A large percentage-off headline is designed to catch your attention, but it does not always represent the best available deal. Comparing the final price, once delivery, exclusions and any additional codes are accounted for, gives a much more accurate picture of what you are actually saving.

Percentage discounts can be misleading on their own

A 50% discount on an inflated starting price can work out more expensive than a smaller, more honest discount elsewhere. Where possible, it is worth checking an item’s recent price history so a percentage reduction reflects a genuine saving rather than a price that was raised shortly before the sale began.

Delivery charges change the real cost

Two retailers offering an identical item at a similar headline price can end up very different once delivery is added. A slightly higher product price with free delivery can be cheaper overall than a lower price with a substantial delivery charge, so it is worth comparing totals rather than product prices alone.

Exclusions affect whether a discount even applies

Many codes and sales exclude certain brands, categories or already-reduced items. A large discount that does not apply to the item in your basket is not a saving at all, which is why it is worth checking the terms of an offer against your specific order before assuming it will apply.

Compare like for like

When comparing offers between retailers, check that you are comparing the same product, specification and delivery timescale. A cheaper price for a different model, or a longer delivery window, is not always a genuine like-for-like saving.

CheckoutDeals lists deals and discount codes with their terms shown clearly, making it easier to compare the real cost of an offer rather than relying on the headline discount alone.