Costco executive membership hard sell

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Just curious - does anyone know why costco employees are so pushy about the executive membership? Cause I had a couple swear to me today that they get nothing from it, they are only doing it for my benefit LOL!

I tried it a couple of years ago and didn't make the $50 back AND it's not really cash back - it's what I would call a store credit. yes, I know they give you the rest back but I just don't think it's worth it for me. Now just about every time I check out I get a hard sell on why I need this. I've been patient, tried humor - today I looked the employee right in the eye and said "move on" and she still kept at me. Ok, you think it's a good idea for me but I don't - I think that should be 'nuff said but they keep on pushing.

So why? The employees have to have some incentive to do this.

 

[beansmom]

i can only think either commission or some sort of contest incentive for them. But when i worked at the used=to=be=biggest phone company in the world, we also had to 'sell' with no 'reward' because it was company policy.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

You could be right, I've had quotas to meet before too without specific reward. They have gotten so aggressive - I figured there must be a reward but maybe it's a you get to keep your job reward. In that case I feel bad for them but really a customer ought to be able to say "no, I don't want that" without feeling you're on trial for "why not".

 

[mrsklamc]

It does come as a store credit but you can take it to customer service and cash it if you want, it doesn't have to be spent there.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks, the one time I got a check it was for $17.00 and change LOL. It isn't so much the money or how they give it back - it's the aggressiveness in trying to sell it that's bothering me. I just want to say no and be done with it but seriously, I have to defend why all the time . . . I wonder if I can get my info off their handy dandy little ol' scanners!

I wondered if anybody knew why such a hard sell so I could call them on it next time - as I said they swore they get nothing from selling it. Maybe I should say I'm sorry if you have quotas but I don't want it and don't wish to discuss it further . . .

 

[JB2K]

Just curious - does anyone know why costco employees are so pushy about the executive membership? Cause I had a couple swear to me today that they get nothing from it, they are only doing it for my benefit LOL!

Not sure from an employee perspective, but I know first-hand that current "Executive" members who successfully refer someone else to sign-up/upgrade to Executive Membership gets a free month of membership tacked on to their account.

How do I know this, you ask? The first time I met the lady who would eventually become my MIL (who works as a contractor at Costco), the very first thing she asked me was if I was a Costco Executive Member.

To this day, she continues to guzzle the Costco Kool-Aid...

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

LOL!

I like the store but I'm a stubborn sort - and they've got me digging in my heels now! They remind me of a timeshare thing I went to years ago - that's was the ultimate in hard sell!

 

[magchavez]

I have been asked to upgrade my membership every time I've been there for the last few months (I think they started asking me before Christmas). Enough already!!! You're right, it does remind me of a timeshare salesman.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I got the same hard sell at Sam's yesterday by the cashier and her helper. They ganged up on me! I politely declined.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Yep, I think I'm going to complain to them, but I'll probably get another speech on why I need it!

 

[jessrose18]

They caught me 6 months into my membership and gave me 18 months for the 50 bucks, so I signed up. I often wondered this too why give me 3% extra cash back on everything I buy (i have thier am ex card)? And they explained that they guarentee that you will get at least your $50 back if you don't reach it anyways. Then I realized that I use this sometimes to justify costs well it's 100 dollars minus my 3% cash back does get me to shop their for things I wouldn't necessarily buy there vs. Target. I love Costco, waiting to see how much I will get back on my 18 month mark. We also use thier am ex and love the cash back from that we charge everything and pay it off monthly last year our reward was $250 cash back.

 

[apnep]

Just curious - does anyone know why costco employees are so pushy about the executive membership? Cause I had a couple swear to me today that they get nothing from it, they are only doing it for my benefit LOL!

I tried it a couple of years ago and didn't make the $50 back AND it's not really cash back - it's what I would call a store credit. yes, I know they give you the rest back but I just don't think it's worth it for me. Now just about every time I check out I get a hard sell on why I need this. I've been patient, tried humor - today I looked the employee right in the eye and said "move on" and she still kept at me. Ok, you think it's a good idea for me but I don't - I think that should be 'nuff said but they keep on pushing.

