What Costco price tag codes mean
If you have ever wondered why some Costco prices end in odd numbers like .97 or carry a small asterisk in the corner of the shelf tag, you are not alone. Shoppers have spent years decoding these patterns to spot markdowns and clearance before items sell out. This guide walks through what each price ending and the asterisk are commonly reported to mean, and, just as importantly, it flags which of these are official Costco policy and which are widely shared shopper observations.
First, a quick note on what is official vs reported
Costco publishes some policies on its own website, like its price adjustment policy. The price tag endings and the asterisk are a different story. Costco does not publish a price tag decoder, so most of what circulates online comes from longtime shoppers and from current and former employees sharing observations.
That does not mean the patterns are wrong. They are widely and consistently reported across many shoppers and stores. But they can vary by location, change over time, and are not guaranteed. Treat them as helpful clues, not rules. When you want certainty about a specific item, the most reliable move is to ask a Costco employee at the warehouse.
- Official (published by Costco): the price adjustment policy.
- Widely reported by shoppers and employees, not published policy: the meanings of .99, .97, .00, .88, and the asterisk.
- Everything in the reported category can vary by store and may change.
The .99 ending: usually the regular price
Most Costco items have prices that end in .99. Shoppers widely report that .99 simply means the standard, full warehouse price with no special markdown applied. It is the baseline you compare everything else against.
So if you are hunting for deals, a .99 tag is your cue that the item is likely at its normal price. The more interesting endings are the ones that break from .99.
The .97 ending: commonly reported as a manager markdown
A price ending in .97 is the one most shoppers get excited about. It is widely reported to signal a manager markdown or clearance, meaning the store wants to move that item to make room for new inventory. This is shopper-and-employee folklore, not a policy Costco publishes, but it is one of the most consistently repeated patterns.
A few things shoppers commonly note about .97 prices. They tend to be specific to that individual warehouse, so the same item may not be marked down at another location. The .97 price is also not always the floor. If an item lingers on the shelf, the price can sometimes drop further later.
- Reported meaning: clearance or manager markdown, store wants it gone.
- Often store-specific, so it may not match other warehouses.
- May not be the lowest the price will go if the item keeps sitting.
- Once it sells out, it may not be restocked, so decide promptly.
The .00 and .88 endings: deeper markdowns to inspect closely
Prices ending in .00 or .88 are also commonly reported to be manager markdowns, often deeper than a typical clearance tag. Shoppers and employees describe these endings as a signal that a manager wants the inventory moved quickly.
There is an important catch that shoppers frequently mention. Items at these prices are sometimes things like returned merchandise, former floor or display models, open boxes, or units with minor cosmetic damage. None of that is necessarily a dealbreaker, but it is a reason to inspect the product, check that all parts are included, and ask questions before you buy. A handwritten or crossed-out price can be another sign that a manager has knocked the price down further.
- Reported meaning: manager markdown, frequently the last units in stock.
- May include returns, display models, or items with minor damage.
- Inspect the item and confirm it is complete before buying.
- Handwritten or crossed-out prices often signal an additional discount.
The asterisk: commonly reported as not being restocked
The small asterisk in the upper-right corner of a shelf tag is the other famous clue, nicknamed by some shoppers as the death star. It is widely reported to mean the item is being phased out at that warehouse and will not be reordered once current stock runs out.
This one has a bit more backing than the price endings. In addition to widespread reports from employees, the food outlet Tasting Table has reported that Costco confirmed to them that asterisk items are indeed being discontinued, at least for now. Even so, Costco does not publish this as a formal policy, so it is best treated as strongly reported rather than an official rule.
An asterisk does not always mean gone forever. Shoppers and employees note that flagged items sometimes return later in new packaging, a different size, under the Kirkland Signature brand, or next season if the product is seasonal. The asterisk is also specific to the warehouse you are standing in, so another location may still carry or restock the item.
- Reported meaning: the warehouse will not reorder this item.
- Tasting Table reports Costco confirmed asterisk items are being discontinued for now, though it is not published policy.
- Not always permanent: items may return in new packaging, a new size, or as Kirkland Signature.
- It is store-specific, so another warehouse may differ.
How tag clues connect to Costco's price adjustment policy
Tag endings help you spot a deal in the moment. Costco's price adjustment policy can help you after the fact if a price drops shortly after you buy. Per Costco's published policy, purchases that reduce in price within 30 days of the date of purchase can be eligible for a price match, with some conditions and exclusions.
A few details from Costco's policy are worth knowing. The window is tied to the date of purchase. Costco does not price match other businesses or retailers, so this applies to its own price reductions, and warehouse and Costco.com prices are handled separately. There are exclusions, and Costco states it reserves the right to deny a price match request at its sole discretion. Costco also notes it may restrict the policy in the future, so always confirm the current terms on Costco's official customer service site or with an employee.
The practical takeaway: if you bought something recently and then notice a markdown tag, like a .97 or .00 price, on the same item, it may be worth asking about a price adjustment within that window.
- Window is generally 30 days from the date of purchase.
- Applies to Costco's own price drops, not other retailers.
- Warehouse and Costco.com purchases are treated separately.
- Exclusions apply and Costco can deny requests at its discretion, so verify with Costco directly.
PriceMatcher is an independent app that scans your Costco receipts and alerts you when an item's price drops within Costco's 30-day price-adjustment window, so a markdown you would have missed becomes money you can ask to get back.
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PriceMatcher is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Costco Wholesale Corporation.