Ultimate guide to spotting real sales vs fake discounts

What counts as a real sale

A real sale means the current price is genuinely lower than a recent, honest reference price. The item was actually sold (or clearly offered) at the higher price for a meaningful period. Real sales are backed by live data from the retailer, not invented “compare at” or “was” numbers that were never the real price.

Fake “was” prices

One of the oldest tricks is inflating the “was” or “original” price. The “was $199” might never have been the real selling price—it could be a manufacturer’s suggested price, a short-lived high, or pure fiction. When the “discount” is huge (e.g. “70% off”) but the product is obscure or the “was” price feels off, treat it with suspicion. Real discounts are usually tied to real, verifiable prior prices.

If the “was” price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Look for evidence that the higher price was ever real.

— On Sale

Countdown timers and false urgency

Countdown timers that reset when they hit zero, or “only 2 left!” on mass-produced items, are designed to push you to buy, not to inform you. They don’t prove the deal is real or limited. Real scarcity (e.g. limited stock on a specific size) is different from fake urgency. Ignore the timer and focus on whether the price and the product are actually good for you.

How to spot real discounts

Look for tools or retailers that show live sale data: current price, and when possible, a clear reference (e.g. “was” from the same store over a recent period). Filter by discount level (20%, 50%, 90% off) so you’re comparing like with like. Cross-check big “savings” on a quick search—if the “sale” price is what everyone else charges, it’s not a real sale.

Use tools that show live data

Aggregators and extensions that pull live inventory and pricing from retailers are more reliable than static “deal” lists. When the data comes from the source and updates in real time, you’re less likely to see phantom “was” prices or expired offers. Prefer one place that aggregates many stores and lets you filter by discount—so you see real sales, not hype.

Summary

Real sales have real reference prices and live data behind them. Fake discounts rely on inflated “was” prices, resetting countdowns, and false urgency. To spot real sales vs fake discounts: check whether the “was” price was ever real, ignore pressure tactics, and use tools that show current and historical prices from the retailer. When in doubt, compare the “sale” price elsewhere—and only then decide if it’s a deal worth taking.