Guide to Sam’s Club Clearance Deals and Discounts
ive home doing the math on my phone like, “Wait, did that actually just happen?”
Since then, I’ve treated Sam’s Club clearance like a sport. I track patterns, test tricks, and yes, I’m that person crouched in the aisle reading price stickers like they’re secret codes. If you’ve ever walked past those yellow tags thinking, “I’ll check that another time,” this is the guide I wish I’d had earlier.
How Sam’s Club Clearance Actually Works
When I first started paying attention, I assumed clearance at Sam’s was random. It’s not. There is a system — it’s just not printed on a big friendly sign.
Here’s what I’ve learned from talking to associates and testing it over and over:
- Clearance is usually store-specific. A chair on clearance in my local club in Texas might be full price in another state. Inventory, local demand, and how fast something sells all matter.
- Markdowns come in waves. I’ve seen items move from small markdown → deeper markdown → “please get this out of here” pricing.
- Seasonal stuff moves fast. Patio furniture, holiday decor, and apparel (especially kids’ clothes) tend to hit clearance hardest and quickest.
Sam’s doesn’t publish an official “markdown schedule,” but after tracking tags for months, I’ve seen the best clearance density on weekday mornings, especially Tuesdays–Thursdays. Weekends are more picked over.
How to Read Sam’s Club Price Tags Like a Pro
When I tested different clubs and compared photos of tags over a few months, patterns started popping up.
Here’s how the price tags usually break down:
The Basics on the Tag
A Sam’s Club price sign typically includes:
- The current price
- The unit price (per ounce, per pound, etc.)
- A description or item name
- A small item number (handy for checking in the app)
The fun part is the subtle stuff.
Watch for These Clearance Clues
In my experience, these patterns show up a lot (though they’re not 100% universal at every club):
- “.91” or “.81” endings
I’ve repeatedly seen “.91” or “.81” at the end of prices on items that are in some stage of markdown. For example, a blender marked at $49.91 that used to be $69.98.
- “.01” endings = often last markdown
When I spot prices ending in .01 — like $19.01 — it’s usually a final or near-final markdown. I once grabbed a Shark vacuum for $99.01 that had been $199.98 a month earlier.
- Yellow or different-colored tags
Some clubs use yellow signs or stickers for clearance. Others stick with white but add a smaller clearance note. On a recent trip, my club had yellow signs on electronics and white signs with a red “Clearance” strip on seasonal items.
- Tiny dates in the corner
Look for a printed date on the sign. When I compared dates, the older ones were more likely to drop in price within a week or two.
Confirm With the App
A trick that’s saved me a lot of time: I scan the barcodes with the Sam’s Club app.
More than once I’ve seen a shelf tag that said, say, $23.91, but the app rang it up as $15.01. Those are magical moments.
Best Times of Year for Sam’s Club Clearance
When I tracked my biggest clearance wins over a full year, there were definite hot zones.
1. Post-Holiday Clearout
Right after major holidays — especially Christmas, Easter, and Halloween — is when I’ve seen some of the steepest markdowns:
- Wrapping paper and decor at 50–75% off
- Holiday snacks and gift sets heavily discounted
- Artificial trees dropping dramatically around late December and early January
The National Retail Federation has reported for years that retailers aggressively clear seasonal inventory to make room for the next cycle, and Sam’s follows that playbook hard.[^nrf]
2. End of Seasons
Every few months, there’s a big shift:
- Late January–February: Fitness gear, winter clothing, heaters
- Late July–August: Patio sets, grills, outdoor cushions
- September–October: Back-to-school, some electronics, storage items
I scored a 4-piece patio set that started at $899 down to $399.91 in late August — and the associate quietly told me, “If this sits one more week, it’ll probably drop again.” He was right; it hit $299.01, but by then they were gone.
3. End of Model Cycles (Electronics & Appliances)
Big brands roll out new models on pretty predictable cycles. When I cross-checked TV and laptop release timelines with markdowns in club, I noticed they often clearance:
- Older TV models right before or during major events like Super Bowl season
- Laptops and tablets when back-to-school pushes are winding down
Tech sites like CNET and Wirecutter track release cycles closely, and Sam’s tends to align clearance with those transitions.[^cnet]
Hidden Spots Where Clearance Loves to Hide
I used to think clearance would be gathered in one big, obvious section. It’s rarely that nice.
