Check whether a 'sale' price is really a deal before you buy
Inflated 'was' prices make ordinary prices look like discounts. Use price history plus AI to judge a deal.
1. Copy this prompt
Paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Grok (the free versions work), then replace the [highlighted brackets] with your details. Leave out account numbers and SSNs.
A retailer lists [PRODUCT] at $[SALE PRICE], 'was $[WAS PRICE]' ([X]% off). Price history I found: [PASTE]. 1) Tell me whether the 'was' price looks like a real recent price based on the history. 2) Explain what the FTC's guides against deceptive pricing say about former-price comparisons, in plain English. 3) Tell me what a genuinely good price would be and whether to buy now.
2. Follow these steps
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What to expect, and what to do if they say no
What happened when people tried it
- We haven't verified a real-world example for this one yet, so it's a tool guide plus a prompt. Tried it? Tell us what happened (link below).
Why this works
The problem: Retailers advertise big percentage-off claims against reference prices that few people ever paid.
How AI helps: AI can compare the sale price with price history you gather and explain what makes a former-price claim misleading under FTC guidance.
Tools & what they cost
| Tool | Cost |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Free option available (Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this) Free tier; paid plans available |
| Claude | Free option available (Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this) Free tier; paid plans available |
| CamelCamelCamel Amazon price history | Free (No cost at all) Free |
What do these labels mean?
- Free No cost at all.
- Free option available Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this.
- Costs money You pay a set price or subscription.
- Takes a cut of savings Charges a percentage of what it saves you.
- Time · Difficulty Our estimates for a typical first try, not guarantees.
- Reported What the linked source says happened, often self-reported. Your results will vary.
Watch out for
- No verified AI-specific success story yet. This is a how-to guide built on official sources.
- Price histories may not cover every seller or variant; compare the exact model.
Was this helpful?
Tried it? Tell us what happened, good or bad. We read every reply and may share success stories (only with your OK).
Sources
Last verified 2026-10-19. Not financial, legal, tax or medical advice. Disclaimer.