Shopping tips
How to tell if an online "deal" is really a deal
Inflated MRPs, conditional bank offers, "no-cost" EMI and exchange values — a practical way to work out what you'll really pay, and whether it's actually a good price.
"Lowest price ever." "80% off." "Deal of the day, ends in 02:14:37." Indian online shopping runs on urgency, and much of the time the discount is real. But a large share of "deals" are ordinary prices dressed up with an inflated MRP, a bank offer most shoppers can't use, or an EMI with costs buried in the terms. A few minutes of checking separates the two.
The short answer
Ignore the struck-through price. Compare today's price with what the product has actually sold for recently, work out the final price after only the offers you can genuinely use, and check who is selling it and the return policy before you pay.
1. The MRP is not the reference price
The Maximum Retail Price is the most a product may be sold for, not what it normally sells for. In categories like earbuds, smartwatches, chargers and small appliances, products are often listed at an MRP far above any price they've ever sold at, so a permanent everyday price can be shown as "70% off".
What to do instead: use a price-history tool or browser extension to see the product's price over the last few months. If today's price is the same as last month's normal price, the deal is the label, not the price.
2. Compare with similar products, not just the same one
A genuine discount on an overpriced product can still be worse value than the regular price of a competitor. Before buying, look at two or three comparable products from other brands at the same price point.
3. Work out the real final price
The headline price on a listing often assumes offers you may not qualify for:
- Bank offers usually apply to particular cards, sometimes only to credit cards, sometimes only to EMI transactions, and often with a minimum order value and a maximum discount. Read the terms on the payment page.
- Coupons may need to be clipped or applied manually, and may be limited to first orders.
- Delivery and handling fees can appear only at checkout.
Calculate the price after only the offers you can actually use.
4. "No-cost EMI" is not always no-cost
In a typical no-cost EMI, the store gives a discount equal to the interest charged by the bank, so the total looks unchanged. But banks may add a processing fee, and GST is charged on the interest component, so the total can end up slightly higher than paying upfront. You may also lose a cashback that applies only to full payment. Check the final amount on the payment page.
5. Exchange offers depend on inspection
Exchange values shown at checkout are estimates. The final amount is decided when your old device is inspected on pickup, and it can be lower if there's damage, missing accessories, or a mismatch with the model you selected. Count on the lower end.
6. Check the seller
On marketplaces, the same product can be sold by several sellers at different prices. Check the seller's name and rating, and whether the item is fulfilled by the marketplace. For electronics, make sure the listing mentions a manufacturer's warranty valid in India, and keep the invoice — you'll need it for warranty claims.
7. Read the newest reviews first
A product's average rating can hide recent problems — a change of manufacturer, a bad batch, or a software update that broke something. Sort reviews by most recent and read the one- and two-star reviews; they tell you what goes wrong and how often.
8. Know the return policy
Some products — and some sale prices — come with replacement-only or no-return policies. For items where fit or comfort matters, such as earbuds, shoes and clothing, check this before you order.
9. Don't let the countdown decide
Timers and "only 2 left" messages are designed to stop you comparing. Real price drops do expire, but very few products are discounted only once. Big sale events come round several times a year, and smaller sales happen in between. If you can't check the points above before the timer runs out, that's usually a sign to wait.
A one-minute checklist
- What has this sold for over the last few months?
- How does it compare with similar products from other brands?
- What's the final price after only the offers I can use, including delivery fees?
- If it's EMI: what's the total on the payment page?
- Who is the seller, and is there an Indian warranty?
- What do the most recent low-star reviews say?
- Can I return it if it isn't right?