Millionaire reveals simple Costco 'cents' hack and it might change how you shop there forever

Costco is the preferred shopping destination for millions of Americans, known for its bulk deals, quality store-brand products, and generous return policy. From groceries and electronics to furniture and clothing, it offers significant value for those willing to buy in larger quantities. But while the warehouse layout and steep discounts attract savvy consumers, there are lesser-known tricks that can make the experience even more cost-effective. One of them involves understanding the hidden clues printed on the store’s price tags, as explained by self-described millionaire Mark Tilbury on his TikTok @marktilbury. He breaks it down with one simple system, and it’s all in the cents.

In the video, which has now been viewed widely, Tilbury begins, "Five price hacks you can use in Costco to save money." He explains how the last two digits of a price tag can tell you everything you need to know about the product’s status, going step by step through the code. According to Tilbury, prices ending in .99 represent regular pricing. "No rush to buy it," he explains. If a product ends in .97, Tilbury notes that this means the item is on sale. "It could be worth buying," he adds, implying that these markdowns are often meant to clear out remaining inventory.

Sharing the third price hack, Tilbury says that if a product "ends in a .39, .49, or a .79, it's a manufacturer special, so check their website and compare prices." Next, he shares one of the more overlooked clues: the presence of a star or an asterisk printed on the price tag. "It won’t be restocked," Tilbury explains, suggesting that if a customer likes the product, they should consider buying it before it's gone. Finally, if the price ends in .00, Tilbury says that’s a manager’s special. "These hidden gems are so rare I couldn't even spot one today," he says. These are often deep discounts on returned or display items and may only be available at certain locations. 

While his guide focuses on Costco, the concept of pricing codes isn't unique to one store. According to Rather Be Shopping, many major retailers use internal pricing codes to signal whether an item is full price, discounted, or marked for clearance. For example, at Sam’s Club, a price ending in .01 usually indicates clearance, while shelf tags labeled with a "C" often mean the item will no longer be restocked. Even at Target and Walmart, specific number endings like .88 or .04 can reflect different levels of markdowns. 

The video’s straightforward breakdown was met with appreciation in the comments, especially from viewers who said they’ve been shopping at Costco for years without realizing what the pricing cues meant. @pi_63122 commented, "You have to look at the prices at the bottom. They are small but show the real pricing at Costco because they have VAT." @solarcars0 added, "Don’t even have a Costco in my country but I still watched the whole thing." @bee.pks said, “Me saving the video so I can watch it in Costco where there’s never any signal." @pinnochiogoldenlie6 noted, "The fact that he knows this and exposes the knowledge to us in his content is epic." @a.c1575 argued, saying, "Listed prices never mattered to me. It’s always what I deem the value of the product is on my own if it’s worth buying."

You can follow Mark Tilbury (@marktilbury) on TikTok for more money-saving tips.