Costco’s clearest documented price-tag clues are .97, a buyer markdown; .00, a warehouse markdown; and an asterisk, a sign that an item is pending deletion, recently discontinued or inactive. The asterisk is a stock-status mark, not necessarily a sale signal. These definitions come from Costco’s 2018 employee orientation magazine, so treat them as useful clues—not a guarantee of the item’s price, availability or future.
What does .97 mean on a Costco price tag?
Costco’s 2018 Orientation Magazine says a price ending in .97 means “the item has been marked down by a buyer.” That identifies the markdown as buyer-driven, but the guide does not specify the discount amount or say the item will be discontinued at every warehouse.
What does .00 mean?
The same guide says “A .00 refers to a warehouse markdown.” That distinguishes it from a buyer markdown. It does not establish that a .00 price is always the lowest possible price, a final sale or the same at every Costco location.
What does the asterisk mean?
According to Costco’s 2018 employee guide, an asterisk in the upper-right corner of an item description or price sign means the item is “pending delete, recently has been discontinued or has become inactive.” In practical terms, it is a status clue: the item may not be part of the warehouse’s ongoing assortment. It does not, by itself, mean the price has been reduced.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- UNPARALLELED EASE OF USE: Effortlessly dominate your pricing tasks with the Perco Lite Kit, featuring a seamless mechanism for quick operation and user-friendly design that eliminates tedious label and ink roll loading. Grab yours today and experience labeling made easy!
- COMPLETE PRICING SOLUTION: Packed with all the essentials, the Perco Lite Price Kit includes a sleek, brand new one-line pricing gun, 5,000 blank white price labels, an instruction manual, a label scraper, 2 inkers, and a gun clip, so you’re ready for business right out of the box! Plus, the Perco Lite gun comes pre-loaded with a roll of labels and an ink roll, ensuring hassle-free setup and immediate usability.
- LIGHTWEIGHT YET POWERFUL: Designed for lighter applications like garage sales and fairs, this powerhouse offers a delicate touch combined with robust performance, making it the ultimate choice for savvy entrepreneurs seeking efficiency and reliability.
- PROFESSIONAL RESULTS: Command attention with crisp, professional-looking labels produced by the Perco Lite Kit, delivering clear and sticky labels that adhere flawlessly to your products, ensuring your merchandise stands out from the competition.
- UNBEATABLE VALUE: Don’t break the bank for quality labeling! The Perco Lite Kit offers unparalleled durability, functionality, and peace of mind with its two year warranty! Invest in excellence today and watch your business thrive!
How to read the marks together
Read the price ending and the asterisk as separate signals. The ending may indicate a type of markdown; the asterisk indicates an item-status condition. One does not automatically imply the other.
- .97: buyer markdown, according to Costco’s 2018 guide.
- .00: warehouse markdown, according to the same guide.
- Asterisk: pending deletion, recently discontinued or inactive, according to the guide.
A sign describes the marked item at that warehouse. It does not prove that another location has the same stock or price, or predict when a price will change.
Rank #2
- For Home and Small Business: Prints 3/4" - 2" wide labels; ideal for home organization (storage bins, bottle, jar, food container, etc.), small business (address, product info, QR Code, barcode, brand logo, etc.), or school and office supplies (name tag, folder, documentation, etc.)
- Versatile App Editing Function: Easily add images from your phone, tablet or PC; customize your labels with 30+ fonts, 50+ frames, and 660+ icons; all free to use
- Enhanced Image Quality: The App delivers precise image processing capabilities, resulting in a high-resolution and clear output; enhanced aesthetic appeal, formality, and richness
- Easy to Use: The APP is completely free, requires no registration; features auto label size recognition; no ink or toner needed; create labels quickly and easily
- Versatile Label Compatiblity: Compatible with square, round, address, cable, jewelry and file labels, to meet all your needs; ensuring a perfect fit for any project; keeps everything neat and tidy
Are other Costco price endings official codes?
The Costco guide reviewed defines .97 and .00, but not endings such as .99, .88, .49, .79 or .89. SeattlePI’s 2026 coverage reports interpretations of some endings from shoppers, social-media creators and people identified as Costco employees; it is not a current public Costco code chart. Treat more detailed claims about these endings as informal rather than universal rules.
The same caution applies to reported tips about sign colors or small printed dates. SeattlePI reports that green signs identify organic products and that a small date is when the sign was printed, based on social-media explanations. Costco’s 2018 guide does not verify those details, so they should not be treated as confirmed company-wide policy.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【For Small Business, Home and Office】The M100 Portable label maker machine with tape supports a versatile printing width range from 0.78" to 2" ,It‘s suitable for small business such as creating address labels, barcodes, logos, and QR codes. At home, it's ideal for organizing jars, storage bins, and containers. In the office, it easily handles folders and documentation, while in school, M100 bluetooth label maker Typewriters great for printing name labels and identifying various school supplies
- 【Effortless Connectivity】The M100 Bluetooth Thermal label maker is compatible with Android, iOS, and PC. For iOS & Android mobile phone, Simply download the "Print Master" app from Google Play or the App Store for mobile printing via Bluetooth. For PC, visit the official website to download drivers and the "Labelife" APP for PC, connecting via USB for instant prints
- 【Powerful App】Unleash your imagination with the address label maker, which offers over 6,000 icons, 3000+templates, and 300 fonts. This bluetooth label maker allows you to customize and edit labels, supporting various features such as barcode labels, QR codes, borders, text, time, tables，Tips:Diamond-marked templates in Print Master APP are for premium members only; all others are no charge.
