Outline
- • What clearance appears online
- • What is warehouse-only
- • Why prices differ
- • Why .97 behaves differently in-store
- • How to check both efficiently
Costco operates two separate inventory systems: Costco.com and physical warehouses. They don't sync the way you'd expect.
This creates confusion. An item on clearance in your local warehouse might be full price online. Or vice versa. Here's how it actually works.
What Clearance Appears Online
Costco.com has its own clearance system:
- •Items from Costco's online-only inventory
- •Seasonal items being phased out
- •Occasional warehouse overstock
- •Vendor closeouts
Online clearance is centralized and consistent. If it's on clearance online, everyone sees the same price.
What Is Warehouse-Only
Most clearance happens in-warehouse and never appears online:
- •.97 manager markdowns
- •.00 final closeouts
- •.88 local discounts
- •Floor models
- •Returned items with damaged packaging
- •Location-specific overstock
This is where the deepest discounts are.
Why Prices Differ
The pricing disconnect happens because:
Different Inventory
- •Warehouses stock different items than online
- •Online has exclusive products
- •Warehouses have regional variations
Different Pricing Authority
- •Online pricing is centralized
- •Warehouse managers control local markdowns
- •Clearance decisions are made independently
Different Inventory Pressure
- •Warehouses need floor space immediately
- •Online can hold inventory longer
- •Physical space constraints drive aggressive markdowns
Result: The same item can be full price online and .97 in your warehouse.
Why .97 Behaves Differently In-Store
The .97 price code is primarily a warehouse tool:
- •In-warehouse: .97 is the standard clearance marker
- •Online: .97 is rare and doesn't always mean clearance
- •In-warehouse: .97 items sell out fast
- •Online: .97 items may stay in stock longer
When you see .97 in a warehouse, act fast. Online, you usually have more time.
How to Check Both Efficiently
For Online Clearance
- •Use a price tracker like CostLow to monitor automatically
- •Check Costco.com's "Warehouse Savings" section
- •Browse by category and sort by price
- •Set up alerts for items you're watching
For Warehouse Clearance
- •Visit weekly if possible
- •Check endcaps first
- •Look for price tags ending in .97, .00, or .88
- •Ask staff about upcoming markdowns
- •Go during off-peak hours to browse thoroughly
Combined Strategy
- •Let automation handle online tracking
- •Focus manual effort on in-warehouse hunting
- •Check both before making big purchases
- •Don't assume online and warehouse prices match
Which Has Better Deals?
Generally, warehouses have deeper clearance:
- •Warehouse clearance: 30-70% off common
- •Online clearance: 15-40% off typical
- •Warehouse: More aggressive on big items (furniture, TVs)
- •Online: Better for small items you can ship
But online is easier to track and you don't have to visit in person.
Can You Price Match?
Costco does not price match between online and warehouse:
- •If it's cheaper online, buy it online
- •If it's cheaper in-warehouse, buy it there
- •They're treated as separate inventories
Exception: If you buy online and the price drops within 30 days, you can request a price adjustment.
FAQ
Why is an item on clearance in-store but full price online?
Warehouse managers control local clearance independently. Your warehouse may need to clear inventory that's not a priority for Costco.com's central inventory.
Can I order warehouse clearance items online?
No. Warehouse clearance is in-store only. If it's not listed on Costco.com, you can't order it online even if it's in your local warehouse.
Do all warehouses have the same clearance items?
No. Clearance is hyper-local. Each warehouse has different inventory and different clearance timing. An item on clearance in one location may be full price or out of stock in another.
Should I check online before going to the warehouse?
Yes, but don't rely on it. Online inventory doesn't reflect warehouse stock or clearance. Check online for deals, but still browse in-warehouse for the best clearance finds.
