I got married at costco! (not really)

[Genifer Teal]

I did get a membership. Here's my experience.

I got the membership that allows a second card for a family member in the same household. Since the account needed to be opened in my legal name, I suggested the second card could be for Genifer. I talked to the manager. I even showed them my credit card, which I did the exact same thing. One account two cards two names. The manager wanted to discuss it with corporate, so I had to come back another time.

That other time was last night. It started out the same way. She had to get the manager. The manager remembered me. Corporate said they couldn't put it in another name. It had to be a legal name on the card.

I remained politely persistent, and kept pushing the issue. I said the card is just to get in the store. The account is what needs to be legal. Why does it matter what name is on the other card? They kept blaming corporate. I told them I'd be taking this further and talking to corporate myself. This is unusual in today's times that you really don't have an accommodation for this.

Then the discussion turned to the option to put a nickname on the card. I asked them to clarify where it would go and how it would look. As it turns out, the only extra name that appears on the card is my legal last namen maybe because that connects to the account. I don't know their logic. All I know is, my name appears as Genifer Teal then my real last name. Because of this, my friends are joking that I'm married now (with both our last names)

That's my story. If anyone else wants to get a costco account in their girl name, tell them to put it as a nickname. It could have been a lot simpler if they would have offered that up front. I guess it doesn't come up often.

[bridget thronton]

Glad you won this round

[chrissy111]

Congratulations on the marriage and winning what's right.

[kimdl93]

Sheesh, Costco made that a lot more difficult than it needed to be, but at least you prevailed?sort of.

[Marketa]

It's really more complicated than necessary. I just recently registered in several shops as Marketa and loaded their "cards" into Google Wallet in my phone and had no issue whatsoever (I used them few times already).

[docrobbysherry]

Does this mean u can only get in dressed now!?:eek:

[Genifer Teal]

Well, I've already only been there as Gen (with friends). I have a rule that once i've introduced Gen I won't switch back. I'm still a bit part time but it's kind of most of the time so that won't be an issue. Going there, otherwise would have been a disappointment.

[HelpMe,Rhonda]

I had a visit to Costco a couple months ago when I showed an employee my photo ID (with the old crew cut and from who knows how many years ago) he asked, "Where's this guy?" so next time I went I made sure to change my name (had done the legal change already) and get a new pic.

[Connie D50]

Thank you for sharing a great story, so glad it all worked out in the end.

[alwayshave]

Genifer, I am wondering if the manager called corporate or just used it as an excuse for his/her own bias.

[Genifer Teal]

I really have no idea, but I think they did. I think I just got the quick answer and not the can we really resolve this answer. I went in there at the beginning of the summer. 'cause I was dressed really nice and I thought it would take a good picture. I was on my way somewhere else.So it was like double duty while I was all ready.

I didn't get another chance to get back there until now for multiple reasons. They remembered me, which is not uncommon, but maybe because they did follow through. They were going to call me, but something got mixed up with my phone number, my fault. I'm just surprised. This is the perfect application of the nickname and no one came up with that first.

I have friends that are not so good with public interactions. She would have ran out the door at the first hint of difficulty. I shared here to let people know it can be worked out.

[ambigendrous]

I've heard that Costco has recently gotten more strict about their cards, and who can use them - they've been pretty lax in the past and people have taken advantage of that, lending their card to friends, etc. They're trying to stop that.

[Rhonda Darling]

I solved the name-on-the-card issue at Costco a few years ago by changing my account name to just my first and middle initials + last name. Then I went in as Rhonda, told them I lost my card, and got my photo taken and a card issued with o initials and last name. Then I "found" my first card, so I now have two cards with different photos of me.

All is good. Rhonda

[HelpMe,Rhonda]

I went to Costco again yesterday and you had to scan your card on the way in instead of just waving it in the direction of an employee at the entrance.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Gen :hugs: Persistance pays off.

[Joanie CD]

I only have a Costco card for my male self. I had never gone in dressed before, but I had bought gas en femme many times, including having conversations with the older male attendant. A few weeks ago I was completely in Joanie mode, dressed in a skirt, and the usual accessories, and decided to go in. I waved my card at the entrance, and was waved in. As I was heading towards the checkout, I ran into my neighbor from a few doors up the street. I had not officially come out to him, but I have been in my driveway, getting in an out of the car, and even taking the trash bins to the street many times, so I figured at some point he had seen me. He is gay, and introduced me to his partner using my male name. That didn't bother me because that is how he knows me. It was otherwise a normal encounter. Then, when I got to the self checkout, the male attendant asked for my Costco card. He looked at the picture, looked at me, and said "This is you?". I said "yes", and he waved me to the checkout. Apparently they are getting more careful about who uses the cards.

[Genifer Teal]

Yes there has been a big crack down on use of cards.
I go to the store closest to me. I've never cared about running in to any one. This time I thought about it and realized someone from work lives close by. The chances of seeing him were slim. I doubt he does the shopping. I'm mostly out anyway. As I'm loading my car i hear this really hot 69 comaro slowly passing. Candy paint. Beautiful car. BTW he owns a similar camaro though I've never seen it. He would know my car if it was him... but it wasn't. Not a big deal but saved a slightly awkward encounter.

[Stephanie47]

Yep, the family car can be a giveaway. I have a license plate that has a very limited eligibility and it would be a dead giveaway or head turner if a woman was seen driving the car. It's a permanent registration that is totally fee free.

[Crissy 107]

Genifer, What a terrific post you did. Thanks for letting us all know.