12 Things Nobody Tells You About Costco: What I Learned After 18 Years

Costco keeps some of its best shopping tips surprisingly hush-hush.

I’ve been a member for 18 years, and I’m still discovering things I would never have noticed unless someone pointed them out. Clearance prices hiding in plain sight? A cart hook for your rotisserie chicken bag? I wish someone had told me sooner.

Here are 12 things I’ve learned along the way.

1. Prices Ending in .97 Are a Clearance Clue

I didn’t learn this until a few years ago, when my social media feed started filling up with Costco shopping reels. Otherwise, I might still be walking past clearance deals without realizing it.

At Costco, a price ending in .97 generally means the item has been marked down for clearance. But there usually isn’t a big sign announcing it. Just those two little numbers at the end of the price.

Unlike the yellow clearance tags you see at Sam’s Club, Costco’s markdowns can be easy to miss. I don’t know why finding a clearance deal has to feel like knowing a secret code, but apparently, you have to know what to look for.

And don’t assume .97 means the price can’t go any lower. An item can get marked down again, although waiting means risking that it sells out.

2. The “Star of Death” 

I only recently learned that the little asterisk in the corner of a Costco price sign has a nickname: the star of death.

It means the item is being discontinued. Once the current inventory sells out, it’s gone.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the manufacturer has discontinued the product or that Costco will never carry it again. Seasonal products can get the asterisk, too, and some return the following year.

If you see it on one of your go-to products, I suggest stocking up because there’s no guarantee when or if it will return.

3. You Can Hang Your Rotisserie Chicken Bag on the Cart Hook

This was a new discovery for me. After 18 years of shopping at Costco, an employee recently showed me this trick.

That hook on the shopping cart? You can use it to hang your rotisserie chicken bag.

I had seen that hook without thinking to use it that way. It’s such a simple idea, but it frees up space in the cart and keeps the chicken bag from getting buried under the rest of your groceries.

It makes me wonder what other little things I’ve been missing all these years.

4. Changing Phones Can Mean Verifying Your Digital Membership Again

Here’s something I wish I had known before switching to a new iPhone: your Costco digital membership card may need to be verified again on your new phone.

After changing phones, I couldn’t log in to the Costco app to access the membership QR code to scan at the warehouse entrance. I had to go to the membership desk, where an employee reverified my membership so I could use the app again.

Luckily, there wasn’t a line. Otherwise, my quick Costco trip could have started with a much longer wait.

If you change phones and rely on the app to get into Costco, check that you can access your digital membership card before leaving home. Give yourself extra time in case you need help getting it working again.

Or bring your physical Costco membership card as a backup. That way, an app problem won’t hold up your shopping trip.

5. The Return Policy Is Generous, but There Are Exceptions

You’ve probably heard that you can return anything to Costco anytime. The actual policy has a few more details.

Costco offers a satisfaction guarantee on merchandise, but certain categories have specific rules. Electronics and major appliances generally have a 90-day return window. Other items, including gift cards and precious metals, are nonrefundable.

You also don’t necessarily need your paper receipt. Staff can often look up the purchase through your membership, although Costco says having the receipt or original packaging helps.

6. Different Costco Warehouses Can Have Different Prices

Seeing someone share an amazing Costco deal online doesn’t mean you’ll find that exact price at your warehouse.

Costco prices can vary between locations, so a clearance deal at one store may not be available at another.

That’s something to remember when a post makes you want to drop everything and head to Costco.

I treat those posts as a reason to check my store, but I don’t assume I’ll find the same item at the same price.

7. A Price Drop After You Buy May Qualify for an Adjustment

Buying something and seeing it go on sale a week later is frustrating. But you may be able to get the difference back.

Costco allows eligible price adjustments within 30 days of purchase. For a promotion, you also need to request the adjustment while that promotion is active.

8. Costco.com Prices Can Be Different From Warehouse Prices

Your Costco membership gives you access to both, but the website and warehouse don’t always have matching prices.

Costco explains that online prices account for shipping and handling costs that don’t apply to warehouse purchases. It also doesn’t match warehouse prices on Costco.com orders.

Before comparing prices, check that you’re looking at the same model, package size, and included services.

Subscribe to Suburbs 101 on YouTube

9. Something Can Ring Up for Less Than the Sign

This happened to me recently with pajamas.

The sign said $12.97, but when I checked out, they rang up at just $5. I initially bought three sets, then went back for more to give as gifts.

Don’t you love it when something costs less than you expected?

A lower register price isn’t something you can count on, but it’s a good reason to pay attention during checkout and look over your receipt afterward. You might discover that your clearance find was an even better deal than you thought.

10. A Missing Product May Have Simply Moved

One day, your favorite snacks are in their usual aisle. On your next visit, they’re nowhere to be found.

Before you assume Costco stopped carrying them, look around or ask an employee. Products can move to another aisle, an endcap, or a promotional display.

I find this frustrating when I’m trying to make a quick trip. Just when I think I know where everything is, something moves and I’m back to searching.

11. Your Receipts Are Available in the Costco App

You don’t have to rely entirely on that long paper receipt.

The Costco app lets you access receipts for warehouse and online purchases through your linked account.

That’s handy when you want to check what you paid, look up a previous purchase, or compare prices.

12. Your Favorite Products Might Be Seasonal

Finding something you love at Costco doesn’t mean you can buy it whenever you want.

Some foods, gifts, clothing, and household items come and go with the seasons. You get used to seeing something every time you shop, then suddenly it disappears.

The good news is that some seasonal favorites return. So if you can’t find something, it may be gone for the season rather than gone for good.

The catch is that there’s no guarantee every product will come back. And there is no way of knowing exactly when a product will come back.

Come shopping with me on YouTube

Here’s my latest Costco haul, including what I bought, what I’d buy again and the new items I spotted. Subscribe to the Suburbs 101 YouTube channel.