This Is Why Costco Always Checks Your Receipts—and It’s Not for Shoplifting

You think the reason would be shoplifting, right? It makes sense! Costco is a pretty magical place. Between these Kirkland items you should always buy and Costco’s free samples, it sure is the place to be. But are Costco employees really worried about theft?

Surprisingly, the answer is “No!”

Here’s What Costco Really Wants to Know

According to an article published by SFGate.com, Costco checks receipts to make sure that everything was properly scanned. And not just for the items that weren’t scanned, but the items that might have been double scanned.

“It’s pretty simple,” Kevin Heuer, general manager of the Costco in San Francisco, told SFGate.com. “We want to make sure they’re not getting overcharged and they’re not getting undercharged. It’s not to target shoplifters. Invariably that could happen without someone paying for something, but if there’s an extra item in their basket, that’s not their fault. That’s our fault. Sometimes checkers forget to ring up items placed on the bottom of the basket.”

Having your receipt checked may seem a bit nerve-wracking, but Costco is only trying to respect customers’ purchases before heading out the door.

So if you’re heading to Costco for a grocery run or any other type of errand, know that they have your back. Just be careful of this one policy at Costco, and treat the store with the same kindness they show to you!