I’m a Costco expert – a hidden symbol on product tags shows when you need to stock up on specific items

A COSTCO expert has revealed how a hidden symbol on product tags shows shoppers when they should stock up on specific items in store.

The hack is one of several helpful tips that were shared in an effort to make your experience at Costco easier and more cost-effective.

Getty

Costco offers so many deals that it can get overwhelming to first-time shoppers who don’t know what to look for[/caption]

Getty

An expert says that shopping during a weekday might make your experience better[/caption]

The shopping secrets were laid out in a recent Best Life article, which began by instructing shoppers to pay close attention to price tags.

Make sure you have a keen eye on the tags on your favorite products, or you might miss the hidden meanings.

If you spot an asterisk on a price tag, the writer says that means the product will not be getting a reorder, so you’ll want to stock up before it’s gone.

Another secret you might not have noticed is that prices that end in .97 mean that the item has been marked down.

Also, items that end in .88 or .00 are usually display items, returned items or end-of-inventory items that have a manager’s discount, the article says.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MEMBERSHIP

You might find a deal on Costco membership on websites such as Groupon or LivingSocial.

Back in 2018, both sites offered a special $60 package for a one-year Costco Gold Star membership, a $20 Costco cash card, coupons for Kirkland products and more.

To compare, the price for just the Costco membership alone usually costs the same.

Once you have your membership, you’ll not only be able to use it in your home state, but anywhere around the world.

Costco memberships can be used in stores in Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and more.

Don’t forget, if you’re not satisfied with your membership, you can return it much like a regular product.

MAXIMIZE YOUR SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

In order to get the most out of your shopping trip, you might want to change what day you go to the warehouse.

Some Costco regulars may already know that shopping on the weekends means crowded aisles and harder-to-find deals. 

By shopping in the mornings or on weekdays, you’ll have a much better experience.

You also might want to switch up the location as well. Most Costco Wholesale stores don’t open until 10am, but Costco Business Centers, aimed at business owners, have hours skewed to open a bit earlier.

But don’t worry, despite the name, these centers are open to all customers.

While you’re at it, be sure to bring your own bag before you leave the house.

Costco has boxes ready at checkout and they’re great for the environment, but it might make carrying your groceries a bit of a challenge.

Getty

Getty

You can return your Costco membership if you’re not fully satisfied[/caption]