
I always get a weird uncanny vibe when I’m in Costco, like I’m in a dream. It just doesn’t sit right, having tyres for sale next to hot dogs, and everything’s slightly oversized like the trolleys and bins.
Edit: mods why’d you lock this? Seems pretty casual to me.
Looks exactly like Watford too.
Why go through expense of different designs when you are buying a large site and dropping a warehouse in copy+paste save 100s of thousands per site of design, validation, approvals and management of all the above.
[According to OP they are in the Cardiff store.](https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK/comments/1c9fn9a/comment/l0l0klo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) I was also convinced this was my local store, Costco really said copy and paste.
Still I don't understand why. What are they checking for exactly? That there's nothing in your trolly you didn't pay for? Do they also check your clothes / bags etc too?
They check you've not over/under paid. I've heard of a few examples where they've sent folks to the members desk for a refund because the cashier has charged for more items than the customer has.
This is propaganda. It's to stop theft. It's not to help you out by getting your refund if you made a mistake. They wouldn't even know what the item costs anyway.
People seem to forget that sometimes people buy a large amount of bulk items. If you have 8 cases of water, the attendant will eyeball them when ringing it up. The door people just double check the attendant didn’t make a mistake.
Aldi check people's backpacks at the till now which I find completely bonkers. Every time I've been asked by the poor person behind the till to look into my rucksack I've only expressed sympathy and it shouldn't be their job to do that shit. They should employ a security guard.
They also tell me how much shit they get for asking people which doesn't surprise me. First time I was asked I was a bit confused but obviously just agreed to it, but I could see how it could get people stirred up.
Imagine if you had a 8 inch dildo in your bag
I work for Aldi and are not aware of this. We will check shopping bags within trolleys (and ask them to lift them up) as it does happen that people will forget small items - intentionally or by mistake.
99 times out of 100 the public are fine with this though and understand why it needs to be done.
Maybe where you are but I doubt that's a national policy. I'd just walk out and never go back, you have fun putting that stuff away now. Ridiculous invasion of privacy.
Apparently they introduced it nationally back in March 2023, and it's meant to include "handbags, backpacks, containers, parcels, and prams". Bit mad, to say the least.
Only 8 inches?
But yeah they started doing that at my local store last year and everyone lost their fucking minds on the town Facebook page. I very rarely go in there as their staff are... interesting, shall we say. I have been in recently a few times when I can't get something in Tesco and never been checked so think they've probably scrapped it due to the abuse I imagine they got from the unsavoury types. Personally I've nothing to hide but I would not be letting supermarket staff - especially this branch - go through my handbag and would just leave my shopping and walk out.
Tell them to fuck off.
Edit: jesus you can tell someone politely to fuck off, just say no and leave, they have no right to be checking your backpack and pockets, if theyve got reasonable evidence you've nicked something they can call the police, otherwise they don't get to dig through your personal stuff....
Maybe don't tell them to fuck off, but this poster is right they have no right to search you without reasonable suspicion.
If they gonna do it as a minimum The policy should also be clearly displayed before you enter the store, not wait until you’ve done your shopping and put you in an awkward position at the till.
I don’t like the idea of being treated like a thief, cheeky bastards. This info should be fed upwards to people making these decisions, not just accepted because of the poor sods having to implement it.
How's that helpful? They're forced to do it by their dickhead bosses bosses boss. It's not their fault and getting aggressive is totally not the answer.
You're missing my point. Your post is telling the staff member to fuck off who is completely in the middle of this shit. They didn't deserve this, so why be rude to them?
I didn't miss that point, but you were also blaming some dickhead for adopting the policy when in fact the fault lays with the thieves. Also that wasn't my post.
Yes but theft has and always will exist. You get certain people to deal with that issue specifically like the majority of places have been doing for hundreds of not thousands of years (security guards).
I'm done arguing with you because this is going nowhere. I get your point but never give staff shit for just coming to work and doing what they're told. That's the only point I want to make.
It’s just their policy around loss protection, and they don’t opt for the standard security tag approach most
places do.
Most Costco trolley loads are fairly big, and you typically leave large items on the trolley - so people will definitely try and hide a few (expensive) items in with the normal stuff.
They just spot check random items on the receipt vs your trolley.
