A Costco shopper has shared what he claims are the secrets behind the retailer's pricing system, offering tips on how to spot the best deals. Mark Tilbury, a business and financial adviser on TikTok, explained that the price endings can indicate whether an item is a bargain or not.
According to Tilbury, if a price ends in .99, it's regular pricing, so there's no rush to buy. If it ends in .97, it's on sale and worth considering. Prices ending in .39, .49, or .79 indicate a manufacturer's special, and shoppers should compare prices online. A price ending in .00 signals a 'manager's special'.
Tilbury also noted that items with a star or plus symbol on the label won't be restocked, so if it's something you want, grab it immediately. However, a former Costco manager disputed this, saying the asterisk doesn't always mean a product won't return; it could be seasonal or repackaged.
Reactions to the video were mixed. Some praised Tilbury for explaining the techniques well, while others argued that buying only on sale doesn't necessarily save money if you don't need the item. One commenter, a Costco employee, agreed with the message, but another former manager said some tips were accurate and some were not.
