How to Spot a Real Discount (and an Inflated One)
Por Editorial Team ·
A crossed-out price does not always mean a bargain. Here is how to check whether a deal is genuinely lower than usual.
"Was €199, now €149" looks like a clear saving — but the "was" price is set by the seller, and it is not always a price anyone actually paid. Before you buy, a few quick checks can tell you whether a deal is real.
Check the price history
The most reliable signal is how the price has behaved over time. If a product has hovered around the same price for weeks and the "discount" simply returns it there, it is not a deal. On our product pages we show a price history chart whenever there is enough real data to draw one.
Be wary of a permanent "sale"
Some products are always listed as discounted. If the original price never seems to be charged, the sale price is effectively the normal price.
Compare across merchants
The same model is often sold by several shops. A discount at one store may still be higher than the everyday price at another.
Look beyond the headline price
- Delivery costs and delivery time
- Return policy and warranty
- Whether the item is new, refurbished or a previous model
How we show discounts
We only display a discount percentage when it is calculated from real price data supplied by the merchant, and we never use countdown timers or artificial urgency. Prices can change at any time, so always confirm the final price on the merchant's website before you buy.
Browse current deals or read our editorial approach.
