- I shop at Costco weekly for my family, which has given me a unique perspective on store operations.
- In my experience, the best days for new deals are Mondays, as sales typically end on Sundays.
I'm an avid online shopper, but there is one store I love to visit often: Costco. For almost two years now, I've made weekly trips to the warehouse to shop for my family.
These regular visits have given me a unique perspective on the store's operations: I've learned valuable tips that many Costco members might not know, which has helped me save hundreds of dollars.
If you also want to maximize your Costco membership and save money, here's what I suggest.
Shoppers should keep an eye out for manager markdowns exclusive to their local warehouse
Part of the thrill for a Costco shopper is you never know what you'll find in the warehouse.
This means not all deals are listed online. During my many trips, I've learned to look at tags for markdowns — especially in the home goods and electronics sections.
I've seen display models for sale at a steep discount and handwritten lower prices on the tags of items going out of stock.
Based on what I've observed and reports from Costco employees online, if a price tag ends in .00 or .88, it could be a manager's markdown.
These deals are limited to what's in stock, so if you notice something you want, it's best to grab it immediately.
Product placements can also change frequently, so you may also want to look for items in different spots throughout the store from week to week.
Costco sends daily emails, but keep an eye out for the monthly sales one
Although Costco does not accept or offer traditional coupons, it still offers plenty of sales.
Members can sign up to get emails about daily updates on discounts, but the monthly sales emails highlight the best deals.
In my opinion, the best sales are in the emails with the month in the subject line, as they provide monthly deals.
If scrolling through the daily emails, check the "Hot Warehouse Buys" section for some great in-store sales to add to your list. Watch out for items that don't list a discounted price — some aren't on sale, they're just seasonal or popular.
Mondays are often the best day to shop for deals
If you're looking for new deals and sales, Mondays are a great day to visit the warehouse. Most sales end on Sundays, so you get the first crack at the latest bargains.
I can't speak to every Costco location but when it comes to picking a good time of day to shop, I've found arriving a little after opening (around 11 a.m. or so) is ideal.
That way, I dodge the Instacart shoppers who typically arrive as soon as the store opens, and I'm just in time for free samples. (They start being passed out around 11 at my local Costco.)
Plus, that time is still early enough that I've still been able to snag manager markdowns before they sell out.
If mornings aren't doable, I've found that one hour before closing is the next best shopping time to avoid crowds.