OK. It seems they have a hearing centre UK page, that lists 4 locations.
On membership qualifications, they seem to list a range of employer types, and also make reference to so called Gold Companies. Perhaps if you ask if your specific company qualifies, they will designate them as a Gold Company!
One thing to add is that if you are added to someone’s account for £15, after one year, you become eligible to join as a main account holder.
I’ve been a Costco member in the UK since 2007. Had to take a payslip from an eligible employer. Once you’re a member, you don’t have to prove eligibility again.
There ya go.
Costco doesn’t suck.
It’s finding someone to be added to.
Nor do I have a qualifying employer.
Swings and Roundabouts.
Sucks and Blows. 
Stop at a store. I suspect they will be very helpful in finding you a way to join. They are not trying to keep people out.
Oh yes, Costco has some very strict requirements for membership here in the USA. You must have a picture ID and you must have the cash or credit card for the membership fee!
Are you SERIOUS??? What requirements, there really are none. The picture ID can be virtually any ID with your picture on it … a business ID card, a driver’s license, a State issued ID card. Where did you hear that there are requirements? My wife and I walked in, filled out a membership application, they took our pictures, and we walked out in 10 minutes with a Costco card. Now buying the hearing aids at $2,800 I figured I’d pay with Discover. They said they only take VISA. They took me to Customer Service a few steps away from the hearing center and 5 minutes later I had a temporary Citi Bank Costco VISA Card. 2 weeks later I had the real card in the mail. 3% back for paying with a Costco card I have a $58 refund next year. Also get 4% rebate on Costco gasoline which is already cheaper than anywhere else and is a Top Tier gasoline.
We don’t use Costco for anything else as it is mostly bulk buying and we are in a small condo, no extra storage for cases of toilet paper, tissues, etc. They are good for drugs and drugstore items like vitamins and the like as they are cheaper than elsewhere. As for the HIS, I ran into a totally crappy one in the Irvine store and the best one ever in the Yorba Linda store, 10 minutes from home.
This is what the UK site says. It is a little less restrictive in Canada. Suspect the US is similar.
You missed my point. The US had NO restrictions I walked in off the street, showed my driver’s license for picture proof of who I am, laid my $60 or whatever it was on the counter and was a member 10 minutes later. Knew no one, no referral, just cash and picture ID showing I was me.
My reply was directed to Jeff Bowser who is showing the US flag though as he said there are requirements in the US. Other than breathing … I didn’t really run into any when I got my membership card a few years back.
Only requirement in U.S. is to pay a yearly membership. You can get cards in 2 diff. names.
I regularly use Costco Hayes UK where the hearing center manageress is Vicki. The service and ongoing care are fantastic and the enormous savings on the hearing aids they market far more than outwiegh the relatively small costs of membership.
I’m sorry, but why does Costco UK limit their membership to specific professions?? That seems really awful. Costco is certainly a shop for people with money, but to limit by profession is . . . bold.
A very good question, Neville. Wish I knew.
Their loss. Amazon it is!
Actually, I’ve read several reports that Costco here in the UK isn’t that much (if any) cheaper than Amazon. And you don’t have to end up buying ten tonnes of bog rolls with nowhere to store it! 
I am thinking of the business membership, the only kind I have ever had. I stand corrected on the personal membership. That seems to have triggered Neilk a bit.
Actually, I had the black Executive card for $60 more. Gave you more on money back, cost more. Is that what you consider the “Business” membership? When I bought my membership they suggested trying the “Executive” membership saying I could get the difference refunded in a few months if it did nothing for me. I had no special qualifications, was just a lowly tech support rep as I still am. I wasn’t spending enough to make it worthwhile, so I cancelled the Executive membership and went with the basic membership. I still have and use the black Executive membership card as they said keep it and never replaced it. It makes no difference, except I don’t get the “Executive” extras as they go by your name not by the card you carry. Go figure
Didn’t “trigger” me, I just never was asked for anything special, never had to prove who I was, was just given membership because I walked in the door and said I wanted membership to buy hearing aids, my last pair not the current ones. Have been a member ever since and use it mainly for the lower priced gasoline. Oh, what triggered me is that you said there were special requirements in the US just to get a card. Maybe California is unique?
I think this is what was meant by business membership: https://www.costco.com/Business-Membership---New-Member.product.3165.html
The reason Costco limit their membership in the UK is because they are classed as a Wholesaler. This means that a maximum of 30% of sales can be to the general public. They have to find a way to restrict sales, so this is why they limit it.
I believe it’s possibly also something to do with land use - where the sites are situated. I’d have to read up on that to be sure. Just answered this off the top of my head.
I remember hearing about this restriction years ago.
A lot of UK companies offer their employees Costco membership, I worked for the NHS before retirement, All I had to do was show my hospital ID card, and pay the annual fee. I certainly was not a doctor or surgeon, just a humble electrician.
There’s nothing “humble” about being an electrician.
In fact, it is quite a “shocking” job. 
There is one simple rule to remember if you are an electrician. “Never let the smoke out”. Electricity works with a magic smoke built into every electrical device. Once you let that smoke out, they are toast!
And very nice toast it is, time and time again!