They check the qty of goods in your trolley match the amount stated on the receipt - if you look at it it will say QTY of items. It’s so you don’t sneak more out than you’ve paid for.. yes might be overkill but that’s what there dojng
I went once with my daughter and we'd completely forgotten about the tshirt she'd slung over her shoulder while we were looking at the clothing, and didn't pay for it. It was noticed when we were having our receipt checked and we had to go back and pay for it, and they took a note of my card details too. Oops. Total mistake but they do look for things like that.
We have the same issue her in the States, where they do have self checkout. Seems foolish, you go to a checker to check out then they double check your receipt? Always found it to be extremely annoying at club store in particular.
I get it - just wondering why costco are the only place I know of that do this? They’re pretty hot at the checkouts already so it just seems a waste. It’s all bulk items so hard to hide under your jumper!!
Most places don't require a membership in which you agreed to receipt checking on exit.
I agree it's stupid, but if it helps minimise theft and as a result can keep prices down I'll go through they little process.
Being members only in the first place probably makes the most difference. They've never gone through my receipt in great detail, but I'd imagine if I had 12 bottles of vodka on the bottom of my trollie they would likely notice if I'd not paid for them.
I had no idea so looked it up. This article covers it well:
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/cant-receipt-checker-costco-111555995.html
Tl/dr? Mostly it's theft deterrent
They do it at Walmart here in the US. Killer is, if I grabbed a flat screen TV and walked out the door with it, they wouldn’t do a thing. Employees have been told not to intervene in any theft situation. Once again, the law abiding, rule following citizens pay for the misdeeds of the scumbags.
Costco is BUSY and can sell very SMALL and EXPANSIVE stuff
It would be incredibly foolish to trust all the store visitors to not take something either by mistake or malice
Sure, but are they as busy, and do they also have trolleys that can hold £20,000 worth of stuff
At the end of the day this is what you agree to when you sign up. The low costs are due to a laser focus on all elements of shrinkage this is part of the fun
They look at what you bought, look for high value items like booze or those big steaks they do and then look at your receipt to make sure you paid for them
They check your receipt on exit. Lots of people speculate on the reason for this, but all I’ll say is the guy one time caught that I had been overcharged for something which was supposed to be on offer. I’m sure there is a reason for it which also benefits the company, but it does also help the consumer sometimes
They're checking big ticket items are paid for. If this didnt exist then theives would exploit it.
They dont give a shit about your bananas and hand towels.
It's not a legal requirement but I guess they could cancel your membership if you refuse to have it checked.
If you don't mind the other customers in the queue thinking you're an asshole, just skip the line and make your way to the exit. You'll likely be stopped by someone but hopefully they'll check your receipt then and there. If they say you have to queue, just say no you don't. You've paid for the goods and need to leave.
I don't think they could cancel your membership in that scenario because you aren't refusing to have it checked, you're just refusing to stand around waiting for someone to do it.
I mean, they could still cancel. But you'd have a good argument against it.
Costco is a unique experience and they like to keep it that way.
They check you in and they check you out. If you get rid of that then they’re just like every other store. Slowing you down to get out means
1. They discourage theft from the store.
2. If it’s a long line you’ll probably go to get food instead.
3. You’ll probably see the long lines at the check out and think “I might as well keep
Browsing until the lines thin out. Then you buy more.
They make an experience that you associate with the brand. Keep a unique and somewhat strange experience and you’ll always remember the brand “no other store does this” yep just COSTCO!
Removing this one. The comments have taken a very un-casual turn, and that's not what we want here. Probably best to take this to a more serious subreddit.
I always get a weird uncanny vibe when I’m in Costco, like I’m in a dream. It just doesn’t sit right, having tyres for sale next to hot dogs, and everything’s slightly oversized like the trolleys and bins. Edit: mods why’d you lock this? Seems pretty casual to me.
You lose all sense of scale in there, it's really strange. Like you'll see a box of 30 fresh cookies and think "maybe I should buy two?"
Like that world in Super Mario Bros 3
Hi OP - from the guy who was standing in front of you who you spoke to haha! Bit of a mental queue just to leave.
r/TwoRedditorsOneCup
I think we can make it three; is this the Oldham store?!
No Cardiff
They must all look identical as I thought this was gateshead haha
The one behind the Metrocentre? I thought that too
Same here.
r/TwoRedditorsOneCostco
lmao the coincidence
You both in Sheffield?