- 【Portable Label Maker】This barcode label maker weighs only 0.6 pounds can be easily stored in a bag, so you can print anytime, anywhere. The address label maker is equipped with an NTC temperature sensorfor extended battery life and safer charging
- 【High-quality Printing】M100 label printer use Direct Thermal Technology to achieve printing speed of 20mm/s, churning out up to 4200 labels on a single charge with stunning 203 DPI resolution – all without the hassle of ink or toner. Plus, enjoy smart first-label rewinding for optimized usage and minimal waste
Rank #4
- 2026 New Version: Compared with traditional label makers, Nelko P21 handheld label maker has half the weight and size, making it smaller, smarter, and ultra-portable. The wireless Bluetooth label maker can slip into your pocket, allowing you to print anytime, anywhere. For great printing results, we recommend using our NELKO thermal label paper. Important Note for iOS Users: Please make sure you have updated your Nelko P21 app to the latest version (V4.8.0) for a great experience
- High-quality Printing: The P21 label maker features BPA-Free Direct Thermal Technology. Equipped with high-speed chips and 203 DPI, the P21 label maker delivers high-definition printing without ink or toner, perfect for back to school supplies. The label maker comes with a long-lasting built-in rechargeable battery for extended use. This label maker prints in monochrome (black text only), and you can create color labels by using color pattern label tapes. Note: Charging adapter not included
- Easy to Use: NELKO label printer connects with iOS & Android phones via Bluetooth. Step 1: Download "Nelko" app from Google Play or App Store. Step 2: Install paper roll. Step 3: Connect P21 via Bluetooth in the APP. Step 4: Choose a quick template and print. It is not compatible with Google Pixel phones running Android 14. This label maker's APP includes 3600+ icons, 700+ borders, 5500+ materials, 750+ templates, 29 languages. Note: This label maker doesn't work with computers
- Multiple Creative Functions & Templates: This app for the label maker provides various features and templates, making it easy to create various designed label stickers in the App with text, QR code, barcode, materials, images, time and borders, etc. The length of labels is fixed, including 14×40mm, 14×50mm, 14×75mm, and more. Please do not tear or damage the green sticker on the back of the label strip, otherwise it will affect the printing effect. Note: Continuous label tapes are not supported
- Design Your Own Labels: This label maker machine with tape is widely used at home, in the office, and at school. At home, it helps organize clothes, food storage, cosmetics, and mailings. In the office, it is ideal for notebook tags, price tags, reminder labels, and other office supplies. At school, it supports teachers and students with name tags, item identification, and classroom organization. You can also use it to create unique back-to-school decorations and fun school supplies for kids
Rank #3
- 【 PREFERENTIAL KIT OF PRICE GUN】You can get one 1pc x MX5500 1line 8 Digits Tag Gun for grocery (Blue, Yellow, Red); 3pcs x Spare quality refill ink rolls. 5500 x Label Paper/ label gun stickers that fit perfectly for smooth operation and print alignment.
- 【8 BANDS OF OPTIONS】 The label gun kit is equipped with 1 Line system and support 8 Currency for your specific need: Dollar, RMB, HKD, TWD, the Euro ect. 8 bits Label size: 21x12 (mm). Make it Easily visible numbers and signs for accuracy when making multiple price stickers.
- 【DON’T NEED INSTALLATION】Tag gun with tags With a simple squeeze of the trigger, the sprocket grasps a label and advances it. The print head is then brought into contact with the ink roller creating a perfect imprint against the label. Quickly out of the label paper. The Markers can be up to 6X faster than marking products by hand and enhance your working efficiency.
- 【QUALITY TAG GUN】Premium quality make the price gun label more solid and durable. Stamp style press leaves a smooth and detailed number value on every tag you dispense.The print head is then brought into contact with the ink roller creating a perfect imprint against the label.
- 【IDEAL FOR BUSINESS】Tag+gun Stylish & Durable design price gun can be perfect for for Office, Retail Shop, Grocery Store, Organization Marking and used to print price, product code. The most convenient tool for all vendors to own.
What the signs cannot tell you
- They do not establish a percentage discount or guarantee that a price is the lowest available.
- An asterisk does not establish that the item is on sale.
- They do not reveal the exact quantity left, guarantee availability at another warehouse or predict a future markdown.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
