What The 'Costco Death Star' Actually Means For Customers

It's doubtful that your average grocery store-goer keeps their eyes peeled for subtle hints while shopping, but honestly, it might be a good idea to start. According to Taste of Home, there's a lot to learn by studying Walmart price tags. For instance, the final number on the price tag indicates how many times you should expect the item to be marked down. If it ends in "seven," it likely means the product is selling for full price, and if it ends in "five," it's probably been marked down some, though it's possible the price could drop even lower. The key is to search for price tags ending in "zero" or "one" — these have likely reached their lowest price and could even be pulled from shelves soon.

Additionally, if you're a regular Target shopper, you should hit the store on Tuesdays for the best deals on food (per Tasting Table). Apparently, several items are marked down by 30%, 50%, or even 70% depending on how long they've been in stock. Other discounts can be found on women's clothing and pet supplies are also cheaper on Tuesdays (via Taste of Home). On top of saving money, you also don't want to miss out on products that could be pulled soon, which is why it's a good idea to learn a vital Costco secret.

There are many reasons one may wait to buy a product, but it's important not to wait too long lest it be sold out or discontinued for good. Similarly to items at Walmart, the key is to observe the price tag (per Eat This, Not That!). If a Costco product is on its way out, the tag will have an asterisk in its upper-right-hand corner. Shoppers have appropriately named this symbol the "death star," as it indicates the particular store won't be reordering the item once it's gone.

Once again just like Walmart, the numbers at the end of the price tags have meaning. According to The Kitchn, items on clearance end in seven or zero. If the product ends in nine, it's being sold at a regular price. Additionally, the date on the price tag will inform you of when the item was last discounted. If it's been quite some time, you may want to wait to buy it, as another price drop could be in the product's future. However, make sure you don't wait until there's a death star, or you may miss out on it completely.