10 Costco Shopping Secrets That Save Families Thousands Every Year

Advertiser Disclosure

Every time you shop at Costco, you’re walking past hundreds of hidden savings opportunities that most members never notice.

While the average shopper fills their cart and heads to checkout, there’s a small group of insiders who know how to read the secret signals embedded right on the price tags. They know exactly when to shop for maximum markdowns, which aisles hide the best deals, and how to decode the warehouse’s hidden discount system that could save them thousands each year.

These aren’t your typical ‘buy in bulk’ tips – these are the closely guarded strategies that Costco employees use themselves but rarely share with customers.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: this same insider approach to finding hidden savings works everywhere – from your monthly bills and subscriptions to travel, dining, and everyday purchases.

1. The Insider Price Decoder

Prices ending in .97: This item is marked down for final clearance and will NEVER be restocked once it’s gone. These are often 30-50% off original price, but there’s no “I’ll come back next week” – grab it now or lose it forever.

The Asterisk (*): That tiny asterisk in the upper right corner means the item is officially discontinued. No rain checks, no special orders, no exceptions – when it’s gone, it’s gone permanently.

Prices ending in .00: The store manager personally marked this item down to clear it out fast. These manager specials often appear when they need space for incoming inventory.

Prices ending in .88: This discount is unique to your specific store location, often due to damaged packaging or local overstock. Other Costco locations may not have this same deal.

Prices ending in .99 or .49: These are standard Costco prices that follow normal sale cycles. The item will be restocked and may go on sale again in the future.

2. Know the strategic shopping calendar

Saturday Nights After 6 PM: This is when employees walk the aisles with price guns, marking down items that need to move before Monday’s deliveries. You’ll find the freshest markdowns and the biggest selection of clearance items.

Tuesday Mornings: Fresh shipments arrive Monday night, and Tuesday morning is when new sales go live and yesterday’s clearance gets final markdowns. Be there when the doors open for first pick of both new arrivals and final clearance.

End of Month: Store managers need to hit monthly numbers, so the last week of each month brings aggressive markdowns on slow-moving inventory. This is when you’ll see the most .00 and .88 manager specials appear.

Season Transition Windows: The two weeks after major seasons (post-Christmas, end of summer, back-to-school) are when seasonal items get slashed to move out fast. Think 70% off patio furniture in late August.

Avoid Weekends for Clearance Hunting: Weekend crowds mean clearance items disappear fast, and employees are too busy to mark down new items. If you’re hunting deals, weekday mornings are your secret weapon.

3. Don’t skip the secret deals zone

Electronics Back Corner: Head to the far back corner of electronics for returned items, display models, and open-box products at 20-40% off.

Book Section: Most shoppers skip books entirely, making this section a clearance goldmine that restocks slowly. You’ll regularly find $30 hardcover books marked down to $7.97, and they stay available much longer than other clearance items.

Clothing Center Racks: The center clothing racks (not the walls) rotate constantly with overstock and returns. You’ll find $80 brand-name jackets for $29.97, often in perfect condition with tags still attached.

4. Master the Price Tag Clues

Check the Date Code: In the bottom right corner of every Costco price tag is a tiny date – that’s when the sign was printed. If it’s more than 2–3 weeks old, the product might be due for a markdown soon. Keep an eye out and return next Tuesday to catch the discount.

Look for Quantity Limits: Tags that say “Limit 2 per member” usually indicate a high-demand item that’s priced well below market. These are often loss-leaders or deeply discounted vendor deals – grab your limit and come back tomorrow with a spouse or friend.

Watch for Price Tag Colors: Most Costco price tags are black and white, but green tags usually indicate organic or specialty items, while yellow tags sometimes hint at limited-time vendor promotions. These promos can vanish within days, so act fast if you see them.

5. Use the Return Policy Strategically

Buy Seasonal Without Worry: Costco’s famously generous return policy means you can grab patio furniture, snow boots, or holiday décor in advance without fear. If it doesn’t work out, you’ve got 90 days on electronics and no set time on most other items.

Don’t Hesitate on Appliances: Large purchases like fridges or washers can be returned within 90 days with little hassle. Even if the price drops shortly after purchase, just bring your receipt – many warehouses will honor the lower price retroactively within 30 days.

Test High-End Items: Want to try those $200 noise-canceling headphones or luxury skincare? Go ahead. If it doesn’t blow you away, Costco’s return desk won’t blink – just be respectful and avoid abusing the policy.

6. Snack Samples = Sneaky Sales Signals

More Samples = Bigger Discounts: When a product has multiple sample stations nearby, it’s often a hint that Costco is trying to move a large quantity fast. Expect a price drop or an impending .97 clearance tag within days.

Demo Staff Know the Inside Scoop: Ask the people running the sample tables – they often know what’s being discontinued or what’s coming next week. They’ll happily spill the tea if you’re friendly.

No Samples = Might Be New or Exclusive: If a popular-looking product has no demo and no reviews, it’s probably a new test item or exclusive brand Costco is trying out. Keep the receipt in case it doesn’t stick around long – or drops in price soon.

Advertiser Disclosure

*Disclaimer: The pricing strategies, codes, and shopping tips provided in this content are based on publicly shared information, customer observations, and anecdotal experience. Costco does not officially publish or guarantee specific meanings behind price endings, tag markings, or in-store promotions. Prices, policies, and inventory may vary by location and are subject to change at any time without notice. This content is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Costco Wholesale Corporation.

 

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*Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.” 

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