When navigating the great and mighty aisles of Costco like Magellan or a novice shopper, chances are you’re on the hunt for a great deal. The store’s bounty of groceries and goods, customer service, and free samples can turn a simple trip into an adventure for some.

With that in mind, know that you can never learn enough Costco shopping tricks. They help you get bigger discounts, score bonus perks you didn’t know they offered, and let you know when to buy certain items.

To add to the list, there’s a handy one about how to decode the price tags. Take a look at the upper right corner of the tag to see if there’s an asterisk. If so, that’s means the item is being discontinued, and what you see of the lot is what you get.

Savvy shoppers will jump on the deal and stock up while the getting’s good because the item will not be getting restocked. This Southern Living video also breaks down how this system applies to seasonal items.

Unlike some other stores, Costco won’t post signage or special labels to indicate that the last of a product is on the shelves. In some cases, those things might get shipped to another store if they don’t move fast enough.

Additionally, if you want to hit the markdown jackpot, you’ll have to read the price tag for more clues. Here’s another bonus: clearance items are priced with a “.97” following the dollar amount. These may or may not be marked with an asterisk, but the tag usually won’t include the original price.

Strategic shoppers like to keep an eye on the price changes for certain things, awaiting or trying to predict markdowns. One way you can do that is to look for a tiny date listed under the price, which will let you know the last time the price was changed.

Be aware that Costco has a habit of returning overstock or items that don’t sell back to the manufacturer, so if you see it and like it, buy it then and there. Should you change your mind later on about the item or learn that it’s been reduced further, there’s always the store’s generous return policy.

Watch the video to learn more about this little clue. It’s not uncommon for the company to swap out their inventory for new things, so check periodically for the asterisk and grab stuff while you can. If you’re in doubt that you’re getting a great deal, you can always do a quick comparison search online before buying – especially if you have your phone with you.

Tips like these can help you put your membership to work for you in more ways than one. So, the next time you roll up to Costco, put on your decoder cap and check those price tags on food, household items, and decor!

Were you aware of this Costco pricing trick? Have you figured out some of their other tactics? What’s your favorite way to save at Costco?