Hidden Costco Gems: Top Weird Tricks For Better Deals

Secret Costco hacks guide — Going to Costco without this list is like throwing money away.

Costco is famous for not hiding its best deals, but that doesn’t mean they are always easy to spot. For the average shopper, the warehouse is a maze of bulk goods and impulse buys. But for the “pro” member, the warehouse is full of coded messages. The best savings often come from understanding the rules behind the signs, the unwritten service policies, and the membership perks that most people ignore.

These aren’t internet rumors or “hacks” that might get you kicked out. These strategies lean on official Costco policies that work nationwide. By mastering a few smart moves—like decoding price tags or utilizing the concierge service—you can turn a routine run into real value, skip unnecessary fees, and stretch your dollar further than ever before.

Costco green price tags — In the “secret code” of Costco price tags, the color Green denotes Organic products.

The “Secret Code” of Pricing

If you want to shop like an insider, you first have to learn how to read the shelf tags. Most shoppers look only at the dollar amount, but the real story is often in the cents. If a price ends in .99, you are paying full regular price. However, if you spot a price ending in .97, that is a specific markdown for that location—a manager’s special that you likely won’t find elsewhere.

Disney Party House at Costco — Bringing the Disney magic home!

Even more critical is the tiny symbol in the upper-right corner of the tag: the asterisk (*). In the world of Costco, this is known as the “Death Star.” It signals that an item will not be reordered. If you see the asterisk on a product you love, especially if the price ends in .97, stock up immediately. Supply is thin, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Furthermore, astute shoppers know that chasing price matches is a waste of time. Costco does not price-match other retailers, nor does it match its own warehouse prices against Costco.com. Instead of arguing at the register, use the 30-day price adjustment policy. If an item you bought drops in price within a month, simply request a credit for the difference. You can do this online for digital orders or at the counter for store purchases. It is the cleanest way to match a promo you missed by a week without the hassle of returning and rebuying the item.

Eddie Bauer Youth Plush Full Zip - Costco — Brand name quality at Costco prices? Yes, please!

Mastering Returns, Warranties, and Receipts

Costco’s satisfaction guarantee is legendary, but relying on it blindly can lead to frustration. While most returns are flexible, there is a strict 90-day clock on major electronics. To offset this, savvy members utilize Concierge Services. On many electronics and appliances, Costco extends the manufacturer’s warranty to two years and offers free tech support. If your TV glitches in month 13, call Concierge first; they can often solve the issue without a service visit, saving you time and money.

Keeping track of these warranties used to require a shoebox full of fading thermal paper receipts. That is no longer necessary. By linking your membership to your Costco.com account, you gain access to a digital archive of your in-warehouse receipts for the past two years. This is a game-changer for insurance claims, HSA records, or simply proving you bought that blender a year ago.

Costco savings hacks — A guide to Costco’s secret price tags.

Membership Hacks: Sharing and Stacking

Many members unknowingly leave value on the table by underutilizing their card’s privileges. For instance, every primary membership allows for one free household card for another adult (16+) living at the same address. Setting this up ensures your spouse or roommate can legally do the shopping, pick up prescriptions, or grab gas without needing to borrow your card.

For friends or family who aren’t members, the Costco Shop Card is the ultimate loophole. A member can load cash onto these cards, which then allows non-members to enter the warehouse and shop. It is also a brilliant hack for the gas station. While Costco pumps are strictly member-only, the machines accept Shop Cards from anyone. This allows you to share those low fuel prices with a teen driver or visiting relative.

Costco gasoline sign — This sign is the reason I pay for a membership.

Finally, do the math on the Executive Membership. It offers a 2% annual reward on purchases, capped at $1,250. The hidden gem here is the risk-free guarantee: if your 2% reward at the end of the year amounts to less than the cost of the upgrade, Costco allows you to downgrade and refund the difference. There is virtually no financial risk in trying it.

Logistics and “Open” Services

You don’t always need a membership to benefit from Costco’s infrastructure. The Pharmacy, for example, is open to the public. Anyone can fill prescriptions at the warehouse window or online, often at significantly lower prices than standard drugstores. Similarly, the Tire Center offers self-inflation stations that are free to use. These air pumps are usually located outside and are open during gas station hours, letting you top off your tires for better mileage without hunting for quarters at a gas station.

When it comes to delivery, knowing the difference between “Same-Day” and “2-Day” is crucial. Same-Day Delivery, powered by Instacart, includes service fees and higher item prices. In contrast, 2-Day Delivery for non-perishables often has no per-item markup and waives delivery fees on orders over $75. If you can wait 48 hours for your pantry staples, the 2-Day option is significantly cheaper.

Limited Time: Holiday & Seasonal Savings

Beyond the evergreen tips, right now is a prime time to maximize your membership with aggressive seasonal markdowns. Costco has rolled out substantial discounts just in time for the holidays.

Holidays deals at Costco — Costco is fully prepared for the season! From Christmas decorations to the perfect gifts for the tree.

Tech lovers can currently find Windows 11 PCs with savings of up to $500, alongside TCL QLED 4K TVs starting at just $269.99—a perfect entry point for a home theater upgrade. For those looking to revamp their home interior, the Wales Bedroom Collection is seeing massive price cuts of up to $1,900. And if you’re shopping for a holiday-ready gift, Costco’s jewelry section is offering seasonal discounts on diamond earrings, gold necklaces, and timeless bracelets—making it one of the best places right now to pick up a luxury present without paying full retail.

If you prefer browsing for variety, the Black Friday Savings event offers up to 60% off across various departments, while the Online Monthly Deals are featuring up to 35% off everything from appliances to clothing. Whether you are buying a laptop or a new mattress, combining these limited-time offers with the executive 2% reward is the ultimate way to win at Costco.