Costco question, please!

[sksjasams]

Costco is opening where we live next week. A rep came to where I work to sign people up. I signed up for the executive membership and amex credit card and got some great incentives.

We only have experience with Sams Club. My mom has a Sams membership (I don't) and a few times a year she will take me shopping (her treat). She is concerned it will not work out this way with Costco.

I added DH as the second household card holder, not my mom, since she lives at a different address. If I go shopping at Costco with my mom, will she still be able to "treat" using a debit card? I already know they don't accept any credit cards other than amex. How will they know the name on the debit card is different than the name on the membership? I have no idea how the process works, since we have never been to a costco.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Tinkermommy]

Costco is opening where we live next week. A rep came to where I work to sign people up. I signed up for the executive membership and amex credit card and got some great incentives.

We only have experience with Sams Club. My mom has a Sams membership (I don't) and a few times a year she will take me shopping (her treat). She is concerned it will not work out this way with Costco.

I added DH as the second household card holder, not my mom, since she lives at a different address. If I go shopping at Costco with my mom, will she still be able to "treat" using a debit card? I already know they don't accept any credit cards other than amex. How will they know the name on the debit card is different than the name on the membership? I have no idea how the process works, since we have never been to a costco.

Thanks for your help!

Your mom could hand you the cash and let you check out/pay.

I only use Amex there so not sure what other cards they take.

FWIW, I love Costco!

 

[JessB320]

When you check out they ask for your membership card.

 

[sksjasams]

When you check out they ask for your membership card.

But you don't actually pay with your membership card, right? So they look at or scan my membership card and then what would happen if my mom swiped her debit card?

 

[mjkacmom]

You will be fine - they don't look at your debit card. BTW, I LOVE Costco, almost as much as Amazon! Great selection, great customer service, great products.

 

[letsgoreds]

No difference between Sams and Costco with this. Submit your card and she can pay (or you can) with her debit card. Many places also have self-checkout so if you are feeling weird, you can go this way.

I'm a big fan of Costco, we eat much healthier since getting the card...buy a lot of fruits/veggies and meats. The Kirkland organic tortilla chips are the best!

 

[Suz D]

But you don't actually pay with your membership card, right? So they look at or scan my membership card and then what would happen if my mom swiped her debit card?

Your mom will be able to pay with her debit card without a problem. We used to do that before I had a membership.

.

 

[LJSquishy]

Yes, she will be able to spoil you at Costco! When you check out, you hand them your membership card and they scan it (for making sure you are an active member and for keeping track of your purchases). For payment, she can swipe her debit card (just like at Walmart or a grocery store) on the keypad thing. No worries.

 

[Suz D]

I also meant to say that this post made me really sad. My dad used to take me to Sam's or Costco several times a year too and "treat" to fun purchases. He passed away last year and I really miss that shopping time with him. Not because he treated, but because it was so much fun shopping with him (he was in the mid-stages of Alzheimer's. Still doing okay, but more childlike than before).

Cherish those times with your mom. They are such a blessing and will be a lovely memory at some point (I hope a long time from now in your case).

 

[AmyLand98]

I will be the one to say no. The last time we went to Costco I used my membership card (husband is also on the membership) but then I had to go to the bathroom so my husband went to pay with his debit card (same last name) and it declined it. He had to wait until I came back from the bathroom so I could pay with my card. Crazy I know. So unless it is different from store to store I would say no, at ours, the name on the membership has to be the same as the name on the card.

 

[Li Li]

I will be the one to say no. The last time we went to Costco I used my membership card (husband is also on the membership) but then I had to go to the bathroom so my husband went to pay with his debit card (same last name) and it declined it. He had to wait until I came back from the bathroom so I could pay with my card. Crazy I know. So unless it is different from store to store I would say no, at ours, the name on the membership has to be the same as the name on the card.