Here’s where I’ve consistently found the best deals:
1. Back of the Club & Endcaps
Walk the perimeter. Many clubs push bulky clearance items — furniture, seasonal decor, big appliances — to the back walls.
Endcaps (the ends of aisles) are also prime clearance territory. I found a massive multi-pack of name-brand razors there once for less than the price of a single pack at a drugstore.
2. Near Seasonal & Garden Sections
Right after the season flips, I’ve seen:
- Plants and planters drastically reduced
- Outdoor rugs
- Lights and lawn decor
One spring, I grabbed a 9-foot patio umbrella for $39.91 that had been close to $120 just weeks earlier.
3. Apparel and Shoes
The clothing section can look chaotic, but it’s worth digging when you have time:
- Kids’ PJs and basics often hit clearance after major holidays
- Branded athletic wear and shoes get heavily markdown when they’re changing styles
When I tested timing on this, I consistently saw the best apparel markdowns right after the season change (Winter → Spring, etc.).
Stacking Savings: Clearance + Membership Perks
This is where things can get kind of ridiculous in a good way.
Use the Sam’s Club App
The app isn’t just for Scan & Go (though that’s amazing when the club’s packed). Here’s how I use it with clearance:
- Scan items to check for hidden markdowns
- Watch for “Instant Savings” offers that stack on top of already reduced items
- Compare in-club price vs online price, which is sometimes different
Plus Membership & Cashback
When I upgraded to a Sam’s Club Plus membership, I mainly did it for free shipping and early shopping hours. But the 2% rewards on qualifying purchases occasionally hit clearance items too (though not always — it depends on the category and current promos).
Over a year, those rewards added up to cover a chunk of my renewal. Sam’s itself highlights this in its membership breakdown.[^sams]
Manufacturer Coupons & Rebates
Sometimes you’ll see a brand-funded markdown layered on top of Sam’s own discount. Not every deal stacks, but when it does, that’s when you start getting “Is this a typo?” prices.
Pros and Cons of Hunting Sam’s Clearance
I’m obviously a fan, but it’s not all wins.
The Upsides
- Crazy value on big-ticket items (furniture, electronics, seasonal)
- Quality brands at yard-sale prices
- Chance to stock up on things you’ll definitely use later (like cleaning supplies or pantry staples)
The Downsides
- Inconsistent inventory. What I find at my club may not exist at yours.
- No guarantees on restocks. If you wait for another markdown, it might just vanish.
- Easy to impulse-buy. I’ve had to put things back and ask, “Do I need this or am I just hypnotized by the price tag?”
Balanced takeaway from my experience: clearance is fantastic for things you already want or need, and dangerous for random “well, maybe someday” stuff.
Practical Strategy: How I Shop Clearance Without Wasting Time
Here’s the simple routine that’s worked best for me:
- Start with a loose list. I walk in knowing what categories I care about (e.g., storage bins, kids’ clothes, office supplies).
- Quick perimeter loop. I hit the back walls, seasonal, and endcaps first — fastest way to scan for yellow tags and weird price endings.
- Scan suspiciously low prices. If a deal looks “off,” I scan it in the app. I’ve found hidden markdowns this way more times than I can count.
- Set a mental spending cap. I give myself a clearance budget, so I’m choosing the best deals, not all the deals.
- Walk away from maybes. My personal rule: if I wouldn’t buy it at regular sale price from another store, I don’t buy it just because it’s clearance at Sam’s.
When I stuck to that system for 3 months, my Sam’s receipts went down, but my “wow that was an insane deal” wins actually went up, because I was more selective.
If you start treating Sam’s Club clearance like a game of pattern recognition instead of a random treasure hunt, you’ll spot the good stuff faster — and walk out feeling like you hacked the warehouse.
Next time you’re there, slow down by the back walls and endcaps, scan a few suspicious tags, and see what your club is secretly trying to get rid of. Odds are, there’s at least one deal sitting there that’ll make you double-check the price.
Sources
- National Retail Federation – Seasonal and Holiday Trends - Data on how retailers handle seasonal inventory and markdowns
- CNET – TV Buying Guide and Release Cycles - Background on electronics model timing and deals
- Sam’s Club – Membership Types and Benefits - Official breakdown of Plus and Club membership perks
- Consumer Reports – How to Find the Best Deals on Appliances - General guidance on timing big-ticket purchases
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Consumer Expenditures - Context on household spending and how savings on bulk/clearance can add up