So why? The employees have to have some incentive to do this.

First of all, it IS cash back. You get a check at the end of the year for your membership based on how much you spend. If you spend alot then it can pay for your membership and then some. The reason it is such a "hard" sell is because the memberships are where Costco makes it money. They have very little markup on all the products they sell in the store and what they do make profit off of is through selling in quanitity. Most of the store's profit margin comes directly from those memberships. Oh yea, the employee's incentive...their job! Management keeps tabs on how fast each employee is at the checkouts, how much time they take checking out each customer, how many people go through their lines, and yes, how many upgrades to that executive membership they get.

How do I know? I used to work as a flower vendor there and then I did a stint working as holiday help.

Ang

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I'm not sure an incentive to buy things I might not otherwise would be good for me LOL! During one of these defense sessions they told me it doesn't include gas, because the $ amount they are telling me doesn't seem right I thought maybe it did, I'm going to add up from checking account when I have a chance.

It may be that I'd get money back, I'm just so irritated that they won't take no for an answer that I've refused to buy it this time, that and I only got $17 back last time!

 

[Megkel]

I can answer your question! I use to work with the membership counter for almost 2 years. The employees do not get any commission for anything. Sometimes an individual store might offer a "prize" for the most sign-ups but that isn't company policy. However the store as a whole has to have a certain number of upgrades every month to be considered successful. If not the store gets in trouble with the higher ups which trickles down. They also feel this way about American Express as well, so watch out for that.

Now with the upgrade in membership you receive 3% on everything besides gas and alcohol (that might be just in VA because it's illegal to sell alcohol with a coupon etc...). You get your rebate back in the form of a check you can use at Costco or take to the membership desk to turn in for cash. ALSO if you do not receive at least a $50 rebate check you can return it to the membership desk and "return" you upgraded membership for your $50. In their eyes its a win win. You are more likely to spend money there knowing you are earning a percentage back (If you spend $150 per visit once a month that's $54 a year).

Hope I answered your question!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Well, that's why our system is so great. Costco can choose that business model if they like and I can choose to be sick of it and shop elsewhere

 

[apnep]

LadyTramp,

Why don't you just ask them at the check out to quit asking you ever again? Maybe there is a way they can flag the account so they won't bug you? I'd ask.

At my store, they always have one guy dedicated to walking around the store and talking people into the executive membership or the Amex card and it cracks me UP! He walks up and starts chatting them up like they are long lost friends or something but he's just trying to sell those upgrades!

Crazy...

Ang

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hi Megkel,

Thanks - that does answer my question! Maybe my store isn't doing so well as they are very aggressive - and I'm sorry as I said for the people working there if that's the case. I'm just used to being treated like the customer and not the defendee! I find that makes shopping there a bit unpleasant and makes me want to go elsewhere.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Ang, I have thought about that. Bet I'd have to go talk to a manager or something and I always seem to be on my way to pick up kids etc, but I'll ask them. I think they just wear people down by all the pushiness.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

I tried it, and it didn't pan out $$ wise, and got my $$ back.

Then I made the mistake of buying a 50" Plasma which painted a large target on my back for the executive membership. It is the SAME lady every time, and she drives me crazy. I finally looked her straight in the eye, before she even began her speal, and said, nicely, I am not interested in becoming an executive member. She was so upset that she looked at me with daggers and said, "A simple no would do." UH - that is what I just did. Besides, you can badger me to death, but can't take a no before you get your speech in????

I am happy with the rebate from my Costco AM/EX BTW.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

That's just what I mean, it's aggressive, not even nice. I've shopped there for years, since it was Price Club and my DH worked there in college. Maybe I'm expecting too much from a warehouse store these days . . . but just to accept no? Is that too much? I make the mistake of being drawn into their debate but not next time, whenever that is!