Have you noticed what Costco doesn’t have?
- No bag checks
- Fewer security guards
- Minimal locked display cases
- Very few visible cameras compared to other big retailers
Instead of creating a restrictive shopping experience, Costco places its loss-prevention effort at the exit, allowing customers to shop freely and efficiently inside the warehouse.
5. The Receipt Check Keeps Prices Low
Because Costco operates on razor-thin margins—often around 1–2% on merchandise—controlling losses is essential.
Receipt verification:
- Reduces shrinkage
- Prevents pricing errors
- Helps maintain operational efficiency
All of this supports Costco’s promise to offer lower prices than competitors. In other words, that quick pause at the door helps keep your membership worthwhile.
6. It’s Fast, Polite, and Standardized
Costco employees are trained to:
- Be quick and courteous
- Avoid confrontation
- Treat every shopper equally
The check usually takes only a few seconds and is applied uniformly, not selectively. This consistency helps prevent accusations of profiling or unfair treatment.
7. Is It Legal to Refuse?
This is where confusion often arises.
Technically:
- You can refuse a receipt check
- Costco can respond by revoking your membership or refusing future service
Since shopping at Costco is a privilege tied to membership—not a public right—the company is legally allowed to enforce its policies.
8. Why Other Stores Don’t Do the Same
Most traditional retailers:
- Rely on higher product margins
- Use security tags, cameras, and guards
- Do not operate under membership agreements
Costco’s model is different, which is why its exit procedure stands out.
The Bottom Line
Costco reviews receipts at the door not because it doesn’t trust its customers, but because its entire business model depends on accuracy, efficiency, and fairness.
That brief stop:
- Protects customers from checkout errors
- Helps keep prices low
- Reduces theft without creating an unpleasant shopping environment
So the next time someone checks your receipt on the way out, remember: it’s not an accusation—it’s part of what makes Costco work.
