Costco membership is like having a golden ticket to bulk buying paradise, but did you know that certain behaviors can get that card permanently revoked? With over 132 million cardholders worldwide, most people think their membership is pretty secure once they pay that annual fee. The truth is, Costco has strict policies and won’t hesitate to cancel memberships when customers cross the line. Some mistakes are obvious, but others might surprise you completely.
Returning items after years of heavy use
That generous return policy everyone loves can actually become your downfall if you take advantage of it too much. Costco allows returns with very few restrictions, and you don’t even need to keep receipts since they can look up purchases using your membership number. The problem starts when people return items that have been clearly used for extended periods, like furniture after two years of daily use or electronics that have obvious wear and tear from months of handling.
The viral story of someone returning a couch after 26 months of use perfectly illustrates where the line gets crossed. While Costco managers make these decisions case by case, returning obviously worn items years later raises red flags. A food processor still in its box after six months is completely different from returning clothing that’s been worn extensively or appliances showing clear signs of regular use.
Making twenty returns every single month
Frequency matters just as much as the reasonableness of individual returns. Twenty returns per year for legitimate reasons won’t raise any eyebrows, especially if items don’t fit properly or have actual defects. However, making twenty returns monthly puts you squarely on management’s radar as someone potentially abusing the system. Even frequent returns might be acceptable if they’re all reasonable, like clothes that don’t fit or products with genuine quality issues.
The key distinction lies in pattern recognition and reasonableness. Costco tracks return patterns, and excessive returns combined with questionable reasons create a perfect storm for membership cancellation. If you’re consistently returning food that’s 80% eaten or bringing back seasonal items at the end of every season, managers will notice these patterns and may decide your membership privileges are being abused.
Stealing merchandise from the warehouse
This one should be obvious, but shoplifting will immediately terminate your membership and potentially land you in legal trouble. Costco takes theft seriously, and getting caught taking items without paying violates both membership terms and the law. Whether it’s accidentally forgetting to scan something at self-checkout or deliberately concealing merchandise, any form of theft puts your membership at immediate risk of permanent cancellation.
The consequences extend beyond just losing shopping privileges. Criminal charges often accompany theft accusations, and Costco reserves the right to pursue legal action against shoplifters. Even small items can trigger serious consequences, so double-checking your cart and ensuring everything gets properly scanned prevents any misunderstandings that could jeopardize your membership status.
Sharing your membership card with random people
Costco memberships are designed for household members only, not friends, extended family, or coworkers. The rules clearly state that only people living in your household can use your membership card, plus you’re allowed to bring your children and up to two guests when shopping. Lending your card to neighbors, friends, or anyone outside your immediate household violates membership terms and can result in cancellation.
Many people don’t realize how strictly this policy gets enforced until it’s too late. Costco employees check IDs when membership cards are used, and if the name doesn’t match or the person can’t explain their relationship to the cardholder, membership violations can occur. The best practice is keeping your card strictly within your household and accompanying any guests you bring to ensure compliance with store policies.
Refusing to show receipts at the exit
That receipt checker at the exit isn’t just being nosy – they’re doing their job, and refusing to cooperate can cost you your membership. Costco requires receipt inspection as part of their membership terms, claiming it helps ensure all members paid for their items correctly. Some customers find this practice annoying or feel like they’re being treated as potential thieves, but compliance is mandatory for all members.
Getting confrontational with receipt checkers or attempting to bypass them entirely violates store policies. Costco expects members to cooperate with all security procedures, and refusing to show receipts can be grounds for membership termination. The process usually takes less than a minute, and cooperating demonstrates respect for store policies that help keep prices low for everyone.
Bringing weapons into the store
Costco maintains a strict no-weapons policy inside their warehouses, regardless of local laws or concealed carry permits. This policy applies to all types of weapons, including firearms, knives, and any other items that could be considered dangerous. Even in states where concealed carry is legal, Costco’s private property rights allow them to prohibit weapons and terminate memberships of anyone who violates this rule.
The policy exists for customer and employee safety, and violations result in immediate membership cancellation. Store policies clearly outline prohibited items, and members are expected to comply regardless of their personal views on weapon rights. Checking local Costco policies before visiting ensures you don’t accidentally violate rules that could permanently end your membership.
Threatening or harassing store employees
Bad behavior toward staff members is perhaps the fastest way to lose Costco privileges permanently. Using inappropriate language, making threats, or being excessively rude to employees violates the code of conduct all members must follow. This includes both verbal and physical threats, and even aggressive behavior during disputes can trigger immediate membership termination.
Customer service disputes happen, but how you handle disagreements determines whether you keep your membership. Threatening staff members can result in both membership cancellation and potential legal consequences, especially if threats involve physical harm. Treating employees with respect, even during frustrating situations, protects your membership and maintains a positive shopping environment for everyone.
Canceling membership just before renewal every year
Costco offers membership satisfaction guarantees, allowing cancellation at any time for full refunds. Some people try gaming this system by shopping for nearly a full year, then canceling right before renewal to get their membership fee back. While technically allowed, this practice often results in being banned from rejoining, effectively ending your Costco relationship permanently.
The company tracks these patterns and typically imposes waiting periods or outright bans on people who repeatedly abuse the cancellation policy. Membership refunds are meant for genuine dissatisfaction, not as a way to get free annual shopping privileges. If you cancel due to legitimate concerns, that’s completely acceptable, but using cancellation as a loophole will likely backfire and cost you future access.
Bringing unauthorized animals into the warehouse
Costco allows legitimate service animals but prohibits pets and emotional support animals from entering their warehouses. The distinction between service animals and other animals is important – only dogs and miniature horses trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities qualify as service animals under federal law. Bringing unauthorized animals violates store policy and can result in membership termination.
Many people don’t understand the legal differences between service animals, emotional support animals, and pets. Store policies follow federal regulations strictly, and employees are trained to identify legitimate service animals versus unauthorized pets. Attempting to bring non-service animals or misrepresenting pets as service animals can trigger membership violations and permanent bans from all Costco locations.
The bottom line is that Costco takes its membership terms seriously and won’t hesitate to cancel accounts when customers cross clearly defined boundaries. Most violations involve common sense – don’t steal, don’t abuse return policies, treat employees respectfully, and follow basic store rules. Remember that Costco reserves the right to refuse or cancel memberships without cause, so staying within reasonable boundaries protects your access to those bulk buying benefits everyone loves.
