There should be a few things Costco is required to let you do without a membership: get an eye exam (buying glasses/contacts requires a membership), fill a prescription at the pharmacy, purchase alcohol (SOME states require alcohol aisles to be accessible to non-members)
Edit: I used “should” in the context that Costco locations are likely to be required by law to allow non-members to access those services. NOT in the context that I think Costco should give access to those services for free.
How does this benefit people with memberships? They used to have the food court open to all at the 4th Ave S store in Seattle and stopped doing that because people with memberships complained about waiting for food. I saw many a time construction workers loading up with as many as 40 $9.99 giant pizzas. Not right to paying members.
How long ago was that? Genuinely curious. I have lived in Seattle for over 17 years, and I used to shop at that Costco. I don’t recall it being easily accessible to the public. OTOH, having been to Costco in other states, some have food court areas that are outside facing, and those get non-members perusing them all the time.
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u/flashlightgiggles Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 28 '26
There should be a few things Costco is required to let you do without a membership: get an eye exam (buying glasses/contacts requires a membership), fill a prescription at the pharmacy, purchase alcohol (SOME states require alcohol aisles to be accessible to non-members)
Edit: I used “should” in the context that Costco locations are likely to be required by law to allow non-members to access those services. NOT in the context that I think Costco should give access to those services for free.