How can I tell if a deal or discount is too good to be true?
Red flags of a too-good-to-be-true deal
A genuine discount rarely exceeds 50-70% off, unless it's a clearance or going-out-of-business sale. If you see a popular item at 90% off from an unknown seller, that's a major warning sign. Scammers use unrealistically low prices to lure victims.
Other red flags include limited-time pressure, requests for unusual payment methods, and poor grammar or spelling on the website. If the deal requires you to act immediately or pay outside normal channels, it's probably a scam.
- Price is far below market value (e.g., a new iPhone for $200)
- Countdown timers or 'only 1 left' pressure tactics
- Seller has no reviews or a new account
- Payment methods like gift cards, wire transfer, or crypto only
How to verify a deal
Search for the product on multiple reputable sites to see the typical price. Check the seller's reviews and ratings on independent sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau. Use Google reverse image search to see if the product photos are stolen from elsewhere.
If the seller is on a platform like Amazon or eBay, look at their feedback score and history. A sudden drop in price from a normally priced seller could indicate a hacked account.
Common mistakes
- Believing that a high original price crossed out means the discount is real; scammers fake MSRPs.
- Assuming that a deal is safe because it's on a well-known platform; third-party sellers can still scam.
- Ignoring shipping costs or hidden fees that make the total price less of a bargain.
