Mystery Question: Do you know why Costco checks your store receipt?
By DB
@dgobucks226 (34300)
January 19, 2019 2:55pm CST
It may not be what you think. The obvious reason would be shoplifting or so I thought. I mean why does the attendant look at and then put a checkmark on my receipt each time I leave Costco?
Aren't the employees worried about theft? Nope, apparently that's not why they do it according to an article published by SFGate.com. So why then? Do you know the reason?
Source- Reader's Digest
Photo- videoblocks.com
15 people like this
15 responses
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
Ah, you hit upon the answer! Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35620)
• Canada
22 Jan 19
@dgobucks226 I think I have had things double scanned, and they caught it.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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23 Jan 19
@paigea Never had that happened to me. Good for them for catching it!
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
19 Jan 19
Yes they check them to make sure cashiers are doing their job correctly and to make sure you are not being under or overcharged.
4 people like this
Also to be sure that the cashier has scanned everything and not let a friend bring out a high value items without scanning it.
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
20 Jan 19
I always thought that they checked to make sure you did not just walk out without paying.
3 people like this
@cintol (11261)
• United States
21 Jan 19
@dgobucks226 Well that would be a good reason, our Costco people usually just took the receipt and drew a line through it, especially when it was busy.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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23 Jan 19
@cintol Yes, ours too. I guess they are counting items in your cart as you exit, but it really just seems like they are making sure you have a receipt to me?
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
Me too! Apparently proper record keeping is another factor. Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned.
2 people like this
@just4him (305338)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Jan 19
@dgobucks226 You really need to watch the clerks to make certain everything gets scanned and only once.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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24 Jan 19
@just4him Yes, I always check my receipts when food shopping and I've caught mistakes. We have many high school working in stores like Shop Rite and although most are very good occasionally one does not quite pay attention to their duties.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
That's exactly what they are doing. I thought it was for theft by the customer but it is to prevent mistakes by the checkout personnel. Costco claims sometimes checkers forget to ring up items placed on the bottom of the basket in addition to double scanning.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
Yes, that is the main reason for them inspecting the receipt at the exit. Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (81883)
• Rupert, Idaho
19 Jan 19
I don't know, I always wondered when I was a member of Costco.
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
Let me solve the mystery for you... Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned.
That's why the exit attendant counts up your items. I learn something new every day 
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (81883)
• Rupert, Idaho
22 Jan 19
@dgobucks226 That does make sense, and that's good
1 person likes this
@cyclonewriter (2168)
• United States
19 Jan 19
They do the same thing at Sam's Club and in part there anyway, it is to be sure everything has gone through the checkout and been paid for..there may be other reasons, but I know that's one of the main ones!
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
Yes, they are protecting both the customer and store. The exit checker is counting the items to make sure customers are not getting overcharged or undercharged for their purchases.
Costco claims sometimes checkers forget to ring up items placed on the bottom of the basket.
@celticeagle (158606)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Jan 19
Good that they check each other's work.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (457212)
• Switzerland
20 Jan 19
For what I know receipt checkers look at a number on the receipt and then count the items in the cart, verifying that they don’t exceed that number. The most important reason is because without receipt verification, an employee would easily be able to plot with a partner to steal high-value items, simply skipping a barcode scan. It happened int he past because I remember I read about this.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (457212)
• Switzerland
22 Jan 19
@dgobucks226 I always check if I have not been overcharged. Undercharging is what they want to avoid, an employee who undercharges items that they friends pay.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
That makes sense. Another reason mentioned was for customer protection. They want to make sure customers are not getting overcharged or undercharged for their purchases.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40825)
• Wapello, Iowa
20 Jan 19
Half the time, they don't even look and the other half, they only seem to just glance. Not an efficient way to stop shoplifting. Are you going to give the answer?
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
Yes I am Greg. Sorry to keep you in suspense. From what I discovered, Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned.
They want to make sure customers are not getting overcharged or undercharged for their purchases.
Thanks for reading!
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40825)
• Wapello, Iowa
21 Jan 19
@dgobucks226 I read that, too, in several places and that seems to be the official policy. I'm not sure if I believe it's the real reason, though.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40384)
• United States
19 Jan 19
I hope you will reply with the answer soon!
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
Yes, I found out the reasons. Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned.
They want to make sure customers are not getting overcharged or undercharged for their purchases.
Now that I found out it makes sense that the person at the door is counting your items.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
Thanks for reading! Here is the reason Cindy. Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned. They want to make sure customers are not getting overcharged or undercharged for their purchases. That's why those exit attendents count up your items.
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
Sure thing! Here is the reason Dana. Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned.
They want to make sure customers are not getting overcharged or undercharged for their purchases. That's why those exit attendents count up your items.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
22 Jan 19
@dgobucks226 thanks for clearing up the mystery
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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21 Jan 19
Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned.
They want to make sure customers are not getting overcharged or undercharged for their purchases. Sorry to keep you in suspense. Thanks for reading!
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111063)
• El Paso, Texas
11 Apr 20
Considering their return policy this really is a smart move not only for themselves but also for members @dgobucks226
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
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11 Apr 20
Here's one of the biggest reasons. I always thought it was for theft but apparently that's not the reason.
Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned.
1 person likes this
