How to Spot a Real Deal (And Avoid Fake Discounts)
Not every discount is a bargain. Here's how Australians can tell a genuine deal from inflated-RRP trickery.
Why discounts aren't always deals
Retailers often inflate the 'was' price to make a discount look bigger. The trick is to look at historical pricing, not just the percentage off.
Three signals to check
- Price history — Has this product actually been cheaper before? A 40% 'discount' from a price it was never really sold at isn't a deal.
- Review quality — A cheap product with poor reviews isn't a bargain; it's a waste.
- Deal Score — SPARW's future AI system will combine these signals into a single 0–100 score so you don't have to do the maths.
The SPARW approach
We focus on products worth considering — not just the biggest percentage drop. A 15% discount on a genuinely excellent product can be a better deal than 50% off something mediocre.