It’s Not About Trust—It’s About Integrity (and You)
You’ve felt it: that moment at the Costco exit when the friendly employee holds up a hand and says, “Receipt, please!”
For years, rumors have swirled: “They think I’m stealing!” or “This is just security theater.”
But the truth is far more customer-focused—and surprisingly thoughtful.
Costco’s receipt check isn’t about catching thieves.
It’s about protecting you—the loyal member who shops there week after week.
🔍 The Real Reason: It’s a Final Audit—For Your Benefit
Costco operates on an honor system with high-volume, low-margin pricing. Mistakes happen—not from dishonesty, but from the sheer speed and scale of checkout.
The exit check is Costco’s last quality-control step to ensure:
✅ You weren’t overcharged
✅ Nothing was missed or double-scanned
✅ High-value items were properly authorized
It’s less “loss prevention” and more “customer care in action.”
🧾 What the Receipt Checker Is Actually Looking At
1. Item Count vs. Cart Contents:
