A big red “40% off” sign feels like a win. Sometimes it is. Here's how to tell the difference in a minute.
The crossed-out “was” or “compare at” price is the store's number, and it's often higher than what the item usually sells for. The only question that matters is how the sale price compares with what other stores are charging right now.
For big purchases, price-history trackers (Keepa and camelcamelcamel are popular for Amazon) show what an item has sold for over the past months. A price near the low end of that range is a good one. A “sale” that sits in the middle isn't worth rushing for.
If it's clearly below what other stores charge today and you were already planning to buy it, it's a good deal. If you only want it because it's on sale, it isn't one.
Price AI identifies the product from a photo, pulls current prices from major retailers, and gives you a Deal Score from 1–100 so you know whether to buy or walk away. When it can't identify something, it says so instead of guessing.
They're set by the seller, and they're often above what the item normally sells for. Compare against other stores' current prices instead.
Any price clearly below what other major retailers charge today for the exact same item. The percentage on the sign matters less than that comparison.
Price AI's Deal Score (1–100) rates how the price you're looking at compares with current prices it finds for the same item. Higher means a better deal.
Related: how to compare unit prices, so a shrunk pack or a “2 for $5” deal can't fool you.