How to Make Sure You’re Getting the Best Deals This Holiday Season 

The holiday shopping season is here, and with it comes the promise of massive discounts. But before you get swept away by flashy ads claiming “40% off” or more, it’s important to take a closer look.

Many “Black Friday specials” aren’t what they seem. In fact, some retailers and sellers inflate original prices to make discounts look bigger, or worse, advertise savings when there are none at all. 

Here’s what you need to know to shop smarter and avoid falling for misleading deals. 

Inflated Discounts: A Common Holiday Tactic 

You’ve probably seen deals like “40% off!” plastered all over your favorite shopping sites. But here’s the catch: some of these discounts are based on artificially inflated original prices.

In reality, the “deal” might only be 10%, or the item could be the same price it’s been all month. 

Let’s dive into a few real-life examples I discovered while browsing Amazon, with the help of their AI assistant, Rufus.

Using Rufus to Uncover Real Discounts 

Amazon’s AI helper, Rufus, is a game-changer for savvy shoppers. Available on the Amazon website and app, Rufus can answer questions about product specs, reviews, and—most importantly—price history.

With Rufus, you can see a 30-day price summary for items, helping you determine if a discount is real. 

Here’s what I found: 

1. Item 1 

   – Claimed Discount: 44% off an original price of $159.99 

   – Reality: The true price over the past 30 days was around $98. After a small discount, the actual savings were only 8.19%, not 44%. 

2. Item 2 

   – Claimed Discount: $139.99 original price with $29 savings 

   – Reality: Over the last 30 days, the average price was $120. This means the actual discount is closer to 16.68%, not the advertised amount. 

3. Item 3 

   – Claimed Discount: $29.99 original price with 33% off 

   – Reality: The item has been $19.99 for the entire month—there’s no discount at all!

4. Item 4 

   – Claimed Discount: $179.99 original price with 17% off 

   – Reality: This one is actually accurate! The price history confirms a genuine 17% discount. 

Why This Happens 

It’s not just Amazon—retailers everywhere have been using these tactics for years. The difference now is that digital pricing makes it even easier to manipulate numbers compared to the old days of shelf stickers. 

Smart Shopping Tips for the Holidays 

1. Check Price History: Use tools like Amazon’s Rufus or third-party apps to track price trends and verify discounts. 

2. Plan Ahead: Start your holiday shopping early—ideally months in advance. Keep a list of potential gifts and their regular prices so you’ll know when a discount is genuine. 

3. Shop Flash Sales: Don’t wait for Black Friday if you spot a good deal during off-season sales like summer flash sales or back-to-school promotions. 

4. Be Skeptical: If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always double-check the numbers. 

Final Thoughts 

While it’s possible to find real discounts during Black Friday and holiday sales, they’re not as common as retailers want you to believe.

Thankfully, with the right tools and a little preparation, you can cut through the noise and find deals that truly save you money. 

Empower yourself this holiday season—shop smarter, not harder!