How Costco's New Membership Policy Affects Sioux Falls Customers

The city of Sioux Falls has so many great places to shop.

From charming local merchants you won’t find anywhere else, to the big-box giants that are as common as pumpkin spice lattes in fall.

One of the big box outlet stores has, shall we say, ruffled a few feathers recently with a new controversial policy that was just fully implemented on Monday, September 1.

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Dakota News Now is reporting that Costco, yes, the land of free samples and 6-pound tubs of cheese, has finally gotten around to fully instituting its Executive Members' shopping policy as of Labor Day.

This new policy was first introduced back in June, but up until now, it has not been strictly enforced.

Now, if you stroll up to the Sioux Falls Costco early in the morning, full of optimism with a shopping list as long as an infant's arm, you might find yourself stopped at the door.

Why, you ask? I'm wearing a shirt and shoes, and ready to buy 47 rolls of paper towels!

Well, the problem isn’t your attire. The issue stems from you not rocking the exclusive Executive Membership, that $130-per-year golden ticket that now lets you waltz in an hour earlier than the regular crowd during weekdays.

It's a new perk Costco is giving all of its Executive Members. They now receive special early access to the store on weekdays from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Everyone else, with the $65.00 Gold Star or Business memberships, must put on their patience pants, sip their coffee, and wait until the doors swing open at 10 to start buying everything in bulk.

Oh yeah, this new policy also allows Exec Members inside the store a full 30 minutes before everyone else on Saturdays, too.

According to Dakota News Now, Costco did give everyone a 3-month grace period before putting the policy into full swing. But still, not everyone is thrilled. Some loyal shoppers feel like the store is playing favorites, giving the VIP treatment to those who pay more, while the rest are left peering through the window as they watch that coveted 75-inch big screen TV go into Gordon Gekko's cart.

So, what do you think? Have you encountered the early bird shopping wall yet at the Sioux Falls Costco? Will you consider upgrading your membership as a result of the policy change?

Let us know in the comments on social media.

Source: Dakota News Now

14 Grocery Shortages South Dakota May Deal With This Winter

It seems like grocery shopping has turned into a hit-and-miss experience across the Midwest. South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa have seen empty shelves next to fully stocked ones.

All the jelly you want, but no peanut butter, for example.

The fallout from the first year of the COVID pandemic is still with us. Add to that the effect of the war in Ukraine and weather disasters.

Disruptions to global shipping and the domestic supply chain mean that you may run into a situation where you don't know if all you need will be in stock.

Winter 2022-2023 is looking to deal with several possible shortages of some grocery store favorites.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

Source: New Costco Shopping Policy Leaves Some Customers Feeling Left Out