Five ways to spot a fake discount during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days

Start by verifying the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price on the brand's official website. Amazon listings often inflate the original price to make a discount seem deeper than it is. For example, an Anker Solix power station recently displayed a 43 percent discount based on an MSRP of $1,199, despite the manufacturer listing the item at $999.99. If the brand site is unclear, cross-reference prices with retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, or Target to establish the true market value.

Utilize specialized tracking tools such as CamelCamelCamel to monitor price history over months or years. This allows you to see if a current sale price is truly a discount or simply the product's standard rate. Additionally, Amazon’s integrated Alexa for Shopping feature now allows users to request up to a year of price history and set alerts for specific items. Finally, pay close attention to the "Sold by" and "Ships from" information located near the checkout button. Purchasing products sold directly by Amazon or reputable brand storefronts reduces the risk of dealing with third-party sellers who may have poor customer ratings or unreliable inventory practices.