If you enjoy shopping at Costco but find yourself constantly overspending, you are not alone. We all fall into the traps of retail and its psychological tricks to get us to buy things we don’t need right now or in larger quantities than what an average American household requires.
We have good news: there is a foolproof way to save money at this department store behemoth, and most people overlook it. One might think the trick is to always use Kirkland Signature products, which is a good place to start. Let’s start there and then move on to the trick you should be looking for the next time you visit your local Costco.
First things first: Kirkland products are just as good as the big name brands, and they’re worth a fraction
Purchasing a supermarket brand can be risky because many people believe they are low-quality products with close expiration dates. Don’t worry, because those are just unfounded fears with little basis. Famous brands may be more appealing in terms of packaging and marketing, but those are also two of the factors that contribute to their pricing.
Kirkland Signature is more than just a generic brand. In fact, many of their products are manufactured by the same companies that make the top brands, but at significantly lower prices. This is due to Costco’s elimination of marketing and advertising costs, which allows it to provide premium quality to its customers at a lower cost.
Kirkland Signature olive oil is regarded as one of the best in its category, rivaling premium brands such as Bertolli and Filippo Berio, but at a much lower cost. Kirkland paper towels are also comparable in quality to top brands such as Bounty or Charmin, but at a much lower cost.
There are also grains, preserves, protein bars, cereals, beauty products, drinks, and even clothing (there are literally thousands of products, making it impossible to list them all). Kirkland products can save you up to 20-30% over well-known brands while maintaining quality and sourcing, as their lines range from basic foods to household or automotive items.
The real secret to take advantage: Look for the number 7 and the asterisk
The secret is to take advantage of prices that end in.97. Yes, those seemingly insignificant numbers on product labels are a key indicator of savings. When you see a price that ends in.97, it indicates that the item is on clearance and will most likely not be available again at that price.
These discounts are typically offered to products that are about to go out of season, have new packaging, or the warehouse simply wants to get rid of inventory. For example, if you see a package of bath towels marked at $19.97, it’s probably on sale and a deal you won’t find again.
But that is not all. Another tip that few people know is to pay attention to the asterisks (*) on price tags. If you see an asterisk in the upper right corner of the label, it indicates that the product will not be restocked once it has sold out. This is a sign to buy it right away if it is something you need, because there will be no second chances.
