"40% off" looks great until you find out the product never actually sold at the original price. Here's the checklist we run on every deal before we post it. It takes about five minutes.
1. Ignore the "was" price
The crossed-out price is the retailer's claim, and it's often the highest price the item ever listed at, sometimes for a short time. What matters is what the product has actually sold for over the last few months. Use a price-history tracker, or check a few major retailers on the same day. If several stores are close to the "sale" price, it's not much of a sale.
2. Match the exact model number
Electronics often come in near-identical versions: last year's chip, less storage, a different panel, or a retailer-only variant. Two laptops with the same name can be very different machines. Before you compare prices, compare:
- the full model or part number (not just the product name),
- processor or chip generation,
- storage and memory,
- screen type, size and refresh rate,
- region and language (keyboards, chargers, network bands).
3. Check who is actually selling it
Many big retailer websites are also marketplaces. The listing may be sold and shipped by a third-party seller, with different return rules and warranty support. Look for "sold by" and "shipped by" on the product page. A deal sold by the retailer itself is usually the safer buy.
4. Read the condition
Open-box, refurbished and renewed items can be great value, but they aren't new. Check the exact condition grade and the warranty. Our condition guide explains each label.
5. Add up the real total
- Shipping and handling. A low price with high shipping may cost more than a slightly higher price with free shipping.
- Taxes. Compare after-tax totals when comparing stores in different provinces or states.
- Cross-border costs. Buying from a U.S. store into Canada, or the reverse, can add currency conversion fees, brokerage and duties. Check the retailer's checkout total and the CBSA or U.S. Customs rules before ordering.
- Memberships. Some prices require a paid membership or a store credit card.
6. Look for the fine print
Purchase limits, "while quantities last", in-store only, short return windows, and restocking fees can all change whether a deal is worth it.
The 5-minute checklist
- Is the price lower than what it's actually sold for recently?
- Is it the exact model, storage and region I want?
- Is it sold by the retailer, or by a marketplace seller?
- Is it new, open-box or refurbished, and what's the warranty?
- What's the total after shipping, taxes and any cross-border costs?
If a deal passes all five, it's probably a real one.
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