Fake Discounts During Sales in India: The Hidden Truth Every Shopper Must Know

What Are Fake Discounts?

A fake discount happens when the original price (MRP) is artificially inflated just before the sale event. The “discounted price” is actually the normal selling price, and the product was never sold at the claimed higher anchor price.

In simple words: You think you’re saving money, but you’re paying the same—or sometimes even more.

Behind the Scenes

1. Inflated MRP Before Sales

A product usually sells for ₹1,999. Before a sale, the MRP is adjusted to ₹3,999. The sale price is then set to ₹1,999 again. The result? A "50% OFF" sticker on a product at its regular price.

2. The Ghost "Was Price"

Many platforms show a "Was ₹2,499" tag. Consumers rarely verify price history, but often that price was never charged to any customer; it exists purely as a psychological anchor.

3. Bundle Confusion

Items are bundled to obscure individual values. Item A (₹500) and Item B (₹300) are shown with a combined bundle MRP of ₹1,500 and a sale price of ₹800. It looks like a ₹700 saving, but the price is exactly what you'd pay normally.

Online vs Offline Reality

Online: Easier to manipulate MRPs algorithmically. Rapid price changes and high competition lead to aggressive, sometimes misleading, tactics.

Offline: Uses old stock clearance disguised as festive discounts. Sales staff are trained in pressure tactics to close deals on "one-day only" offers.

High-Risk Categories

Be extra careful while buying from these categories in the Indian market:

• Fashion & Clothing
• Shoes & Accessories
• Consumer Electronics & Gadgets
• Home Appliances
• Beauty & Personal Care

Psychological Tricks

• 🔴 Countdown Timers "Only 10 minutes left" creates panic to bypass your logical decision-making nodes.
• 🔴 Stock Scarcity "Only 2 items left" forces quick, often un-researched decisions.
• 🔴 Social Proof "5,000 people bought this today" adds artificial peer pressure to your session.

Practical Checklist

Use this logic before clicking "Checkout":

• ✅
  Track Price History: Use browser extensions or price trackers to check past values. If the price stayed similar over 3 months, the discount is a fabrication.
• ✅
  Compare Per-Unit Cost: Ignore the big percentage. Check the ₹ per kg or ₹ per piece logic instantly.
• ✅
  Read Recent Reviews: Filter for the last 2 weeks. Sale buyers often report lower quality variants or missing accessories.

Consumer Rights in India

Indian consumer law states that misleading pricing is an unfair trade practice. False discounts can be challenged in consumer forums. However, enforcement is often slow, so individual awareness is your primary shield.