Price literacy · Published 2026-11-01

How to spot inflated 'was' prices before you buy

Practical checks shoppers can use to tell genuine price drops apart from temporary reference-price hikes across major retailers.

Many online shops raise an item's ticket price for a short window so a later sale banner looks steeper than the normal street price. Checking the baseline before paying saves real money.

1. Compare at least two independent retailers

Model numbers (not marketing titles) reveal whether a discount is unique to one shop or simply the standard clearance price everywhere. Copy the exact manufacturer part number and compare across official storefronts.

2. Look for steady history rather than RRP labels

Recommended retail prices are set at launch and rarely reflect what electronics or home appliances sell for six months later. On FindMyDeal, we strip unverified discount claims from community headlines and only display a percentage off when our own shop-level price records back it up.

3. Check total landed cost

Delivery charges, currency conversion fees and return postage can erase a small headline saving. Always verify final checkout totals directly on the merchant's site.