An offer can look great on the surface. Reading it properly takes less than a minute and tells you whether it really is a good deal for you.
Start with the regular price
A clear offer shows the regular price beside the sale price. Subtract one from the other to see your saving in dollars, then divide by the regular price for the percentage.
| Example | Regular | Offer | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sectional sofa with ottoman | $1,199 | $653 | $546 (46%) |
| Robot vacuum and mop | $799 | $453 | $346 (43%) |
| Electric toothbrush | $13 | $11 | $2 (15%) |
Look at what's included
Bundles, pack sizes and plan lengths change the value. Make sure you compare the same quantity and the same accessories.
Add shipping and tax
A free-shipping threshold can make a bigger order cheaper per item. Check that sales tax is shown in the cart before checkout, not added at the end.
Check the returns policy
Most unused items can be returned, but food, gift cards and opened personal care products are usually final sale.
Choose the right promo code
A percentage code saves more on large orders; a fixed-amount code is better on small ones. Most stores allow one code per order.