Secret store price codes revealed

ORLANDO, Fla. – Imagine always getting the cheapest prices and knowing what's going on clearance. Now, there is a way to ensure you don't pay full price.

Kyle James, of "Rather Be Shopping," cracked several stores price tag codes so you know if what you are buying is on sale, clearance or full-price.

"It's a great feeling you kind of have a one-up on the stores," James said.

Here's how it works. Look at the price tag and focus on the cents.

"It's important to pay attention to the dollars, but this tip is all about the cents," James said. "If you know the cents at certain stores you can determine if you're getting a good deal or not."

James says at Target:

• If the price ends in .99 you are paying full price
  
• If price ends in .98 it is a markdown
  
• If it ends in .04 it is a final markdown
  

Shopper Kim Rugh says she has heard of this before for other stores, but not Target.

"I did not know that. I heard at the gap if it ends in 97 that is as low as it will go. I did know that for another store, but not for Target," Rugh said.

According to James, stores like Costco, The Home Depot and JC Penney all use the same method -- you have to look at the cents to determine the deal you're getting.

At Sears, if price ends in .88, it's the best price. If it ends in .97, it's a discontinued item on clearance and if it's .99, it is full price.

Brandy Carter said she was also caught by surprise and didn't know some stores have a pricing code.

What if it goes on sale the next day but you already bought it?

"I take the receipt in and usually within 30 days -- sometimes 90 -- depending on the store they will give you the difference," Fosnaugh says.

Rugh says it's frustrating.

"You wish you had a crystal ball, like, if you wait till tomorrow you could save money," Rugh said.

James says if you see "NM" in corner of Kohl's electronic price tag, it means "new markdown,"  and the next day, the price will be cheaper.

Or if you see an asterisk in the upper right corner of a price tag in Costco that means it is the best price you are going to find.

"It's kind of a no-brainer," James said. "Within seconds, you can determine if you're saving money or not."

Find more store pricing secrets from Rather Be Shopping here.