I’m a die-hard Costco fan, and I love to sing the wholesaler’s praises. But oh my god, does Costco have some cons. I mean, from that calzone drama (which Costco shoppers are not happy about) to a few other missteps, the grocer definitely has its flaws in my book. And let’s not forget about the checkout lines.
Any Costco shopper will tell you that the worst thing about shopping there (aside from their outdated website) is the long, agonizing lines. Grocery shopping is already overwhelming, especially with the massive selections and bulk quantities. The last thing we need is to stand in line for ages. But luckily, the days of these long lines might finally be over.
Costco has announced that they’re testing “Scan and Go,” which basically allows customers to scan items with their phones and pay, bypassing the checkout line entirely. If this sounds eerily similar to Sam’s Club’s “Scan and Go” program, well, that’s because it is. There are a few differences, but the basic idea is the same: customers can check out using their mobile devices.
Right now, the feature is in beta, but Costco has reported early success so far. “We’ve seen some very, very early results that have been very positive and great adoption from our members—seeing that as well.” Ron Vachris, the CEO, said per Fortune.
Shoppers are already crossing their fingers that this “Scan and Go” tech will be rolled out to all locations soon. “The lines at Costco are, by far, the worst part of shopping there,” one frustrated customer posted on a Costco Reddit forum.
Another user pointed out that Costco “needs” to implement the feature, noting that “if Walmart can do it at Sam’s with success, I think Costco can. Honestly, I have both memberships, and one of the biggest reasons I keep Sam’s is the scan and go.”
We’ll see if Costco listens to the people. Until then, be prepared to wait in those long lines. Is the trip worth it? Of course, but it doesn’t make the pain of waiting any easier.
