Canadians love Costco, and knowing the Costco secret sale tricks can mean you’ll love it even more.
Technically, they’re not really “secret sales” – it’s not like there’s a flyer with some dirt cheap prices that you’ve missed. But knowing how to read Costco price codes can help you know whether it’s a promotional sale, a regular price, or something completely different.
We know that you already love the deals you can get when you buy in bulk, but our tips for these secret sales have the potential to help you get even more impressive bargains.
And there’s no coupon apps, flyer watching, or secret shoppers necessary.
Key Takeaways
- Costco price codes are a legit way to find and predict sales.
- .97, .88, and .00 are the most important codes to remember.
- Asterisks mean the item won’t be restocked.
- Costco has an amazing return policy and price adjustment policy.
Costco secret sale: An overview of Costco price codes
It’s well-documented that Costco uses special price codes to indicate certain types of sales – which is why you’ll see a lot of prices end in weird numbers like 97 or 88.
Here’s a quick legend for those price codes so you’ll be able to spot the best deals while you’re out in the wild.
| Costco price code | What it could mean | What you might do |
|---|---|---|
| Ends in .97 | Clearance | Buy now |
| Ends in .88 | Manager discounts | Buy ASAP, but make sure item is in good shape |
| Ends in .00 | Manager discounts | Buy now but closely look at item first |
| Has an asterisk (*) at the end | Item won’t be restocked | Buy now |
| Ends in a 9 | Manufacturer discount | Might want to wait |
If you master these price codes, you’ll not only be able to instantly identify price cuts, but you can make educated guesses about what stage of sale the item is in. For example, was it just newly marked down, and has potential to get even cheaper? Or has it been on sale for a while, and this might be your last chance to snag it?
Want to compare the return policies at Canada’s most popular stores?Get your free PDF download right here .
Costco price code .97 – Most likely a clearance item
If you spot an item with the Costco price code .97 at the end, it likely means it’s on clearance – the manager may want to get rid of it because it’s selling slowly, or maybe it's a seasonal at changeover time.
Because the manager sets these prices, it’s likely on a store-by-store basis, so it’s not guaranteed to be on sale if you go to another Costco. It might be, though, if the same items happen to be selling poorly or going out of season.
And check out the date that’s listed on the price tag too. If it’s been sitting at a discounted price for a while and there’s still a lot left, the price may go even lower. If you don’t absolutely need the item right now, checking back next week might save you even more money.
Costco price code .88 – Likely a manager discount, but be wary
If the Costco price code ends with .88, it could mean one of 3 things:
- it’s a discounted floor model
- it’s one of the last models left
- it’s a store return
You’ll likely find one of these items at the end of aisles or around the walls of the store.
Since an item like this is probably one of the last models in the store, make sure you pick it up right away if you want it. Walk around the store again to think about it, and it might not be there when you get back.
It’s likely to get you a really good deal, but make sure you examine the product carefully since it may be a return.
Are prices ending in 00 a Costco secret sale?
Just like prices that end in .88, those that end in .00 may indicate a special price put on by the manager of the store for a number of reasons:
- Item was returned
- Item is a previous floor model
- Item is slightly damaged
- Item has only a few remaining in stock
This is a good sign, but just make sure you double-check the item's condition to make sure it's not a damaged return.
Look out for asterisks when looking for Costco secret sales
If you're on the fence about an item and it has a small star to the right of the price, this particular Costco secret sale means you might want to think twice about waiting for next week to pick it up.
Because that inconspicuous little star may actually mean the item you're looking at is one of the last of its kind. It either didn't sell very well and is being discontinued, or there's a new version of it that will take its place
So if you're interested, it's likely a now-or-never situation. If the item is already sold out, you could give another nearby Costco a call to see if they have any left.
That being said, it could also just indicate a change of packaging or SKU, so you might not have to worry if you see it on your favourite product.
