Costco doesn't run sales the way other stores do.
There are no flashing red tags or weekend doorbusters.
Instead, the warehouse club buries its best prices in plain sight, and shoppers who know the code are walking out with hundreds of dollars in savings every year.
Costco marks down items with prices ending in .97, which signals a manager's clearance.
Anything ending in .00 or .88 is also worth grabbing.
If a tag has an asterisk in the corner, that item is discontinued and won't be restocked, so the price you see is likely the lowest it will ever get.
That's the asterisk, and when you spot it on a big-ticket item like a TV, patio set, or appliance, it usually means the store is clearing floor space.
Shoppers who wait for these moments often save 30 to 50 percent off the regular warehouse price.
Costco rotates its inventory roughly every few weeks, and markdowns tend to hit hardest at the end of a season.
Patio furniture gets slashed in late summer, holiday decor drops right after New Year's, and winter coats hit clearance in February.
Walking the aisles in the off-season is where the real money hides.
Don't sleep on the pharmacy and optical departments.
Costco consistently ranks among the cheapest places in the country for prescription drugs, and its optical lab prices undercut most retail chains by a wide margin.
You don't even need a membership to use the pharmacy in most states, thanks to federal rules.
The food court is another underrated weapon.
A $1.50 hot dog and soda combo has stayed at that price for decades, and the $4.99 rotisserie chicken remains one of the best protein deals in American grocery.
Pair that chicken with a bag of frozen vegetables and a tub of rice, and you've got several dinners for under $15.
Gas is where the membership can pay for itself.
Costco fuel typically runs 10 to 30 cents cheaper per gallon than nearby stations.
For a driver filling up twice a month, that alone can cover most of the $65 annual membership.
The return policy is also part of the deal.
Costco takes back most items with no time limit, and electronics get a generous 90-day window.
That means you can buy with confidence and swap if something doesn't work out.
Finally, watch the monthly coupon book and the app.
Costco drops instant savings on everything from paper towels to tires, and stacking those with clearance tags is how serious shoppers pull off their biggest hauls.
The trick is to buy in bulk only what you'll actually use before it expires.
Our take: Costco rewards shoppers who pay attention, not those who just fill a giant cart.
Learn the tag codes, shop the seasonal edges, and let the gas pump and food court do the heavy lifting.
Final Thoughts
A little homework at the warehouse can quietly save your household several hundred dollars a year.