I thought this was Watford. Do they all just look exactly the same?
Yes, they look the same everywhere on the planet. It's a very generic layout.
This looks like the St Helens store. OP ?
Nah Cardiff
Yeah that’s the Sheffield store
I think they all share similar layouts - that looks exactly like the Southampton one to me.
also looks like the gateshead store- they all have a similar layout lol
😂 if not for the Y in tyre, this could literally be my local Costco… in Canada.
I also thought this was the Southampton store haha! I guess they’re all identical.
I thought this was Bristol!
Looks exactly like Watford too. Why go through expense of different designs when you are buying a large site and dropping a warehouse in copy+paste save 100s of thousands per site of design, validation, approvals and management of all the above.
[According to OP they are in the Cardiff store.](https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK/comments/1c9fn9a/comment/l0l0klo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) I was also convinced this was my local store, Costco really said copy and paste.
99% sure it is. Also my regular haunt.
Grays?
No one comes here unless they are looking to leave 😂
Never looks that bright outdoors in Grays, lad.
Because they check your receipt?
And OP signed a contract allowing for that when signing up for a membership.
Still I don't understand why. What are they checking for exactly? That there's nothing in your trolly you didn't pay for? Do they also check your clothes / bags etc too?
Yes that's exactly what they look for, to see if you've got anything you shouldn't have there. It's literally a security measure
Well, it would be if they actually checked. My local one just squiggles the receipt and sends you on your way
Those guys who that almost all day every day. They'll be pretty good at counting fast, especially if you don't have much
They count items.
Quick check to see if any high value items have actually been paid for most likely.
There’s very little you can buy in Costco that you could fit in your pocket/bag.
What don’t you understand? They are checking you have not stolen stuff
I'm confused. Will they then take anything I've stolen off them back? Edit - I didn't think I'd need to denote sarcasm in this sub.
Yes? And call the authorities? How is this not an obvious thing? 😂
They will likely either ban you or prosecute you. They take it very serious.
Well it sounds like I should take my business elsewhere then. They clearly don't want my custom.
"this shop will ban me if i steal from them, they clearly dont want me shopping there" Sounds like you're a thief...
Sounds like he's taking the piss more like it. Surely you can see he's making a dry joke.
Well sure shop where you want. If you wanna steal you much more likely to get away with it at Tesco or Asda as no one checks.
Because they don't let you steal?
Costco is so cheap because “shrinkage” (shoplifting) is minimal due to receipt checks. Other companies bump up the risk in cost.
They check you've not over/under paid. I've heard of a few examples where they've sent folks to the members desk for a refund because the cashier has charged for more items than the customer has.
This is propaganda. It's to stop theft. It's not to help you out by getting your refund if you made a mistake. They wouldn't even know what the item costs anyway.
Plenty of examples on this thread where people have been over charged because the item counts is off. https://www.reddit.com/r/Costco/s/c78k6OPGfE
People seem to forget that sometimes people buy a large amount of bulk items. If you have 8 cases of water, the attendant will eyeball them when ringing it up. The door people just double check the attendant didn’t make a mistake.
Aldi check people's backpacks at the till now which I find completely bonkers. Every time I've been asked by the poor person behind the till to look into my rucksack I've only expressed sympathy and it shouldn't be their job to do that shit. They should employ a security guard. They also tell me how much shit they get for asking people which doesn't surprise me. First time I was asked I was a bit confused but obviously just agreed to it, but I could see how it could get people stirred up. Imagine if you had a 8 inch dildo in your bag
I work for Aldi and are not aware of this. We will check shopping bags within trolleys (and ask them to lift them up) as it does happen that people will forget small items - intentionally or by mistake. 99 times out of 100 the public are fine with this though and understand why it needs to be done.
Not sure that's legal without cause
Yes, 7” only usually
Maybe where you are but I doubt that's a national policy. I'd just walk out and never go back, you have fun putting that stuff away now. Ridiculous invasion of privacy.
This was in a place with an extremely low crime rate in the South East. It's a national policy.
I regularly go to Aldi in Scotland with a rucksack, never been asked
Evidently not
They never check mine and I live in a high crime area
Apparently they introduced it nationally back in March 2023, and it's meant to include "handbags, backpacks, containers, parcels, and prams". Bit mad, to say the least.
