As an Amazon Associate, LUKTAT earns from qualifying purchases. Updated 2 October 2026.
A big red “-40%” badge doesn’t always mean a good deal. During Prime Big Deal Days, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, thousands of products show discounts, and some are far better than others. These are the checks we use at LUKTAT before featuring a deal. Most take under a minute.
1. Ignore the crossed-out price, check the price history
The crossed-out “was” price is a reference point, not proof of a bargain. What matters is how the deal compares with the price the item has actually sold at over recent months. Free price trackers such as Keepa and CamelCamelCamel show an Amazon product’s price history as a chart. If today’s “deal” matches a price you’d have paid most of last month, it’s not much of a deal.
2. Check the exact version: model, year, size and color
This is the most common trap, and one we run into ourselves when adding products:
- Model years. New and previous generations often have almost identical names. Amazon refreshed its Kindles and Fire TV Sticks in autumn 2026, for example, so older models are still listed next to new ones. See our Kindle guide and Fire TV Stick guide.
- Colors and sizes. On many listings each color or size has its own price. The deal may only apply to one of them.
- Multipacks. Skincare, batteries and household items are often sold as 2-, 3- or 6-packs. A higher price can be a good deal per unit, or a low price can be for a smaller size than you expect. Work out the price per item or per ounce.
3. See who’s selling it
Under the Buy button, Amazon shows who ships and sells the item. “Ships from and sold by Amazon” usually means the simplest returns. Third-party sellers can be perfectly fine, but check their rating and return policy, especially for expensive electronics.
4. Look for coupons and Subscribe & Save
Some products have an extra clip-on coupon on the product page that you need to tick before adding to cart. Everyday items (coffee, cleaning supplies, skincare) may also be cheaper with Subscribe & Save, which you can cancel after your first delivery.
5. Read the most recent reviews
Sort reviews by “Most recent”. A product’s overall rating can hide a newer quality problem or a changed design. Look at photos from buyers, and be wary of very short, generic five-star reviews.
6. Watch the deal timer, but don’t panic
Limited-time and Lightning Deals sell out, so if something is on your list and passes these checks, it’s reasonable to buy. But if it’s not something you planned to buy, a countdown timer isn’t a reason to.
7. Know the return window
Amazon often extends return windows for holiday purchases. Check the product page before you rely on it, especially for gifts bought in October and November.
- Is the price lower than the usual price, not just the crossed-out price?
- Is it the right model, year, size, color and pack?
- Who’s selling it, and what’s the return policy?
- Is there an extra coupon to clip?
- Do recent reviews still look good?
- Was it on my list before the sale started?
Getting ready for the big sales? See our Prime Big Deal Days guide (October 6–7, 2026).
