The Secret to Scanning for Markdown Codes at Lowe’s and Home Depot

Whether you’re renovating your home, stocking up on tools, or hunting for deep discounts on seasonal décor, Lowe’s and Home Depot are treasure troves for savvy shoppers. But the real savings are often hidden in plain sight — buried in clearance tags, markdown codes, and unadvertised price drops. In this guide, we’ll show you how to decode these systems, scan for markdowns, and find the best deals in 2025.

🛠️ Why Markdown Codes Matter

Markdown codes are the retailer’s way of labeling and tracking clearance pricing. They help store employees know when an item has been discounted and when it’s due for another markdown. For shoppers in the know, these codes are like a cheat sheet to predict future price drops — and to grab the best bargains before anyone else.

🏷️ How to Spot Lowe’s Markdown Codes

Lowe’s uses yellow clearance tags to indicate markdowns, but the real clues are in the small print. Here’s what to look for:

• Original Price vs. Clearance Price: Displayed side-by-side on the tag.
• Date Field: Shows when the markdown was applied — usually in small print at the bottom right.
• Price Ending: Prices ending in .06 are often final markdowns, while .08 indicates the item will drop again soon.
• Item Number & SKU: Can be used to check inventory online or through the Lowe’s app.

Pro Tip: If you see an .08 ending and there’s still plenty of stock, you can wait — but don’t delay too long or someone else will snag it.

🛒 How to Spot Home Depot Markdown Codes

Home Depot’s clearance tags are orange, but like Lowe’s, the markdown info is in the details:

• Price Ending in .03: Final markdown — lowest price before it’s removed from shelves.
• Price Ending in .06: First markdown — will usually drop again in 6 weeks if stock remains.
• Date on Tag: Indicates when the last markdown happened; helps you anticipate the next one.
• “AS IS” Labels: These items are often discounted more, especially if they are floor models or open-box.

Insider Tip: Scan endcaps in each department — many unmarked clearance deals are tucked away here.

📱 Using Apps to Scan Markdown Codes

Both Lowe’s and Home Depot have mobile apps with barcode scanners. These are essential for uncovering unmarked discounts:

• Download the Lowe’s app and Home Depot app.
• Use the barcode scanner to check real-time pricing — sometimes the system has dropped the price before tags are updated.
• Check if the item is cheaper at another store nearby — some locations run deeper markdowns.

🕒 Best Times to Check for Markdown Updates

Timing is everything. Here’s when markdowns typically happen:

• Lowe’s: Monday and Thursday mornings
• Home Depot: Thursday mornings and occasionally Sunday evenings for seasonal items
• Early mornings are best — markdowns are entered before the store opens or right after opening.

🔍 Hidden Clearance Hunting Strategies

• Check the top and bottom shelves — employees often place clearance items out of direct sight.
• Scan multiple barcodes if the item has different packaging or versions.
• Ask politely if there’s a “clearance bay” or markdown staging area — some stores have these in the back.

📆 Seasonal Markdown Opportunities

Lowe’s and Home Depot run huge seasonal clearance events that follow predictable patterns:

• Post-holiday décor: 50–90% off after Christmas, Halloween, and Easter.
• Outdoor furniture: Marked down late summer (August–September).
• Grills: Best prices after Labor Day.
• Garden center items: Heavily discounted in late fall.

📢 Join the Deal-Hunting Community

Want real-time alerts on markdowns at Lowe’s and Home Depot? Join the Yes We Coupon Facebook Group and follow our Telegram Channel. Members share live markdown finds, clearance codes, and hidden deals every day.

📊 Why Knowing Markdown Codes Gives You an Edge

Most shoppers walk right past yellow and orange clearance tags without a second thought. But for deal hunters, those tags are treasure maps. Markdown codes at Lowe’s and Home Depot aren’t just random numbers — they are clues to the product’s pricing history and its future markdown potential. Once you know how to read them, you can anticipate when prices will drop again and swoop in before others even realize the deal exists.

🧠 How Lowe’s and Home Depot Handle Clearance

Although both stores operate in the home improvement space, their clearance processes have unique differences:

• Lowe’s: Relies heavily on store-level markdown discretion but still follows a national pricing structure for many seasonal items. Clearance tags are updated on a rolling schedule.
• Home Depot: Has a more structured markdown cycle with clear price-ending indicators and a roughly 6-week gap between reductions.

Understanding these nuances allows you to tailor your shopping strategy for each retailer.

