00:0010 Things Costco Employees Know That Most Shoppers Never Hear
00:04Costco Food Court sold a record 358,000 whole pizzas on Halloween 2024,
00:12revealing the massive systems behind the warehouse giant.
00:16Beneath the bulk deals is a coded structure employees use every day.
00:20Price tags, inventory rules, and timing windows that quietly shape real savings.
00:25Staff say understanding these signals can save hundreds each year.
00:30Here's what's really happening inside Costco and why it matters.
00:34Prices ending in 0.97 signal a final markdown.
00:38Employees know these items will not be discounted further and are often not restocked.
00:43Waiting usually means missing out entirely, so staff buy immediately when they see this price code.
00:49An asterisk on a price tag means the item is discontinued.
00:53Once current inventory sells out, it will not return to that warehouse.
00:57Employees treat this as a true last chance, while many shoppers mistakenly expect restocks.
01:04Standard Costco prices end in 99.
01:07Prices ending in 0.0 indicate manager-approved clearance unique to that warehouse.
01:13These localized markdowns can offer exceptional value but vary by location.
01:18Prices ending in 9, such as 0.89 or 0.79, reflect manufacturer-funded promotions.
01:24These discounts run on predictable cycles and disappear quickly once the promotion ends.
01:31Employees time purchases around these brand schedules.
01:34January is Costco's deepest discount period.
01:38Post-holiday returns and inventory resets force warehouses to clear electronics, apparel, and home goods.
01:45Employees often save 30-50% by planning big purchases during this window.
01:52Bakery items must cool below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, 26.7 degrees Celsius, before packaging.
01:59Packaging warm goods traps moisture and causes mold.
02:03What feels like reduced freshness is actually a quality and safety standard across all warehouses.
02:08In 14 U.S. states, alcohol can legally be purchased without a Costco membership.
02:14Employees regularly see non-members enter solely for alcohol, especially around holidays, saving on membership fees.
02:22In August, 2024, Costco enforced stricter photo ID checks at entrances to stop card sharing.
02:29Employees report increased enforcement and reduced tolerance for shared memberships.
02:33Most items rotate into sales every 4-8 weeks.
02:37Employees wait for predictable price drops rather than buying at full price, often saving 20-40% without risking clearance sellouts.
02:46Food court demand peaks Thursday through Sunday, with wait times reaching 45 minutes.
02:51Employees avoid these windows and order pizza on quieter weekdays for faster service.
Comments