How to read a discount: three tricks that make a sale look bigger

• A crossed-out price may never have been charged. Use a price tracker.
• A bundle can hide a worse base price.
• A coupon that expires "in 10 minutes" resets on reload.

The simple rule: decide your price before you open the page.

Websites often show a "was" price that applied for a day. Use a price history tool, or check three shops before you buy.

If the "limited-time" timer resets when you reload the page, ignore it.

This is a demo story: every name, place, organisation and figure in it is fictional.