A real special is simple: you pay meaningfully less than you normally would for the same quantity and quality — after you account for pack size, “member pricing”, delivery costs, and bundles.
Quick checklist (60 seconds)
- Unit price: convert to price per 100g / per litre / per item.
- Pack size: check for shrinkflation (same product, smaller size).
- Anchor pricing: ignore “was” prices unless you’ve seen it at that price recently.
- Bundle math: confirm multi-buys beat a larger single pack or competitor.
- Hidden costs: delivery, minimum basket size, or membership price only.
1) Compare unit prices (the #1 trick)
Retailers love to make comparisons difficult by changing pack sizes. Your best defense is unit pricing: price per 100g, per litre, per sheet, or per item.
Example: a 750g coffee at R179 looks cheaper than a 1kg bag at R229 — but the unit price tells the truth: the 1kg bag wins (lower cost per 100g). When you shop like this, “fake specials” stop working.
2) Watch for “anchor pricing” (was/now games)
Anchor pricing happens when a store shows a high “was” price next to a “now” price to make the discount look bigger. The catch: the product may have rarely sold at that “was” level — or the “was” may only reflect a short period.
- If the “was” price feels unfamiliar, treat the saving as unproven.
- Cross-check with other retailers (or a price comparison search) before you buy.
- Be extra careful with “UP TO 50% OFF” banners — your specific item may be 5% off.
3) Use price history thinking (even without charts)
Prices often move in patterns: monthly promos, weekend drops, payday bumps, and seasonal events (e.g. major sale periods). If you see your target item discounted every few weeks, a small “special” today might not be worth rushing for.
Practical habit: if you’re not buying today, add the item to a watchlist and wait for a stronger drop. Over time, DiscountFinder is designed to make this easier with price tracking and alerts.
4) Check sizes, bundles, and “multi-buy” traps
Multi-buy specials look powerful: “2 for R99”, “3 for R120”, “Buy 1 get 1 free”. But sometimes:
- The single item price was increased to make the bundle look better.
- A larger pack (or competitor brand) is still cheaper per unit.
- You’re paying extra for quantity you don’t need (waste = hidden cost).
Rule: convert the bundle into unit price and compare against a larger pack and at least one competitor.
5) Run the “hidden cost” test (delivery, membership, add-ons)
A deal can be “real” on paper but lose value after add-ons:
- Delivery fees (especially for small baskets).
- Minimum basket requirements to qualify for free delivery.
- Loyalty or membership pricing (the public price may be higher).
- Returns and warranty terms (important for electronics and appliances).
Before checking out, look for the total end-to-end cost: item + delivery + extras.
6) Learn the labels (what they usually mean)
“Clearance”
Often genuine, but stock can be limited and returns may be stricter. Verify size/variant.
“Doorbuster” / “Weekend Special”
Great if stock exists in your area. Confirm availability and checkout conditions early.
“Online Only”
Compare delivery cost and return policy. A small discount can be wiped out fast.
“Save up to…”
Treat as marketing. Check your specific item’s unit price and competitor prices.
7) Real-world examples you can copy
Example A: Two pack sizes
If a 500ml shampoo is R59 and a 750ml shampoo is R79: your brain says the 500ml is “cheaper”. Unit price says: R59 ÷ 0.5L = R118/L and R79 ÷ 0.75L = R105.33/L → 750ml is the real deal.
Example B: Multi-buy
“2 for R80” means each is R40. If a competitor sells a larger item that works out to R36 per unit, the bundle loses. Bundle math only works when the unit price drops.
Want the shortcut?
Use DiscountFinder as your “second opinion” before checkout: compare offers side-by-side, then verify the final price on the retailer page.