How to spot an inflated discount

Five checks that separate a real price drop from a marked-up reference price.

The classic trick in deal marketing is raising the anchor rather than lowering the price. Five checks catch most of it.

1. Convert the percentage to dollars

A headline percentage on a low-priced item often means a saving of a dollar or two. All our cards show the dollar figure - decide with that number first.

2. Check the price history

If a product's observed history shows it selling at the "deal" price most of the time, the discount is cosmetic. Our deal pages chart every price we have observed.

3. Be suspicious of round anchors

Reference prices like $99.99 against a $49.99 deal price on a commodity item deserve a second look at what similar products cost.

4. Look at the seller

Marketplace listings from third-party sellers can carry invented list prices. The brand's own listing is the better anchor.

5. Check the expiration behavior

A "deal" that renews itself every week is a price, not a deal. Real promotions end. We remove offers at their end time automatically.