Costco is a favorite one-stop shopping center for many people. From saving on groceries to scoring deals on other products, there are plenty of ways to cut costs at the warehouse store.
And if you know something as simple as how to read the price tags, you could save even more.
To be sure, Costco itself has not officially stated how its pricing system works. However, employees and seasoned shoppers say the price tags themselves can reveal important information about a product’s value, how much of it is in stock, and other hidden deals.
The following are ways that price tags at Costco might reveal important information to shoppers.
Earn 2% cash rewards at grocery stores and Costco
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is a powerful rewards card that allows you to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — including on groceries, even at warehouse stores like Costco.
New cardholders can also earn a one-time cash rewards bonus — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months!
If you’re looking for a powerful rewards card that offers an extended intro APR period, look no further, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card checks that box too!
This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Click here to apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card now.
An asterisk indicates limited-inventory items
This tag may not save you money, but it can help you make a more informed purchase. Tags marked with an asterisk indicate that it’s your last chance to snag the item.
The full meaning of this symbol is not entirely clear, but it generally means the item won’t be in stock much longer.
According to The Kitchn, the asterisk mark on an item’s price label means it isn’t going to be restocked and doesn't affect the price. However, other shoppers and employees say that this logo indicates that the price will be lowered since it’s the last of its inventory.
There is no way to tell if asterisk-marked merchandise is discounted, but it likely does mean it will be gone soon. So if you’re on the fence about a purchase, this is the sign to make a decision soon.
Clearance items are priced ending in .97
Costco.97 says that items that are on clearance are marked down in price at the judgment of local store managers. For example, this might include seasonal or holiday-related items, as well as those that just aren’t selling.
You will know this item is on clearance because the price tag ends in .97, as opposed to the standard .99.
These items are marked down on a store-by-store basis. So, keep your eye out, especially when seasons change or holidays end.
While other stores tend to have large sale sections, Costco incorporates these items with the rest of its merchandise, so you’ll have to really pay attention to find inventory on clearance.
Look for items priced .00 or .88 for deals
Another great Costco hack that can save you some money is to look for items with price tags ending in .00 or .88.
Double zeroes can indicate a few things. Some Costco experts state that this indicates a clearance item, specifically when it comes to clothing.
However, it could also mean the merchandise is a return, a display model for the store, or something the local store manager is trying to sell the last few units of.
The same can be said for the .88 price tag indication. As with asterisk-marked products, act quickly when you see any items with these price indicators, as they will likely be gone the next time you visit.
That being said, check the item carefully before buying it. If it was a floor model or a return, there could be something broken, damaged, stained, or otherwise not ideal about its condition.
Stop overpaying when you shop online at Costco
Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.
Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.
Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1
Beware of price tags ending in nine
Costco’s standard items are priced with tags ending in .99, so you won’t find any special deals or extra savings there.
You may also come across labels ending in .49, .59, or .69, and so on. These aren’t deals, discounts, or clearance items either. They are simply standard prices.
Don’t ignore the price tag’s date
The price isn’t the only number to look out for on the label. You should also make sure to check out the date, particularly for items priced ending in .97.
The date will be updated each time the price tag is. If its label ends in .97, and the date hasn’t been updated in a while, the price might be discounted by an even larger degree quite soon.
The same can be said for any item, though. If the date indicates an item has been sitting on the shelf for a while, and there isn’t an asterisk yet, keep an eye out for that merchandise on your next trip: There is a good chance the price will be reduced.
Trending Stories
Keep an eye out for green tags
You may also notice different-colored tags at Costco, specifically in the food section. It doesn’t reflect anything about the price, but rather the item itself. The standard color for all tags at Costco is white, but organic food is labeled with green price tags.
That being said, don’t rely on price tags alone to tell if an item is organic or not. It may be the case that some items get mislabeled as white instead of green, but it’s very unlikely that the reverse will happen.
Bottom line
Costco can already be a little overwhelming with its wide variety of items. Knowing how price tags work can help you eliminate some confusion.
If you’re looking for a discount, use these pricing insights to score deals like a seasoned shopper. And remember that if you shop with a great rewards credit card, you can earn cash back or other perks on your Costco purchases.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.