You’re scrolling through an online sale when you see it — the magic phrase:
“Was $199, Now $99!”
It feels like you’ve just outsmarted the system.
But what if that discount isn’t real?
In 2025, fake discounts have become one of the most common marketing tactics online — and they’re getting harder to spot.
Here’s how price manipulation works, how to detect it, and how price-tracking tools can separate genuine bargains from clever illusions.
🧩 1. The Illusion of a Discount
Many retailers use a tactic called “reference price anchoring.”
They inflate the original price just before a sale so the discount looks bigger.
Example: a product that sold for $120 last month quietly rises to $199 two weeks before Black Friday. When the “$99 deal” hits, shoppers think they’re saving 50% — when in reality, the discount is closer to 17%.
This isn’t illegal in most countries — but it’s misleading.
🔍 2. The Psychology Behind Fake Discounts
Fake discounts work because of how our brains process loss aversion and urgency.
Seeing a high “was” price triggers an emotional win: “I’m getting a deal!”
But price history data often shows:
- The item was never sold at the higher price.
- The discount is just a return to normal pricing after a temporary hike.
- The “deal period” resets every few weeks to keep the illusion alive.
Pro Tip 💡: If the same product is “on sale” more than 80% of the time, it probably isn’t a real discount.
🧠 3. How Retailers Engineer Perception
Here are the most common tricks used in fake discount campaigns:
| Tactic | How It Works | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor Price Inflation | Temporarily raising the MSRP before a sale | Sudden price jumps weeks before “big sales” |
| Evergreen Sales | Permanent discounts that never end | “Today Only!” banners that repeat weekly |
| Drip Pricing | Hidden fees added at checkout | Shipping or service fees negate the discount |
| Strikethrough Deception | Showing a fake original price | If you never saw the item at that price before — it’s a red flag |
🧾 4. How to Spot a Fake Discount in Seconds
- Use a price history tool like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel to see past price data.
- Check other stores — if everyone’s selling at the same price, it’s not a deal.
- Look for suspiciously precise percentages (“49% off” is often calculated backwards from the target price).
- Watch for “compare at” labels — they often reference a competitor’s inflated price.
- Use AI price trackers that flag price hikes before sales (e.g., Pricepulse or Price-Trackers.com Predictions).
💰 5. Real vs. Fake: A Quick Example
| Product | Before Sale | During Sale | True Discount | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Speaker | $129 | $99 | – 23% | ✅ Real deal |
| Smartwatch | $99 → $159 → $99 | 0% | 🚫 Fake discount | |
| Headphones | $199 | $99 | – 50% | ✅ Only if consistent with past sales |
📊 6. Why Price Trackers Make You Immune
Price trackers cut through the marketing noise by revealing the entire history of a product.
They show:
- When the price spiked and why
- How often a product is “on sale”
- The average market price over time
That means you can tell instantly whether “Was $199” is a lie or a legit discount.
Smart shoppers don’t trust red tags — they trust data.
🧭 7. Final Thoughts
Fake discounts play on emotion; price trackers empower logic.
Next time you see a “limited time offer,” check its price history first.
The truth might save you more than money — it saves you from manipulation. 💡💸
📊 Stop falling for fake sales
Use real data to find genuine discounts at Price-Trackers.com — your trusted guide to truth in pricing and smart shopping strategy. 🔍✨
Price Trackers 