It sucks that Costco cancelled the membership. I loan out my card alot to relatives, and to family if I can't get to the shopping. Never had any trouble with BJs. They never look at the card to verify identity. Saddam could be on it. At the door, they just want to see the receipt.

I did get past the Costco door nazi and looked around. Not worth switching. BJs seems to have a better selection.

I would say that Costco is snobbish, when comparing their shoppers to BJs. Won't go into that one.

My understanding was that Costco has a deal with American Express. They also offer Costco-branded AmEx cards in the store and it probably gets them lower merchant rates as a result of being exclusive.

Yes... they sell DVD's... in HUGE plastic/cardboard boxes that I thought had been outlawed YEARS ago as "excessive packaging". It's the only place I know of where a DVD is the same size and weight as a 40lb block of cheese; so I think the above argument still stands! :D

I find it incredible that they have shoplifters however, with all those glorified wannabe security guard, ex-WalMart greeters at every door... ;)

My local Sam's has card nazis at the door. I've asked them just what their function is, since I have to show my card at the register to purchase anything. All I get in response is a blank stare.

I wonder how much money the store would save if they eliminated the useless positions of entrance and exit Nazis.

It is my understanding that the primary purpose of these people is to prevent people from leaving through those doors with merchandise, checking people for cards is just their primary visible duty.

Apparently merchandise tags work better, or else every major store would have people at the doors.

Wal-Mart and Sam's Club was founded on the idea of the "People Greeter" at the door. These people also serve as the Sam's Club equivalent of the Wal-Mart People Greeter.

The difference is most of the time WM employs senior citizens to be the 'greeters'.

The BJ's I used to shop at in NJ checks cards at the door. The 1st time I went to shop there I was also fished to Customer Service for a pass.

I like how they take all major CC's tho... that is definately handy.

Not really. Circuit City, Best Buy still check your receipt (or attempt to) when you leave, tags or not.

These warehouse stores don't tag because of the way they operate - throw a pallet somewhere down with merchandise and move on.

Its more efficient to hire 1 person to stand at the door then to hire a bunch of people to sit around and tag all the crap they have.