How to Read Price Tags at Popular Retailers

While weekly flyers and major sales events can help you save big on your needs, there are other ways that can enable you to get more value for your money no matter the time of the year. Price tag endings say a lot about how much you can save. In today’s post, we’ll provide you with a short guide to help you understand the deals behind price tags at some of the most popular retailers out there.

Best Buy

Best Buy often runs deals and offers, but if you want to save every time you buy, you might want to consider the following price tag endings:

Prices ending in .92 – This is the golden ticket for deal seekers. A price ending in .92 signifies a one-time price drop, often below Best Buy’s cost. These are the deals you don’t want to miss.

Prices ending in .96 – When you spot a price tag ending in .96, you’ve found an adjusted price intended to beat a competitor’s price. It’s a competitive pricing strategy, indicating that Best Buy is willing to go the extra mile to offer you a great deal.

“C” for Clearance – Keep an eye out for a small “C” in the lower right-hand corner of a price tag. This denotes clearance items that are no longer regularly stocked. Managers often have the authority to provide additional discounts on these products, so don’t hesitate to negotiate for an even better price.
Prices ending in .99 – Items with price tags ending in .99 can be either at full price or on sale. However, sale items ending in .99 often don’t offer significant savings. It’s wise to exercise caution when encountering these tags.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Cracking the price code at Dick’s Sporting Goods is refreshingly straightforward, allowing you to shop smart and avoid paying full price with ease. Here’s your guide to understanding their pricing system:

Prices ending in .00 or .99 – These numbers typically signal that you’re looking at a full-price item. If you’re aiming for savings, it’s best to steer clear of these.
Prices ending in .93 or .97 – When you spot these endings, it’s your golden ticket to savings. These are clearance items, signifying that the item has been marked down from its original price. Grab them for discounted deals that won’t break the bank.

Home Depot

Cracking the pricing code at Home Depot can be your ticket to substantial savings. Here’s how to decipher their pricing system:

Prices ending in .06 – Keep your eyes peeled for these yellow-tagged items. According to a former Home Depot employee, “George,” prices ending in .06 are clearance items with approximately 6 weeks left before their next price reduction. The next markdown is expected to be even lower.
Prices ending in .03 – If an item still lingers on the shelves after 6 weeks and reaches a price ending in .03, it’s a sign that it’s on its way out. In just 3 weeks, these items are likely to disappear from the inventory for good. To track the timeline, check the date printed at the bottom of the price tag – it’s your reliable indicator of when the next markdown will occur or when the item will vanish from the shelves.

Kohl’s

While the ending price for sale or clearance items may not follow a consistent pattern at this retailer, you can decipher the deals by examining the electronic shelf tag. Here’s your guide:

NM (New Markdown) – When you spot this in the top right corner, it means the product will soon go on clearance, typically that night or the next day. Hold off on your purchase to snag significant savings.
S (Sale Price) – A straightforward indicator of a discounted item.
BGH (Buy One, Get One Half Off) – When you see BGH, it’s a buy one, get one at half price deal.
PP (Price Point) – Used for internal purposes to assist employees in placing specific ad graphics and toppers on products.
BB (Bonus Buy) – Look out for BB when there’s a bonus buy offer.
GV (Great Value) – These are limited-time price drops, usually lasting only 1-2 days. Thanks to Ginger Allen at CBS Dallas for this tip.

Understanding the Clearance Code

Kohl’s clearance items are typically marked down every other month, with additional reductions in between, such as during the Kohl’s Black Friday sale. Clearance pricing depends on the quantity of the item and can vary by color. For example, if a shirt comes in both blue and red, with 25 blues and 10 reds, the blue would be discounted to 70-80% off, while the red would be reduced by 60%.

Most items start at 60% off, and the lowest they’ll go is 90% off. Keep an eye out for items labeled “Limited Quantity” before they hit clearance at 55-60% off. Unlike many other stores, Kohl’s coupons generally work on clearance items unless it’s considered “Prestige,” which typically applies only to beauty products.

Office Depot

Cracking the pricing code at Office Depot might seem like a puzzle, but we’ve decoded their pricing strategy:

Prices ending in 1 (e.g., .01, .31) – These signify the first clearance markdown price.
Prices ending in 2 (e.g., .02, .42) – Look out for these as they indicate the second clearance markdown price.
Prices ending in 3 (e.g., .03, .63) – When you spot these endings, you’re looking at the third clearance markdown price.
Prices ending in 4 (e.g., .04, .74) – These are the final clearance markdown prices, offering the deepest discounts.

For all other ending numbers, you’re paying full price.

Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club offers some fantastic deals, and understanding their pricing system can help you grab even more savings. Here’s what you need to know:

Prices ending in 1 (e.g., $8.71 or $125.01) – These items are on sale and may be on clearance, so keep an eye out for bargains.

Understanding the Shelf Tag Letters

A = Active Item: These are products that Sam’s Club regularly stocks.
N = Never-Out: These items are typically in stock, so you can count on finding them.
C = Canceled: If you see a “C” next to an item, it means Sam’s Club will no longer carry it. If it’s not already on clearance, it likely will be soon if it hasn’t sold out.
S = Seasonal: Seasonal items will be restocked a few times before they’re gone for good or until the next season.
O = One Time Buy: Items marked with an “O” are usually a one-time deal. Sam’s Club typically gets only one shipment of these items, so if you want it, grab it before it’s gone.

Plus, if you spot a display model with a “C” on the shelf tag, ask a manager for a discount. Especially if it’s the last one in the store, you can often score a 20% discount. Don’t forget to check the date on the price sign at the bottom. This date tells you when the sign was last printed, helping you track markdowns and get the best prices.

Sears

Sears has a pricing system that can help you save big on your purchases, especially when you’re looking at significant items like electronics, patio furniture, or lawnmowers. Here’s the inside scoop:

Prices ending in.99 – When you see this ending, brace yourself to pay the full retail price. At the very least, try to snag a Sears coupon for some savings.
Prices ending in .97 – This is where the real savings begin. Items ending in .97 are on clearance, often because they’re discontinued. But here’s the secret: the price might drop even further, so keep your eyes peeled.
Prices ending in .88 – Drumroll, please! This is the golden ending. When you spot .88, you’ve found the final markdown price, and it doesn’t get better than this at Sears.

This pricing strategy primarily applies in-store, so don’t expect the same savings online at Sears. For significant purchases, especially big-ticket items like electronics, patio furniture, or lawnmowers, it’s worth waiting for clearance or the final markdown to get the best deal.

Target

Target, often regarded as the go-to store for those who seek a step up from Walmart, is a playground for deal-hunters who know how to decipher its pricing system. While the store’s sale such as the Target Black Friday event can help you save considerably, there are other ways to get more value for your money. Here’s how to read price tags at this retailer:

Price tags ending in .99 – If you see this at the end of a price, it’s time to reach for your wallet because it’s full price, with no discounts here.
Price tags ending in .98, .88, and more – These are the magic numbers. When you spot these endings, you’re looking at a marked-down item on clearance. Snag it before it disappears.
Price tags ending in .24, .04, and similar endings – These are also markdown prices for clearance items. They used to be considered final markdowns, but that’s not always the case anymore.

Plus, make sure to take a close look at the price tag. See that tiny number circled? It’s your secret decoder for the markdown percentage, showing how much you’re saving off the original price. In the example, it reads 70, which means you’re enjoying a fantastic 70% discount.