Posted on 04/21/2014 7:21:31 PM PDT by rickmichaels
NEW YORK — As superstore pricing mysteries go, it’s not the equivalent of “The Da Vinci Code,” but there’s still something deliciously elusive about the so-called “Costco Code” that has set the tongues of shopping mavens wagging for the past several months.
At least the plot line is direct enough: If you can interpret what the various sequences of digits and asterisks mean on Costco Wholesale Club price signs, you’re on your way to scoring serious bargains.
Here’s how it works, according to Costco shoppers spreading the word online: If a price at Costco ends in .99, you’re paying full price. But if it ends in, say, a .97, it represents a deal with a special price decided by the manager. And if you happen to see an asterisk in the upper right corner of the sign, then the item is on its way out of the store — and probably at the lowest price you’re going to see.
(Excerpt) Read more at business.financialpost.com ...
The asterisk thing is true AFAIK, I asked what it was about (suspected it was a “DNI”, which is what Sam’s does), and it was verified. This was last year sometime. The reason for my suspicion was that the price of whatever it was, was loooow.
but if you know your prices, you know you're prices...no matter what they post, you know if its good or not...
bttt
Bump for later
I bought some mouthwash from Wal-Mart a while back. Notice the "Alcohol free" print.
We are members of all 3 clubs (BJs, Sam’s and Costco.). Good for some things...
Now notice the list of ingredients on back.
“DNI” = Do Not Inventory
Usually a display sample or something like that.
Walmart has some of the highest prices in the industry. They have lower prices that they advertise. But they more than make up for it on the other items.
He says that Home Depot uses green tags for discounts. I’ve never seen a green tag; it’s yellow in CA at least and sometimes it’s a real winner. I’ve seen top-quality flooring marked down from $2.99/SF to 50c/SF when it’s being discontinued.
With Amazon caving in on sales taxes and prices rising significantly even without the sales taxes, Amazon Prime isn’t making as much sense as it used to - in some cases I’m paying more buying through Amazon than I would to buy at Walmart or Costco. Guess I’m going to have to learn these Costo codes and get a membership.
Bookmark
Although to an organic chemist benzyl alcohol, menthol, propylene glycol and sorbitol are certainly alcohols, nevertheless when a label says “alcohol free” they are referring to ethanol specifically, and indeed, this product does not list ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol) as an ingredient.
That’s like seeing Domino marketing “Carbonfree” sugar... I was like, “Uh? I guess people are really that stupid.”
I learned the hard waa when hooked on a product load up if you see the dreaded asterisk.
I’ll have to stick to Amazon, the other stores just are to far to drive, the products are cheap junk, they don’t carry my shoe size. And a few more reasons. Like MY GUN is not welcome. Malls are NOT handicapped Friendly places. I need a electric cart. OR shopping is a no go event, to much pain trying to walk with several popped disc in your back. All UN fixable thanks to OP.
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