Costco is known not only for offering a wide variety of products but also for its unbeatable deals, which has turned the store into a go-to shopping destination for many. The retailer offers different ways to save by participating in several sales events and running weekly deals. However, a simple way to maximize your savings also lies in knowing how to read the Costco price tags, and that’s what we focus on today.
The meaning of a price tag at Costco can help you know whether you save or not on specific items and provide you with valuable information such as a product’s in-stock quantity. Keep in mind that the meanings listed below have not been officially confirmed by Costco and they are based on shoppers’ experiences and the information they have shared. So here are some ways in which price tags at Costco can provide valuable information to shoppers.
What Does a .49 at Costco Mean?
Many price tags at Costco end in nine, so you will often see price tags ending in 0.49, 0.59, 0.69, and so on. The retailer’s regular items are priced with tags ending in nine, indicating that they are not special deals or discounted products. If your favorite products’ price tags end in nine, you can at least rest assured that, even if they won’t help you save, they are likely to be available for future purchases.
What Does a .00 or .88 at Costco Mean?
If you see a price tag ending in .00 and .88 and it’s an item you need, you might want to waste no more time and get it as this ending means that the stock of the item is low. It could also mean that someone has returned that item or that the product was a display model. The .00 ending may also be available on clearance items, especially when it comes to clothing.
It is thus important to act fast when you come across items with these price indicators, as they are likely to be unavailable on your next visit. However, make sure to thoroughly inspect the item before purchasing. If it was a display model or a return, there may be some issues such as broken, damaged, or stained parts, or other conditions that are not ideal. It’s always a good idea to carefully assess the product’s condition before making your decision.
What Does a .97 at Costco Mean?
If you’re a budget-minded shopper and want to make the most of your shopping sessions as often as possible, you might want to keep an eye out for price tags ending in .97. Such a tag may indicate a significant discount, although it could also be as small as a $1 reduction. These items are typically labeled as “Manager Specials” and tend to have limited availability at that price, especially if they are clearance items.
If you want to know how deeply discounted such an item is, it is best to ask the manager about the original price. In case the discount is new and there are many such items in stock, chances are that the item will be further discounted in time. However, this is not certain, so if there’s something you need or like and you’re happy with the current discount, adding it to your shopping cart might be a more inspired choice.
It is also worth noting that clearance items at Costco are usually priced at the discretion of local store managers, so these markdowns are specific to each store. Plus, they might include holiday and seasonal items, which means that they are likely available when seasons change. These items may be incorporated with the rest of Costco’s merchandise, therefore, if you’re looking for a bargain, you will have to pay great attention to find them.
What Does (*) at Costco Mean?
When shopping at Costco, you will also see price tags with an asterisk. The exact meaning of this symbol is not fully known, but it generally suggests that the item will soon be out of stock, whether it is discounted or not. Asterisk-marked products probably won’t be restocked and they could even be discontinued, which means that if it’s something you like, it’s probably best not to postpone purchasing it.
What Does the Date at Costco Mean?
The date on the price tag can also help you make a more informed decision, as it tells you when the item was last updated. If you see a product you’re interested in that hasn’t been updated lately and doesn’t come with an asterisk-marked tag, chances are that it will be further discounted in the future.
Bottom Line
Understanding how to read Costco price tags can help your savings add up. By paying attention to pricing indicators, such as the .99, .97, and asterisk-marked tags, you can make more informed purchasing decisions and potentially save even more. It is thus worth keeping an eye out for these hidden clues the next time you visit Costco in order to make the most of your membership.