A red price tag and a crossed-out number are designed to make you act fast. Five quick checks tell you whether the discount is real.
1. Ignore the "compare at" price
The crossed-out price is set by the seller. It can be a list price nobody pays, or a price the item sat at for a single day. What matters is what the item usually sells for.
2. Look at the price history
Free price trackers show how a product's price has moved over weeks and months. If today's "sale" price is where the item has been sitting most of the year, it isn't a sale. A real deal sits clearly below the typical price. See how to read a price chart.
3. Do the unit math
Multi-packs and "family size" are where most fake deals hide. Divide the price by the number of units (or ounces, or count) and compare that number, not the total.
| Offer | What to compare |
|---|---|
| 6-pack vs. single | Price ÷ 6 against the single-unit price |
| "Bonus size" 20% more | Price per ounce against the regular size |
| Bundle with accessories | Would you buy each item separately? Price only what you'd use |
4. Add everything up
Shipping, sales tax, membership requirements and restocking fees all change the real price. A slightly higher price with free shipping and free returns often beats the lowest sticker.
5. Check the return policy and the seller
On marketplaces, the same product can be sold by the retailer itself or by third-party sellers. Prefer offers sold or fulfilled by the retailer, and make sure the return window covers the time you'll need to try the product.
The 30-second version
- Is it below the usual price, not just the crossed-out one?
- Is the price per unit lower?
- Is the total (shipping, tax, fees) still a good price?
- Can you return it easily?
Four yeses and it's worth buying. Otherwise, wait: most products go on sale again.
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