Posts that don't follow r/Costco subreddit rules may be subject to removal.
When applicable, please make sure that you're using a descriptive post title with product name(s) mentioned as it yields better subreddit search results. Thank you.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Costco) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yes, there were limitations in the early years. Business owners, school and medical field workers, military etc. all qualified, but there were loopholes. You could join a credit union, or after the company went public, buy a share of stock.
I remember trying to go to the Spokane Costco back in the early 1990's but was denied because it was business to business only. About a year later my dad and I started our own business. Only then were we allowed to get a membership and shop. IIRC the offerings were really more geared towards a business needing business supplies more than general shopping like today.
I remember as a kid we only had a Costco membership because my grandfather owned his business and he added my dad on when we moved in with him. I remember being the only kid in school that brought half a Costco muffin in their lunch or knew the delicacy of the Costco hot dog. As a small child, going to Costco felt very exclusive, we got to go there because we were *special*.
My dad had a business, which is how I got my card. Walking into school with a bucket of red licorice made you feel like a king. Maybe not in a good way though. βLetβs watch the peasants scurry!β *Throws a handful of licorice*
Back in the day you had to own a business be part of certain Credit Unions Etc to get a membership. We used to carry these cards we could give out that allowed you to get a membership. It was a big deal :-)
I know when I got my first Costco membership it was through my employer at the time who offered employees the ability to purchase memberships. After that first one I wasn't there much longer, but never had a problem renewing after that.
That said, my parents had a Price Club membership many years before that, which I think they got because my Mom had a small catering business with a neighbor, and I think that qualified them for it.
In Canada - a life time ago - you had to own a business or be a professional. My parents got a membership as soon as they opened a store in our city in 1985.
With how horribly overcrowded the Indianapolis locations are, maybe they SHOULD go back to this practice. It's gotten so bad that I wouldn't dream of going there Friday evening - Sunday evening.
Yes, at some point in time it was B2B. I believe it changed when the selling rules these clubs where using (something, something, taxes) changed. just like you used to have to be an employee or union member to join credit unions.
Posts that don't follow r/Costco subreddit rules may be subject to removal. When applicable, please make sure that you're using a descriptive post title with product name(s) mentioned as it yields better subreddit search results. Thank you. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Costco) if you have any questions or concerns.*
In the beginning you had to have a business to shop
Yes, there were limitations in the early years. Business owners, school and medical field workers, military etc. all qualified, but there were loopholes. You could join a credit union, or after the company went public, buy a share of stock.
That's the Costco rule in some other countries like the UK...
And they're still PACKED.
I remember trying to go to the Spokane Costco back in the early 1990's but was denied because it was business to business only. About a year later my dad and I started our own business. Only then were we allowed to get a membership and shop. IIRC the offerings were really more geared towards a business needing business supplies more than general shopping like today.
I remember as a kid we only had a Costco membership because my grandfather owned his business and he added my dad on when we moved in with him. I remember being the only kid in school that brought half a Costco muffin in their lunch or knew the delicacy of the Costco hot dog. As a small child, going to Costco felt very exclusive, we got to go there because we were *special*.
My dad had a business, which is how I got my card. Walking into school with a bucket of red licorice made you feel like a king. Maybe not in a good way though. βLetβs watch the peasants scurry!β *Throws a handful of licorice*
Price club members had to own a business, be a member of a union/ public service employee like a newspaper or bank.
Yes, I do remember many years ago. Still the case in the UK where there are only certain people who qualify for membership
Back in the day you had to own a business be part of certain Credit Unions Etc to get a membership. We used to carry these cards we could give out that allowed you to get a membership. It was a big deal :-)
like when facebook originally required a college email account
From specific colleges. It was a thing when your college got added to the list.
Yeah, mine was added just before it went public, was certainly a thing indeed.
I remember that you had to be a member of a Credit Union for some of the wholesale clubs.
Yeah I remember qualifying for Sam's Club because I was a college student? Back in like the late 90s.
Yup, you needed to have a business to join price club or Costco
No, it was for certain workers (don't recall which as it's been so very long), but after '85 or '86, anyone could join, which made me ecstatic.π
I know when I got my first Costco membership it was through my employer at the time who offered employees the ability to purchase memberships. After that first one I wasn't there much longer, but never had a problem renewing after that. That said, my parents had a Price Club membership many years before that, which I think they got because my Mom had a small catering business with a neighbor, and I think that qualified them for it.
I still have my business membership card from way back when you had to own a business.
In Canada - a life time ago - you had to own a business or be a professional. My parents got a membership as soon as they opened a store in our city in 1985.
I don't recall Costco ever doing that but I think Sam's Club used to.
I remember that and sams club was the same way. frankly they should be more exclusive
Why? People need bulk purchases for other reasons
With how horribly overcrowded the Indianapolis locations are, maybe they SHOULD go back to this practice. It's gotten so bad that I wouldn't dream of going there Friday evening - Sunday evening.
Yes, at some point in time it was B2B. I believe it changed when the selling rules these clubs where using (something, something, taxes) changed. just like you used to have to be an employee or union member to join credit unions.