Hmm, that is weird. A friend took me to Costco several times before I got a membership, and I used my own debit card. Completely fine. Also, just this past weekend, my husband handed his Costco member card to cashier but then I used my debit card with my name (same last name), no problem.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Your new AM/EX card will have your membership info on it, so you could just use it at the checkout. I don't even carry my membership card. Also, to get the best money back on both your Costco AM/EX and your executive membership, it would be best for you to pay with your Costco AM/EX. I know it defeats the purpose of "treating" you, but it really is nice to get that rebate check.

 

[disneychrista]

Technically the card holder is suppose to pay. But I have a membership for work in my name and pay with a business AMEX in my bosses name (again technically not allowed).

 

[HappyHappy]

As ColoradaMom said, you are not using the best perk of an executive membership if your Mom swipes her debit card. My Mom brings her checkbook with her and writes a check to me for her "treats" (especially for her great grandchildren!!)

 

[sksjasams]

I also meant to say that this post made me really sad. My dad used to take me to Sam's or Costco several times a year too and "treat" to fun purchases. He passed away last year and I really miss that shopping time with him. Not because he treated, but because it was so much fun shopping with him (he was in the mid-stages of Alzheimer's. Still doing okay, but more childlike than before).

Cherish those times with your mom. They are such a blessing and will be a lovely memory at some point (I hope a long time from now in your case).

I'm so sorry for your loss I'm glad you have such nice memories to treasure.

Thank you to all PPs! It could be a YMMV situation depending on the store, but it sounds like in most cases it should be fine. Thanks again!

 

[pixiewings71]

I go with a friend because it wasn't worth the $50 a year for me to keep my card, I only go to Costco a couple times a year. I give my friend cash usually but I have been able to use my debit card for my purchases as well, the cashier doesn't really care that much, they just ring it up and the machine takes it. I've also been with DBF when we had a membership, scanned my card and had to take one of the kids to the bathroom and he paid with his debit card, it wasn't an issue at all.

 

[swilshire]

Grand opening at our new Costco is Friday. I'm very excited. Will they have lots of grand opening hoopla?

I was going to wait until Friday to sign up, but a local blogger suggested going by the trailer to sign up ahead of time to avoid the lines. I've been by there a few times, but it was before they had announced any incentives. Apparently they are giving a $20 gas card if you get the Executive membership along with a couple of incentives for signing up for the Amex card.

Sheila

 

[sksjasams]

Grand opening at our new Costco is Friday. I'm very excited. Will they have lots of grand opening hoopla?

I was going to wait until Friday to sign up, but a local blogger suggested going by the trailer to sign up ahead of time to avoid the lines. I've been by there a few times, but it was before they had announced any incentives. Apparently they are giving a $20 gas card if you get the Executive membership along with a couple of incentives for signing up for the Amex card.

Sheila

Yes, great incentives and no lines...by signing up for the executive membership, I was able to get a $20 gift card, plus a $25 gift card for applying for the amex card. And after first purchase I will a get $55 credit on the amex card. So $100 in incentives altogether. If you do don't feel the membership was worth it, or you don't earn enough rewards to make it worth it to you, you can get a refund.

Our opens Nov 15th - can't wait!

 

[DawnM]

It sounds like (from others here) that she can use a debit. She will not be able to write a check. I have taken a couple of different friends to Costco with my card and they were not able to write checks in a different name than was on the card. Both had to have me pay and then pay me back with a check as they didn't' have cash on them.

 

[swilshire]

Yes, great incentives and no lines...by signing up for the executive membership, I was able to get a $20 gift card, plus a $25 gift card for applying for the amex card. And after first purchase I will a get $55 credit on the amex card. So $100 in incentives altogether. If you do don't feel the membership was worth it, or you don't earn enough rewards to make it worth it to you, you can get a refund.

Our opens Nov 15th - can't wait!

Stood in line my entire lunch hour joining today and got all the incentives mentioned above. $10 net cost for the first year's membershop. Already got the approval email on the credit card. Was able to use my HHonors AMEX to pay for the membership.

I had always heard about the good rental car rates, so I compared three trips I already had planned for next year. The first, Costco was about $1 higher than my current reservation, the second, Costco about $80 higher and the third, Costco about $35 lower.

We didn't get photos on our membership cards. It wasn't mentioned, but will they have us add photos later?

Sheila