How to get kicked out of Costco - there are only 6 ways
Costco's reputation for bargain deals on bulk items and its sense of exclusivity have drawn millions of customers through its doors.
For an annual fee of $65, members can stock up on groceries, enjoy free food samples, fill their gas tanks, and take advantage of discounted perks like eyeglasses.
That appeal has helped drive massive growth - 145 million people held memberships in 2025, and more than 300 new stores opened nationwide between 2011 and 2024.
Despite Costco's consistent growth and strong future outlook, its membership model isn't for everyone.
Barriers such as annual fees, store accessibility, and infrequent shopping needs can limit its appeal. And Costco is far less present in underserved areas, including food deserts, and its locations are typically concentrated in higher-income, densely populated suburban regions.
But even for those who do sign up, membership isn't always guaranteed to last.
In some cases, customers can face involuntary cancellations at the discretion of management - raising the question: what exactly gets your card revoked?
The Daily Mail is taking a closer look at the policies and behaviors that could lead Costco to figuratively cut up your card.
Costco's reputation for bargain deals on bulk items and its sense of exclusivity have drawn millions of customers through its doors
The Daily Mail is taking a closer look at the policies and behaviors that could lead Costco to figuratively cut up your card
Abusing Costco's return policy
Costco is well known for its generous return policy, allowing customers to bring back items they're not satisfied with for a wide range of reasons.
One feature that sets it apart from many other retailers is that receipts are often not required, as purchases can be tracked through a member's account - whether bought in-store or online.
However, the policy isn't without limits.
Electronics, for example, must typically be returned within a strict 90-day window. Food items can also be returned - even if opened - though expired products are generally excluded.
Certain categories come with tighter restrictions. Items like cigarettes and alcohol may not be eligible for return in some locations due to local regulations.
Meanwhile, merchandise purchased through Costco's Special Order Kiosk or Custom Installed Program is non-returnable, and customized products are not eligible for refunds.
Ultimately, returns are often subject to managerial discretion. While many managers are flexible, repeated or excessive returns can raise red flags - and in extreme cases, could even lead to a membership being revoked for abuse of the policy.
While many managers are flexible, repeated or excessive returns can raise red flags - and in extreme cases, could even lead to a membership being revoked for abuse of the policy
Electronics, for example, must typically be returned within a strict 90-day window
Skipping the receipt check
Anyone who walks into Costco is familiar with the employee by the door - the receipt checker.
Many veteran members know the process of the checker meticulously checking the cart to make sure no items were missed during checkout.
And if you're lucky, they'll even occasionally put a smiley face next to their check mark on the receipt as a thanks for a customer's cooperation.
While many wouldn't dare to breeze past this essential Costco staple, attempting to dodge not only affects an accurate store inventory for the big box business, but also can cost you your membership as it violates store policy.
Stealing from Costco
This next warning ties directly to skipping the receipt check - and it may be the reason some shoppers try to breeze past it: theft.
Not only is stealing in bad taste, but it's also illegal and could result in legal issues and the loss of a customer's membership card.
While many wouldn't dare to breeze past the receipt checker, attempting to dodge not only affects an accurate store inventory for the big box business, but also can cost you your membership as it violates store policy
Costco has also been cracking down on self-checkout heists by limiting how many items shoppers can scan
The company is largely confident in its business model that keeps losses low but 'strictly controlling the entrances and exits', its 2025 annual report said.
Fewer entrances mean fewer blind spots. And because everyone inside has already paid to be there, there's far fewer anonymous shoppers - a key driver of retail theft.
While theft has never been a major problem for Costco, losses were more than twice today's level roughly 30 years ago, showing how the company's approach has steadily tightened.
Costco has also been cracking down on self-checkout heists by limiting how many items shoppers can scan.
A new proposal reportedly being discussed among Walmart, Costco, and Target would limit the number of self-checkout machines in operation at any given time to no more than eight.
Abusing the membership cancellation policy
Costco's famously flexible return policy even applies to its memberships, which can usually be canceled at any time for a full refund, no questions asked.
In most cases, store managers will process a cancellation without hesitation.
Treating the membership cancellation policy like a revolving door - cashing out a membership only to re-sign up right away using the refund - can become a red flag for workers
That said, treating the policy like a revolving door - cashing out a membership only to re-sign up right away using the refund - can become a red flag for workers.
Repeated behavior like that may be seen as taking advantage of the system and could make it harder to qualify for a new membership later on.
Mistreating employees
Costco is known for treating its employees well, offering competitive wages along with benefits such as health insurance, dental coverage, and retirement plans.
In return, the company expects customers to show the same respect toward its staff.
Many employees report enjoying their jobs, but that goodwill can quickly wear thin when customers become abusive.
Disrespectful behavior, such as verbally berating staff, bullying, or any physical confrontation, can result in serious consequences, including the possibility of having a membership revoked at the store's discretion.
This was rampant during COVID-19 when patrons would refuse to wear a mask as the policy indicated.
Repeated behavior like that may be seen as taking advantage of the system and could make it harder to qualify for a new membership later on
One Costco manager went as far as taking a customer's cart away and kicking him out of the store after he refused to wear a mask during the height of COVID in 2020.
Someone in your household violated Costco's policies
Many customers try to sneak their friends and family members into Costco to do the shopping without realizing there are multiple avenues to have your card cover more than one individual.
Costco has been clamping down on this sneaky tactic since 2024 by issuing scanners at the door in states like California, New York, Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania.
Guests who want to shop will now need to be accompanied by a member, ending the ability for parents to send their kids on a Costco run while they stay home.
Costco is also requiring customers to show a photo ID alongside their membership card if there isn't a photo listed on the card.
There are other ways to get your loved ones through the door.
If you're the primary cardholder, you can get an additional housegold card for someone who lives with you. This extends to spouses, children and even roommates.
Disrespectful behavior, such as verbally berating staff, bullying, or any physical confrontation, can result in serious consequences, including the possibility of having a membership revoked at the store's discretion
But if there are enough violations committed by those who go through the doors, that can negatively affect a customer's membership and even result in revocation.
You may not have read the fine print in your Costco membership agreement, but it does include specific terms governing membership use.
Costco explicitly states that it 'reserves the right to refuse, decline, or cancel a membership at any time.'
While the company is unlikely to revoke a membership without cause, it does retain full discretion over who is allowed to shop and remain a member.
