How to Read Costco Price Tags to Find the Best Deals

MANAGE MONEY - SAVE MONEY
Unlock hidden savings at Costco with these price tag secrets.
Updated Sept. 27, 2023
Woman shopping at grocery store

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

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.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more. Not being able to make repairs could leave you in a bad situation — but a home warranty could protect you against surprise expenses.

Whether you’re a brand-new homeowner or you’ve owned your home for years, a plan from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where homeowner’s insurance falls short.

If a covered system in your home breaks down, you can call their hotline 24/7 for assistance to get it repaired. They have a network of over 15,000 technicians that can assist you, making sure any issue can be taken care of swiftly — without breaking the bank.

Not sure if it’s for you? Rest easy: they were named one of the "Best Home Warranty Companies" by US News 360 Reviews and were awarded Best Company's 2020 Consumer's Choice Award. For a limited time, you can get your first month free when you sign up for a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

An asterisk indicates limited-inventory items

Adriana/Adobe veuve clicquot champagne on a costco shelf

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

mandritoiu/Adobe delaware costco store with napkins on shelves for sale

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

Adriana/Adobe woman standing inside store picking quaker oats from shelf

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

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

Get Capital One Shopping now

Beware of price tags ending in nine

MelissaMN/Adobe costco store selling squishmallow toys inside

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

scandamerican/Adobe organic earthworm casting fertilizer packets for sale on store shelves.

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.

Keep an eye out for green tags

Kristina Blokhin/Adobe packet of frozen chicken thighs from kirkland signature brand

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

Tada Images/Adobe man with two full shopping carts after shopping at costco.

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

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

Author Details

Lucy Clark Lucy Clark has considerable experience writing about real estate, as well as homes and gardens, home value, and more. She is savvy and resourceful, and she aims to ensure others can be, as well.

Want to learn how to make an extra $200?

Get proven ways to earn extra cash from your phone, computer, & more with Extra.

You will receive emails from FinanceBuzz.com. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy

  • Vetted side hustles
  • Exclusive offers to save money daily
  • Expert tips to help manage and escape debt