How to check a festive sale discount before you buy

Updated: 17 October 2026

In a festive sale one price often carries three or four offers at once: a sale discount, an extra coupon, a bank offer and cashback. Each has its own rules, so the price you pay can be well above the biggest number on the banner. Here is how to work out the real price.

Start from the MRP

The MRP on a pack is the most a shop may charge, and it already includes all taxes. Compare the sale price with the MRP, and with the price you saw before the sale if you remember it. "Up to 70% off" means some items are that cheap, not all.

Discounts in a row multiply

An extra discount is taken off the price that is already reduced. 40% off and then 10% extra is 46% off, not 50%: ₹1,000 → ₹600 → ₹540.

Bank offers have a limit and conditions

"10% instant discount up to ₹1,500" stops at ₹1,500, however big the order. Look for the minimum order value, the cards it works on, whether it is for EMI or full payment, and how many times one card can use it.

Cashback comes later

Cashback is paid after the purchase, sometimes as points or a voucher with an expiry date. It does not lower the amount you pay today, so count it only if you will use it.

No-cost EMI is not always free

With no-cost EMI the seller usually takes the interest off the price as a discount, but the bank still charges interest, and you may pay a processing fee and 18% GST on the interest and the fee. Ask for the total of all the instalments and fees, and compare it with paying in full.

Check the payment page

Delivery, packing, convenience or platform fees can be added at the last step. Compare the final amount, not the first price you saw.

Work out any offer with the discount calculator, and the tax inside a price with the GST calculator.