Did you know that Costco has secret pricing codes on its tags? Here's how to decode them—and save a bundle.
Everything about Costco is a vibe—and also loaded with meaning. Think about it: From the free samples to the checkout lines, the membership warehouse club is filled with insider info that can clue you in on the best ways to shop there. And while there’s loads to unpack from even the most ordinary things in those massive aisles, Costco’s price tags are an excellent place to start.
Those little tags don’t just tell you how much an item costs. They’re a treasure trove of information, containing Costco pricing codes that can help you score serious savings or let you know that one of your household favorites is about to be discontinued. And that’s just the start.
So what, exactly, should you be looking for on those tags? We got the scoop from two Costco experts—Melissa Cid, a consumer savings expert at MySavings.com, and Shalvi Singh, a senior product manager for Amazon AI whose job it is to research retail code words across a wide range of retailers. Read on to unlock Costco’s secret price-tag code and make your next Costco run that much better.
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What codes does Costco use on its price tags?
When we talk about Costco pricing codes, you might think it’s overly complicated, like the PLU codes you’ll see on supermarket fruits. That’s not the case at Costco. Here, there are five things you need to look out for—and four of them have to do with the final numbers on the price tag. The other? It involves one very special symbol with a hilarious nickname.
Here’s the code to unlock Costco’s secrets:
Price tags that end in .97
Yes, Costco keeps its prices low, but if you see .97 on a price tag, they’re even lower than normal. In fact, these numbers typically signify that this is the cheapest price you will ever see on that item—but that’s not the only reason you’ll want to stock up if you see them. These items are also on their way out for good. “Prices that end in .97 are on clearance and won’t be restocked,” Cid explains. So keep an eye on this “secret Costco clearance,” as Cid calls it, because it’s like a fire sale. Everything must go!
Why are these products leaving Costco’s hallowed halls? It really depends. It could be seasonal merchandise, the end of a brand partnership, or a product that wasn’t quite popular enough to keep stocked. But their loss is your gain … if you snap up these products quickly. Because once they’re gone, that’s it!
Price tags that end in .00
“Prices that end in .00 are a limited-time managers markdown to get the products moving off the shelf,” Cid explains. The .00 price is really local to that store, specific a manager’s needs, so you may not find that exact product marked down—and with a price ending in .00—at a Costco even just 10 miles away.
You’re most likely to see this .00 ending on fresh foods that need to be unloaded, like in the bakery, meat or dairy section. However, there are times when a manager will choose to mark down something that still has plenty of shelf life but needs to be moved in order to make room for other inventory. This isn’t necessarily the lowest price you can get on that item, but the savings can be up to 30%.
Price tags that end in .39 or .49
When you see these numbers at the end of a price tag at Costco, it means you’re getting a better deal than usual. However, that’s because it’s a manufacturer markdown, not a warehouse markdown. This could be a limited-time deal, and the manufacturer will likely bring it back to regular price after a promotional period. You’ll likely save anywhere from 10% to 30% off the regular price.
Price tags that end with .99
Nothing to see here, folks. There isn’t anything really exciting about this price tag—it’s simply the standard pricing at Costco. Yep, every regularly priced item at Costco ends in .99, including its famous rotisserie chicken, which rings in at $4.99. It’s still a fantastic buy, but it isn’t on sale or marked down from its everyday price in any way.
Price tags that have an asterisk at the end
Every so often, you’ll see an asterisk on a Costco price tag, which is known among employees and club members as the “Death Star.” Because hey, who doesn’t love a good Star Wars reference?
“An asterisk (*) on price tags means discontinued,” says Singh. “Shoppers should look for these tags to gather unsold products, such as clothes, that are commonly discounted.”
Ultimately, this is a product that won’t be restocked, so grab it while you can if you really, really want it.
How to use Costco pricing codes
So there you have it: the secret meanings behind the numbers and symbols you’ll see on various items at Costco. This knowledge can help you make more informed purchasing decisions, since you’ll know if you’ll have time to pick up an item on a future shopping trip or you should buy it right then and there because it’s a limited-time offer. You don’t necessarily want to let impulse buys guide you, but if you see a great deal on something you’ll use and likely won’t be available the next time you shop, it’s nice to be armed with a little insider info.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on Costco pricing codes, Kelly Bryant tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who frequently covers brands, including Costco, and assorted interesting facts for Reader’s Digest. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert at MySavings.com; interviewed, September 2025
- Shalvi Singh, senior product manager at Amazon AI; interviewed, September 2025
