Costco is renowned for being a bulk buyer's dreamland. A place where you can buy thousands of tea bags, a humongous bag of flour and a 65" TV without anyone batting an eyelid.
However entry to the retail warehouse is only though membership. But for those who are permitted entry behind the warehouse doors, there are deals galore and the opportunity to buy all the toilet rolls you'll ever need.
However, only certain people are allowed to become members, with a fairly strict criteria often linked to where people work or what job they have. Earlier this year, rumours started swirling after a Channel 5 programme revealed that a secret loophole allowed ordinary folk in.
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Can I become a Costco member with the RAC, AA, American Express or National Trust?
Earlier in the year, a TV programme on Channel 5 explored rumours that it was possible to join Costco by being a member of the National Trust, the RAC, the AA or by owning an American Express credit card. The show's producers rang up one store inquiring about membership and were told by a Costco customer advisor that all of the above was true.
This was later confirmed by three other Costco stores. However, the remaining 25 warehouses did not respond.
Does the loophole work at Gateshead?
ChronicleLive contacted the Costco warehouse in Gateshead to finally get an answer, and unfortunately, it's not good news. The customer advisor said that although staff members employed by the likes of the AA, the RAC or the National Trust are entitled to membership, public members of the organisations do not qualify.
This is because many businesses are pre-approved partners of Costco and as such, their employees qualify to become members. All they need to do is take their employee ID card, payslip or qualification certificate and some photo ID to the membership desk and they'll be allowed to sign up.
What if my company isn't partnered, can I still join Costco?
There are three different tiers of membership to Costco and there is one that doesn't have any restrictions at all to sign up. The online-only membership costs £15 a year and allows shoppers access to the online store, though they won't be allowed to shop in any of the warehouses.
Next up, the standard trade member costs £26.40 and the standard individual member costs £33.60 and both allow access to the online store and access to the warehouses. To qualify, you must be a small business owner or trader or be a part of an approved profession or work for a partnered company.
Next up, the exclusive memberships, which cost £67.20 for traders and £74.40 for individuals, give you all the benefits of the standard membership, but also give shoppers an annual 2% reward on their purchases.
Visit the Costco membership page here to find out more and check to see if you qualify.
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