Sale math is designed to work against you. "Extra 20% off already reduced items" is not 20% off the original price. "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" is not 66% off per item. And "up to 70% off" means most things are 15% off. These 15 questions help you see through the numbers.
Loading comments...
Multiply the original price by the discount percentage (as a decimal), then subtract from the original. Or multiply by (1 − discount). Example: ₹2,000 at 25% off = ₹2,000 × 0.75 = ₹1,500. Savings = ₹500. Use the [Discount Calculator](/discount-calculator) for instant results.
Divide the sale price by (1 − discount%). Example: Paid ₹1,500 after 25% discount. Original = ₹1,500 ÷ 0.75 = ₹2,000. This is useful for verifying whether the 'original price' on a sale tag was real or inflated.
Discount % = (Original − Sale) ÷ Original × 100. Example: Was ₹3,000, now ₹2,100. Discount = (3,000 − 2,100) ÷ 3,000 × 100 = 30%. Not the 40% the banner might claim.
'₹500 off' is a flat amount subtracted from the price. '20% off' is a percentage of the price. On a ₹2,000 item: 20% off = ₹400 off (₹500 flat is better). On a ₹5,000 item: 20% off = ₹1,000 off (20% is better). Always calculate both and compare.
Multiply the remaining percentages. For 30% + 20%: pay 70% × 80% = 56% of original = 44% total discount. NOT 50%. The second discount applies to the already-discounted price. Use the [Discount Calculator](/discount-calculator) double-discount mode for exact calculation.
No. 30% + 20% sequential = 44% total. 50% flat = 50% total. On a ₹10,000 item: sequential saves ₹4,400, flat saves ₹5,000. You pay ₹600 more with sequential discounts. A flat 45% off is still better than '30% + 20%.'
Buy 1 Get 1 Free = 50% off per item (if you buy 2). Buy 1 Get 1 50% off = 25% off per item (if you buy 2). Buy 2 Get 1 Free = 33% off per item (if you buy 3). BOGO only saves money if you actually need the quantity required — otherwise you're spending more total money.
Apply percentage discounts first (they reduce the base for subsequent calculations), then flat-amount coupons. Example: 20% off + ₹500 coupon on ₹5,000. Apply 20% first: ₹4,000 − ₹500 = ₹3,500. Reverse order: ₹5,000 − ₹500 = ₹4,500, then 20% = ₹3,600. You save ₹100 more by applying the percentage first.
GST is always calculated on the discounted price — the amount the buyer actually pays. If a ₹2,000 item is discounted to ₹1,500, 18% GST applies to ₹1,500 (= ₹270), not ₹2,000 (= ₹360). If a retailer charges GST on the original price, they're overcharging you by ₹90.
Apply discount first, then add GST. Formula: Final = Original × (1 − Discount%) × (1 + GST%). Example: ₹2,000 at 25% off + 18% GST = ₹2,000 × 0.75 × 1.18 = ₹1,770. The [Discount Calculator](/discount-calculator) handles this automatically.
No. Consumers cannot claim GST refunds. Only registered businesses can claim Input Tax Credit. The GST you pay on purchases is a final cost. However, if you're returning an item, the retailer must refund the full amount including GST — they cannot deduct GST from your refund.
Use price tracking tools: BuyHatke (India), Keepa (Amazon global), or PriceHistory.in. These show the price over the last 3-12 months. If the 'sale' price is the same as the regular price 2 months ago, it's not a sale — the price was inflated before the sale event.
Processing fee (1-3% of the item price) + GST on processing fee. A ₹50,000 phone on 0% EMI with 2% processing fee = ₹1,000 fee + ₹180 GST = ₹1,180 extra. Effective interest rate: 4.7% annually (not 0%). Some retailers also increase the base price for EMI purchases — compare the EMI price vs the upfront price before committing.
No. A 50% discount on something you don't need is 100% wasted money. The real question isn't 'how much am I saving?' but 'would I buy this at full price?' If the answer is no, the discount is irrelevant. Calculate cost-per-use: a ₹2,000 jacket worn weekly for 2 years = ₹19/use (good). A ₹500 gadget used once = ₹500/use (bad).