As frequent Costco shoppers will tell you, there’s an art to shopping at the big-box chain. Experienced customers know that the beloved rotisserie chickens are placed at the back of every store so you need to traipse past a bunch of other merchandise to get to them, and they’re also well aware that Costco’s in-house Kirkland brand sells some of the tastiest affordable foods you can find.

Another thing many (but not all) Costco shoppers understand is how to navigate the chain’s tricky price tags. While it may seem like charging $22.99 for a 3-pound tub of chocolate-covered almonds is arbitrary, that price actually tells you quite a bit about that item and its future at Costco. As we’ll explain below, knowing the secret language of Costco’s prices can save you money, while also informing how you shop. Here’s how it works:

Prices That End in “.99” 

If you’ve ever walked around a Costco and really paid attention to the prices, you’ve likely noticed that many items, like the chocolate-covered almonds noted above, have prices that end in “.99”. According to Reddit users, these are full-price or regularly priced items that are likely to remain at Costco for the foreseeable future.

Prices That End in “.97” 

Though the difference may seem small, items with a price that ends in “.97” are in a different category than those with a price that ends in “.99”. A “.97” price is indicative of a “store manager deal,” which is exclusive to that store and likely won’t last for a long period of time. In other words, if you see one of your go-to items with a price that ends in .97, now is your chance to stock up (if possible) and save some money!

Prices That End in “.49” and “.79” 

There’s a bit of a discrepancy on Reddit regarding the exact meaning of items with prices ending in “.49” and “.79”. While these prices can indicate manufacturer special offers, that’s not always the case. 

According to a former category manager at Costco, prices ending in .49, .59, .79, and sometimes even .89, indicate that said item is either seasonal or stocked at Costco on a rotating basis. These prices are typically on items such as name-brand cereal or certain snack products, because Costco can’t mark up branded items over a certain amount. These items are sold at Costco for much less than they would at other retailers, so it’s another indication of some serious savings. Stock up when possible!

Prices That End in “.00”

When an item is priced with an “.00” at the end, this usually means that the product is running low in stock and likely won’t be restocked. Managers price items with an “.00” when they want to sell things quickly, meaning any item with a price ending in “.00” is an indication of a very good deal that won’t last long.

Prices With an Asterisk 

Many Reddit users refer to the asterisk occasionally seen following a Costco price as the “star of death” because it often means that the product will be leaving Costco soon. However, it’s important to note that an asterisk doesn’t mean said item will be vanishing from Costco forever. The asterisk is often used with seasonal items that may only be in stock at certain times during the year (such as Halloween candy or Valentine’s Day treats) and can also be employed when the item hasn’t been reordered yet. Additionally, you may see an asterisk on an item that has or is about to undergo a packaging change, because such a shift requires a different stock keeping unit (SKU).

If you see an asterisk on a beloved item, it’s best to confer with a Costco employee who might be able to provide more details on that item’s status.

Prices With a Green Tag

If you see a green price tag (instead of a white one) on a product, it means the product is organic. You can expect to see green price tags beside certain products in the produce section, of course, but Costco also sells organic coffee products, olive oil, and more. However, not all Costco locations have implemented the use of green price tags, so it’s possible that a product may be organic and still have a white tag. Double-check the label or ask a Costco employee for clarification if you’re unsure about the status of an item.