Costco's monthly coupon book gets all the attention, but some of the warehouse club's juiciest markdowns never appear in it.
Those are the "star" and "death star" price tags—asterisked signs that signal a product is being discontinued or a price is about to vanish.
A price ending in .97 means the item is on clearance at that specific warehouse.
A .00 or .88 ending often signals a manager's special or a final markdown.
Shoppers who learn the code can spot deals before the shelves empty.
Costco puts it on the sign when an item is seasonal, being replaced, or simply not coming back.
When you see a star tag on something you actually use, that's your cue to stock up rather than wait.
Markdowns tend to hit hardest on weekday mornings and right after major holidays, when managers clear seasonal inventory.
Tuesday and Wednesday trips often beat the weekend crowds for selection.
Beyond the tags, a few categories reliably deliver value.
Rotisserie chicken, the $1.50 hot dog combo, and the $4.99 pumpkin pie are famous loss leaders.
Less famous: prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and hearing aids, where Costco frequently undercuts competitors by wide margins.
The pharmacy counter is a quiet standout.
Costco's prescription prices are often among the lowest in the country, and members don't need insurance to access them.
The same goes for the optical department, where an exam plus frames can run well below a typical standalone shop.
Costco sells multi-packs and discounted cards for restaurants, movie theaters, and airlines at below face value.
If you're planning a night out or a trip, it's basically free money sitting on a pallet.
Gas is the membership's most-used perk for many households.
The warehouse's fuel pumps typically run several cents below nearby stations, and the savings add up fast for commuters.
Just know the lines peak before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
You can feed a family of four for under $10, and the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo has held its price for decades.
It's not a gimmick—it's a deliberate traffic driver, and shoppers win either way.
Returns are part of the value equation too.
Costco's generous return policy means a bad impulse buy usually isn't a permanent loss.
That safety net makes trying new items less risky than at stores with tighter rules.
One caution: not every marked-down item is a bargain.
Bulk sizing can disguise a mediocre unit price, so compare per-ounce or per-count costs against your regular store.
A deal only counts if you'll actually use it.
Membership math is worth revisiting each year.
The basic Gold Star card runs $65, while Executive costs $130 and pays back 2% on most purchases.
If your annual spending tops roughly $3,250, the upgrade can pay for itself.
Our take: the real Costco skill isn't clipping coupons—it's reading the tags and knowing your own habits.
Chase the asterisks, skip the impulse pallets, and let the loss leaders do the heavy lifting.
Final Thoughts
Used that way, a membership quietly trims the grocery bill month after month.