Costco has long been a favourite among bargain hunters, but not all deals are as good as they seem. A financial expert has revealed the hidden pricing system used by the warehouse retailer, helping shoppers identify genuine bargains.
Mark Tilbury, who shares financial advice on TikTok, explained that prices ending in .99 indicate regular pricing, so there is no urgency to buy. Items ending in .97 are on sale, while those ending in .39, .49, or .79 are manufacturer's specials, which may require price comparison with the manufacturer's website.
Tilbury also noted that a star or plus symbol on a product label means the item will not be restocked, so shoppers should buy immediately if needed. A price ending in .00 signifies a rare 'manager's special', which Tilbury said he could not find an example of during his video.
Reactions to the video were mixed. Some viewers thanked Tilbury for the tips, with one commenter saying, 'Thank you for actually explaining these techniques well.' Another claimed to be a Costco employee who agreed with the message. However, a former Costco manager disputed some claims, stating that the asterisk does not always mean an item will never return; it may return with new packaging or as a seasonal item.
