Most Costco and Sam’s Club locations have people at the door checking receipts as people leave. Usually, it’s a very cursory check that only takes a few seconds.
Many people don’t like this policy, but they generally put up with it, even if it makes them feel not trusted by the warehouse clubs. Some, however, are more understanding.
“They have caught cashiers mistakes. I have been double charged and they caught it. It’s not all about loss prevention,” GenXMillenial shared on Reddit.
DrCoreyWSU took a similar understanding position.
“Sometimes their own employees make mistakes. It isn’t that they presume you are a thief, but that mistakes are made. If you aren’t stealing something, don’t worry about it,” they wrote.
Many others are less kind.
“It, for me, has to be the worst thing about Costco. Having someone yell ‘2 lines people’ at me while openly inspecting my receipt and cart like I am a known criminal seems a horrible way to close off an exchange with your customers,” posted svincent08 on a different Reddit thread.
Image source: John Moore/Getty Images
Costco and Sam’s Club can only ask
“According to a law known as the ‘shopkeeper’s privilege law,’ shoppers may not have to stop at exits to have their receipts checked,” wrote Winslow Law’s Tom Wilson.
He went on to explain what the stores’ rights are and what the consumer’s rights are.
“The law states, ‘A merchant may detain a person for a reasonable time for the purpose of conducting an investigation in a reasonable manner whenever the merchant has probable cause to believe the person to be detained is attempting to unlawfully take or has unlawfully taken merchandise from the merchant’s premises.’
So, unless a store suspects that a person has committed a crime, they cannot legally stop a person exiting a store from leaving the store. There have actually been numerous cases surrounding these types of ‘detentions.'”
Both chains can detain customers over reasonable suspicion of theft.
“A shopkeeper who reasonably believes a customer is committing theft may detain the customer for a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner to investigate. This affirmative defense is known as shopkeeper’s privilege,” according to Cornell Law School.
But while legally, Costco and Sam’s Club customers can keep on walking, assuming they’re not suspected of theft, doing so comes with its own risks.
Related: Costco vs. Sam’s Club: Memberships, prices, & perks compared
Costco and Sam’s Club make you agree
It’s not uncommon to see people ignore the receipt check. That’s generally disregarded by Costco and Sam’s Club, but doing that could result in losing your membership.
Both chains make letting them check your receipt a condition of membership.
On its website, Costco frames the check as not being about loss prevention.
“It is standard practice at all our warehouse locations to verify purchase receipts when customers exit our buildings. We do this to double-check that the items purchased have been correctly processed by our cashiers.
It’s our most effective method of maintaining accuracy in inventory control, and it’s also a good way to ensure that our members have been charged properly for their purchases.”
Costco also shares a specific rule on its terms and conditions page.
“To ensure that all members are correctly charged for the merchandise purchased, all receipts and merchandise will be inspected as you leave the warehouse,” the warehouse club posted.
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Sam’s Club uses almost the same language as Costco in its membership general policies:
“To ensure that you are charged correctly for the merchandise you have selected, Sam’s Club may inspect or electronically scan your merchandise and electronic/phone or paper copy receipt(s) when you exit any Sam’s Club location.”
Costco and Sam’s Club agreements:
- Costco’s membership agreement: Official “Member Privileges and Conditions” outlining Costco’s membership rules and receipt check policy.
- Sam’s Club terms and agreement: Official agreement covering store policies, membership requirements, and exit checks.
Here’s what happens when you refuse to show Costco or Sam’s Club your receipt
- Either chain can remind you it’s in your membership contract: When you sign up, you agree that Costco can check receipts and items at the door.
- You may be delayed at the exit: Door staff could stop you and ask for your receipt again before letting you leave.
- Possible escalation to a manager: If you refuse, a manager may be called to handle the situation.
- Membership risk: Costco or Sam’s Club can revoke or refuse to renew your membership if you consistently decline to comply.
- No criminal penalty (unless theft is suspected): Legally, Costco cannot detain you just for refusing a receipt check unless there is “reasonable suspicion” of shoplifting (shopkeeper’s privilege laws).
- You might still be allowed to leave: In many cases, if there’s no suspicion of theft, you’ll eventually be let out, but your membership could be flagged.
- Bad experience/embarrassment: Employees are trained to enforce policy politely, but refusals sometimes cause arguments at the exit, which can be uncomfortable.
Related: Walmart, Target, Kroger try bold retail theft, shoplifting plan
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