The Complete Guide to Spotting Fake Amazon Sales
Many “sales” on Amazon aren’t genuine discounts. Sellers use various tactics to make regular prices appear as special deals. This guide will teach you how to identify these manipulated prices and find real bargains.
The Price Spike Trick
One common tactic is raising prices weeks before a “sale” to make discounts appear larger than they really are. This practice is especially prevalent during major shopping events.
Look for these warning signs:
- Price increased suddenly in the last 30 days
- “Original price” is higher than the 90-day average
- The same product was cheaper last month
Pro Tip: Always check the price history before major shopping events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. These are when fake sales are most common.
Checking Historical Prices
Always check the price history before buying during a sale event. Real deals typically show consistent pricing before drops. Fake sales often show suspicious price increases right before the “discount.”
DealDog helps identify products where the “original” price may have been recently inflated to create an artificial discount.
How to verify a real deal:
- Check if the current price is at or below the 90-day average
- Look for consistent pricing in the weeks before the sale
- Compare with competitor pricing on the same item
- Use our color-coded indicators for instant verification
Red Flag Categories
Certain product categories are more prone to price manipulation:
| Category | Common Tactics |
|---|---|
| Electronics | Price increases before major sales events |
| Clothing & Accessories | Inflated MSRP to create larger “discounts” |
| Home & Kitchen | Rotating sales that repeat frequently |
| Toys & Games | Seasonal price adjustments |
| Books | Generally more stable pricing |
Why these categories?
- Electronics: High margins allow for manipulation
- Clothing: Fashion items have flexible pricing
- Books: Fixed publisher pricing limits manipulation
Using DealDog Tools
Use DealDog’s free price tracker to see the full price history:
- Search for any product by ASIN or Amazon URL
- View the 90-day price chart with historical trends
-
Look for the color indicators:
- 🟢 Green = Genuine deal (price is at or near 90-day low)
- 🔴 Red = Suspicious (price was recently inflated)
- 🟡 Yellow = Moderate discount from average price
Advanced features:
- Set price alerts for your wishlist items
- Track multiple variations (colors, sizes) simultaneously
- Export price history data for analysis
- Get notified of genuine price drops instantly
Real Examples
Example 1: Suspicious TV “Deal”
-
Listed as: $599
$899(33% off!) - Investigation: Check if it was actually $899 before
- Red flag: If the higher price only appeared recently
- Verdict: ❌ Likely not a genuine sale
Example 2: Genuine Headphone Deal
-
Listed as: $149
$249(40% off) - Investigation: Price history shows consistent $249 pricing
- Green flag: Significant drop from established price
- Verdict: ✅ Likely a real deal
Example 3: Recurring “Sale” Pattern
-
Listed as: $79
$129(39% off) - Investigation: Price frequently alternates between these points
- Pattern: This “sale” price appears regularly
- Verdict: ⚠️ Regular pricing pattern, not a special deal
The Psychology Behind Fake Sales
Understanding why fake sales work helps you resist them:
Anchoring Bias
Sellers exploit your brain’s tendency to fixate on the first price you see (the inflated “original” price). This makes the “sale” price seem like a bargain even when it’s not.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Limited-time offers create urgency, bypassing rational decision-making. Remember: if it’s truly a good product at a fair price, it will be available again.
Social Proof Manipulation
“Bestseller” badges and “X sold in last hour” create false scarcity. These metrics are often gamed or misleading.
How to Protect Yourself
Before any purchase:
- Install price tracking tools (like DealDog’s browser extension)
- Set a target price based on historical lows, not current “sales”
- Wait for genuine drops - patience saves money
- Compare across sellers - check Walmart, Target, Best Buy
- Read the reviews carefully - look for mentions of price manipulation
Red flags in reviews:
- “Paid full price last week, now it’s on ‘sale’”
- “This goes on sale every month”
- “Check the price history before buying”
Seasonal Patterns to Know
Different times of year have different fake sale patterns:
Prime Day (July/October)
- Often genuine: Amazon devices, select electronics
- Be cautious with: Third-party seller “deals”
- Strategy: Compare prices with other retailers
Black Friday/Cyber Monday
- Often genuine: TVs, gaming consoles, major appliances
- Be cautious with: Clothing, accessories, small electronics
- Strategy: Track prices weeks in advance
Back-to-School (August)
- Often genuine: Some laptops, basic school supplies
- Be cautious with: Branded backpacks, clothing
- Strategy: Buy basics early, wait on fashion items
Post-Holiday (January)
- Often genuine: Holiday clearance, winter items
- Strategy: Good time for actual clearance sales
Take Action Now
Don’t let fake sales fool you anymore. Here’s what to do right now:
- Track your wishlist - Add items you want to DealDog
- Set price alerts - Get notified of genuine drops only
- Learn the patterns - Use this guide as your reference
- Share this knowledge - Help friends avoid fake sales too
Remember: A real deal is when the price drops below its historical average, not when a seller claims it’s “on sale.” Stay informed, stay patient, and save real money with DealDog’s price tracking tools.