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Costco Price Sticker Secrets

There’s a secret code to be found in Costco price stickers, if you’re savvy enough to look for it. Most items have a price ending in $._9 (such as $2.99 or $2.49). According to Secret Price Codes That Will Save You Money At Costco, those items are the standard Costco price. But when you see an item price that ends in $.00 or $.88, that means the item is on Manager’s Special. Those are often items that have been returned or have superficial packaging damage. Be sure to look them over to avoid picking up sub-par merchandise, but even if you don’t discover an issue until you get home, the famous Costco return policy will still protect you.

In addition, any price sticker that ends with $.97 indicates that it’s been discounted at least once, making it an even better deal. Keep an eye out for big savings like these, especially on higher ticket items like some of the surprising things available at Costco.

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Closeout Code and Markdown Date

So now you know how to see if an item has been discounted. But if you want to find out how much of a discount, you’ll have to look a bit deeper. Look for an asterisk in the top right corner of the price sticker. If you see one, then it means that the item will not be re-ordered. (For seasonal items, this may simply mean that they won’t be ordered until next year.)

Also, keep an eye out for a date that sometimes appears under the final digit of the price. That date represents the most decent mark-down. Use this date to determine if you should buy now, or wait to see if the price drops again. There’s no one correct strategy, as popular items usually sell out shortly after a price drop, while items less in demand will have to be discounted repeatedly before selling. No matter when you choose to buy, knowing this trick will make you glad you have that Costco membership. Oh, and this is the best time to shop at Costco.