Why Costco Always Verifies Your Receipts at Checkout

Why Costco Asks to See Your Receipt at the Exit

If you’ve ever finished a big Costco run and noticed an employee waiting near the exit with a highlighter in hand, they’ll ask, “Receipt, please!” and quickly glance at your items. Many shoppers assume this is a security measure—or even a sign of mistrust—but the reason is much simpler and actually customer-focused.

The Real Purpose: Protecting Members

Costco processes huge volumes of items daily. Even with fast checkout lanes, errors can happen—items might be double-scanned, missed, or incorrectly priced. The receipt check serves as a final quality-control step to ensure:

• You weren’t charged for something you didn’t purchase.
• No items were accidentally skipped or mis-scanned.
• High-value purchases are properly approved and documented.

Think of it as “member care in action,” rather than simply “loss prevention.”

What the Checker Looks For

During the review, staff focus on key details:

• Item Count vs. Cart: They compare your receipt to the items in your cart. For example, if the receipt shows three packs of paper towels but you only bought two, you’ve been overcharged.
• Transaction Codes: Each receipt has unique codes that act like a digital fingerprint, useful for tracking returns, warranties, or future issues.
• Supervisor Approvals: Expensive items—like electronics, appliances, or jewelry—require a supervisor’s initials to confirm the sale was double-checked, protecting you from costly mistakes.

What They Aren’t Doing

It’s important to clear up a few misconceptions:

• They aren’t looking for shoplifters—that’s handled by security.
• They aren’t verifying your membership again—you already did that at entry and checkout.
• They aren’t judging your purchases—whether it’s bulk snacks or a 96-roll toilet paper pack, they’ve seen it all.

Why Costco Handles It This Way

Costco’s approach differs from most stores because:

• It’s a membership club—they treat members as partners.
• High-value bulk items mean even a small error can be costly.
• Customer-first principles guide every policy—founder Jim Sinegal famously said, “Take care of your customers, and the business will follow.”

Tips for a Smooth Exit

• Keep your receipt easily accessible and uncrumpled.
• Approach the checker calmly—there’s no rush.
• A friendly smile makes the process pleasant.
• If a mistake is spotted, Costco typically corrects it and refunds you immediately.

The Takeaway

That brief stop at the door isn’t a hassle—it’s a final check to ensure accuracy. Costco uses it to confirm that you received exactly what you paid for, adding a personal touch to a large-scale shopping experience. Next time you hear, “Receipt, please!” remember—it’s about care, not suspicion.