[olyjohn]

Sometimes you can also sneak in the exit and buy yourself a hot dog.

[mikestew]

There's no sneaking, you can go buy a hot dog without a Costco membership.

(Vegetarian here, who also doesn't like cheap-ass pizza, so it is possible this has changed in the last few years without my knowledge.)

[techsupporter]

Just before the pandemic blew up in the US, Costco changed its rules to require showing a membership card to access the food court. (You still don't have to scan a membership card to use the food court kiosks, just show it to get in the door.)

https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-03-03/costco-food-co...

[rallison]

In locations with the food court outside, they generally scan it when ordering at the food court window or at the kiosks.

[dghlsakjg]

Don't know about the states, but in Canada, you don't have to be a member to use the pharmacy, that gets you in for samples and everything.

Plus, their pharmacy is a great deal.

[mister_tee]

I think this is true in the US as well. And possibly liquor in some states (meaning a subset of the states that offer it in the first place).

[abawany]

This is true, but if you run into an officious gatekeeper, they will block you 'while they get the approval of the manager' before they will allow you to proceed. I hate going to Costco stores generally but their online operation is generally awesome, including prescriptions by mail.