Let’s be honest : who hasn’t stared at a giant “–70%” banner on an e-commerce site and felt that tiny rush of dopamine ? I still remember one evening in January, half-asleep on my couch, convinced I’d found the deal of the century on a pair of sneakers. Spoiler : the “before” price had probably never existed. And that’s the whole question here – how much of what we see during sales, clearance events or flash promos is real, and how much is just clever marketing ?
Before diving in, I’ll say this : comparing prices manually can be a chore. Sometimes I end up checking sites like https://franceachat.fr just to cross-reference typical price ranges. You ever do that too, or is it just me trying to reassure myself I’m not being completely fooled ?
How online retailers calculate “discounts” (and why it’s not always pretty)
Here’s the tricky part : that massive red discount tag you see ? It often comes from a “reference price” chosen by the retailer – not necessarily the real market price. Maybe it was the launch price months ago. Maybe it was a recommended price that no one ever actually charged.
Some brands inflate the crossed-out price for a short period before a sale… then drop it during the promo and call it a miracle discount. It’s not illegal everywhere, but it’s definitely misleading. I’ve seen products jump from $59.99 to $89.99 on a Wednesday, only to be “on sale” at $59.99 again by Friday. Honestly, it feels like watching a magic trick you already know the secret to.
Are sales and clearance events still worth it ?
Franchement – yes… sometimes. But only when the product’s price has actually been lower than usual. On big annual events like Black Friday or back-to-school periods, some discounts are genuinely solid. I once grabbed a laptop that dropped by about 22% compared to its average price over the previous three months. That felt real, not like one of those fake slashed numbers made for show.
Clearance deals, especially when stores are emptying last season’s stock, tend to be more legit. Retailers want the warehouse space, and you can feel it : sizes are scattered, colors are odd, but the prices ? Often truly reduced.
How can you tell if a discount is legitimate ?
Honestly, here’s the checklist I use – maybe it’ll help you too :
- Compare the price history. Tools and comparison sites can show if the “deal” is actually lower than the usual selling price.
- Beware of round numbers. A sudden drop from $99.99 to $49.99 looks dramatic, but check if it hovered around $55 or $60 before.
- Check multiple stores. If every retailer is offering the same huge discount, it’s probably a real clearance – or a coordinated marketing push.
- Look at seasonality. Electronics drop during major sale periods. Clothing prices drop at the end of each season. If the timing feels random, the discount might be too.
Also, pay attention to your own reaction. If a discount feels “too good to be true,” it might just be designed to hit that impulse-buy reflex. Retailers know our brains better than we do sometimes.
So… should you trust online discounts ?
Well – cautiously, yes. Most deals aren’t total scams, but a good chunk are more marketing than reality. The solution isn’t to distrust everything ; it’s to shop with a bit of strategy. Compare, double-check, don’t rush.
And honestly, sometimes the best deal is just waiting a few days. I’ve seen items go cheaper after the so-called “biggest sale of the year.” Annoying ? Yes. Surprising ? Not anymore.
Bottom line
Online discounts can be fantastic… or fantastically misleading. The real value lies in understanding how these reductions are built and taking two minutes to verify whether a deal is genuine. With a little practice, you’ll spot patterns, recognize real bargains, and avoid the traps.
So next time you see a massive “–80%” banner – ask yourself : is it a real deal, or just digital confetti ?