Reference prices explained
What a struck-through reference price represents, why merchants set it, and how to compare the real saving without being misled.
Written and reviewed by DealsChecked Editorial Team
Written for shoppers using the references listed below. Product prices, eligibility, and checkout terms can change, so confirm the final order details with the merchant.
Quick answer: What a struck-through reference price represents, why merchants set it, and how to compare the real saving without being misled.
Short answer:the struck-through number is a comparison price. It helps calculate the advertised saving, but it is not proof of yesterday’s selling price or an all-time typical price.
Three prices that should not be confused
| Price | What it means | How much weight to give it |
|---|---|---|
| Reference price | The comparison anchor shown for the offer | Context only |
| Current deal price | The latest listed offer price | Confirm at checkout |
| Observed price | A price DealsChecked recorded for that product at a dated point | Useful after several observations |
Where reference prices come from
Merchants may use list prices, typical prices, or other comparison prices. Each can lag the market or, on marketplace listings with third-party sellers, be set optimistically high.
How DealsChecked treats them
We label the comparison number as a reference price and calculate the displayed saving from it. Observed price history, when available, shows dated prices recorded for the product.
The practical rule
Decide with the current price against what the product is worth to you, use the dollar saving as context, and treat any comparison price - here or anywhere else - as a claim, not a fact.
Worked example
A product carries a $100 reference price and a $60 current price, so the displayed saving is $40 and the calculated discount is 40%. If observed prices over several weeks are $65, $62, and $60, the current price is still the lowest we observed, but the practical drop from the recent $62 price is only $2. Both facts matter.
What the data does not prove
A short observation history cannot establish a normal long-term price, and DealsChecked does not label a price “all-time low” without a sufficiently complete history.
What the site currently contains
| Current offers in the sample | 29,013 |
|---|---|
| Offers with observed price history | 29,013 |
| Offers with at least 3 observations | 26,864 |
| Data updated | Oct 25, 2026, 8:27 AM EDT |
Apply this guide to current offers
Current higher-dollar examples where the comparison price deserves context.
AnkerAnker SOLIX F3800 Plus Power Station and Double Power Hub, 7,680Wh$5,398.99Save $4,498.01
HisenseHisense 100" U8 Series ULED Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (100U8QG) - QLED, Native 165Hz, VRR 288, Up to LD5600, 5000 Nits, HDR10+, Dolby Vision IQ · Atmos, IMAX Enhanced, 4.1.2 Ch Audio, 100 inch$3,999.99Save $3,000.00
AnkerAnker SOLIX F3800 Plus Portable Power Station and BP3800 Expansion Battery$4,298.99Save $2,999.01Sources and further reading
For practical buying advice, see our deal shopping tips. Material errors can be reported under our corrections policy.
Primary references
- 16 CFR Part 233 — Guides Against Deceptive Pricing — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
Related DealsChecked pages
- How to spot an inflated discount: 5 evidence checks
- How we calculate discount percentages
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- Browse current product deals