- Compare the price with what it recently sold for, not the list price.
- Check whether a newer model is coming.
- Look for repeated complaints, then compare with one alternative.
Start with the price history, not the sticker
A crossed-out list price tells you very little. Many items are listed at a high price for weeks so the sale price looks generous. What matters is what the product has actually sold for recently.
If you cannot see a price history, be careful with words like 'was' and 'save'. They are marketing, not evidence.
Check whether a newer model is coming
A large discount on an older model is sometimes a clearance, and sometimes a trap if the product is about to be replaced and support will fade. A confirmed successor is a good reason to wait or to buy the older model on purpose, at a lower price.
Read the complaints, not the average rating
A 4.5 star average can hide a pattern. Look for the same problem mentioned by many different owners, such as a battery that fades or a hinge that cracks. One angry review is noise. Ten similar ones are information.
Compare it with one alternative
A deal is only good if nothing better is available for similar money. Pick the closest competitor and compare price and the two or three things you care about most.
Ask whether it fits you
The best price on the wrong product is still wasted money. Decide what you will use it for and what you can spend before you look at discounts. VEYDICT does this check for you and gives you a GO, WAIT or SKIP.
Want a verdict on the exact product?
Paste a link and get a GO, WAIT or SKIP for you in about a minute.
Questions
What is the quickest way to check a deal?
Search the exact model at two other stores, then compare all three prices with the lowest price of the past few months. If they are close, the deal is probably real.
Should I ever buy the very first discounted price I see?
Only if you need the product now. Real deals usually come back, and waiting a few days costs little.
Does a famous brand mean a fair price?
No. Big brands are discounted just like any others, and the list price can be inflated in the same way.