Costco feels like a religion to some people. You walk in, flash the card, grab a $1.50 hot dog, and somehow leave $400 poorer but with enough toilet paper to survive a decade. It’s a retail powerhouse. Yet, lately, the "Kirkland Signature" shine is wearing off for a specific segment of the population. If you’ve seen the hashtags or the angry Facebook threads, you’ve probably asked yourself: why are people boycotting Costco right now?
It isn't just one thing. It's a messy overlap of membership price hikes, facial recognition technology, and some very specific political flashpoints that have pushed loyal members to cut up their cards.
The Surveillance State in the Rotisserie Aisle?
The biggest recent uproar isn't about the products. It’s about the door. For decades, you just flashed your card at a tired employee and walked in. Not anymore. Costco has started rolling out scanning kiosks at the entrance of warehouses, specifically in places like Huntington Beach, California, and Issaquah, Washington.
Some shoppers find it invasive. Honestly, it’s a big shift in "vibe." The scanners require you to scan your physical or digital membership card, and if your card doesn't have a photo, you’re asked to show ID. Costco says this is about "membership integrity." Basically, they want to stop people from sharing cards. But for the average person who just wants to buy a massive bag of frozen mangoes, it feels like an airport security line.
Privacy advocates are worried about the data. While Costco hasn't gone full "Minority Report" yet, the move toward digital verification is a major reason why are people boycotting Costco. They don't like the feeling of being tracked every time they enter a store to buy milk. It’s a friction point that didn't exist two years ago.
The Gold Star Membership Price Hike
Money talks. In September 2024, Costco raised its membership fees for the first time since 2017. The basic "Gold Star" membership went from $60 to $65. The "Executive" membership jumped from $120 to $130.
Five or ten bucks might not sound like a lot in a vacuum. However, when you add it to the general "greedflation" people are feeling at the gas pump and the pharmacy, it becomes the straw that breaks the camel's back. People are looking at their monthly budgets and wondering if the "savings" are actually real.
If you aren't buying in massive bulk every single month, that $65 entry fee feels like a tax on the right to shop. For some, the math just doesn't work anymore. They’re jumping ship to Sam's Club—which often runs promotional memberships for as low as $15—or sticking to Aldi where there’s no "pay-to-play" model.
Political Landmines and Brand Identity
Costco usually tries to stay out of the culture wars, but in the modern era, that’s almost impossible.
One major point of contention involves their sourcing. Specifically, animal welfare groups like Mercy For Animals have targeted Costco over their "Costco Chicken" operations. The company built its own massive poultry supply chain in Nebraska to keep that $4.99 price tag alive. Critics argue the conditions for these birds are horrific. While most shoppers just want the cheap dinner, a vocal minority is walking away because they can't square the ethics with the price tag.
Then there’s the "Pride" issue. Like many major retailers, Costco has faced backlash from conservative groups for its LGBTQ+ inclusive merchandise during June. Conversely, they’ve been criticized by liberal groups for not being vocal enough or for carrying products from brands with controversial political ties. It’s a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation.
The Israel-Palestine Conflict
In 2024 and 2025, the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement grew significantly. Protesters have targeted Costco for carrying specific brands manufactured in Israel or in settlements. Social media campaigns often feature shoppers filming themselves leaving full carts at the register because they found a specific brand of dates or hummus on the shelves. This is a highly polarized issue, but it is a concrete reason why are people boycotting Costco in specific urban markets.
The Quality Control "Conspiracy"
Spend five minutes on the Costco subreddit and you’ll see the complaints. "The Kirkland toilet paper is thinner." "The muffins are dry now." "Why did they change the rotisserie chicken packaging to plastic bags?"
There is a growing sentiment that Costco is cutting corners to maintain their famous price points. The shift from hard plastic rotisserie chicken containers to flexible bags was a move to save millions of pounds of plastic, but customers hate it. They say it leaks in the car. They say the skin gets soggy.
When a brand builds its entire identity on "the best quality for the lowest price," any dip in quality feels like a betrayal. People aren't just boycotting out of anger; some are just leaving out of disappointment. The "Kirkland" brand used to be a guarantee. Now, for some, it’s just another store brand.
Is the Boycott Actually Working?
Here is the reality check.
Costco’s renewal rate is still hovering around 90%. That is insane. Most businesses would kill for that kind of loyalty. While the reasons listed above are real and the people leaving are genuinely upset, the "bulk" of the population (pun intended) is staying put.
Why? Because the alternatives are often worse.
If you leave Costco, where do you go? Walmart? Most Costco devotees view Walmart as a step down in terms of employee treatment and store cleanliness. Whole Foods? Too expensive. Amazon? Lacks the "treasure hunt" experience.
What You Should Do If You're Considering Leaving
If you're on the fence about whether to keep your membership, don't just follow a hashtag. Look at your own data.
- Check your "Executive" reward. If your 2% back doesn't cover the cost of the membership, you're losing money.
- Audit your "spoilage." How much of that bulk produce are you actually throwing away? If it's more than 20%, the Costco "savings" are a myth.
- Evaluate the "Scan" factor. If the new entrance scanners and ID checks feel like a violation of your privacy, it might be time to switch to a local grocer or a co-op.
- Look at the gas. For many, the savings at the Costco gas pump alone pay for the membership. If you drive an EV now, that math changes completely.
The reasons why are people boycotting Costco are varied and deeply personal. For some, it’s a moral stand against corporate surveillance or international politics. For others, it’s a simple budgetary decision.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are frustrated with the direction the company is taking, you don't have to just complain online.
- Request a Membership Refund: Costco has one of the best return policies in the world. This includes the membership itself. If you aren't happy, you can walk to the member services desk and ask for your money back. They will literally refund your $65 or $130 on the spot.
- Use the Feedback System: Believe it or not, Costco managers actually read the paper feedback slips near the exit. If you hate the new chicken bags or the entrance scanners, tell them.
- Compare Local Options: Before you quit, spend a Saturday morning at a competitor like Sam's Club or BJ's. See if the product quality meets your standards. You might find that the "boycott" is easier said than done once you see the prices elsewhere.
- Shop Without a Membership: You can actually shop at Costco without a membership if you have a Costco Cash Card (gift card) given to you by a member. This is a good way to "test the waters" of a boycott without fully committing to never entering the building again.
The relationship between a shopper and a warehouse club is purely transactional. If the transaction no longer feels fair—whether because of price, privacy, or politics—you have every right to walk away. Just make sure you've found another source for those $5 chickens first.