If the Costco price code ends in a 9, it may be a good deal
But if the last digit of the price is a 9, you might want to be a bit cautious of this Costco price code. These are usually either regular prices or discounted prices from the manufacturer on items that Costco isn't quite sure about yet, probably because they're new to the store.
They're likely just doing a test run to see if the item:
- Will sell at the going rate
- If the price needs to be adjusted
- If the item just isn't a good fit in general
It's a bit more of a gamble, because not even Costco knows if they're going to change the price. Again, check the date as it could give you a clue of how the item might be doing.
If it's been a couple weeks and there's still a lot left, the price may either go down or the item might be discontinued completely – which also means a discount may be in its future.
But if it hasn't been too long and the item is almost gone, then it's likely doing fairly well and will keep a similar price point. Might as well pick it up now if you want it.
Other tricks to create your own Costco secret sales
Even with the benefits of a Costco secret sale, is it ever a good idea to wait to buy something at Costco?
If you like living on the edge for some savings, maybe.
But understanding and taking advantage of Costco’s crazy return policy and its price adjustment policy is likely a much safer way to play this game.
A green tag means the product is organic
If you see a green tag, the item is one of Costco’s organic offerings.
Note that Costco doesn’t always tag every organic product with a green tag. It’s possible to find organic products at Costco without a green tag.
Check when the price tag was last updated
Look carefully at the bottom right of an item’s price tag – there’s a date listed there
A date that is a few weeks old (with no asterisk on the tag) indicates there could be another price reduction in the near future.
Know the Costco return policy
The beauty of the Costco return policy is that it’s pretty general for most items. They simply state that your satisfaction is guaranteed with every purchase, so if the item doesn’t meet expectations, you can return it for a full refund.
That said, there are a few exceptions:
- Electronics need to be within 90 days in most instances
- Diamonds could take 2 – 5 days to process the return request
- Cigarettes and alcohol are final sale by law
- Some items may have limited warranties, which will take precedence
- Installation services can’t be refunded
So with all this in mind, you can simply buy the product if it’s at a good price, but keep an eye on it the next time you go in. If it’s at a better price, return the one you bought and rebuy at the discounted price.
That way you make sure you get the product at a price that’s likely better than competitors, while also leaving room to save more if the price does happen to drop.
For more information, see the What is Costco’s return policy? page.
Understand the Costco price adjustment Canada policy
If you buy online, your other option is to take advantage of the Costco price adjustment policy.
Basically, this says that you can be refunded the difference if you bought an item online and it goes on sale or if the price is cut within 30 days of your purchase.
This way you can get the better price without having to go through the return process.
To learn more, see Price Adjustment.
Don't let Costco secret sales persuade you to buy things you don't need
While it’s fun to find these discount codes hidden in the deep corridors of Costco, remember that just because something is on sale, doesn't mean you should buy it.
Seasonal decorations: Seasonal sales happen at the same time, so it’s wise to shop around. You never know if Walmart is a bit more desperate to get rid of their Christmas decorations than Costco is.
Actual need: Do you and your family actually need another turkey baster just because it's on sale for $8.97?
If you’re shopping for things you really need, use those Costco date tags to your advantage. With a little detective work, you could get yourself an even better deal the next time you head to Costco. Wouldn't that feel rewarding?
FAQ
What's a Costco secret sale?
A Costco secret sale refers to sales that Costco regularly has on its merchandise, without any flashy signage. Costco often cuts prices on items without marketing them, so knowing what to look for can pay off.
Are Costco price codes legit?
Yes, Costco price codes are well documented by many employees and managers at Costco across the country. Many big name news sources have also reported on these Costco secret sales, like Business Insider, Consumer Reports, and Snopes.
What do the Costco price tag codes mean?
A few Costco price tag codes have specific meanings. If the price ends in .00 or .88, it's likely a manager markdown. An asterisk on the tag could mean the item won't get restocked, so you should purchase it now.
What does the Costco 97 price code mean?
When a Costco price ends in 97, it could mean that the item is on clearance. Usually, it's recommended that you buy that item if you need it, since it may not go any lower than that.
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