They are not hunting shoplifters. If theft were suspected, security would handle it long before the exit.
They are not checking membership. Your membership is already verified at the door.
They are not judging your cart. Whether it is ninety six rolls of toilet paper or twenty pounds of cheese, they have seen everything.
Why Costco Does This and Others Do Not
Most retailers prioritize speed. Once you leave the register, the responsibility shifts entirely to you.
Costco operates differently.
Its business model is membership based. You are not a random transaction. You are a long term member whose trust keeps the company thriving.
Its average ticket is much higher than typical retailers. One scanning error can cost hundreds of dollars.
Its culture is famously customer first. Founder Jim Sinegal believed that taking care of customers automatically takes care of profit.
The receipt check is a quiet promise that says,
We stand behind every transaction.
How Shoppers Can Make It Easier
Keep your receipt visible and uncrumpled.
Pause briefly at the exit.
Offer a simple thank you.
Those checkers spend their entire shift catching mistakes so you do not have to. If they do find an error, Costco fixes it immediately, often without needing anything more than your membership number.