🔍 Decoding Lowe’s Markdown Tags in Detail

Lowe’s markdown tags are often yellow with black text, showing the original price, current clearance price, and sometimes a small printed date. Here’s how to use that info to your advantage:

1. Price Endings: A price ending in .06 means final markdown — the lowest it will go before being pulled. .08 indicates it’s on its first markdown and will likely drop again.
2. Printed Date: Located in small type, usually in the bottom corner. This is the markdown date — track this to predict the next reduction.
3. Item/SKU Number: Use the Lowe’s app to check if other locations have the same product at a lower price.

Pro shoppers keep a “markdown calendar” to remind them when to recheck .08 items for the next drop.

📜 Understanding Home Depot Markdown Patterns

Home Depot’s markdown process is more transparent, especially if you know what the price endings mean:

• .06 – First markdown. If stock remains after ~6 weeks, expect another drop.
• .03 – Final markdown. Buy now — the item won’t be any cheaper and will likely be pulled soon.

The markdown date on Home Depot tags is usually printed in a small box near the barcode. Use this to estimate the timing of the next drop, especially for high-ticket items like appliances or outdoor furniture.

🛠️ Tools to Scan for Hidden Deals

Both Lowe’s and Home Depot have barcode scanners in their apps. Here’s how to make the most of them:

1. Open the app and use the barcode scanner to check the current price — sometimes it’s lower than the printed tag.
2. Compare prices at nearby stores; you can find a deeper markdown just a few miles away.
3. Check online for online-only discounts that may stack with in-store markdowns.

Bonus: Sometimes the app reveals clearance items not marked in the aisle at all, giving you a true “hidden clearance” edge.

⏰ Ideal Times to Hunt for Markdown Codes

Both stores have “sweet spots” for when markdowns are most likely to be applied:

• Lowe’s: Mondays and Thursdays, early morning.
• Home Depot: Thursdays, sometimes Sunday evening for seasonal items.

Showing up right after markdowns are applied means you’ll get first pick before other shoppers or resellers clear out the deals.

🏷️ Seasonal Clearance Timing

The biggest markdown events at Lowe’s and Home Depot revolve around the seasons:

• Holiday décor: Immediately after major holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and Easter.
• Patio furniture: August and September.
• Grills: Post-Labor Day until stock is gone.
• Garden items: Late fall clearance for soil, planters, and plants.

Pairing seasonal timing with markdown code knowledge guarantees maximum savings.

🕵️ Where to Look for Clearance Beyond the Obvious

Not all clearance items are in the “clearance section.” Look in:

• Top shelves (overstock often sits here until it’s marked down)
• Bottom shelves in aisles
• Endcaps between departments
• Outdoor garden centers (especially for seasonal items)

💡 Reseller Tips for Lowe’s & Home Depot Clearance

Many resellers make serious profit flipping markdown finds from these stores. Here’s how:

• Focus on power tools, fixtures, and seasonal décor — they have high resale value.
• Track markdown dates to time your purchases for maximum discount.
• Buy in bulk when items hit final markdowns (.06 at Lowe’s, .03 at Home Depot).

📈 How to Build a Markdown Tracking System

If you’re serious about scoring deals consistently, consider keeping a markdown log:

1. Record SKU/item number, current price, and markdown code.
2. Note the printed markdown date on the tag.
3. Set reminders to recheck items at the predicted next drop time.

This proactive approach helps you get the lowest prices without relying solely on luck.

👥 Join a Deal-Sharing Community

One of the best ways to stay ahead of markdowns is by joining communities that share live finds. The Yes We Coupon Facebook Group and Telegram Channel are excellent resources for real-time markdown alerts, photos, and SKU numbers.

🏁 Final Word

Once you master scanning and interpreting markdown codes at Lowe’s and Home Depot, your trips to these stores will never be the same. You’ll know exactly when to pounce, when to wait, and how to uncover deals other shoppers overlook. Whether you’re upgrading your home, stocking up for projects, or reselling for profit, markdown codes are the key to unlocking massive savings in 2025.

Start today: Download the apps, learn the codes, and join a deal-hunting community. The best discounts are waiting — you just need to know how to read the signs.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Markdown codes aren’t just for store employees — they’re your ticket to scoring the best deals at Lowe’s and Home Depot. Learn to read the tags, time your visits, and scan items for hidden prices. Before long, you’ll be filling your cart with bargains that others walk right past.

Start scanning today and make every trip to Lowe’s or Home Depot a jackpot savings run!