Sales are everywhere these days. Open your email, scroll through social media, walk into any store — everything seems to be “40% OFF!” or “Today Only!” The problem? A lot of those discounts aren’t really deals at all. Some are inflated, recycled, or designed to make you think you’re saving money when you’re actually paying the regular price.
Here’s how to tell when you’re looking at a real bargain and when the discount is just smoke and mirrors.
1. Don’t trust the “original price.”
One of the oldest tricks in retail is bumping up the supposed original price to make the discount look huge. Before you buy, check the same product at a few other stores. If everyone else sells it for about the same as the “sale” price, that big markdown is just clever math.
2. Be wary of dramatic percentages.
Anything that screams 70% OFF or Buy One, Get Two Free deserves a second look. Genuine deals do happen, but huge discounts often mean:
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The price was marked up first
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The product is being dumped because it’s not good
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Or the retailer just wants to get you in the door
If it feels too dramatic, it usually is.
3. Check the reviews and how old the product is.
Sometimes you’re not saving money — you’re buying last year’s slow seller. Look up reviews somewhere other than the retailer’s website. A quick search can also tell you if the product is outdated or about to be replaced by a newer version.
4. Compare unit prices, not just the sticker price.
Products are sneaky. They shrink the bottle, change the packaging, or bundle things to make the “deal” sound great. The unit price (per ounce, per count, per liter) tells the truth. It’s the best way to see if you’re actually getting more for your money.
5. Watch for the add-ons.
A discount can look great until you get hit with:
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Shipping fees
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Required memberships
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Warranty upsells
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Restocking fees if you return it
A real deal still feels like a deal after you add everything up.
6. Pay attention to timing.
If a store is constantly having a “48-HOUR SALE!” every single week… yeah, that’s not a sale. True deals usually line up with holidays, end-of-season clearances, or manufacturer promotions. The more predictable the timing, the less impressive the discount.
7. Focus on value, not just price.
Sometimes the “cheaper” option is actually the most expensive, because you’ll end up replacing it sooner. A genuine deal gives you a fair price on something that’s actually worth owning — not something that breaks the first week.
8. Use price-tracking tools.
A quick look at a product’s price history can be eye-opening. Some items bounce between “regular price” and “sale price” every few days to trick you into feeling like you’re catching a steal. Tools that track price changes cut right through the drama.
Bottom Line
A real deal saves you money. A fake discount tries to make you feel like you saved money. Once you learn how to spot the difference, you’ll avoid the traps, stretch your budget further, and never fall for those flashy red sale tags again.