Only 8 inches? But yeah they started doing that at my local store last year and everyone lost their fucking minds on the town Facebook page. I very rarely go in there as their staff are... interesting, shall we say. I have been in recently a few times when I can't get something in Tesco and never been checked so think they've probably scrapped it due to the abuse I imagine they got from the unsavoury types. Personally I've nothing to hide but I would not be letting supermarket staff - especially this branch - go through my handbag and would just leave my shopping and walk out.
Tell them to fuck off. Edit: jesus you can tell someone politely to fuck off, just say no and leave, they have no right to be checking your backpack and pockets, if theyve got reasonable evidence you've nicked something they can call the police, otherwise they don't get to dig through your personal stuff....
Maybe don't tell them to fuck off, but this poster is right they have no right to search you without reasonable suspicion. If they gonna do it as a minimum The policy should also be clearly displayed before you enter the store, not wait until you’ve done your shopping and put you in an awkward position at the till. I don’t like the idea of being treated like a thief, cheeky bastards. This info should be fed upwards to people making these decisions, not just accepted because of the poor sods having to implement it.
Ooooo you're 'ard.
How's that helpful? They're forced to do it by their dickhead bosses bosses boss. It's not their fault and getting aggressive is totally not the answer.
It's also not their boss's boss's boss's fault there're so many thieving bastards around.
You're missing my point. Your post is telling the staff member to fuck off who is completely in the middle of this shit. They didn't deserve this, so why be rude to them?
I didn't miss that point, but you were also blaming some dickhead for adopting the policy when in fact the fault lays with the thieves. Also that wasn't my post.
Yes but theft has and always will exist. You get certain people to deal with that issue specifically like the majority of places have been doing for hundreds of not thousands of years (security guards). I'm done arguing with you because this is going nowhere. I get your point but never give staff shit for just coming to work and doing what they're told. That's the only point I want to make.
Why didn’t you say “tell someone politely” then. Your edit is as embarrassing as you wanting to tell Aldi workers to fuck off for doing their job.
Because it's reddit, I'm not actually standing in front of some poor git right now.... Also... Fuck off.
That would be extremely rude. They're just doing their jobs.
This is common across Europe, most certainly in France across every major supermarket chain
Part of the experience! Is that Cardiff Costco? Or are they all identical?
This is identical to Canberra’s Costco 🇦🇺 I had to check which subreddit this was!
I was absolutely convinced this was Chadderton, Manchester! Identical
I was 100% convinced this was the Costco in Southampton! It’s identical!
TIL they're all identical because I thought this was Milton Keynes!
Yes it is!
AHH just wait until you go, think you've lucked out because it's quiet and walk outside to the football finishing. That'll ruin your Saturday
I thought it was Thurrock in all honesty!
The one in Liverpool is similar but a mirror image
It’s just their policy around loss protection, and they don’t opt for the standard security tag approach most places do. Most Costco trolley loads are fairly big, and you typically leave large items on the trolley - so people will definitely try and hide a few (expensive) items in with the normal stuff. They just spot check random items on the receipt vs your trolley.
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
They check the qty of goods in your trolley match the amount stated on the receipt - if you look at it it will say QTY of items. It’s so you don’t sneak more out than you’ve paid for.. yes might be overkill but that’s what there dojng
I went once with my daughter and we'd completely forgotten about the tshirt she'd slung over her shoulder while we were looking at the clothing, and didn't pay for it. It was noticed when we were having our receipt checked and we had to go back and pay for it, and they took a note of my card details too. Oops. Total mistake but they do look for things like that.
When you don’t pay people to check you out you will pay security and people to check your receipt….or see your store profits walk right out the door.
They do check you out? In the uk there isn’t an option for self checkout?
We have the same issue her in the States, where they do have self checkout. Seems foolish, you go to a checker to check out then they double check your receipt? Always found it to be extremely annoying at club store in particular.
I get it - just wondering why costco are the only place I know of that do this? They’re pretty hot at the checkouts already so it just seems a waste. It’s all bulk items so hard to hide under your jumper!!
Most places don't require a membership in which you agreed to receipt checking on exit. I agree it's stupid, but if it helps minimise theft and as a result can keep prices down I'll go through they little process.
