Being Tricky
The short answer
A fake discount is a sale price measured against an inflated “was” price, so the savings look bigger than they are.
At a glance
About 10 minutes · Easy · For Security
Key point 1 of 5
The FTC’s Guides Against Deceptive Pricing set the standard.
Key point 2 of 5
The fastest way to expose a fake “was” price is to see what the item actually sold for over the last few months.
Key point 3 of 5
Laptops, TVs and headphones often come in several versions that look the same in photos.
Key point 4 of 5
The FTC’s online shopping advice says words like “refurbished” and “close-out” can mean a product isn’t in perfect condition.
Key point 5 of 5
Bundles are where a fake discount hides best, because it’s hard to see what each piece costs.
Quick tip
Model numbers matter for price matching too.
Watch out
Pay with a credit card where you can.
You might ask
Are Black Friday tech deals real? Many are, but some “was” prices are inflated.
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Being Tricky