12 Costco Secrets That Employees Aren't Telling You

Costco is that rare place where you can leave with a 72-pack of granola bars, a TV, and a wheel of cheese — and still feel like you saved money. But behind the towering pallets and industrial-sized jars of peanut butter, there’s a quiet system at work — a set of strategies, signals, and quirks that regulars swear by — and newbies usually miss. 

Here are 12 Costco secrets employees don’t share with you. 

Ever feel like the toilet paper was in one aisle last week and now it's hiding behind camping gear? That’s not an accident. Costco frequently moves items around to create a "treasure hunt" experience so that members can explore aisles they might otherwise skip, which is a nice way of saying: you’ll get lost and accidentally buy a kayak. 

Employees call it “the Death Star” — the asterisk in the top corner of the price tag, which means the item is discontinued, limited, or just not coming back. Costco typically caps its inventory to 3,800 different items at a time, given the limited space in its warehouses, and some things have to go. 

 So if you spot a star on something you like, don’t hesitate — stock up now or spend the next six months scouring the internet for it like a fool. 

That famous $4.99 chicken isn’t making Costco money. In fact, they’re bleeding money on it — it’s what retailers call a “loss leader,” a product sold below cost to draw you in. Once you're in the store for the chicken, chances are you'll leave with a few more things you didn’t plan on buying. So you come for the chicken, you leave with a sauna for four and a printer. 

We all know a price ending in .99 is a psychological trick—meant to convince you you’re getting a deal, when really, you’re just paying full price with flair. But at Costco, you’ll spot unhinged endings like .97, .88, or even .00 that make you wonder: what is happening here? Costco uses these price codes to quietly communicate what's going on with the product. A price ending in .97 means the item is on clearance. And if you see .00 or .88, it usually means a manager stepped in — maybe the item is discontinued, returned, or just needs to get off the shelf. It’s not quite spy-level intel, but once you know what to look for, it’s like unlocking a secret menu of savings.

You think you’re snacking for free, but Costco’s betting on impulse buying. Those little bites of ravioli and tiny cups of juice are a carefully planned strategy and bet. The companies behind the products actually pay to hand out those bite-sized portions, banking on the idea that once you taste it, you’ll toss a bulk pack into your cart. 

If an item you purchased goes on sale within 30 days, Costco will refund the difference. No need to haul the item back — just bring your receipt to the customer service desk. 

Costco doesn’t keep backup stock hidden in a backroom. What you see on the floor is what they’ve got. So if you’re eyeing that last giant teddy bear, don’t wait — someone else is probably eyeing it, too. 

Costco opens later than most supermarkets — usually around 10 a.m.— and no, it’s not because everyone’s sleeping in. It’s just smart. The later start gives employees time to stock the shelves and get things in order without weaving around early birds on a mission to get the worm.

If you’re not thrilled with your Costco membership, you can cancel it anytime and get a full refund. It’s part of their satisfaction guarantee. Just don’t treat it like a seasonal subscription — Costco does keep an eye on repeat offenders.

Costco’s in-house brand, Kirkland Signature, isn’t some mystery label. In many cases, it’s made by the same manufacturers behind the big names — batteries by Duracell, diapers from the Huggies factory, coffee roasted by Starbucks. Costco keeps that quiet to avoid clashing with brand partners, but the quality’s there. You’re often getting the same product, minus the branding — and the markup. 

Check the bottom right corner of the price tag — you’ll usually see a date there. That’s when the item was last marked down. If it’s been sitting for a while, another price cut could be coming soon. 

What’s in your Costco depends on your ZIP code. Regional buyers tailor inventory to local tastes, laws, and demographics. Sushi in California, gumbo in Louisiana. Booze in some states, nada in others.