Short answer
Yes, this happens, and it is common enough that consumer protection regulators in several countries have rules specifically about it. A retailer raises the price for a short period right before a sale, then discounts from that inflated number so the sale looks bigger than it actually is.
Mike Ross, Consumer Tech Editor / Updated Mar 17, 2026
Yes, this happens, and it is common enough that consumer protection regulators in several countries have rules specifically about it. A retailer raises the price for a short period right before a sale, then discounts from that inflated number so the sale looks bigger than it actually is.
Why retailers do this
A 40 percent off sale looks more compelling than a 15 percent off sale, even if the final price is nearly identical. Briefly raising the price before the markdown lets the retailer advertise a bigger percentage without actually giving up much margin.
How common is it really
It is not universal, and plenty of sales are genuine drops from a stable price. But it happens often enough in categories like electronics and home goods around major shopping events that it is worth checking rather than assuming either way.
The only reliable way to catch it
A price history chart makes this obvious. If you see the price hold steady for weeks, then spike for a few days right before a big sale event, and then drop to a number close to or even above the pre spike price, that is a strong sign the sale is inflated.
What to do about it
- Check the 90 day trend before a big sale event, not just on the day of the sale.
- Compare the sale price to the average price over the last month, not just the highest recent price.
- Be extra cautious around major shopping holidays, since that is when this tactic shows up most.
- Use a typical price comparison to see if the 'sale' price is even competitive with similar products.
How QuickFinds helps here
Because QuickFinds tracks a 90 day trend, a pre sale price spike is usually visible right on the product page, which makes an inflated discount easy to catch without digging through screenshots or third party trackers. The typical price feature adds a second layer, showing whether the final number is actually competitive against similar products regardless of how the discount is framed.
Where a longer history helps more
This tactic sometimes repeats every year around the same sale event. A 90 day window will catch it if it happens in the run up to the sale you're watching, but it will not show you whether the same retailer did this last year too. A longer running tracker with multi year history is more useful for spotting that kind of repeated pattern.
| Pattern | Likely meaning |
|---|---|
| Flat price, then real drop | Genuine sale |
| Flat price, short spike, drop near original level | Likely inflated sale |
| Gradual decline into the sale | Probably genuine, gradual clearance |
| Price higher after the sale than before the spike | Inflated discount, avoid |
Frequently asked
Do retailers actually raise prices before a sale?+
Yes, it happens often enough in some categories that it is a recognized tactic, and some regions regulate the practice.
How can I tell if a sale price was inflated first?+
Look at a price history chart. A short price spike right before the sale, followed by a drop close to the original price, is a common sign.
What should I check before trusting a sale badge?+
Check the 90 day price trend and compare the sale price to the typical price for similar products, rather than trusting the percentage off alone.
About the author
Mike Ross
Consumer Tech Editor
Mike tests laptops, TVs and headphones, then argues with retailers about their crossed out list prices. He buys almost nothing at full price.