How to Tell if a Deal Is Real
Inflated "regular" prices make some discounts look bigger than they are. Here is how to check.
The inflated regular price
A product marked "70% off" is only a deal if it ever sold at the higher price. Many never did.
Checks
- Compare the sale price with the same item at two other stores
- Look at the price history if you can
- Confirm the exact model number
Other tricks
- Bundles priced as if each part sold at full price
- Older models presented next to new ones
- Marketplace sellers on a retailer's site with their own pricing
A simple rule
Judge a deal by the profit after fees at today's selling price, never by the discount percentage.