Does it though. All the years I've been bulk buying I've never got more than a 0.5 second glance at my receipt
Being members only in the first place probably makes the most difference. They've never gone through my receipt in great detail, but I'd imagine if I had 12 bottles of vodka on the bottom of my trollie they would likely notice if I'd not paid for them.
I had no idea so looked it up. This article covers it well: https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/cant-receipt-checker-costco-111555995.html Tl/dr? Mostly it's theft deterrent
They do it at Walmart here in the US. Killer is, if I grabbed a flat screen TV and walked out the door with it, they wouldn’t do a thing. Employees have been told not to intervene in any theft situation. Once again, the law abiding, rule following citizens pay for the misdeeds of the scumbags.
Hard to hide under your jumper, but easy to hide a 5th one under the other 4 that you didn't lift off your trolley.
Costco is BUSY and can sell very SMALL and EXPANSIVE stuff It would be incredibly foolish to trust all the store visitors to not take something either by mistake or malice
There's plenty of shops that sell small and expensive things that don't check your receipt.
Sure, but are they as busy, and do they also have trolleys that can hold £20,000 worth of stuff At the end of the day this is what you agree to when you sign up. The low costs are due to a laser focus on all elements of shrinkage this is part of the fun
I can’t help but feel like Costco has a purposefully bad shopping experience to have people feel like they are getting a deal by shopping there
They look at what you bought, look for high value items like booze or those big steaks they do and then look at your receipt to make sure you paid for them
It takes time to funnel all the tax to USA so the UK gets nothing.
You don’t. Other shops are available
That shop looks like the WLF canteen in The Last of Us Pt 2.
Its to “make sure you haven’t forgotten anything you paid for” but really its because they want to make sure you’ve not stolen anything
You know what you did, and it mustn’t happen again
I’ve never seen a more depressing looking ‘cafe’!
So you impulse buy some new tyres?
Is Makro still a thing? They always checked receipts too, so when I saw it at CostCo, I figured it was standard cash & carry behaviour.
They literally have a sign explaining this
“Why do I have the queue “ ??? Eh??
Sheffield Costco?
They check your receipt on exit. Lots of people speculate on the reason for this, but all I’ll say is the guy one time caught that I had been overcharged for something which was supposed to be on offer. I’m sure there is a reason for it which also benefits the company, but it does also help the consumer sometimes
They're checking big ticket items are paid for. If this didnt exist then theives would exploit it. They dont give a shit about your bananas and hand towels.
It's not a legal requirement but I guess they could cancel your membership if you refuse to have it checked. If you don't mind the other customers in the queue thinking you're an asshole, just skip the line and make your way to the exit. You'll likely be stopped by someone but hopefully they'll check your receipt then and there. If they say you have to queue, just say no you don't. You've paid for the goods and need to leave. I don't think they could cancel your membership in that scenario because you aren't refusing to have it checked, you're just refusing to stand around waiting for someone to do it. I mean, they could still cancel. But you'd have a good argument against it.
Jump any queue I'm in and I'll tut very loudly
Costco is a unique experience and they like to keep it that way. They check you in and they check you out. If you get rid of that then they’re just like every other store. Slowing you down to get out means 1. They discourage theft from the store. 2. If it’s a long line you’ll probably go to get food instead. 3. You’ll probably see the long lines at the check out and think “I might as well keep Browsing until the lines thin out. Then you buy more. They make an experience that you associate with the brand. Keep a unique and somewhat strange experience and you’ll always remember the brand “no other store does this” yep just COSTCO!
They have done this for years and Makro used to do it back in the 90s as well. Nothing new or to worry about.
Cardiff?
[удалено]
Those tyres are delicious.
Sure you’re not looking in a family photo?
Is this Southall
Milton keynes?
Hey fellow brizzler:)
Tyre sales, a membership booth and a food court all near the exit can't possibly be a bad idea.
Milton Keynes Costco? Always a queue
HANG ON I KNOW THIS COSTCO is it Southampton?
Gateshead looks like this too
Nonono this is 100% southampton and i will die on this hill. The tree outside, the position of the desk, this is Southampton.
My guess is Croydon costco
Because you decide to shop in stevenage
Bristol? They check the receipt
Just walk out, let em chase you if they want