If you’re someone who loves shopping at Costco, but feels like you’re always spending more than you planned, well, you’re not alone. We all fall again and again into the traps of retail and its psychological tricks to make us throw things into the cart that we do not need at the moment, or in larger quantities than what is usually needed in an average American home.
Well we have good news: there is a foolproof trick to save money at this department store giant, and most people ignore it. One might think the trick is to always opt for Kirkland Signature products, and it’s actually a good starting point. Let’s start there and then get to the trick you should really be looking at the next time you go to your local Costco.
First things first: Kirkland products are just as good as the big name brands, and they’re worth a fraction
Choosing to buy a supermarket brand can be a bit dubious, because many people believe that they are products of poor quality, or with expiration dates that are too close. Well, don’t worry, because those are nothing more than unfounded fears and they don’t have much basis. It may be that famous brands can be more attractive in packaging and marketing, but those are precisely two of the elements that drive up their prices.
Kirkland Signature is not just another generic brand. In fact, many of their products are manufactured by the same companies that produce the leading brands, but are sold at significantly lower prices. This is because Costco eliminates marketing and advertising costs, offering its customers premium quality at a reduced cost.
Kirkland Signature olive oil is considered one of the best in its category, comparable to premium brands such as Bertolli or Filippo Berio, but at a much more affordable price. You can also find Kirkland paper towels that are equal in quality to top brands like Bounty or Charmin, but cost a fraction of the price.
There are also grains, preserves, protein bars, cereals, beauty products, drinks, and even clothing (but there’s like thousands of products, impossible to mention them all). When purchasing Kirkland products, you can save up to 20-30% compared to well-known brands, without sacrificing quality and sourcing because 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 ending in .97. Yes, those seemingly insignificant numbers on product labels are a key sign to saving. When you see a price that ends in .97, it means the item is on clearance sale, and you probably won’t find it at that price again.
These discounts usually apply to products that are about to go out of season, have renewed packaging, or the warehouse simply wants to get rid of inventory. For example, if you find a package of bath towels marked at $19.97, there’s a good chance it’s on sale and a bargain you’ll never see again.
But that’s not all. Another trick that few 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 means the product will not be restocked once it is sold out. This is a sign to buy it immediately if it is something you need, because there will be no second chance.
