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Know the Secret Price Codes at Major Retailers to Save More Money


Several popular retailers use "secret" price codes that can clue you in on whether an item is the best deal at the store or not. Here's a handy chart you can use while shopping to decode those numbers.

Here are the pricing structures for Costco, Target, Sam's Club, BJ's, Home Depot, Gap/Old Navy, Sears, and Office Depot. Look for the price on the tag and if it ends in one of these numbers or letters/symbols, you'll know if you're getting a really good deal or just the regular price. (Marked down just means it's on sale, Final Markdown is the lowest price the store will drop it to, Clearance/Discontinued means the store isn't gong to restock it.)

If you only remember one thing, though, just look for the price ending in any number other than 9 or 99, and you'll know you're getting less than full retail price.

Sources for this insider information include Lifehacker readers who responded to our recent Costco secret price code article, the Consumerist blog, warehouse club specialists, and, simply, crazy coupon ladies.